Welcome to our Annual Report for the year 2001.

This year seems to have passed so quickly and our Development Trust has been very busy as you will see from the following reports.

We increased the number of Directors at last year's AGM from 10 to 12. This gives us an equal number to rotate each year. One third of the Directors are to retire each year but are eligible to stand for re-election if they wish.

It was agreed at our meeting on 22 November 2001, that the four retirals this year would be:-

• Lizza Bain
• Iain MacDonald
• Allan Forrester
• Gina Rendall

Iain MacDonald and Allan Forrester are standing for re-election.

Allan has not been a Director for long. He was co-opted when Peter Brown left and is just getting into the swing of duty.

Iain has been a Director from the beginning and has done tremendous work in putting together the finance for the Höfn and the Play Park.

The two not standing for re-election are Lizza and Gina. We will be very sorry to lose them as they always brought joy to our meetings and have worked really hard in helping to develop Crafts, Tourism and going for a cleaner Environment.

Finance always plays a major part in any development and in the running of an organisation. This has been very ably handled this year by our Treasurer, Shirley Haunschmidt.

Our Development Officer, Sam Harcus, is a great asset to our trust. We wouldn't have been as far advanced without him and we are confident that his post will continue for at least another year.

The Inititiative-at-the-Edge Annual Conference was held in Westray this year. It was a tremendous success and also brought financial benefits to our community. It was a good advert for Westray and Papay which also helped to promote our islands. We were very encouraged by the number of people who came and shared the two days with us. We have since heard that many of them were inspired by the "community spirit" they found here.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole Development Trust, including our Clerk, Yvonne, for the amount of time they have all willingly given to further the development of our community.

Also, you, our Westray residents, who make the whole development possible by being part of it, thank you for your support.

We hope to see you at the AGM, where you will have an opportunity to find out, in more detail, what the Trust is progressing with, and, as important, to discuss with us where you feel development can and needs to be directed.

D. Harcus

Despite the poor start to the season due to the foot and mouth restrictions, overall figures for the summer were increased again. The new backpackers' hostel at the Bisgeos has done well and is managing to extend its season and attract winter visitors. The Barn also continues to do good business. Seatters gallery and studio, The Heritage Centre and the Craft Trail have proved very popular and are continuing to attract many visitors. Both hotels had a very busy summer providing meals for all the extra people.

We need to ensure that the increasing numbers of tourists, while bringing money and therefore benefits to the island as a whole, do not become a nuisance for a few. Hopefully better signposting will help this. Work continues to be carried out on the tourism report on Westray by Brian Burns Associates of Inverness, published in December 1999. Future plans include developing our archaeological sites and golf course, more interpretation maps, linked web sites and further training days.

P. Needham

The Trust is represented on the Westray and Papa Westray Tourist Association by Peter Needham.

We have tried and been unsuccessful in bids to the Local Capital Grant Scheme and Scottish University for Industry Capital Modernisation Fund for funding for a purpose built learning resource space. Consideration is to be given to temporary solutions but the preferred option remains to house this facility on the school site adjacent to the school and continuing effort will be made to achieve this aim. Application for revenue funding has been lodged with Scottish Executive Rural Challenge Fund.

• 22 people have been using the video conferencing & computing equipment regularly for learning over the last year. Groups have again had access to the school's computing equipment outwith the school day.
• The sub-group made successful application to Orkney Childcare Partnership and employed two part time temporary childcare workers to provide a crèche for open learning computing students. This has been successful in widening access to learning and is currently being evaluated.
• Video conferencing continues to play a vital role in all these courses of study. Overall user figures for learning, meetings and video conference events have increased again this year bringing increased pressure on accommodation and resources.
• Following an application an Internet ready PC has been awarded to the Auk Club through BT Community Connections and a confidence building project aimed at senior citizen use of PC's and the Internet is planned for 2002.

In the New Year we will look for funding to support a professional feasibility study and business plan which will be used to strengthen our ongoing application for funding to create a purpose built facility. Thanks go to everyone who has given of their time to forward the group's primary objective which is to establish the Westray Learning Resource Centre.

Jo. MacDonald

Members of the Education & Training Sub-Group comprise: Peter Brown (resigned August 2001). Allan Forrester, Jo MacDonald, Willie McEwen, Yvonne Rorie, Ally Sangster and David Steele.

Interest has recently been shown by organisations regarding renting a "Workshop Unit". It would be good to see more of them coming into use.

