The Executive offered a Sustainable Action Grant of
£36,000 over 2001-04 to the Islay Development Company to
continue and develop their work on the island after an
initial three years' core funding ended.
The Company was set up in 1998 to promote social,
economic and environmental projects that contributed to the
regeneration of Islay through the implementation of an
agreed sustainable development strategy. Their aim was to
create an integrated approach to development by forming a
working partnership between community and organisations.
From April 1998 - April 2001 they were funded by Argyll and
Bute Council, Forward Scotland, Scottish Executive (Rural
Challenge), United Distillers and Vinters and Leader
II.
The grant was to be used to continue existing projects
and identify other areas of development - including
training, building membership, and the retention of two
full time members of staff. Specific proposals included a
wind farm project and a youth project. Additional targets
over the 3 years were to assist three community businesses
in establishing or developing community facilities, and to
work with partners developing four environmental projects
and providing access to assistance and information for four
new and existing local businesses.
Achievement included:
Wind farm project - work carried out and a
wind cluster was shown to be possible on limited site
options on Islay. Islay and Jura CVS took over community
consultation, and a new energy group was established to
take forward a range of renewable projects on Islay. The
Wind Cluster faltered as a landowner withdrew interest and
the RESPIRE project in partnership with 4 other European
islands was stopped. Islay Energy Trust hoped to proceed on
another site with a smaller, more achievable community
project.
The Wave Bus - the electric bus was a
partnership with Greenpeace and the local enterprise
company. A local disability group took on management of it,
operating a community transport scheme. There were efforts
with a disability group to identify a continuing income
stream. Two additional charging points were installed to
maximise use of the bus for greater distances.
Islay Youth Project - begun and funding
packages explored with other partners.
Islay Sailing Club - was not completed as
key partners involved in setting it up left the island.
Woollen mill renovation - initiated and
completed in November 2004.
Portnahaven boat yard - this was
threatened with closure due to lack of resources to upgrade
the slipway and provide new winches. A successful funding
package was achieved and led to continuation of the service
and a sustainable future for a local businessman.
Bowmore harbour - funding was achieved for
dredging of the harbour area plus minor repairs and
installation of pontoons - approximately 18 pleasure boats
and 3 larger fishing boats use the facility.
Committee training - training for the
Board of Directors was carried out.
Esknish dairy - the only dairy farm left
on Islay was supported by IDC to attract funding to upgrade
facilities to European standards - this led to long term
sustainability of the only local source of milk.
Islay Development Company was set up as a local rural
partnership with a robust plan for sustainable activity.
The Islay Wind Cluster was the one project which was set to
create long term funding but delays with the developers and
the ultimate withdrawal of support from the landowner meant
the income streams from the cluster did not
materialise.
Some funding partners were unable to fulfil their
commitments. A range of funding applications was
unsuccessful. The Board had to take the decision to make
staff redundant in May 2004 and needed to decide, in
consultation with the membership, whether there was a
continued role for IDC within the community. An option in
the interests of both the Trust and IDC was to get behind
the emerging renewable energy trust and enable it to start
earning funds for the community. This might attract funding
from the Trust to re-start IDC with a new robust plan for
sustainability.
Contact
Islay Development Company
Distillery Road
Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
PA43 7JX
Scotland
Telephone: 01496 300010
Email:
info@islay.org.uk