ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 30 May 2000 at 9.00am

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

		MINUTES
Tribute: Nicolson Girls Football Team		The Chairman referred to the Nicolson girls 3rd/4th year football team who had recently competed in the final of the North of Scotland Cup, winning 4-3 against Ellon. The Chairman congratulated the team on their achievement and wished them every success for the future.
Tribute: British Land UK Chess Challenge		The Chairman referred to pupils from Laxdale and Sandwickhill Schools who had recently competed in the Scottish Finals of the British Land UK Chess Challenge and indicated that some of the pupils had qualified for the national finals. The Chairman extended congratulations to the pupils and wished them every success for future competitions.
Arts and Leisure Committee C02.13	31	The Minute of Meeting of 17 May 2000 was noted.
Stornoway Leisure Facilities Member/Officer Working Group AL01.14	32	The Minute of Meeting of the Stornoway Leisure Facilities Member/Officer Working Group of 18 April 2000 was noted. The Chairman drew the Committee's attention to item 5 in the Minute which indicated a proposed Study Visit to other Sports/Leisure Centres which had been recently built or refurbished at a cost approximate to the resources available to the Comhairle for remodelling the Nicolson Lewis Sports Centre, and sought the Committee's authority to proceed with the Study Visit. It was agreed to recommend approval of the Study Visit.
Play Areas Working Group AL.06	33	The Minute of Meeting of the Play Areas Working Group of 10 May 2000 was noted.
		FINANCE
Fourth Quarter Revenue Outturn AL03.03.01	34	With reference to item 53 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the Fourth Quarter Revenue Outturn for 1999/2000 for the Arts and Leisure Committee. The Report detailed areas of Revenue Expenditure incurred in relation to the Arts and Leisure Budget for the period ended 31 March 2000 and provided explanations for variances from the original budget. It was agreed to note the Report.
Fourth Quarter Capital Outturn	35	With reference to item 54 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 1999 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the final Capital Monitoring Schedule for 1999/2000 highlighting areas of overspend, underspend, slippage and acceleration. The Report intimated that in relation to the Arts and Leisure Committee there had been significant slippage on community projects where various organisations had still to secure additional external funding, and indicated a slippage of £76K on the Stornoway New Library IT Equipment Project. It was agreed to recommend insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned: (1) that the Comhairle note the 1999/2000 Final Capital Monitoring Schedule as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report; and (2) that the Comhairle approve the Non-housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2000/01 - 2002/03 as detailed at Appendix 2 to the Report by the Director of Finance.
		LAND AND BUILDINGS
Programme and Progress PR03.02.01	36	With reference to item 21 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000 the Director of Technical Service submitted a Programme and Progress Report in relation to the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme. It was agreed to note the Report.
Play Areas AL02.12	37	With reference to item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report referring to the decision of the Comhairle to remit a number of issues associated with play areas, together with consideration of strategic issues associated with the provision of play areas to the Play Areas Working Group. It was stated in the Report that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services was, at present, developing a Scheme which would involve the community more closely in the developing and funding of play areas in the Comhairle's ownership and that this matter would be the subject of wide-spread public consultation. It was further intimated that, until a revised strategic policy for play areas was in place, the present approved Programme would continue in accordance with the terms set out in the Minute of Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Committee of 28 March 2000. It was agreed to note the Report.
		COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Western Isles Community Learning Strategy AL04.12	38	The Acting Chief Executive submitted a Report appending a consultative draft Community Learning Strategy for the Western Isles. The Report detailed the background to the Learning Strategy which addressed the learning needs of communities and contributed to the Government's objectives for social inclusion, lifelong learning and active citizenship.
		The strategy was developed in partnership with Western Isles Enterprise, Western Isles Health Board, Lews Castle College the Western Isles Career Service and the Volunteering Sector. The Report highlighted the Community Learning need, the current provision in terms of resources, possible future provision, priority issues and identified targets. It was agreed to note: (1) the Western Isles Community Learning Strategy Consultative Draft; and (2) that the Acting Chief Executive would submit finalised strategy and action plan to the Arts and Leisure Committee in August 2000.
		REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Upper Barvas Playground Committee AL02.12	39	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from the Upper Barvas Playground Committee in the sum of £5,000. The Report indicated that the Upper Barvas Playground Committee had previously been awarded a grant of £10,000 towards a £75,705 project to develop a children's playground in Upper Barvas. The Report indicated that as a result of an increase of £14,000 in estimates the Upper Barvas Playground Committee has requested Western Isles Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to increase their grant funding. The Report recommended that Members approve a total grant of £15,000 to the Upper Barvas Playground with £10,000 being carried forward from the 1999/2000 Capital Programme and an additional £5,000 from the Voluntary Sector match funding 2000/2001. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award an additional £7,000 to the Upper Barvas Playground Committee to be met from the Voluntary Sector match funding 2000/2001 subject to evidence of expenditure, which is satisfactory to the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services.
