26 March 2002

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 26 March 2002 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Manford

Mr George Lonie

APOLOGIES

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)

Mrs Mary Bremner

Tribute: Mr Alasdair Dunlop

The Chairman referred to Mr Alasdair Dunlop, who recently became British Veteran Indoor 800m champion at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. He was also runner up in the 1500m. The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Dunlop on this outstanding achievement.

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 29 January 2002

CO2.13

1

The minute of meeting of 29 January 2002 was approved.

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Capital Works: Programme and Progress

PR33.01.12

2

With reference to item 8 of the minute of meeting of 29 January 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 2001/2002: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 19 February 2002

AL03.03.02

3

With reference to item 95 of the minute of meeting of 19 November 2001 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 19 February 2002.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Parkend Play Area

AL02.12

4

With reference to item 15 of the minute of meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a condition report on the Parkend Play Area. The report indicated that the Technical Services Department was aware of damage to the perimeter fencing at this site and that a quotation had been sought and accepted for the remedial work.

It was agreed to note the report.

SPORT

New Sports Centre, Stornoway

AL02.01

5

With reference to item 74 of the minute of meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report confirming the anticipated financial assistance towards the development of the new sports facility which will replace the Nicolson Sports Centre, in light of changes to the funding criteria of SportScotland. It was highlighted in the report that £1.5m funding was expected from SportsScotland Regional Facility fund and £0.5m was expected from the Enterprise Company. It was also indicated in the report that a further bid to SportScotland in the sum of £0.5m will be made. The Director also submitted modified plans for the sports centre.

It was agreed:

(1) that the plans submitted by the Director for Sustainable Communities, be approved as the basis for the development of detailed plans and the seeking of such permissions as may be necessary in order to progress the project;

(2) that the Director for Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, be authorised to negotiate with relevant parties with a view to acquiring such land as may be necessary for the development of the new sports facility, at a price to be determined by the District Valuer and on such terms and conditions as they may deem appropriate;

(3) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee confirm the Comhairle contribution from Capital as £3m plus up to £1.5m underwrite against not gaining sufficient external funding to meet a £6.5m development;

(4) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee approve funding bids to SportScotland for £1.5m for a Regional facility and to the enterprise company for £0.5m;

(5) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee approve an additional bid to HISTP, to enhance the movable floor; and

(6) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee approve an additional bid to the NOF, for the development of the climbing wall.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Grant Allocations and Per Capita

AL03.01

6

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the financial assistance and the rates of per capita grants available to voluntary groups and individuals from the Arts and Leisure Grants 2002/03. Proposed levels of per capita and other grants to voluntary groups were appended to the report.

It was agreed that:

(1) the rates for per capita grants to voluntary groups and individuals from the Arts and Leisure Grants for 2002/03, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report by the Director for Sustainable Communities, be approved; and

(2) it be noted that retrospective grants would require Committee approval.

Request for Financial Assistance: Comunn Eachdraidh Cheann a'Loch (Kinloch Historical Society)

AL11.01

7

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning a request for financial assistance from Kinloch Historical Society for the purpose of renovating the Laxay Hall as a conservation and restoration work place. The report indicated that the Society were previously housed within Balallan School, but that this was now being used for pre-school activities. Details of expected funding for the renovation were indicated in the report.

It was agreed to recommend that a grant of £20,000 be awarded to Comunn Eachdraidh Cheann a'Loch for the purpose of renovating Laxay Hall, subject to all other match funding being in place and evidence of appropriate expenditure.

Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the dispersal of museum artefacts to appropriate local groups be included in the outstanding report on museum storage.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Establishment of Post: Principal Officer, Community Education and Culture

AL04

8

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the establishment of a new post of Principal Officer, Community Education and Culture. The report indicated that the Principal Officer would play a key role in developing the main services of Community Education, Museums, Arts and Archaeology within one business unit, with a joint focus to play in community development.

