At a meeting today Comhairle nan Eilean Siar agreed the following

1. The Director of Corporate Services be authorised to accept the revised tender by R J Macleod (Contractors Ltd) to construct Eriskay Causeway, Ceann a’ Gharaidh Ferry Terminal and Ardveenish Ferry Terminal together with all associated works at a total lump sum rice of £8,650,000 as soon as the Comhairle is in a legal position to do so; and
2. The Director of Corporate Services be authorised to issue a "letter of intent" to R J Macleod (Contractors) Ltd to enable them to commence administrative procedures.
3. In the event that external funding can be obtained and matching funding identified from within the Comhairle’s budgets to the satisfaction of the Director of Finance, the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to accept the tender by R J Macleod (Contractors) Ltd to construct berthing structures at Eriskay and Barra at a tender price of £440,000 on a lump sum basis.

The Comhairle is pleased that it has been possible to obtain a tender price within the funding available. The Comhairle is not yet in a position to formally award the contract as some negotiations still require to be concluded and statutory consents obtained. It is anticipated that these matters will be resolved during January. By issuing a letter of intent the Comhairle will enable the prospective contractor to make the necessary administrative arrangement, and the matters which still require to be finalised should not interfere with the Comhairle’s proposed start date of March 2000.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer