20 November 2001

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 20 November 2001 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr George Lonie

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Finlay Morrison

Tributes: National Mod

The Chairman congratulated all those who had been involved in organising, co-ordinating and competing in the National Mod.

MINUTES

Arts and Leisure Committee

C02.13

93

The Minute of Meeting of 3 October 2001 was approved.

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Programme and Progress

PR03.02.01

94

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 - Quarterly Expenditure

AL03.03.02

95

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning expenditure upon the Repair and Maintenance of properties held on the Arts and Leisure account up to 30 September 2001.

It was agreed to note the Report.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Lower Bayble Playground Association

AL11.01

96*

With reference to item 40 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000 the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Lower Bayble Playground Association for the purpose of building a play area in Lower Bayble, Point. The Report detailed the funding package which was now in place.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to award Lower Bayble Playground Association financial assistance of £15,000 from the capital programme of Grants to Voluntary Organisations, subject to evidence of expenditure.

Stornoway and District Round Table

AL11.01

97*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Stornoway and District Round Table to run a fireworks display on 1 January 2002. The Comhairle had previously paid for the full cost of the fireworks display during the festive season and Stornoway Round Table would undertake all organising and staffing duties. The different options for the fireworks display were outlined.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to award Stornoway and District Round Table grant assistance of £5k from the Community Events Budget to cover the cost of a standard firework display on 1 January 2002.

Stornoway Amenity Trust

AL11.01

98*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Stornoway Amenity Trust to organise Christmas lights in Stornoway.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to award Stornoway Amenity Trust £19k in financial assistance from the Christmas Lights Budget 2001/02, for the purpose of erecting Christmas lights in Stornoway; and

(2) £9K from the Christmas Lights Budget be used to support community organisations to erect Christmas lights at main ports of entry in Barra, the Uists and Harris.

The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendations on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to enable the switching on ceremony to take place on 6 December 2001, on the basis that the recommendations were not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.

SPORTS

International Island Games AL06.01

99*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the International Island Games. The Games brought together competitors from a number of small islands from different parts of the world in friendly competition. The Report indicated that there were currently two membership places available with the Island Games Association and the pre-application process was detailed.

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle invite and host a delegation of the Island Games Association to visit the Western Isles, in order to determine the feasibility of the Comhairle applying for membership of the Island Games Association.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, namely information relating to a particular employee of the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Formalisation of Staff Working Hours in Sports Facilities (North)

M04.04.03

100*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking to formalise the contractual status of swimming pool staff at Lionel and Tarbert swimming pools and to increase the contractual hours of two members of staff at the Nicolson Lewis Sports Centre.

It was agreed to note the Report insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Arising from consideration of the above item it was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities would submit a Report to the next meeting outlining the reasons for employing casual staff at Sports Centres.

Lease to Harris Sports and Leisure Committee

AL06.01

101*

The Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Education submitted a joint Report concerning proposals to enter into a lease with Harris Sports and Leisure Committee in respect of the area of the new school building at Sir E Scott School which would be occupied by the swimming pool.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to enter into a lease with Harris Sports and Leisure Committee for a term not less than twenty years on such terms and conditions as the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Education and the Director for Sustainable Communities, shall determine and without prejudice to the foregoing generality on the basis that no rental shall be payable subject to the consent of the Scottish Ministers being obtained in terms of Section 74 (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and on the basis that a proportion of the cost of maintenance and repair of the fabric of the building other than that in the swimming pool area and immediate vicinity will not be recoverable from Harris Sports and Leisure Committee;

(2) a Report on the future management arrangements for this building be put before a future meeting of the Committee following discussions with both the head teacher of the school and the Harris Sports and Leisure Committee; and

(3) it be noted that the Harris Sports and Leisure Committee wish the Comhairle's Technical Services Consultancy to act on their behalf in this matter and that they agree to pay an appropriate share of the cost of demolition of the horsa huts currently on the site.

Sunday Use of Swimming Pool - Castlebay School

AL02.05

102*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for the let of the swimming pool at Castlebay school on a Sunday. The Report indicated that there was widespread support from the local community for the opening of the pool.

It was agreed to recommend that a let of Castlebay swimming pool and games hall be granted to Castlebay Community Association at a cost of £38 per hour, ensuring that the Comhairle incurs no additional costs.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Review of Mobile Library Services

AL08.06

103*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing the findings of the consultant's review of mobile library services in Lewis and Harris. The Report detailed the recommendations in the review and indicated that the consultants had felt that a redesigned service should be offered for a trial period of two years before making a final decision on the future of the mobile library service.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the recommendations of the Consultant's Report; and

(2) recommend that the Department for Sustainable Communities submit an implementation plan for approval prior to undertaking significant changes to the mobile library services to effect the recommendations in the Consultants Report.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Reports Outstanding - Progress

PR33.01.12

104

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a progress Report in relation to items of business outstanding from previous decisions of the Arts and Leisure Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

___

PRESENT	Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr George Lonie
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mrs Mary Bremner
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES	Mr Philip R McLean	Mr Finlay Morrison