It was agreed that:

(1) the establishment of a post of Principal Officer, Community Education and Culture, at a grade to be determined by the Director of Corporate Services, be supported; and

(2) the reporting lines of the Community Education Service, Museum Service, Archaeologist and Arts Officer be reconfigured under the management of the Principal Officer in (1) above.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

9

With reference to item 16 of the minute of meeting of 29 January 2002 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a progress Report in relation to items of business outstanding from the Arts and Leisure Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

___

PRESENT	Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Philip R McLean
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald Manford
	Mr George Lonie

APOLOGIES	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)	Mrs Mary Bremner

Tribute: Mr Alasdair Dunlop		The Chairman referred to Mr Alasdair Dunlop, who recently became British Veteran Indoor 800m champion at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. He was also runner up in the 1500m. The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Dunlop on this outstanding achievement.
		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 29 January 2002 CO2.13	1	The minute of meeting of 29 January 2002 was approved.
		LAND AND BUILDINGS
Capital Works: Programme and Progress PR33.01.12	2	With reference to item 8 of the minute of meeting of 29 January 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 2001/2002: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 19 February 2002 AL03.03.02	3	With reference to item 95 of the minute of meeting of 19 November 2001 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 19 February 2002. It was agreed to note the Report.
Parkend Play Area AL02.12	4	With reference to item 15 of the minute of meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a condition report on the Parkend Play Area. The report indicated that the Technical Services Department was aware of damage to the perimeter fencing at this site and that a quotation had been sought and accepted for the remedial work. It was agreed to note the report.
		SPORT
New Sports Centre, Stornoway AL02.01	5	With reference to item 74 of the minute of meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report confirming the anticipated financial assistance towards the development of the new sports facility which will replace the Nicolson Sports Centre, in light of changes to the funding criteria of SportScotland. It was highlighted in the report that £1.5m funding was expected from SportsScotland Regional Facility fund and £0.5m was expected from the Enterprise Company. It was also indicated in the report that a further bid to SportScotland in the sum of £0.5m will be made. The Director also submitted modified plans for the sports centre.
		It was agreed: (1) that the plans submitted by the Director for Sustainable Communities, be approved as the basis for the development of detailed plans and the seeking of such permissions as may be necessary in order to progress the project; (2) that the Director for Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, be authorised to negotiate with relevant parties with a view to acquiring such land as may be necessary for the development of the new sports facility, at a price to be determined by the District Valuer and on such terms and conditions as they may deem appropriate; (3) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee confirm the Comhairle contribution from Capital as £3m plus up to £1.5m underwrite against not gaining sufficient external funding to meet a £6.5m development; (4) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee approve funding bids to SportScotland for £1.5m for a Regional facility and to the enterprise company for £0.5m; (5) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee approve an additional bid to HISTP, to enhance the movable floor; and (6) to request that the Policy and Finance Committee approve an additional bid to the NOF, for the development of the climbing wall.
		FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Grant Allocations and Per Capita AL03.01	6	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the financial assistance and the rates of per capita grants available to voluntary groups and individuals from the Arts and Leisure Grants 2002/03. Proposed levels of per capita and other grants to voluntary groups were appended to the report. It was agreed that: (1) the rates for per capita grants to voluntary groups and individuals from the Arts and Leisure Grants for 2002/03, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report by the Director for Sustainable Communities, be approved; and (2) it be noted that retrospective grants would require Committee approval.
Request for Financial Assistance: Comunn Eachdraidh Cheann a'Loch (Kinloch Historical Society) AL11.01	7	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning a request for financial assistance from Kinloch Historical Society for the purpose of renovating the Laxay Hall as a conservation and restoration work place. The report indicated that the Society were previously housed within Balallan School, but that this was now being used for pre-school activities. Details of expected funding for the renovation were indicated in the report. It was agreed to recommend that a grant of £20,000 be awarded to Comunn Eachdraidh Cheann a'Loch for the purpose of renovating Laxay Hall, subject to all other match funding being in place and evidence of appropriate expenditure. Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the dispersal of museum artefacts to appropriate local groups be included in the outstanding report on museum storage.
		COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Establishment of Post: Principal Officer, Community Education and Culture AL04	8	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a report concerning the establishment of a new post of Principal Officer, Community Education and Culture. The report indicated that the Principal Officer would play a key role in developing the main services of Community Education, Museums, Arts and Archaeology within one business unit, with a joint focus to play in community development. It was agreed that: (1) the establishment of a post of Principal Officer, Community Education and Culture, at a grade to be determined by the Director of Corporate Services, be supported; and (2) the reporting lines of the Community Education Service, Museum Service, Archaeologist and Arts Officer be reconfigured under the management of the Principal Officer in (1) above.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	9	With reference to item 16 of the minute of meeting of 29 January 2002 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a progress Report in relation to items of business outstanding from the Arts and Leisure Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.