09/10/2022
đź—Ł Although progress has not been as quick as we'd have liked, we thought the below recap of activity to date would be useful for all to know where we currently are with the project:
• Community wide survey to establish if there was a desire to have a shop in the village again.
• Community meeting held in Reay Hall 26.10.21.
• A couple of members of the working group visited Embo Community Shop to learn from their journey so far.
• Met with Helen Allan, Chair, Thurso Community Development Trust to gain insight on the processes they’ve followed to get to where they are today.
• Advice sought from Development Trusts Association Scotland, including a Zoom meeting with working group to discuss potentially selling shares (Community Share Scotland) to raise money for the shop.
• Engaged in conversations with the Committee of Reay Hall and Reay Golf Club about potential positioning of a shop.
• Explored possibility of an external party carrying out a feasibility study and drawing up a business plan. The cost of a feasibility study would be in the region of £4,000.
o This included unsuccessful bids to Baillie Wind Farm, Awards for All Scotland and the Scottish Land Fund.
o There is a possibility of funding up to ÂŁ1,000 from the Ward Discretionary Fund, although this has not been explored.
• The working group have had discussions over whether forming a SCIO, Development Trust or Company Limited by Guarantee would be the best path for us.
• A Committee has now been formed and will start the process of becoming a SCIO.
• Caithness Voluntary Group have been extremely helpful throughout the whole process and have prepared draft constitution forms.
• Once the Constitution was in place a bank account can be opened.
• It will take approximately three months to apply to OSCR.
• Foundation Scotland and Inspiring Scotland are two other potential funding sources that might be available to us once a constitution has been established.
