To incorporate and run a new company limited by guarantee to be known as HISEZ CiC, for the purpose of developing and providing a comprehensive range of services to social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands;
To foster greater entrepreneurialism and thus sustainability in social enterprises in remote and rural areas
Formation of HISEZ CiC: HISEZ, Scotland’s first CiC was launched on the first ever Social Enterprise day, 17th November 2005. HISEZ is the first organisation to register as a Community Interest Company in Scotland. This structure is a dynamic way to advance the development of social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands. The innovative CIC legal structure is a new tool in the toolbox of social enterprise and has specifically been designed to help social enterprises thrive, prosper and expand.
The HISEZ CiC Board has been established and almost all public agencies in the Highlands and Islands are represented.
HISEZ CiC is delivering:
tailored support to individual social enterprises
procurement training for social enterprises and procurement officers
News and E-bulletin: HISEZ CiC achieved a high level of success in raising awareness within the sector with the Zone e-newsletter and quarterly editions of ‘The Gathering’ news magazine which complements the monthly e-bulletin.
Procurement work: HISEZ CiC activities raised awareness amongst both procurers and social enterprises relating to the potential for social enterprises to deliver goods and services through procurement processes.
HISEZ CiC delivered 2 Procurement Roadshows, 8 Procurement Training Events and are in the process of developing a paper investigating the potential model that HISEZ CiC can mainstream for the development of a consortium approach – this will happen post-Equal.
Business Development for Social Enterprise: HISEZ CiC business development support activities appear to have been highly successful and welcomed by the sector with “Strategic Management – Working with Winners, DNAs and marketing advice being particularly successful. Development staff delivered a wide range of tailored support for organisations including IDEAs, Green Home, Forres Community Woodlands Trust, Caberfeidh Kingussie, Scottsh Federation of Rural Housing Associations.
Learning: HISEZ CiC team deliveredappropriate bespoke training programmes with information accessible through the internet – support was provided to 54 individuals and 17 organisations, generic training delivered to 78 individuals and 3 study visits co-ordinated.
Conferences: two successful conferences were held for the social enterprise sector in the Highlands and Islands area
LSEP involvement: HISEZ CiC is a partner on Highland, Moray LSEP and Argyll & Bute LSEPs. Good progress has been made towards the achievement of Action Plan targets and a joint LSEP seminar will be delivered post – Equal.
Future of HISEZ CiC post - Equal
The current HISEZ EQUAL project finishes at the end of June this year. At present the board of HISEZ CIC is in the process of developing its business plan for the next three years. The plan will build upon the work of HISEZ to date by:
• Focusing the direct business development support offered by HISEZ CIC to a more targeted cross section of the sector with a focus on supporting those organisations maturing to a point where they are ready to engage with and benefit from business development support through the Local Enterprise Company network.
• Working with an agreed range of key regional and national strategic partnerships and individual partners to strengthen the environment within which social enterprises can develop and look to play an increasing role in the delivery of services to communities across the Highlands and Islands.
As part of the above, HISEZ CIC will look to build the capacity of the sector to deliver services while at the same time work with commissioning leads across public sector agencies to make increased use of social added value clauses and tendering opportunities.
HISEZ CIC is currently in discussion with both Communities Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise re: HISEZ CIC delivering against the strategic plans of both organisations. The board is also developing plans for how it grows other income streams from the delivery of services and support to organisations across Highlands and Islands.
On a practical level the organisation has reviewed its current staffing structure and sought new accommodation. Finalised staffing arrangements will be advised to stakeholders in due course, however the board have identified the need to put in place a new Chief Executive within a revised staffing structure. This new post, which will be advertised at the end of June, will provide the organisation with the leadership it requires to play a central role in developing social enterprise activity across Highlands and Islands.
On the accommodation front, HISEZ CIC plans to relocate to the offices of Highlands Opportunity Ltd in Inverness from the beginning of August 2007. Details of the new address and contact details will be sent out once confirmed.
During the transitional phase of development, all enquiries to the existing email and phone number will continue to be dealt with. The Board is also putting in place measures to ensure that social enterprises who are still actively engaged with HISEZ will continue to have their support needs met. Where possible the Board is keen to ensure business as usual.