There have been a number of developments of industry since the "conference". Many of these are private developments spurred on as a result of a willingness to make a difference to the community in which we live and to create more job opportunities for our people. Our sub group has recently been looking more closely at: -

• Agriculture. How can we help to sustain a viable agricultural industry for keeping people in our community when it is becoming very difficult for young people to get started in farming?
• Fishing. Westray is very fortunate in having a viable shellfish industry, which is probably the major employer along with the Processing Factory. White fish has dropped back a bit recently with fewer boats being owned and skippered from Westray but they still make a major contribution to the island's income. We are presently looking at options for side lines and services to the fishing industry, which may have potential for development. This industry is also becoming difficult for young people to get started in.
  Any industry where new players can't get a foothold will inevitably perish. This is something we need to keep in mind.
• Part time labour is becoming more difficult to obtain. To try to help this need we are planning to set up a "Labour Pool" of people who would have a small amount of time available to hire out at pre-agreed rates. We would plan to operate this service through our Clerk, Yvonne Rorie. Orkney Machinery Ring is operating this type of service very successfully on Mainland Orkney.

D. Harcus

Members of the Industry Sub-Group Comprise: Willie Sandison, Danny Harcus, Willie McEwen and Geordie Drever

We are still making progress with the transport developments. Although probably slower than we would have wished, they are still moving in the right direction. The consultants' report was published in August 2001. They produced 13 recommendations for improving the Air and Sea services to the Outer North Isles. Most of them are in keeping with the needs which were drawn up following our transport questionnaire and local meetings. The Community Councils of the 6 Outer North Isles have had meetings between themselves and with the O.I.C to discuss the report and the recommendations.

One of their recommendations to improve the Westray service was to base the boat in Westray. O.I.C are presently doing a feasibility study on this. O.I.C have applied for a Public Sector Obligation for the air service. This would help to secure the service to all the North Isles and would hopefully make the fares more competitive. The ideal option would be for a 2 plane operation.

D. Harcus

Members of the Transport Sub-Group Comprise: Danny Harcus, Willie McEwen and Geordie Drever.

The beach clean which was planned for the springtime had to be postponed due to the foot and mouth outbreak. It however did go ahead in September and thanks to a few brave souls Sand-o-Gill, Roadmire and Grobust were cleared. It is intended to tackle the North Banks at a later date. The Community Council funded Robert Rendall & Co to take the "bruck" away for disposal. We would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to everyone who helped.

The planned report by Martin Gray on the Flora & Fauna of Westray was also postponed for a while due to a particularly bad virus getting into Martin's computer. The proposed new launch date of this position statement is the 15th April in the Westray School.

There was a very interesting talk by Jenny Taylor on planting native trees in Westray, which was well attended. She spoke about types of trees that would thrive in the Orcadian climate, how to plant them to ensure a success and money available through grants. This led into an informal discussion by a few interested parties. Also when Jenny was in Westray the possibility of a community project in the White Moss was discussed with the owners of the land. It is hoped this project will include walks, bird hide, picnic area etc. There are still quite a few projects under discussion including a possible renewable energy conference. The trust has recently become members of Orkney Renewable Energy Forum. Keep Orkney Warm chose Westray in which to carry out an energy survey. It is hoped that this will give rise to some positive recommendations.

G. Rendall

Members of the Environment Sub-Group comprise: Gina Rendall, Sam Harcus, Linda Hagan, Dorothy Groat, Alec Costie and Sandy McEwen.

The Trust's finances are still healthy. This year we have received funding from Orkney Islands Council, Orkney Enterprise, Social Inclusion Partnership Fund, I-a-t-E Seedcorn Fund, BBC Children in Need, The Robertson Trust, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, Rural Transport Initiative Grant, Westray Community Council and Scottish National Heritage.

The Höfn is paid for and has remaining equipment grant and a further two years of running expenses guaranteed. It has a small income from hires. The playground is also paid for and has been handed over to the Council for maintenance. We hope to soon secure funding to continue the bus which takes children home in the evenings from the Höfn, for the next three years.

A recent and very welcome development is that the Initiative-at-the-Edge Management Group has decided to give each area its own funding to help progress its Development Plan. Westray has received £7,500 which is to be spent by May 2003. Some of this will be used for the ongoing running costs of the Trust but it will still leave a substantial amount for kickstarting new projects. Previously we have had to apply for Seedcorn funding in advance for specific costs. Obviously we will have to account for its use very carefully, but it will give us far greater freedom to decide for ourselves how to develop our plans.

S. Haunschmidt

The financial statements for this year ended 31 October 2001 are available from the treasurer. The main points arising from the statement are as follows.

