Thursday, 24 June 2010
ARGYLL’S OFFSHORE WIND FARMS – LOCAL IMPACTS TO BE STUDIED
“Argyll Renewables Communities” (ARC), comprising the community-owned Islay and Kintyre Energy Trusts, and the Tiree Community Development Trust, are pleased to announce the next phase of their social and economic impact assessment (SIA) of the proposed Argyll offshore wind farms. This follows a successful funding application to EU LEADER for £32,852, which will be matched by contributions from ScottishPower Renewables, HIE, SNH and the RSPB. The work will be carried out by a team including representatives of the local communities, the consultants SQW Consulting (authors of the ARC SIA Scoping Study), and Dr Jill Shankleman, a consultant sociologist with 25 years experience of social impact assessments, and will be completed in early 2011.
ARC was established to safeguard and enhance local community interests in the development and operation of the proposed Argyll offshore wind farms: the Crown Estate has signed exclusivity agreements with SSE Renewables for projects off Kintyre (378 MW) and Islay (680MW), and with Scottish Power Renewables off Tiree (1500MW). These are extremely large scale projects, capable of generating over one quarter of Scotland’s peak electricity needs and involving total investment estimated at between £7 and 9 billion. There will be potential opportunities for local businesses, job creation and investment in local services and infrastructure. However, there will also be issues related to the sustainability and fabric of the respective local communities which will need to be understood and sensitively debated.
The key issues for local communities are firstly, to understand all of the potential impacts of the development and operational activities associated with these wind farms, and secondly, how to maximise positive benefits and minimise negative outcomes. The SIA will enable local communities to develop their own opinions from a position of knowledge, and allow them to participate on an informed basis in discussions with stakeholders, especially the developers, the consenting authorities - Argyll and Bute Council and the Scottish Government, and the Crown Estate. It will also give local communities the confidence that their voice is being heard, that they are fully involved in the development process and that well-balanced judgments can be reached.
It is ARC’s contention that genuine collaboration between communities, corporate interests and consenting authorities can lead to both enhanced value for the developers and optimisation of benefits to communities. This should also facilitate the passage through the statutory consenting process in a constructive manner. “This is believed to be the first time local communities have commissioned an SIA for projects of this nature” said Philip Maxwell, Chairman of the Islay Energy Trust. “We are delighted to have secured the necessary funding to take this important study forward, and are very grateful for all the support we have received from many sources which endorses our participative approach. I look forward to a level of corporate-community cooperation which, along with the active support of the consenting authorities will ensure long term social, economic and cultural sustainability for the local communities.”
For further information, contact
Islay Energy Trust: Philip Maxwell, HYPERLINK "mailto:Philip.maxwell@islayenergytrust.org.uk" Philip.maxwell@islayenergytrust.org.uk (tel: 01496 850042), or George Dean, HYPERLINK "mailto:george.dean@tiscali.co.uk" george.dean@tiscali.co.uk (tel: 01496 810837). Or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.islayenergytrust.org.uk"www.islayenergytrust.org.uk Kintyre Energy Trust: Mary Turner,: HYPERLINK "mailto:marycturner@btinternet.com"marycturner@btinternet.com (tel: 01586 553192)
Tiree Community Development Trust: Lloyd Gudgeon,: HYPERLINK "mailto:Lloyd@tireetrust.org.uk"Lloyd@tireetrust.org.uk (tel: 01879 220074). Or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.tireetrust.org.uk" www.tireetrust.org.uk
ARC was established to safeguard and enhance local community interests in the development and operation of the proposed Argyll offshore wind farms: the Crown Estate has signed exclusivity agreements with SSE Renewables for projects off Kintyre (378 MW) and Islay (680MW), and with Scottish Power Renewables off Tiree (1500MW). These are extremely large scale projects, capable of generating over one quarter of Scotland’s peak electricity needs and involving total investment estimated at between £7 and 9 billion. There will be potential opportunities for local businesses, job creation and investment in local services and infrastructure. However, there will also be issues related to the sustainability and fabric of the respective local communities which will need to be understood and sensitively debated.
The key issues for local communities are firstly, to understand all of the potential impacts of the development and operational activities associated with these wind farms, and secondly, how to maximise positive benefits and minimise negative outcomes. The SIA will enable local communities to develop their own opinions from a position of knowledge, and allow them to participate on an informed basis in discussions with stakeholders, especially the developers, the consenting authorities - Argyll and Bute Council and the Scottish Government, and the Crown Estate. It will also give local communities the confidence that their voice is being heard, that they are fully involved in the development process and that well-balanced judgments can be reached.
