Weekly update, 16th April 2018

Tourism:
In the week that we celebrated World Heritage Day it is good to see Highland Council advertising for a fixed term post to progress the long-held aspiration that the Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland become a UNESCO World Heritage area. You can view the job description and background to the appointment at https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/highland-council/jobs/world-heritage-project-co-ordinator-114206

Enabling activities:
Recruitment continues this week for the successor to CNSRP Independent Chair Sir Anthony Cleaver, whose last meeting as Chair of the Partnership’s Executive Board will be in June this year after ten years successfully leading CNSRP’s programme of work. Adverts have been appearing in the press and on social media, and you can see further details of the job role at http://www.cnsrp.org.uk/independent-chair/ I was also pleased to have a short piece on our recruitment in today’s John O’ Groat Journal. The closing date for expressions of interest will be Friday April 27th at 3pm.

Communications:
As part of an ongoing process of helping communicate progress with the delivery of aspects of our economic transition programme CNSRP’s partners work together to generate news stories for local, regional and national media. I also speak on a regular basis to individuals and organisations across the area to update on progress. This week:

Steve Barron, Chief Executive of CNSRP partner Highland Council, was in Caithness this week at the invitation of Thurso & West Caithness ward members (Cllrs Struan Mackie, Karl Rosie, Matthew Reiss and Donnie Mackay). I was delighted to accept their invitation to a round table discussion on the area economy, which was hosted by Scrabster harbour Trust and also drew together Phil Craig (Dounreay Managing Director) and Jennifer Simpson (BBM Solicitors representing Caithness Chamber of Commerce). It was a really useful chance to talk about some of the challenges and opportunities we all recognise, and particularly good to have Phil Craig highlight the continuing pivotal role our Dounreay alliance partners play in the CNSRP.

I was delighted to be invited to a workshop this week with Scottish Government colleagues, focusing on regional inclusive growth. This is a growing area of interest, and I was able to outline the approach being taken in the Highland area and the Caithness and North Sutherland area, emphasising our focus on key economic opportunities and the enabling activities to remove barriers to participation and increasing levels of productivity.
A reminder that CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise is currently seeking Board members to serve for a three year period. Further info and how to apply is at http://news.hie.co.uk/all-news/board-members-wanted-for-highlands-and-islands-enterprise/ with a deadline for applications of 24th April.