• The Trust made an operating surplus for the year of £1,420.
• When this was added to previous surpluses, the total surplus to carry forward into the current year was £3,939.
• During the year, the play area was constructed at the cost of £56, 733.
• Once all outstanding monies had been received and bills paid, the net current assets of the Trust were £6,007.
• The Trust is still owing the Westray Community Council £2,000 in respect of a short-term loan.

The financial statements were prepared by Orcadia (Chartered Accountants), Kirkwall, who have stated that the finances of the Trust at 31 October 2001 were in a healthy position.

It's been another challenging year but one that's taken us a significant step nearer to fulfilling the group's objectives. The highlight was certainly the opening of the play area, a facility which Westray's youngsters have long awaited and deserved. But just as satisfying has been the continued success of the Höfn, which continues to attract interest from far and wide.

We're grateful for all those who help with the cleaning rota and to Yvonne Rorie for organising it. But particular thanks are due to Alan Drever (Caretaker) and to Edith Costie (his predecessor), without whose diligence and commitment we couldn't keep running. We also remain grateful to David Steele (Community Education Area Worker) who continues to support and advise the group. The group are also looking at the possibility of developing a forum for all those who are currently working with Westray's youngsters so that training, ideas and resources can be shared.

I. MacDonald

Members of the Youth and Children's Sub-Group comprise: Liz Drever, Edith Costie, Lauren Harcus, John Talbott, Gina Rendall, Erika Rorie, Vince Harcus, Luke Rendall, Kirsty Cable, Kimberly Paterston, David Steele and Iain Macdonald.

After the idea of incorporating a Healthy Living Centre into the care centre had to be abandoned in December 2000, Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Health Board promised to continue to take forward plans for a care centre in Westray on our behalf.

For a long time nothing happened but with the council appointments of a Project Manager and a new Strategic Manager in August, things really started to take off. After many meetings (all in Westray), huge progress has been made. The project has passed through stage one of the Council's appraisal system and is due to go through the more detailed stage two in June 2002. This is the final stage and if it is agreed then, it will happen! The building will start, hopefully in April 2003 and be completed a year later.

The care centre sub-group in Westray has been fully involved in all stages of planning so the final plans do reflect what Westray has asked for and should meet our requirements very well. The plans were presented to the public in January so that everyone had an opportunity to comment. A meeting has also been held with the current home carers in Westray and preliminary plans for training future employees have started.

The centre will comprise five residential flatlets, one of which is for two people. There will also be a respite room and a Day Care Centre with a kitchen and dining room, activity rooms, bathroom, laundry, and a visiting therapists' room. Older people will be able to drop in for lunch, company, activities or a cup of tea even if they have not been assessed as needing day care so that many more people than the residents will be able to benefit from the facilities.

We are very grateful to Dawn Sherwood and Gillian Morrison from the Council for all their hard work over the last six months and for getting us so far.

Fingers crossed for June!

S. Haunschmidt

Members of the Care Centre Sub-Group Comprise: Shirley Haunschmidt, Michelle Parry, Karen Rendall, Linda Hagan, Alison Hutchison, Stephen Hagan, Danny Harcus, Iain MacDonald and Sam Harcus.

The Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) is a key plank of Government policy aimed at creating opportunities for all those who are otherwise disadvantaged. In the case of Westray and Papay the "Initiative-at-the-Edge" programme has identified the main disadvantage as geographical and the priority target group as being the 14 - 25 age-group.

This has allowed us to bid for up to £40,000 per annum over the past three years and has helped with a huge range of projects including the Höfn, Play Area, subsidised transport for youngsters, all year round boat service between the two isles and a locally managed fund for youth projects that would otherwise struggle to find funding.

More recent /ongoing initiatives include a skiff building project, the relaunched (and full colour!) Westray View, and an independent audit of current provision for youngsters.

Administered locally by Community Education Team Leader, Malcolm Graves, the programme is now entering a phase where we need to concentrate less on capital and more on revenue projects. As a result we're actively pursuing (amongst other things) the possibility of employing a locally based development worker dedicated to the social, educational and training needs of the target age-group.

I. MacDonald

Members of the Social Inclusion Sub-Group Comprise: Danny Harcus, Ally Sangster, Sam Harcus, Shirley Haunschmidt and Iain MacDonald.

The Art and Craft sub-group has evolved into the Westray and Papa Westray Craft Association (W&PWCA) which was formally constituted in summer 1999. The Association has a co-ordinating role and its main aims are:-

• To create a central display area to exhibit the quality crafts produced in Westray and Papa Westray
• To develop an informal craft trail in these islands
• To provide advise and support to local artists and craft producers.

