January 2001

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 30 January 2001 at 9.00a.m.

PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Roderick J Murray

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 Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr George Lonie

Mr Philip R McLean

Tribute: Donald M Mackay OBE

The Chairman referred to Mr Donald M Mackay, Member for the Lochs area who had recently received an OBE in the New Years Honours List. The Chairman congratulated Mr Mackay on this very worthy honour.

Tribute: Christmas Lights

The Chairman referred to the decorative lights, which had been displayed throughout the Western Isles. The Chairman congratulated all those who had been involved with the arranging and setting up of the festive decorations.

MINUTES

Arts and Leisure Committee

C02.13

1

The Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 was approved.

Minute of Meeting of Stornoway Leisure Facilities Member/Officer Working Group

AL01.14

2

The Minute of Meeting of 11 January 2001 was noted.

FINANCE

AEF Announcement, Policy Framework & Budget Strategy 2001/02 to 2003/04

PR110.03.25

3*

With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report advising Members of the final Aggregate External Finance announcement for the coming year, and set out the revised Budget Strategy for 2001/02 to 2003/04. The Director of Finance and the Chief Executive explained that there remained uncertainty about the AEF settlement, particularly regarding the recommendations of the McCrone Committee concerning teachers' pay and conditions. It was anticipated that the situation would be clarified by 5 February 2001.

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted and that the priority for the bids at Appendix 3(b) be as follows;

(1) Floral Displays and Lights

(2) Stornoway Arts Centre; and

(3) Harris Sports Centre

Updated Service Strategy Development Reports

4

With reference to item 92 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning Service Strategy Development Reports for each of the Comhairle's services were submitted. The Reports took account of the Aggregate External Finance announcement for 2001/02.

It was agreed to note the Report and to recommend that a bid of £5,000 towards the Sports Development Budget be considered during the Budget Setting Process.

Draft Revenue Budget 2001/02 PR110.03.25

5

With reference to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2000 the Director of Finance submitted the draft Revenue Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the financial year 2001/02.

The Draft Revenue Budget was approved.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring to 31 December 2000 PR110.05

6*

With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning a Report regarding the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period to 31 December 2000 for all Services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 2000/01 for each Service. It was noted that the forecast outturn was £220,000 below the revised approved programme of £15,650,000. A summary of the variations was set out in the Report. Details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations of Finance Sub-Committee of 29 January 2001.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Orinsay Community Association: Request for Financial Assistance for the Development of a Village Hall

AL11.01

7

The Principal Administrator sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

Balallan and District Association: Request for Financial Assistance for a Capital Project

AL11.01

8*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from Balallan and District Association for the purpose of renovating a local community hall. The Report detailed the background to the request indicating that the lowest tender received for the works at Balallan Hall amounted to £30,000 and requesting £9,000 from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award £9,000 to Balallan and District Community Association from the Capital Programme for Voluntary Organisations Grants, subject to evidence of match funding and approved expenditure in the region of £30,000.

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Program and Progress

PR03.02.01

9

With reference to item 98 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 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.

New Stornoway Sports Centre: New Opportunities Fund Application

AL02.01

10*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Service submitted a Report concerning a request to homologate a decision by the Depute Director of Leisure Services in submitting a grant application to the New Opportunities Fund to assist with funding for the New Stornoway Sports Centre. The Report indicated the purpose of the grant application, to develop facilities in the New Stornoway Sports Centre and to develop a programme of fitness and health throughout Lewis.

It was agreed to recommend that the decision of the Depute Director of Leisure Services in submitting an application for funding to the New Opportunity Fund for the development of the Stornoway Sports Centre be homologated.

Balivanich Play Area

AL02.15B

11

The Principal Administrator sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

Sir E Scott School, Tarbert: Proposed Redevelopment

E03

12*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposed re-development at Sir E Scott School, Tarbert including the identification of the full scope of the re-development project giving initial outline project costs and further indicating that the project could be phased. The Report indicated that items which had not been initially considered within the project had been raised during the consultation process. The Report suggested that consideration be given to incorporating the proposed swimming pool and changing facilities within the design project and attached papers detailing the proposed accommodation to be provided by the project including the relocation of the primary school to the site. The Report detailed the project costs at £5.5millon with the addition of the swimming pool and sports field adding a further £1,750,000 to the project cost.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to implement the proposed redevelopment at Sir E Scott School, Tarbert in terms of the following;

(1) the scope of the project be as detailed in the Report by the Director of Technical Services; and

(2) the feasibility of incorporating the proposed community swimming pool in the basement be examined as part of the detailed feasibility study.