Lower Bayble Recreation Association AL11.01	40	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from the Lower Bayble Recreation Association in relation to a proposed project of a children's playpark in Lower Bayble. The Report sought agreement in principle in order to allow the Association to seek additional external funding. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised in principle to approve an application from Lower Bayble Recreation Association subject to confirmation from the Arts and Leisure Committee when the full funding package for the playpark has been concluded; and (2) it be noted that funding for the project in the region of £15,000 in an appropriate financial year.
Back Football and Recreation Club AL03.01.11	41	With reference to item 35 of the Minute of Meeting of 9 March 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Service submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Back Football and Recreation Club in the sum of £15,000 towards a £200,000 environmental project at the Upper Coll Community Centre.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a grant of up to £8,000 or 20% of the total costs to the Back Football and Recreation Club towards the cost of an environmental project improvement, subject to the submission of detailed accounts which are deemed to be satisfactory to the Director of Finance.
Leverburgh Village Hall AL03.01.26	42	With reference to item 35 of the Minute of Meeting of 9 March 1999 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from the Leverburgh Village Hall Committee towards the costs of building a Village Hall. The Report detailed the background to the request and included details relevant to the current position of the project. The Report highlighted that the Leverburgh Village Hall Committee had received a grant from the National Lottery Charities Board of £241,000 and was the sole nomination from the Comhairle to the Scottish Executive for match funding under the Executive Rural Affairs Village Halls Grant, and that due to a carry forward of commitment by the Scottish Executive to match fund 21st Century Hall Scheme, that Leverburgh was not on their list of projects for 2000/2001 but was on the reserve list of projects for 2001/2002. The Report indicated that if match funding for the project was not forthcoming by the summer of 2000 the National Lotteries Charities Board funding of £241,000 would be lost. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to: (1) confirm the availability of £50,000 Capital brought forward from 1999/2000 for the Leverburgh Village Hall Committee; (2) underwrite a potential loss of £30,000 for the Capital Project of Leverburgh provided that match funding can be shown from the Western Isles Enterprise Company; and (3) retain Leverburgh Village Hall Committee as the Comhairle priority project for Scottish Executive funding for 2001/2002. During consideration of this matter it was further agreed to recommend that the Comhairle formally submit its reservations to the Scottish Executive and to the Millennium Commission in regard to the way in which the 21st Century Hall Scheme was operated.
		It was agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 26(f), the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle, would be disclosed.
Manor/Castle Ward Residents AL11.01	43	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from the Manor/Castle Ward Residents Association towards the purchase and renovation of a property at Westview Terrace, Stornoway. The Report detailed the background to the request indicating that a further more detailed Report would be presented to the Committee once the appropriate surveys were completed.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services and the Director of Technical Services be authorised to implement the recommendation: (1) as detailed in the Report by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services, subject to: (i) the submission from the group of a business plan showing details of projected revenue income and expenditure deemed viable by the Director of Education and Leisure Services; (ii) the submission of a report on the existing or future condition of the property to the Director of Technical Services for appraisal and approval; (iii) the submission of evidence of matching funding for the purchase of the property; and (2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a report to a future meeting the Arts and Leisure Committee providing a detailed plan for the renovation of the property.
CNSA Roinn nan Eilean AL11.01	44	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted an application for financial assistance from Comhairle na Sgoiltean Araich Roinn nan Eilean in the sum of £2,200. The Report indicated that there was no appropriate budget within the Arts and Leisure portfolio for dispersal of grants to pre-school groups. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to refuse the grant application from CNSA Roinn nan Eilean on the basis that per capita funding is received by existing groups from the Scottish Office via the Education Department.
Ceolas Summer School 2000 AL05.03.47	45	With reference to item 19 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000 the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Pròiseact nan Ealan on behalf of Ceolas Summer School. The Report detailed the revenue costs of Ceolas having increased in 2000 as a result of an additional commitment to match fund a Gaelic Music Training and Development Officer for one year. The Report indicated that Pròiseact nan Ealan received guaranteed funding from the Arts and Leisure Budget on the same basis as the Hebridean Celtic Festival, An Lanntair , Harris Arts and Taigh Chearsabhagh and recommended that the Committee approve continued annual funding to Ceolas Summer School of up to £5,000 per annum subject to the submission of audited accounts and the transfer of responsibility of Ceolas from Pròiseact nan Ealan to the community of South Uist. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to: (1) continue the annual funding of Ceolas Summer School on the basis of £5,000 per annum subject to the submission of audited accounts and the transfer of responsibility from Pròiseact nan Ealan to the community of South Uist; and (2) as a one-off grant that Pròiseact nan Ealan be awarded an additional £2,000 for the financial year 2000/2001 to be funded from the Arts and Leisure Community Events Budget.