It is ARC’s contention that genuine collaboration between communities, corporate interests and consenting authorities can lead to both enhanced value for the developers and optimisation of benefits to communities. This should also facilitate the passage through the statutory consenting process in a constructive manner. “This is believed to be the first time local communities have commissioned an SIA for projects of this nature” said Philip Maxwell, Chairman of the Islay Energy Trust. “We are delighted to have secured the necessary funding to take this important study forward, and are very grateful for all the support we have received from many sources which endorses our participative approach. I look forward to a level of corporate-community cooperation which, along with the active support of the consenting authorities will ensure long term social, economic and cultural sustainability for the local communities.”
For further information, contact
Islay Energy Trust: Philip Maxwell, HYPERLINK "mailto:Philip.maxwell@islayenergytrust.org.uk" Philip.maxwell@islayenergytrust.org.uk (tel: 01496 850042), or George Dean, HYPERLINK "mailto:george.dean@tiscali.co.uk" george.dean@tiscali.co.uk (tel: 01496 810837). Or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.islayenergytrust.org.uk"www.islayenergytrust.org.uk Kintyre Energy Trust: Mary Turner,: HYPERLINK "mailto:marycturner@btinternet.com"marycturner@btinternet.com (tel: 01586 553192)
Tiree Community Development Trust: Lloyd Gudgeon,: HYPERLINK "mailto:Lloyd@tireetrust.org.uk"Lloyd@tireetrust.org.uk (tel: 01879 220074). Or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.tireetrust.org.uk" www.tireetrust.org.uk
CAOL ILA - NEW, BUT OLDER
A new member of the Caol Ila™ family of single malt Scotch whiskies has been announced by Diageo.
A 25 year old single malt Scotch Whisky is now joining this highly popular and award-winning collection. Caol Ila has been distilled on the eastern shore of Islay since 1846.
Tasters have described the 25-year-old Caol Ila (bottled at 43% ABV) as majestic, sweet, smooth, slow-burning - and with an elegant, lightly smoky profile that brings to mind the faint yet resolute outline of the distillery itself, silhouetted in the soft moonlight of a still winter’s night. Yet it is welcome as an authentic example of that Caol Ila character first seen in the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign. Here are all those spicy sea-air aromas and sweet smoky-dry flavours, but with the subtlety of expression that comes only with age.
It will be the most mature member of the dynasty, standing alongside a 12 year old, an 18 year old, a natural cask strength bottling, a Distillers Edition™, and some limited edition younger expressions.
The new bottling is presented in a strengthened version of the same striking black and grey cartons as the regular series, but with a pull-off front-facing lid. The distillery looks to the east: the evening darkness falls early here at Caol Ila. So the pack image for the 25 year old hints at the vestiges of daylight fading behind Cnoc Dubh, the Black Hill behind the distillery.
Distribution
The Caol Ila 25 year old will initially be available in the UK, the Nordic markets, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan and in travel retail channels in Europe.
The UK Recommended Retail Price is £135.
Caol Ila, Islay.
Built in 1846, the distillery sits locked away on a small hidden cove near Port Askaig on the eastern shore of Islay overlooking the fast-moving Straits of Islay (sic) and the Paps of Jura beyond. It uses its own supply of water from nearby Loch Nam Ban.
A 25 year old single malt Scotch Whisky is now joining this highly popular and award-winning collection. Caol Ila has been distilled on the eastern shore of Islay since 1846.
Tasters have described the 25-year-old Caol Ila (bottled at 43% ABV) as majestic, sweet, smooth, slow-burning - and with an elegant, lightly smoky profile that brings to mind the faint yet resolute outline of the distillery itself, silhouetted in the soft moonlight of a still winter’s night. Yet it is welcome as an authentic example of that Caol Ila character first seen in the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign. Here are all those spicy sea-air aromas and sweet smoky-dry flavours, but with the subtlety of expression that comes only with age.
It will be the most mature member of the dynasty, standing alongside a 12 year old, an 18 year old, a natural cask strength bottling, a Distillers Edition™, and some limited edition younger expressions.
The new bottling is presented in a strengthened version of the same striking black and grey cartons as the regular series, but with a pull-off front-facing lid. The distillery looks to the east: the evening darkness falls early here at Caol Ila. So the pack image for the 25 year old hints at the vestiges of daylight fading behind Cnoc Dubh, the Black Hill behind the distillery.
Distribution
The Caol Ila 25 year old will initially be available in the UK, the Nordic markets, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan and in travel retail channels in Europe.