It was agreed to note the following recommendations insofar as the Arts and Leisure Committee was concerned;

(1) The outline brief and accommodation schedule is as detailed in this Report;

(2) work may commence immediately on determining and siting decant accommodation with a view to completing this work during the summer holidays 2001; and

(3) a PIR is prepared for the balance of this scheme from 2003-2004 onwards.

LIBRARIES

Daliburgh Library

AL08

13*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the recommendation from the Capital Programme Working Group suggesting that Daliburgh Library be accommodated within the former janitor's house at Daliburgh School. The Report indicated the background to the position that there had been prior agreement to demolish Daliburgh Library as soon as alternative accommodation could be secured indicating that the cost of the renovations to the former janitor's house was estimated at £37,000 and indicating that the £37,000 required would be allocated from the Capital Programme for 2001/2002.

The Report recommended that £37k be allocated from the Capital Programme 2001/2002 for relocation of Daliburgh Library to the former janitor's house at Daliburgh.

It was agreed to recommend that subject to the decision of the Education Committee of 30 January 2001 that the Library be not put in the Janitor's House at Daliburgh School and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure be authorised to lease to a Community Group for use as an office base and that the £37,000 be used to find alternative accommodation for the Library.

ICT Training for Public Library Staff: New Opportunities Fund

AL08.09

14*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the submission of a Training Plan to the New Opportunities Fund to release funding to enable ICT Training for Public Library Staff. The Report detailed the background to the New Opportunities Fund Programme which is available to train public library staff to use information and communication technology to the benefit of public library users. The Report indicated that approximately 15% of the total cost of the programme would come from contributed resources both financial and in kind with £3,800 being identified from the library relief staff budget, the In-House Training Budget and Library Resources Budgets to meet the requirements of the submission.

It agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit an ICT Training Plan for public library staff to the New Opportunities Fund.

The People's Network: New Opportunities Fund

AL08.09

15*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the submission of an implementation plan to the New Opportunities Fund to release funding for a network of learning centres in public libraries. The Report detailed the background to the People's Network, or public library network which aims to link every public library to the inter-net and to the National Grid for Learning. The programme under the New Opportunities Fund which supports the development of information and communications technology learning centres included the provision of ICT equipment and inter-net connections. The Report indicated that an initial application had been submitted to the New Opportunities Fund and the library service had been notified of a funding entitlement of £185,376 towards the provision which had to be in place by 2003. The Report indicated that the release of this funding was subject to an acceptable implementation plan being submitted and approved. The Report highlighted that 10% of the total cost of the implementation plan would come from the local authority and that £18,537 had been identified over three years from Libraries Resource Budgets and the Education and Leisure IT Support Services.

It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit an implementation plan to develop ICT Learning Centres in public libraries to the New Opportunities Fund.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community Development Policy

AL04.10

16*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a draft policy document in relation to community development. The Report indicated that the draft policy forms the basis of a public consultation process prior to a full policy being submitted to the Comhairle. The consultation document highlighted the rational, principles and processes for supporting local communities through the Community Development Policy.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Community Development Draft Policy be endorsed;

(2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to conduct a Consultation Exercise with a range of agencies, including the Local Voluntary Sector; and

(3) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Report on the Consultation and the final Policy Document to be submitted to a future meeting.

SPORT

Support for Talented Athletes AL06.01.58

17*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the introduction of a Sport Facility Access Scheme for Talented Athletes in the Western Isles. The Report indicated that the Sports Facility Access Scheme for Talented Athletes would support individuals in the Western Isles competing in their sport at regional, national or international levels of performance including free access to Comhairle owned sports facilities as part of a recognised training programme. The Report highlighted that access to the programme would be through a formal application process requiring athletes to meet certain criteria which were detailed in the proforma appended to the Report by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services.

It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to introduce a Sports Facility Access Scheme for local talented athletes in order to support them in their efforts to achieve success at the highest level of sports.

