November 2002

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 19 November 2002 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr George Lonie

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

APOLOGIES

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Norman A Macdonald

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002

1

The minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 was approved.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002

2

The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress with the Non-Housing Capital Account as at 30 September 2002.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Outturn

3

The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast outturn for 2002/03 following the second quarter monitoring.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

BUILDINGS

Lews Castle - A Partnership Solution

AL02.17

4

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr Iain Macleod, Fisheries Development Officer, gave a presentation entitled Lews Castle - A Partnership Solution.

An opportunity was afforded to Members to ask questions of Mr Macleod.

The Chairman thanked Mr Macleod for his presentation.

Arising out of consideration of the presentation, it was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle should continue to support the formation of Lews Castle Trust Ltd; and

(2) Mr Norman L Macdonald and Mr Alasdair G Macrae be nominated to represent the Comhairle on the Steering Group being established to undertake the formation of the Trust in (1) above.

Capital Works: Programme and Progress

PR33.01.12

5

With reference to item 3 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a programme and progress Report in relation to the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2002/2003: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 7 October 2002

AL03.03.02

6

With reference to item 7 of the minute of meeting of 27 August 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning expenditure on the Repair and Maintenance of properties held on the Arts and Leisure account up to 6 August 2002.

It was agreed to note the Report.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Stornoway and District Round Table - Request for Financial Assistance (Revenue)

AL11.01

7

With reference to item 97 of the minute of meeting of 20 November 2001 , the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning a request for financial assistance from Stornoway and District Round Table to run a firework display on 1 January 2003. The report indicated that Stornoway and District Round Table had organised and managed a New Years Eve fireworks display in Stornoway since 1998/99 and that the Comhairle had previously paid for the full cost of the fireworks element through the Grants to Voluntary Organisations revenue account. It was further indicated that last year's display had received a grant of £5,000.

It was agreed that grant assistance of £5,250 be awarded to Stornoway and District Round Table to cover the cost of the fireworks from the Community Events budget.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Bayhead Community Workshop

AL04

8

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the disposal of Bayhead Community Workshop. The report indicated that, at a public meeting held in North Uist on 5 July 2002, it appeared that the building was no longer required as a community workshop and differing views were expressed as to the most appropriate future use of the building.

It was agreed to advertise the Bayhead Community Workshop for sale on the open market.

Community Development Apprenticeship Scheme

AL04.12

9

With reference to item 34 of the minute of meeting of 27 March 2001 the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning progress made with the Community Development Apprenticeship Scheme. The work carried out by the Co-ordinator, the progress made to date in setting up both a Degree course in Community Development and an access course of the degree course were outlined in the report.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the progress made; and

(2) approve the continued participation of Community Education staff in developing an Access Course with Lews Castle College.

RELATED MATTERS

Christmas Lights in Stornoway

AL11.01

10

With reference to item 98 of the minute of meeting of 20 November 2001, the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the actions taken to organise the Christmas Lights in Stornoway and to support Stornoway Amenity Trust in ensuring maximum benefit arises from the provision of the Christmas Lights.

It was agreed to :

(1) note the steps taken; and

(2) authorise the Director for Sustainable Communities to lease the Comhairle's Christmas Lights, on a year by year basis, to Stornoway Amenity Trust for an annual fee of £1.00, subject to a partnership agreement with Stornoway Amenity Trust on terms acceptable to the Director of Corporate Services and the Acting Director of Finance.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

11

With reference to item 9 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Arts and Leisure Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report, subject to the following amendment:

At item 4 of the Report by the Director of Corporate Services, amend the "action by" column to read "Joint Report by Chief Executive and Director for Sustainable Communities".

___

PRESENT	Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr George Lonie
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mrs Mary Bremner
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

APOLOGIES	Mr Philip R McLean	Mr Norman A Macdonald

		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002	1	The minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 was approved.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002	2	The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress with the Non-Housing Capital Account as at 30 September 2002. It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Outturn	3	The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast outturn for 2002/03 following the second quarter monitoring. It was agreed to approve the recommendations in the report by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
		BUILDINGS
Lews Castle - A Partnership Solution AL02.17	4	At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr Iain Macleod, Fisheries Development Officer, gave a presentation entitled Lews Castle - A Partnership Solution. An opportunity was afforded to Members to ask questions of Mr Macleod. The Chairman thanked Mr Macleod for his presentation.
		Arising out of consideration of the presentation, it was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle should continue to support the formation of Lews Castle Trust Ltd; and (2) Mr Norman L Macdonald and Mr Alasdair G Macrae be nominated to represent the Comhairle on the Steering Group being established to undertake the formation of the Trust in (1) above.
Capital Works: Programme and Progress PR33.01.12	5	With reference to item 3 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a programme and progress Report in relation to the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme. It was agreed to note the Report.
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2002/2003: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 7 October 2002 AL03.03.02	6	With reference to item 7 of the minute of meeting of 27 August 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning expenditure on the Repair and Maintenance of properties held on the Arts and Leisure account up to 6 August 2002. It was agreed to note the Report.
		FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Stornoway and District Round Table - Request for Financial Assistance (Revenue) AL11.01	7	With reference to item 97 of the minute of meeting of 20 November 2001 , the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning a request for financial assistance from Stornoway and District Round Table to run a firework display on 1 January 2003. The report indicated that Stornoway and District Round Table had organised and managed a New Years Eve fireworks display in Stornoway since 1998/99 and that the Comhairle had previously paid for the full cost of the fireworks element through the Grants to Voluntary Organisations revenue account. It was further indicated that last year's display had received a grant of £5,000.
		It was agreed that grant assistance of £5,250 be awarded to Stornoway and District Round Table to cover the cost of the fireworks from the Community Events budget.
		COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Bayhead Community Workshop AL04	8	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the disposal of Bayhead Community Workshop. The report indicated that, at a public meeting held in North Uist on 5 July 2002, it appeared that the building was no longer required as a community workshop and differing views were expressed as to the most appropriate future use of the building.
		It was agreed to advertise the Bayhead Community Workshop for sale on the open market.
Community Development Apprenticeship Scheme AL04.12	9	With reference to item 34 of the minute of meeting of 27 March 2001 the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning progress made with the Community Development Apprenticeship Scheme. The work carried out by the Co-ordinator, the progress made to date in setting up both a Degree course in Community Development and an access course of the degree course were outlined in the report.
		It was agreed to: (1) note the progress made; and (2) approve the continued participation of Community Education staff in developing an Access Course with Lews Castle College.

		RELATED MATTERS
Christmas Lights in Stornoway AL11.01	10	With reference to item 98 of the minute of meeting of 20 November 2001, the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the actions taken to organise the Christmas Lights in Stornoway and to support Stornoway Amenity Trust in ensuring maximum benefit arises from the provision of the Christmas Lights. It was agreed to : (1) note the steps taken; and (2) authorise the Director for Sustainable Communities to lease the Comhairle's Christmas Lights, on a year by year basis, to Stornoway Amenity Trust for an annual fee of £1.00, subject to a partnership agreement with Stornoway Amenity Trust on terms acceptable to the Director of Corporate Services and the Acting Director of Finance.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	11	With reference to item 9 of the minute of meeting of 1 October 2002, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a report concerning reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Arts and Leisure Committee. It was agreed to note the Report, subject to the following amendment: At item 4 of the Report by the Director of Corporate Services, amend the "action by" column to read "Joint Report by Chief Executive and Director for Sustainable Communities".