Tributes: National Mod		The Chairman congratulated all those who had been involved in organising, co-ordinating and competing in the National Mod.
		MINUTES
Arts and Leisure Committee C02.13	93	The Minute of Meeting of 3 October 2001 was approved.
		LAND AND BUILDINGS
Programme and Progress PR03.02.01	94	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 - Quarterly Expenditure AL03.03.02	95	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning expenditure upon the Repair and Maintenance of properties held on the Arts and Leisure account up to 30 September 2001. It was agreed to note the Report.
		FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Lower Bayble Playground Association AL11.01	96*	With reference to item 40 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000 the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Lower Bayble Playground Association for the purpose of building a play area in Lower Bayble, Point. The Report detailed the funding package which was now in place. It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to award Lower Bayble Playground Association financial assistance of £15,000 from the capital programme of Grants to Voluntary Organisations, subject to evidence of expenditure.
Stornoway and District Round Table AL11.01	97*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Stornoway and District Round Table to run a fireworks display on 1 January 2002. The Comhairle had previously paid for the full cost of the fireworks display during the festive season and Stornoway Round Table would undertake all organising and staffing duties. The different options for the fireworks display were outlined. It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to award Stornoway and District Round Table grant assistance of £5k from the Community Events Budget to cover the cost of a standard firework display on 1 January 2002.
Stornoway Amenity Trust AL11.01	98*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Stornoway Amenity Trust to organise Christmas lights in Stornoway. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to award Stornoway Amenity Trust £19k in financial assistance from the Christmas Lights Budget 2001/02, for the purpose of erecting Christmas lights in Stornoway; and (2) £9K from the Christmas Lights Budget be used to support community organisations to erect Christmas lights at main ports of entry in Barra, the Uists and Harris.
		The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendations on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to enable the switching on ceremony to take place on 6 December 2001, on the basis that the recommendations were not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
		SPORTS
International Island Games AL06.01	99*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the International Island Games. The Games brought together competitors from a number of small islands from different parts of the world in friendly competition. The Report indicated that there were currently two membership places available with the Island Games Association and the pre-application process was detailed. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle invite and host a delegation of the Island Games Association to visit the Western Isles, in order to determine the feasibility of the Comhairle applying for membership of the Island Games Association.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, namely information relating to a particular employee of the Comhairle would be disclosed.
Formalisation of Staff Working Hours in Sports Facilities (North) M04.04.03	100*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking to formalise the contractual status of swimming pool staff at Lionel and Tarbert swimming pools and to increase the contractual hours of two members of staff at the Nicolson Lewis Sports Centre. It was agreed to note the Report insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned. Arising from consideration of the above item it was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities would submit a Report to the next meeting outlining the reasons for employing casual staff at Sports Centres.
Lease to Harris Sports and Leisure Committee AL06.01	101*	The Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Education submitted a joint Report concerning proposals to enter into a lease with Harris Sports and Leisure Committee in respect of the area of the new school building at Sir E Scott School which would be occupied by the swimming pool. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to enter into a lease with Harris Sports and Leisure Committee for a term not less than twenty years on such terms and conditions as the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Education and the Director for Sustainable Communities, shall determine and without prejudice to the foregoing generality on the basis that no rental shall be payable subject to the consent of the Scottish Ministers being obtained in terms of Section 74 (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and on the basis that a proportion of the cost of maintenance and repair of the fabric of the building other than that in the swimming pool area and immediate vicinity will not be recoverable from Harris Sports and Leisure Committee; (2) a Report on the future management arrangements for this building be put before a future meeting of the Committee following discussions with both the head teacher of the school and the Harris Sports and Leisure Committee; and (3) it be noted that the Harris Sports and Leisure Committee wish the Comhairle's Technical Services Consultancy to act on their behalf in this matter and that they agree to pay an appropriate share of the cost of demolition of the horsa huts currently on the site.
Sunday Use of Swimming Pool - Castlebay School AL02.05	102*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request for the let of the swimming pool at Castlebay school on a Sunday. The Report indicated that there was widespread support from the local community for the opening of the pool. It was agreed to recommend that a let of Castlebay swimming pool and games hall be granted to Castlebay Community Association at a cost of £38 per hour, ensuring that the Comhairle incurs no additional costs.
		COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Review of Mobile Library Services AL08.06	103*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing the findings of the consultant's review of mobile library services in Lewis and Harris. The Report detailed the recommendations in the review and indicated that the consultants had felt that a redesigned service should be offered for a trial period of two years before making a final decision on the future of the mobile library service. It was agreed to: (1) note the recommendations of the Consultant's Report; and
		(2) recommend that the Department for Sustainable Communities submit an implementation plan for approval prior to undertaking significant changes to the mobile library services to effect the recommendations in the Consultants Report.
		PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Reports Outstanding - Progress PR33.01.12	104	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a progress Report in relation to items of business outstanding from previous decisions of the Arts and Leisure Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.