RELATED MATTERS

The World Festival of Island Cultures: Jeju, South Korea 2001

PR60

18*

The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report informing the Committee of an invitation from the Organising Committee of the World Festival of Island Cultures based in Jeju, South Korea requesting performers from the Western Isles to participate in the festival in 2001. The Report detailed the background to the request indicating that representatives of the Festival Organising Committee had visited the Western Isles and had detailed the support that would be available for participating in this event.

It was agreed to recommend that subject to a full and satisfactory Report from the Meeting of the Organising Committee that:

(1) the Chief Executive be authorised to spend a provisional sum of £5,000 from the Arts and Leisure Services Grants Budget to cover the outline costs of performance rehearsal and associated publicity;

(2) a Report considering the invitation be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee of 20 February 2001; and

(3) staff from Education and Leisure Services and European and Development Services be authorised to develop the support structure for this event.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress Report PR33.01.12

19

With reference to item 107 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a progress Report in relation to items of business outstanding on the Arts and Leisure Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

PRESENT	Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Roderick J Murray
	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 Donald Manford

APOLOGIES	Mr George Lonie	Mr Philip R McLean

Tribute: Donald M Mackay OBE		The Chairman referred to Mr Donald M Mackay, Member for the Lochs area who had recently received an OBE in the New Years Honours List. The Chairman congratulated Mr Mackay on this very worthy honour.
Tribute: Christmas Lights		The Chairman referred to the decorative lights, which had been displayed throughout the Western Isles. The Chairman congratulated all those who had been involved with the arranging and setting up of the festive decorations.
		MINUTES
Arts and Leisure Committee C02.13	1	The Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 was approved.
Minute of Meeting of Stornoway Leisure Facilities Member/Officer Working Group AL01.14	2	The Minute of Meeting of 11 January 2001 was noted.
		FINANCE
AEF Announcement, Policy Framework & Budget Strategy 2001/02 to 2003/04 PR110.03.25	3*	With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report advising Members of the final Aggregate External Finance announcement for the coming year, and set out the revised Budget Strategy for 2001/02 to 2003/04. The Director of Finance and the Chief Executive explained that there remained uncertainty about the AEF settlement, particularly regarding the recommendations of the McCrone Committee concerning teachers' pay and conditions. It was anticipated that the situation would be clarified by 5 February 2001.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted and that the priority for the bids at Appendix 3(b) be as follows; (1) Floral Displays and Lights (2) Stornoway Arts Centre; and (3) Harris Sports Centre
Updated Service Strategy Development Reports	4	With reference to item 92 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning Service Strategy Development Reports for each of the Comhairle's services were submitted. The Reports took account of the Aggregate External Finance announcement for 2001/02. It was agreed to note the Report and to recommend that a bid of £5,000 towards the Sports Development Budget be considered during the Budget Setting Process.
Draft Revenue Budget 2001/02 PR110.03.25	5	With reference to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2000 the Director of Finance submitted the draft Revenue Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the financial year 2001/02. The Draft Revenue Budget was approved.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring to 31 December 2000 PR110.05	6*	With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning a Report regarding the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period to 31 December 2000 for all Services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 2000/01 for each Service. It was noted that the forecast outturn was £220,000 below the revised approved programme of £15,650,000. A summary of the variations was set out in the Report. Details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations of Finance Sub-Committee of 29 January 2001.
		FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Orinsay Community Association: Request for Financial Assistance for the Development of a Village Hall AL11.01	7	The Principal Administrator sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
Balallan and District Association: Request for Financial Assistance for a Capital Project AL11.01	8*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from Balallan and District Association for the purpose of renovating a local community hall. The Report detailed the background to the request indicating that the lowest tender received for the works at Balallan Hall amounted to £30,000 and requesting £9,000 from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award £9,000 to Balallan and District Community Association from the Capital Programme for Voluntary Organisations Grants, subject to evidence of match funding and approved expenditure in the region of £30,000.
		LAND AND BUILDINGS
Program and Progress PR03.02.01	9	With reference to item 98 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 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.
