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MINUTES
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Minute of Meeting of 6 February 2007
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 6 February 2007 was approved.
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Declaration of Interest
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2
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There were no
declarations of interest.
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FINANCE
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Business Plans and Budget 2007/08
PR33.01.04
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3
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The Chief
Executive submitted a Report seeking approval of the Business Plans for
2007/2008 and the Budget for 2007/2008. It stated in the Report that the
Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA)/Society of Local Authority
Chief Executives (SOLACE) Corporate Governance Framework advised that Local
Authorities should maintain effective arrangements for explicit
accountability to stakeholders for an Authority’s performance and its effectiveness
in the delivery of services and the sustainable use of resources. It was
intimated in the Report that the preparation of Departmental Business Plans
and Budgets had been brought together for 2007/08, with the result that the
Budget now included Business Plans alongside the planned expenditure for any
given service. It was emphasised that possible targets and action points
relating to 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 had also been included in the Plans.
It was
agreed to recommend that, in so far as the Committee’s interests were
concerned the Business Plans, as amended, be approved.
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Arts and Leisure Grants 2007/08
AL11.01
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4
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the allocation of
grants to voluntary organisations for the financial year 2007/2008. The
Report referred to the reductions in a range of Grants Budgets for 2007/2008,
which had formed part of the efficiency savings exercise undertaken prior to
the Comhairle approving the Budget for 2007/2008.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Arts and Leisure grants for
2007/08 be re-distributed as outlined in paragraph 2.2 of the Report; and
(2) the changes to Performance Grant
and Independent Museum grant criteria as shown in Appendix 1 to the Report be
approved.
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LAND AND BUILDINGS
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Capital Works: Programme and Progress
PR33.01.12
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5
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With reference
to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 6 February 2007 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report concerning programme and progress in
respect of properties held on the Arts and Leisure Account.
It was agreed to recommend that the Report
be noted.
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Use of
Art Work at Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais
AL02.20
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6
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information in relation
to investigations undertaken relating to the use of Art as a method of
enhancing Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais. The Report intimated that whilst the Capital
Grants were available for any proposals to enhance the Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais
by displaying art work, at present there was no provision within budgets to
provide the necessary match funding. It was suggested that the Comhairle may
wish to consider whether any commission for art work should also apply to the
sports facilities in Barra, Benbecula and Harris as well as Ionad Spòrs
Leòdhais.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle consider match funding for an Arts
Project to enhance Comhairle sports facilities within the context of the 2008
– 12 Capital Programme.
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Bayhead Park Redevelopment
AL02.12
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7
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the future
development of the Bayhead Play Park. The Report referred to a public
meeting held to discuss a range of options in relation to the future of the
Bayhead Play Park and stated that the view to emerge from the meeting was
that the most effective method of undertaking the remedial work at the Play
Park would be to create two new tennis courts, on the site of the existing
Play Park, which would allow the existing tennis court areas to be converted
in a children’s play area and possibly a ball playing area for older
children. It was intimated in the Report that the estimated cost of
undertaking the proposed works, on a like for like basis, would be in the
region of £85,000. The Report further intimated that discussions were
ongoing with the Bayhead Community Association and other interested parties,
with a view to the Association making a contribution to enhance the play
area.
It was
agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned,
that the Comhairle:
(1) remediate the Bayhead Park as
outlined in the plan at Appendix 1 to the Report at a cost in the region of
£62k from Scottish Executive remediation funding; and
(2) redevelop the children’s play area
on a like for like basis at a cost in the region of £85k, with any further
enhancements undertaken in conjunction with the local Community Association.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of the following item 8 on the grounds that exempt information
as defined in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland)
Act 1973 namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of
any particular person other than the Comhairle would be disclosed.
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Bayhead Park: Grounds Maintenance
AL02.12
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8*
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the future of
grounds maintenance arrangements at Bayhead Park. The Report also gave
information in relation to the provision of a Park Attendant at Bayhead Park .
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1) Tong and North Tolsta Football
pitches, Bayhead Bowling Green and associated attendant service be deleted
from the ground maintenance contract;
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(2) Bayhead Bowling Club be considered
a priority should an application for financial assistance, within the
parameters of the current scheme of delegation, be made in 2006/07; and
(3) attendant service for Bayhead Park be provided solely during the months of July and August.