Ceilidh 's an Iar Thuath 21-29 July 2000 AL11.01	46	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Iomairt Nis towards the cost of a week long festival, celebrating one thousand years of Gaelic culture in Ness. The Report indicated that a major part of the week would include a visit from a delegation from the Connemara area of Southern Ireland and would include a broad range of activities including traditional music and song, arts, crafts, heritage, education, interpretation of the environment, language and aspects of community development. The Report indicated that the total estimated cost of the project was £29,510 and sought financial assistance in the sum of £5,000 from the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a guarantee against loss of £5,000 to the organisers of Ceilidh `s an Iar Thuath subject to: (i) confirmation that the event took place; and (ii) submission of accounts for the events deemed to be satisfactory by the Director of Finance.
Highland Festival AL11.01	47	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from the Highland Festival towards the cost of three theatre performances in the Western Isles. The Report indicated that the Highland Festival intended to tour the production of `Hard Pressed' a Scots comedy to Lionaclete, Tarbert and Stornoway and recommended that the Comhairle award a guarantee against loss of up to £2,000 to the organisers of the Highland Festival. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to refuse a grant to the Highland Festival towards the cost of touring with the theatre production `Hard Pressed'.
Feis Alba 2000 AL11.01	48	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Feis Alba towards the cost of a five day festival in Stornoway. The Report indicated that the Festival would provide upper, intermediate and advanced level instruction in traditional Gaelic music and song highlighting that the classes would be held in the Nicolson Institute with evening concerts and ceilidh dances in the Town Hall, Seaforth Hotel and Studio Drama Gàidhlig. The Report indicated that the total projected cost for the Festival was £45,700 and a request for financial assistance in the sum of £6,000 was sought from the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award Feis Alba a guarantee against loss of up to £6,000, subject to: (i) confirmation the event took place; and (ii) submission of account for the event deemed to be satisfactory by the Director of Finance.
Lasair 2000: Scottish/Irish Drama Course AL11.01	49	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from Lasair 2000 towards the cost of a Scottish/Irish performing course to be held in Ullapool from 24 July - 13 August 2000. The Report indicated that Lasair 2000 was a Scottish/Irish drama course co-organised by Pròiseact nan Ealan and Sin Sin, an Irish Arts Development Agency. The Report highlighted the increasing demand for Gàidhlig/Gaelige speaking actors as a result of the increased funding for Gàidhlig/Gaelige broadcasting, and intimated that the total estimated cost for the course was £45,560 and had submitted a request for financial assistance to the Comhairle in the sum of £1,000.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Service: (1) be authorised to award a guarantee against loss of up to £1,000 to the organisers of Lasair 2000, subject to: (i) confirmation that the event took place; and (ii) the submission of accounts for the event deemed to be satisfactory by the Director of Finance. (2) write to the organisers of Lasair 2000 requesting that for future events consideration be given to the Western Isles as a venue for courses.
Companas Aisling Ghearr AL11.01	50	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from Companas Aisling Ghearr of £1,000 towards the cost of touring with the production Companas Aisling Ghearr to Lewis, Harris, Benbecula and Barra from 12 - 16 July 2000. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a guarantee against loss of up to £1,000 to the organisers of Aisling Ghearr, subject to: (i) confirmation that the event took place; and (ii) the submission of accounts for the event deemed to be satisfactory by the Director of Finance.
		CONFERENCES AND COURSES
The Scottish Association of Directors of Leisure Services Annual Conference 2000 PR44.01	51	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning The Scottish Association of Directors of Leisure Services Annual Conference to be held in the Stakis Dunkeld Hotel, Dunkeld on 16 and 17 August 2000 and indicated that a wide representation at Member level from Local Authorities including Orkney, Shetland and Highland Councils would be present. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle be represented at the Scottish Association of Directors of Leisure Services Conference on 16 and 17 August 2000 by the Chairman or his nominee.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Service Plan 2000/01: Arts and Leisure PR33.01.14	52	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the Education and Leisure Services Department Service Plan 2000-2003. It was agreed that consideration of the Education and Leisure Services Department Service Plan 2000-2003 be deferred for consideration at the Arts and Leisure Committee Meeting in August 2000.
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	53	With reference to item 27 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a progress Report in relation to items of business outstanding from 29 January 1999 on the Arts and Leisure Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.