The UK Recommended Retail Price is £135.
Caol Ila, Islay.
Built in 1846, the distillery sits locked away on a small hidden cove near Port Askaig on the eastern shore of Islay overlooking the fast-moving Straits of Islay (sic) and the Paps of Jura beyond. It uses its own supply of water from nearby Loch Nam Ban.
Freedom Tour To Touch Down At Islay Airport
As part of a 2000 mile charity flight round Britain, a disabled pilot plans to land at Islay Airport on the 29 June 2010.
Raising money for Freedom in the Air (FITA), Gautam Lewis plans to begin his mission on the 26 June and will go onto land his Cessna 172 at 17 airfields across England, Wales and Scotland.
Aiming to raise awareness of disabled aviation, Gautam will carry out his Freedom Tour with the aid of hand controls for pilots with lower limb disabilities, the effect of contracting polio when he was just three years old. Since realising the sense of freedom that flying has given him, Guatam has been determined to help others with disabilities to experience the independence and feelings of liberation from his disability that he has found so therapeutic and inspiring.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd is delighted to be welcoming Gautam to Islay Airport. Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL explains, “Guatam is an extremely inspiring pilot, who uses aviation as a means of educating and motivating people with disabilities in a unique and captivating environment. We are delighted that he has chosen Islay airport as one of his stops during the tour.”
FITA is committed to opening horizons for people with disabilities so that they can fly higher socially, physically and professionally. By challenging, educating and passing on transferable skills through learning to fly, FITA aim to give people who have a disability the determination and motivation to take control of the lives and aim high.
Gautam, the founder of FITA, believes that flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The exhilarating experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem. This, in turn, empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled.
Raising money for Freedom in the Air (FITA), Gautam Lewis plans to begin his mission on the 26 June and will go onto land his Cessna 172 at 17 airfields across England, Wales and Scotland.
Aiming to raise awareness of disabled aviation, Gautam will carry out his Freedom Tour with the aid of hand controls for pilots with lower limb disabilities, the effect of contracting polio when he was just three years old. Since realising the sense of freedom that flying has given him, Guatam has been determined to help others with disabilities to experience the independence and feelings of liberation from his disability that he has found so therapeutic and inspiring.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd is delighted to be welcoming Gautam to Islay Airport. Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of HIAL explains, “Guatam is an extremely inspiring pilot, who uses aviation as a means of educating and motivating people with disabilities in a unique and captivating environment. We are delighted that he has chosen Islay airport as one of his stops during the tour.”
FITA is committed to opening horizons for people with disabilities so that they can fly higher socially, physically and professionally. By challenging, educating and passing on transferable skills through learning to fly, FITA aim to give people who have a disability the determination and motivation to take control of the lives and aim high.
Gautam, the founder of FITA, believes that flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The exhilarating experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem. This, in turn, empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled.
£4 MILLION COST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY ARGYLL & BUTE COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership (CHP), one of five Operational Units within NHS Highland, is treating more patients, cutting waiting times and providing better and faster access to diagnostic and treatment services.
At the same time the CHP has also been working on delivering NHS Highland’s strategic vision of Quality Care to every person every day through the three key aims of:
Better Health - improving the health of the population
Better Care - enhancing the experience of care
Better Value - controlling the per capita cost of care
As well as delivering on these key strategic aims it is also incumbent on the CHP to ensure that it remains within its budget and is able to respond to emerging pressures and responsibilities.
As part of the budget setting process for this financial year the CHP therefore needs to implement a £4 million cost improvement programme while at the same time continuing to provide safe and effective health services.
Senior managers and clinical leaders are therefore reviewing a range of options where these cost improvements can be made without having a negative impact on front line services. These areas include:
Maximising effective use of staff and reducing management costs
Better energy efficiency
Reducing travel and other associated costs
The CHP is also investigating a range of other service redesign options in localities where it can improve efficiency and maximise service delivery to local communities. These options are:
Making the best use of beds throughout the CHP through preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital, reducing length of stay and therefore increasing occupancy levels.
Redesigning and streamlining surgical services at Lorn & Islands Hospital through promoting the use of day surgery
Continuing with the review of services on the Isle of Bute including both community and hospital services. This includes the Rothesay Victoria Hospital estate and associated infrastructure
Derek Leslie, General Manager of Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership, said:
“Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership is continuing to deliver local health services for our local communities and our patients are experiencing shorter waiting times and faster access to a wide range of treatments. We are also working with colleagues across NHS Highland to deliver on the strategic aims of Better Health, Better Care and Better Value.