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CULTURE
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Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill
Consultation Document
AL05.01
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9
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report setting out a draft response
to the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill: Consultation. The Report gave details
of the proposed legislative changes set out in the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill and commented in relation to the following four areas:
(a) Local
Government Functions;
(b) Creative Scotland – the proposed new National
Cultural Development Body;
(c) National Cultural Bodies; and
(d) Trading or dealing in “tainted”
cultural objects.
The Report
concluded that overall the proposed legislative changes, as set out in the
Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill, should be welcomed by the Comhairle, although
it was pointed out that the Western Isles would be remote from National
Companies and resources and that without additional resources from either the
Scottish Executive, or Creative Scotland, the Comhairle would be unable to
maximise the potential benefits for the Western Isles, which could arise from
the implementation of the measures proposed in the Bill.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle respond to the consultation on the
basis of the recommended responses outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report and
authorise the Director for Sustainable Communities to submit comments on the
draft Culture Bill in advance of the closing date of 31 March 2007.
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Highland 2007
Year of Culture Update
AL05.01
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10
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the
projects which would be supported through the “Highland 2007” Year of Culture
Programme and further provided information on the Year of Homecoming 2009.
The Report gave background information in relation to “Highland 2007” and
indicated that Highlands and Island Enterprise had agreed to provide
additional funding to the Comhairle and other Councils within the Highlands
and Islands area to enable a celebration of local culture during 2007. The
Report commented on the advantages and disadvantages associated with participation
in “Highland 2007” and concluded that, on balance, it was considered that the
programme of events, detailed at Appendix 1 to the Report, would be of
benefit. The Report gave further information in relation to both:
(a) 2009
– Year of Homecoming; and
(b) The
Proposed Year of Island Culture, 2009.
It was
recommended in the Report that the Comhairle:
(1) should note the disbursement of
“Highland 2007” funding as outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report; and
(2) agree to explore with partners the
possibility of 2009 becoming a year of Island Culture linked to the Scottish
Executive’s Year of Homecoming.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1) note the disbursement of Highland
2007 funding as outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report;
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(2) agree to explore, with partners,
the possibility of 2010 becoming a Year of Island Culture; and
(3) authorise the Director for
Sustainable Communities to enter into negotiations with the Scottish
Executive to maximise the benefits to the Islands of the Year of Homecoming.
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SPORTS
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Sports Facility Projects
Al06.01.58
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11
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the involvement of
all stakeholders with an interest in the development of sports facilities. It
was intimated that it was proposed to invite the undernoted organisations to
consider submitting a proposal:
(a)
Clubs and organisations affiliated to the
local sports councils;
(b)
Comhairle Sports Facilities;
(c)
Schools and Pre-School Facilities;
(d)
Community Centres And Halls;
(e)
Community Councils;
(f)
Outdoor Centres; and
(g)
The Outdoor Forum.
The Report
further indicated that it was proposed to score project proposals using the
matrix detailed at Appendix B to the Report, on the basis that the scoring
process would be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities. The
Report also outlined the proposed timescale for the consultation exercise, referred
to in the Report, as follows:
2007 March Comhairle
consideration of the proposed consultation
2007 April Consultation
launched on the basis of the Comhairle's decision;
2007 May/June Projects
developed and proposals compiled;
2007 July Projects
scored and priority projects identified;
2007 August Findings of the consultation
submitted to the Comhairle for consideration.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the development of a portfolio
of projects for consideration by the Comhairle at a future series of meetings
on the basis of consultation with key stakeholders as detailed in section 5.3
of the Report and utilising the templates as detailed in Appendices A and B
to the Report.
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Corporate Rates for Sports Facilities
AL06
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12
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking approval to introduce
corporate membership rates for sports facilities on a trial basis. The
Report suggested that the undernoted discount levels be offered to companies
wishing to purchase annual membership for their employees:
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Number of
Employees
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Level of
Discount
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Saving Per
Membership based on 2006/07 Prices
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5 – 10
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10%
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£36.50
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11 – 20
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20%
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£73.00
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21+
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30%
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£109.50
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It was
intimated in the Report that feedback obtained from companies, that had
registered an interest in the proposed scheme, indicated that there would be
an increase in the region of 100% – 300% on the uptake of monthly
memberships.
