Issue - meetings

Tracy Grant informed the group of an application made by Opportunity Kintyre to the People and Communities Fund.

 In addition, plans were in progress to work with Business Gateway and a meeting was planned.

Tracy Grant advised that Opportunity Kintyre were in the process of writing out to local community groups.

Verbal Update from Morag Duff

Since the last KIWG meeting Opportunity Kintyre has met with Mike Russell MSP regarding sustainable business development .    They will be meeting Mr Russell again in March . 

Morag Also reported that there had been a useful meeting with regeneration heads in Blairgowrie  (Growbiz) – Opportunity Kintyre are hopeful that a person will be able to be employed  in the near future to do business development support and will be looking to work closely with  the business gateway and HIE

Morag Duff updated the group on the status of the Opportunity Kintyre group.  They had been dormant, but after recent discussion were now hoping to work with local communities to provide advice in accessing agencies and helping to empower people.  They would be working in collaboration with Business Gateway and HIE.  Deirdre Henderson advised that it would be primarily a networking/problem solving group and not a 'discussion forum'.

The Chair stated that the group fitted in with the Business Gateway and HIE, but would still allow independence and self-reliance.  He detailed the funding issue facing the group - £50k would be necessary per annum to meet running costs.