“As an organisation we also have to ensure that we remain within our budget while still being able to respond to emerging pressures and responsibilities. This means that in the current financial year we have to implement a £4 million cost improvement programme to meet service pressures.
“Senior managers and clinical leaders have therefore been tasked with reviewing a number of options where cost improvements could be made without impacting negatively on front line services. These include maximising effective use of staff, reducing management costs, better energy efficiency and reducing travel and other associated costs.
“The CHP is also continually reviewing how we design and deliver local health services for communities across Argyll and Bute and we are investigating options in our localities where we can improve efficiency and optimise service delivery without affecting frontline services to patients.
“These include making the best use of beds throughout the CHP by preventing unnecessary admission to hospital and redesigning and streamlining surgical services at Lorn & Islands Hospital in Oban through promoting the use of day surgery.
“In Rothesay we will be reviewing the estate and associated infrastructure at Rothesay Victoria Hospital to ensure we continue to provide a safe environment for patients and staff.
“As part of the overall process of delivering our financial strategy I felt it was important that as an organisation we clearly demonstrated that we were open and transparent and this was one of the main reasons behind issuing the press statement today.
“Finally, I would like to reassure the public that safe, sustainable and effective services to our patients will always be our priority and we are committed to ensuring that all communities across Argyll and Bute will continue to have access to services that reflect our remote and rural circumstances. I would also like to emphasise that as the CHP moves forward with these options we will be engaging fully with the public, patients, local communities and all other interested parties before any final decisions are made.”
At the same time the CHP has also been working on delivering NHS Highland’s strategic vision of Quality Care to every person every day through the three key aims of:
Better Health - improving the health of the population
Better Care - enhancing the experience of care
Better Value - controlling the per capita cost of care
As well as delivering on these key strategic aims it is also incumbent on the CHP to ensure that it remains within its budget and is able to respond to emerging pressures and responsibilities.
As part of the budget setting process for this financial year the CHP therefore needs to implement a £4 million cost improvement programme while at the same time continuing to provide safe and effective health services.
Senior managers and clinical leaders are therefore reviewing a range of options where these cost improvements can be made without having a negative impact on front line services. These areas include:
Maximising effective use of staff and reducing management costs
Better energy efficiency
Reducing travel and other associated costs
The CHP is also investigating a range of other service redesign options in localities where it can improve efficiency and maximise service delivery to local communities. These options are:
Making the best use of beds throughout the CHP through preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital, reducing length of stay and therefore increasing occupancy levels.
Redesigning and streamlining surgical services at Lorn & Islands Hospital through promoting the use of day surgery
Continuing with the review of services on the Isle of Bute including both community and hospital services. This includes the Rothesay Victoria Hospital estate and associated infrastructure
Derek Leslie, General Manager of Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership, said:
“Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership is continuing to deliver local health services for our local communities and our patients are experiencing shorter waiting times and faster access to a wide range of treatments. We are also working with colleagues across NHS Highland to deliver on the strategic aims of Better Health, Better Care and Better Value.
“As an organisation we also have to ensure that we remain within our budget while still being able to respond to emerging pressures and responsibilities. This means that in the current financial year we have to implement a £4 million cost improvement programme to meet service pressures.
“Senior managers and clinical leaders have therefore been tasked with reviewing a number of options where cost improvements could be made without impacting negatively on front line services. These include maximising effective use of staff, reducing management costs, better energy efficiency and reducing travel and other associated costs.
“The CHP is also continually reviewing how we design and deliver local health services for communities across Argyll and Bute and we are investigating options in our localities where we can improve efficiency and optimise service delivery without affecting frontline services to patients.
“These include making the best use of beds throughout the CHP by preventing unnecessary admission to hospital and redesigning and streamlining surgical services at Lorn & Islands Hospital in Oban through promoting the use of day surgery.
“In Rothesay we will be reviewing the estate and associated infrastructure at Rothesay Victoria Hospital to ensure we continue to provide a safe environment for patients and staff.
“As part of the overall process of delivering our financial strategy I felt it was important that as an organisation we clearly demonstrated that we were open and transparent and this was one of the main reasons behind issuing the press statement today.
“Finally, I would like to reassure the public that safe, sustainable and effective services to our patients will always be our priority and we are committed to ensuring that all communities across Argyll and Bute will continue to have access to services that reflect our remote and rural circumstances. I would also like to emphasise that as the CHP moves forward with these options we will be engaging fully with the public, patients, local communities and all other interested parties before any final decisions are made.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