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It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the introduction of corporate
rates for sports facility memberships as detailed in paragraph 2.1 of the Report
on a trial basis to commence in April 2007 with the findings of the trial
presented to the Comhairle in March 2008.
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Community Sports Club Accreditation
Scheme
Al06.01
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13
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking approval for the
implementation of the Community Sports Club Accreditation Scheme. The Report
referred to the “Community Sports Club Accreditation” which had utilised good
practice from other Councils throughout Scotland.
It was
intimated that there were two levels of accreditation namely “Access” and “Community
Club”. It was stated that it was proposed to implement the Scheme in the
form of a rolling programme targeting all clubs affiliated to local Sports
Councils during the period 2007 – 2009.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the implementation of the
Community Sports Club Accreditation Scheme.
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COMMUNITY
EDUCATION
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Community Education Service Improvement
Plan Update
AL04
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14
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report updating Members on the
progress with implementing the Community Education Service Improvement Plan.
The Report indicated that following an inspection of standards and quality in
Community Learning and Development by HM Inspectors of Education, in March
2005, a Service Review of the Community Education Service had taken place in
the Autumn of 2005 and that a Service Improvement Plan had been approved in
2006. The Report detailed, at Appendix 1 to the Report, the progress made with
implementing the remaining proposals in the Service Improvement Plan.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the Service Improvement Plan
set out in the Report for the Community Education Service.
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MUSEUMS
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Accessibility: Museum Programme 2007/08
AL09.01
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15
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the
Museum Programme for 2007/08. It was stated in the Report that the Fonn’s
Duthchas, Land and Legacy exhibition, celebrating the culture of the
Highlands and Islands would be shown at four venues throughout Scotland,
namely the Inverness Museum and Art Galley; Kelvingrove, Glasgow; the
National Museum, Edinburgh and Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway and that the
exhibition would afford an opportunity to view important objects and art work
from the Highlands and Islands now in the National Collections. The Report
outlined the works which it was proposed to undertake at the Stornoway Museum associated with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended. It
was further stated that these works had been drawn up as a result of a
disability audit carried out by the Adapt Trust and had been the subject of
consultation with the Lewis Access Panel. The implications for the Museum
associated with the proposed works were detailed in the Report. The Report
further referred to proposals to mount a number of additional exhibitions and
the display of artefacts, outwith the Stornoway Museum and it was emphasised
that whilst works were ongoing at the Museum the Museum staff would be:
(a) preparing
and mounting outreach exhibitions;
(b) installing and putting into operation
a new collections management programme; and
(c) consultation and research for the major
re-display of Stornoway Museum, following the Fonn’s Duthchas Exhibition.
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The Report
identified two options associated with the programming of works at the
Stornoway Museum and concluded that option 1, as detailed in the Report, was
the preferred option as its adoption would ensure that a major and
significant exhibition would be fully accessible to all visitors as well as
providing a fresh and refurbished interior for visitors to the exhibition.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the programme detailed as
Option 1 in paragraph 13.1 of the Report, with the disability works beginning
prior to the arrival of the Fonn’s Duthchas exhibition.
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Museum nan Eilean: Collections
AL09.01
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16
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving additional information
in relation to Museum nan Eilean’s acquisition and disposal policy. The Report
referred to the external funds available to support the purchase of approved
objects, including the national fund for acquisitions administered by the
National Museums of Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Report gave
further information in relation to the insurance of the Museum’s collections,
together with information on collections development. It was emphasised in
the Report that collections were the primary purpose of museums and that
Museum nan Eilean had a remit to document the history, culture and way of
life of the communities of Western Isles, through its collections and the
Report identified gaps in the collections including, those related to fishing
and maritime history, education and religious life. It was further stated
that a significant area of weakness existed in the collection of archival
material; the records of local businesses and trades and in more contemporary
terms, topics such as windfarms, community land buy-outs and Gaelic
development.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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PERFORMANCE MONITORING
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Reports Outstanding – Progress
PR33.01.12
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17
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The Director
of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning Reports outstanding
arising from decisions of the Arts and Leisure Committee.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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