The Scottish Government

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ISBN 0 7559 2622 6 (Web only publication)

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Present:
Natasha Farrell, SE
John Inman, CEC
Dave McCulloch, SEEL
Alastair Short, WLC
Suzanne Stephen, SE
Tom Williamson, SE

Apologies:
Malcolm Inkster, WLC
Phil Noble, CEC

1. Progress on modelling

• Update on the tendering process. Content confidential.

2. Progress on Royal Highland Centre Relocation site search

• A progress meeting (where a draft report will be produced) will be held on Friday 21 ^st January with the contractor and steering group.
• Confidentiality and in particular the commercial sensitivity of the site locations and research conclusions, was discussed. To be discussed further at the RHC meeting on 21 ^st January.
• Agreed to prepare a statement for all stakeholders to sign up to which explains the purpose and background to the research and states that the conclusions will remain confidential until such time as the RHASS want to announce any new site. SS to draft.
• Discussed the possible need for a detailed masterplan of the highest ranked sites. The contract with Roger Tym could perhaps be extended. Agreed to wait until the draft report has been received from Roger Tym.
• The need for environmental improvements and screen planting discussed. DM stated that SEEL may be willing to provide funding for a structure planting plan.
• Agreed that SE, SEEL, WLC, and CEC should meet to discuss the way forward with the relocation project. SS to arrange.

3. Update on Rural West Edinburgh LPI

• The Inquiry is still ongoing and is likely to finish in early March.

4. Airport Masterplan Update

• The masterplan is expected to be in the public domain in February. TW has a meeting with BAA on 1 ^st February and will get an update at that time.
• Discussed whether BAA would have permitted development rights within any extension to the boundary.
• Discussed the scenarios and sensitivities that may arise depending on the timescales of the BAA masterplan, the WEPFR, the adoption of the masterplan as SPG and the submission of any planning applications. SE, CEC and SEEL to discuss with BAA prior to publication of the draft BAA masterplan. TW to raise at his meeting on 1 ^st February.

5. Strategic Environmental Assessment

• Agreed that a consultant would be required to carry out SEA. The work would be in 2 stages: scoping and assessment. TW to draft brief / consider funding.

6. Freedom of Information

• As of the 1 ^st January, the Executive has committed to putting all minutes of meetings, where external stakeholders were present, on to the internet. The WEPFR partnership group will require to adhere to this. The issue of commercial confidentiality with some of the issues was discussed. Agreed to put any confidential information into a separate confidential paper for the stakeholder group only.

7. GIS mapping

• SE Planning Division now has dedicated GIS support (Liz Pringle). Liz will contact Jim Shaw at CEC to discuss background mapping.

8. AOB

• Economic Review - JI raised issues arriving from the review.
• SEEL to discuss with Gary Sturgeon ( CEC Economic Development) the idea of a relocated RHC being developed as a more general year round Trade Fair.
• WEPFR timetable: Aiming for draft in late summer 2005 and final document in summer 2006.