The Pairc Trust held it’s AGM on the 29^th June 2007. This event was well attended by the community and all present enjoyed the guest speaker Cllr Philip McLean talk on his work, future move to Cromore and his new role as councillor for the Pairc & Harris ward.

An update was then given by Directors on the following:

Part 3 Application – this application to purchase the Estate is still presently on hold until a decision is known of whether the Interposed Lease is valid or not.

Interposed Lease – this reference was heard at the Scottish Land Court on the 12^th & 13^th June 2007. Any decision on this issue may take up to 3 months and the worst case to date has taken 18 months before an answer was given.

Since this newsletter has been prepared we have received notice that the Scottish Land Court have found the interposed leases between Pairc Crofters Ltd, Pairc Renewables Ltd and Scottish & Southern Energy to be valid. On the PCL question regarding lochs and watercourses it has concluded that these are included in “eligible croft land”. We have attached an explanatory summary but anyone wishing to obtain a full copy of the Land Court Reference may contact the Trust’s office above (copy available by email free of charge but if a paper copy is required this will incur a photocopying/postage charge of £4.00)
Members will be kept updated on this issue once the Board have gathered the necessary information on options available.

Pairc Crofters Ltd (PCL)/Pairc Renewables Ltd – Prior to the start of the Land Court on the 12^th June the Trust was approached by PCL legal representatives to ask whether the Trust was still interested in purchasing the whole of the estate and could a meeting be arranged to discuss this matter. This meeting was held on the 13^th June after the Land Court session in which PCL indicated that talks on a voluntary purchase of the estate were possible.

The following statement was read out at the AGM and the following week distributed to the media.

Pairc Trust is presently arranging to meet with PCL for further discussions.

Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) – have made a planning application to erect a 57 turbine windfarm on Pairc Estate. Talks with SSE are ongoing to obtain the best proposals possible for the Trust to bring back to the community for their consent or disapproval.

Since the AGM the Trust arranged public meetings in the area to gather both the positive and negative comments to the proposed windfarm to forward to the Scottish Executive.

Election of Directors – as there were only 4 nominees for the 4 positions to be filled there was no requirements to hold a ballot. These are the 10 Directors of Pairc Trust for 2007/08:

Alison Alston (Marvig)

Morris Black (Garyvard)

Kenneth Kennedy (Stornoway) - Treasurer

Donald J MacArthur (Cromore) - Secretary

Donnie MacDonald (Kershader) – Chair

Finlay MacDonald (Habost)

Angus MacKinnon (Caversta) – Vice-Chair

Donald M MacLennan (Marvig)

Donald MacLeod (Marvig)

Angus McDowall (Habost)

Donald MacKay (Gravir) who did not stand for re-election was praised and applauded for his role as a Director of the Trust to which he brought experience, wisdom and insight over the years to the many issues effecting Pairc Trust.

Secretary’s Report – a brief summary of the Trust’s obligatory duties, membership and funding issues were given.

Financial Report – the accountant’s financial report for 2006/07 was explained and also the difficulty in sourcing funding for the future year ahead (Anyone requiring a copy of the financial report may contact the office on the details above)

Raffle – Donald Mackay finished the evening by drawing the raffle and thanking all those that had contributed prizes, the many outlets who sold tickets and the support shown from the community in purchasing tickets for this fundraising event.

The main prize winners were:

1^st Prize 15 tonne aggregate – J MacDonald (Kershader)

2^nd Prize Publications from Angus MacLeod Archive – A Newman (Marvig)

3^rd Prize Meal for 2 at Loch Erisort Inn – J MacMillan (Lemreway)

After taking advice from Pairc Trust solicitors, Directors agreed, without admission of liability, it would be more cost effective for the Trust to agree to a full and final out of court settlement of all claims brought against the Trust as a consequence of our ex employee’s Contract of Employment and its termination. That agreement has now been completed and accepted by all parties.

IF YOU REQUIRE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THE TRUST’S ACTIVITIES OR KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WISHES TO BECOME A MEMBER PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL AT THE OFFICE (MON – FRI 10.00AM – 2.00PM) OR CONTACT ON THE DETAILS GIVEN AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.

Below is the statement which was read out at the AGM on Fri 29^th June and later given to the media

The Pairc Trust, the community body in South Lochs, Isle of Lewis, and Pairc Crofters Limited, the landlord of the Pairc Estate, are able to make the following statement:

The two parties have been in preliminary discussions as to how community ownership of the Pairc Estate might be best secured.

Resolution will be a complex and prolonged issue, but both parties are determined to deal with the matters in a mutually beneficial manner.

In the meantime, whilst these discussions are continuing, no further comments are available