Welcome to the New Community Partnership!

The Community Partnership was established in 2003, by the National Park Authority with Directors from the Association of Community Councils, the National Park Authority, Local Councils and Forestry Commission Scotland.

Now, the Community Partnership is a membership organisation run by and for the benefit of all communities in and around the National Park.  Any Community Trust, Community Council or community group can apply for full membership. APPLY NOW. Membership Application Form and Membership information available on our website or from Lesley Campbell.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

The Community Partnership is made up of:

The MEMBERS - who have the right to attend the annual general meeting (and any extraordinary general meeting).  The FULL MEMBERS elect people to serve as directors and take decisions in relation to changes to the articles themselves

The DIRECTORS - who hold regular meetings during the period between annual general meetings, and generally control and supervise the activities of the company; in particular, the directors are responsible for monitoring the financial position of the company

Full Membership is open to:

·         Community Development Trusts, Community Companies, and Community Interest Companies within the Operating Area

·         Community Councils within the Operating Area

·         Other community and voluntary organisations within the Operating area that are sympathetic with the objects of the company

Associate Membership is open to:

·         Any organisation (other than those eligible for full membership) which is sympathetic to the objects of the Partnership and wishes to support the aims and activities of the Partnership.

Application to become a Member

There is an application form to be completed and will be considered at the next Board meeting of directors.

At present there is no membership subscription – IT’S FREE!

Board of directors

Elected Directors – are elected by the Full Members of the Partnership.  There can be a maximum of 12 elected directors –

3 should be from the Breadalbane area, 3 from the Trossachs area, 3 from the Loch Lomond area, and 3 from the Cowal Area. The number of Elected Directors will always constitute a majority.

Co-opted Director – The directors can co-opt any person to be a Directoreither on the basis that he/she has special skills or experience which would be of assistance to the board or on the basis that he/she has been nominated by an Associate Partner Member. The National Park Authority will always nominate a Co-opted Director. Maximum of 6 Co-opted directors.

What do you get out of being a Member?

The Community Partnership has a Business Plan for 2009 – 2010, and will deliver Member Benefits under the three key areas of that Business Plan.

However, as the Partnership is now “member led” there will be a range of benefits developed in future years in response to member demands, and as resources allow.

Member Benefits November 2009 – March 2010

Information Sharing

·         Twice yearly members Newsletter

·         Information hub on the Community Partnership website

·         Support for community website development

·         Community “animateur” service – providing ½ day per community tailored advice

Networking and Training

·         Free or subsidised places at annual Community Gathering

·         Area based networking events

·         Links with North and South Ireland through Shamrock Thistle Rural Action Partnership

·         Free training for community organisations (see separate sheet for proposed dates in 2010)

Project facilitation

·         Continuation and development of Apprentice Scheme

·         Energy Advice helpdesk at Carrochan in conjunction with AliEnergy

·         Other “park-wide” projects and initiatives that can form a community led group to drive them forward should seek support from the Community Partnership, which would aim to provide a structure for applying for funding, employing staff, project management etc

Other benefits we want to develop:

·         Joint procurement of services such as accounting, legal advice, insurance

·         Shared funding advice with Local Authorities and other advisory bodies

·         Linked membership with Development Trusts Association for Scotland

A copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, directors’ details, and the Business Plan objectives will shortly be posted on the Community Partnership website:

www.lltnp-cp.org.uk

Community Representatives nominated by:

Association of Community Councils (ACC):
Iain MacInnes (Chair)
Maureen Campbell
Gary Groves John Gleave
John Massey
Joyce Russell
Owen McKee
Ron Dalton - Co-opted
Elizabeth Bain - Co-opted (Treasurer)

National Park:
Kate Sankey (vice-chair)
Grant Moir

Stirling Council:  tbc 

Argyll & Bute Council: Lynn Smillie

West Dunbartonshire Council: Cllr Craig McLaughlin

Support:
Forestry Commision Scotland: Gordon Donaldson
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park:
Scottish Natural Heritage:

Board Meetings are held eight times a year.