These goals have, to a certain extent, been achieved but we hope to build on the success of Seatters Gallery and the Craft and Heritage Trail in the coming years.

Membership of the W&PWCA is open to those currently working or planning to work in a craft business in either island, and to others sympathetic to the aims of the Association.

The Westray and Papa Westray Craft and Heritage Trail exists for craft businesses, which exhibit both in the Gallery and as part of the Craft Trail. Membership for this is by selection.

What has happened so far? The Craft and Heritage Trail has had two very successful years, promoting and raising the profile of the islands' crafts industries. Orkney Enterprise (O.E.), having already assisted in the production of a brochure and a very successful video, assisted in the provision of better signage for the trail this year.

Exhibitions

• Summer Exhibition at Seatters Gallery, which is also the starting point of the Craft Trail.
• Orkney Crafts Exhibition at the Picky Centre in August - two local businesses attended.
• Annual "Bazaar Christmas Do" in Seatters Gallery in December.

Extra Facilities

• The dark room is ready for use.
• A new photocopier has been purchased with the help of Seedcorn funding and is in place at the Gallery. (These items are accessible to all members of the W&PWCA.)

Meet the Maker has been an ongoing project with part-funding from the Westray and Papa Westray Community Councils and O.E. Events in 2001 were slightly hampered by the outbreak of foot and mouth but Makers able to visit were:-

• Wendy Baikie, Island Design (Setting up and running a small business)
• Christine Harcus (Selling and Display)
• Steven Heddle (E-Business Advisor, O.E.)
• Magnus Dixon and Steven Heddle (Setting up Websites)

A variety of Makers have been approached for the programme for 2002.

Websites. Some of our members already have websites and the Craft Association is currently exploring an Association presence on the web.

Lizza Bain represents the Development Trust on the Westray and Papa Westray Craft Association.

It seems no time since our last AGM but so much has happened in that time.

My time has been spent between Westray and Papay in attempting to take forward their respective Development Plans in various forms.

Late last year the WDT had another constructive look at our Plan, listing the projects completed, an impressive list, and prioritising the projects which still require work to enable them to progress. It was good to be able to move projects like the Play Area into the projects achieved list and I sincerely hope the number one project, the Care Centre, will follow soon.

The need for another sub-group has also been identified. This group will look at how Westray can make more of its Archaeological Heritage.

I had the pleasure of working with the Westray Boat Owners Association this year to get 50m of floating facility installed in Pierowall Harbour and with some more work, we hope to have some more installed. We also met with the new Director of Harbours Capt. Nigel Mills when he visited Westray to discuss further works at both Rapness and Pierowall.

Another project which I very much look forward to seeing started is the building of a new Westray Skiff by a group of young people who have already started to research the skiffs still in existence.

Publicity for the Trust has been greatly improved lately with the resumed publication of the Westray View, while on a broader level we hope soon to launch our Community Web Page so that we can sell ourselves to a much wider audience.

Of course none of this would be achieved without the hard work, time and dedication of our Development Trust and its sub-groups, complimented by the support of the public.

The Trust has been aware of the strength of public support all along and there was obvious envy from the other areas that attended the recent Westray Conference. Community support is paramount and the Trust are very conscious of the need for public consultation and involvement.

All that is left for me to say is that we look forward to the continued support of the community for the busy year ahead and that if you have any questions, or ideas we look forward to hearing them.

S. Harcus

Thursday 28th February 2002

7.30 pm at the school.

The A.G.M. is open to everyone. The Development Trust aims to represent the wishes and aims of everyone who lives here so we need to hear your views. If you support what we are doing, thoroughly disapprove or just don't know, come along and tell us.

The first half of the meeting will be a short update from all the sub-groups on the progress made over the past year and then a review of the Development Plan. There will then be an election of new Directors.

After a coffee break, the second half of the meeting will be an open discussion for people to raise concerns, ask questions, make suggestions for future projects and generally discuss progress with the Trust Directors.

We are needing more members and need to elect two new Directors. With Lizza and Gina both retiring we would especially like to get some females and/or young people into the group. During the meeting we will be asking for volunteers so come prepared!

To become a member of the Trust all you need to do is turn up on the night and sign your name as you come in. There is no membership fee but because the Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee, becoming a member does make you liable to pay £1 if the Trust should ever go into liquidation.

We look forward to seeing you there.