New Stornoway Sports Centre: New Opportunities Fund Application AL02.01	10*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Service submitted a Report concerning a request to homologate a decision by the Depute Director of Leisure Services in submitting a grant application to the New Opportunities Fund to assist with funding for the New Stornoway Sports Centre. The Report indicated the purpose of the grant application, to develop facilities in the New Stornoway Sports Centre and to develop a programme of fitness and health throughout Lewis. It was agreed to recommend that the decision of the Depute Director of Leisure Services in submitting an application for funding to the New Opportunity Fund for the development of the Stornoway Sports Centre be homologated.
Balivanich Play Area AL02.15B	11	The Principal Administrator sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
Sir E Scott School, Tarbert: Proposed Redevelopment E03	12*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposed re-development at Sir E Scott School, Tarbert including the identification of the full scope of the re-development project giving initial outline project costs and further indicating that the project could be phased. The Report indicated that items which had not been initially considered within the project had been raised during the consultation process. The Report suggested that consideration be given to incorporating the proposed swimming pool and changing facilities within the design project and attached papers detailing the proposed accommodation to be provided by the project including the relocation of the primary school to the site. The Report detailed the project costs at £5.5millon with the addition of the swimming pool and sports field adding a further £1,750,000 to the project cost. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to implement the proposed redevelopment at Sir E Scott School, Tarbert in terms of the following; (1) the scope of the project be as detailed in the Report by the Director of Technical Services; and (2) the feasibility of incorporating the proposed community swimming pool in the basement be examined as part of the detailed feasibility study. It was agreed to note the following recommendations insofar as the Arts and Leisure Committee was concerned; (1) The outline brief and accommodation schedule is as detailed in this Report; (2) work may commence immediately on determining and siting decant accommodation with a view to completing this work during the summer holidays 2001; and (3) a PIR is prepared for the balance of this scheme from 2003-2004 onwards.
		LIBRARIES
Daliburgh Library AL08	13*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the recommendation from the Capital Programme Working Group suggesting that Daliburgh Library be accommodated within the former janitor's house at Daliburgh School. The Report indicated the background to the position that there had been prior agreement to demolish Daliburgh Library as soon as alternative accommodation could be secured indicating that the cost of the renovations to the former janitor's house was estimated at £37,000 and indicating that the £37,000 required would be allocated from the Capital Programme for 2001/2002. The Report recommended that £37k be allocated from the Capital Programme 2001/2002 for relocation of Daliburgh Library to the former janitor's house at Daliburgh. It was agreed to recommend that subject to the decision of the Education Committee of 30 January 2001 that the Library be not put in the Janitor's House at Daliburgh School and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure be authorised to lease to a Community Group for use as an office base and that the £37,000 be used to find alternative accommodation for the Library.
ICT Training for Public Library Staff: New Opportunities Fund AL08.09	14*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the submission of a Training Plan to the New Opportunities Fund to release funding to enable ICT Training for Public Library Staff. The Report detailed the background to the New Opportunities Fund Programme which is available to train public library staff to use information and communication technology to the benefit of public library users. The Report indicated that approximately 15% of the total cost of the programme would come from contributed resources both financial and in kind with £3,800 being identified from the library relief staff budget, the In-House Training Budget and Library Resources Budgets to meet the requirements of the submission. It agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit an ICT Training Plan for public library staff to the New Opportunities Fund.
The People's Network: New Opportunities Fund AL08.09	15*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the submission of an implementation plan to the New Opportunities Fund to release funding for a network of learning centres in public libraries. The Report detailed the background to the People's Network, or public library network which aims to link every public library to the inter-net and to the National Grid for Learning. The programme under the New Opportunities Fund which supports the development of information and communications technology learning centres included the provision of ICT equipment and inter-net connections. The Report indicated that an initial application had been submitted to the New Opportunities Fund and the library service had been notified of a funding entitlement of £185,376 towards the provision which had to be in place by 2003. The Report indicated that the release of this funding was subject to an acceptable implementation plan being submitted and approved. The Report highlighted that 10% of the total cost of the implementation plan would come from the local authority and that £18,537 had been identified over three years from Libraries Resource Budgets and the Education and Leisure IT Support Services. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit an implementation plan to develop ICT Learning Centres in public libraries to the New Opportunities Fund.
		COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Community Development Policy AL04.10	16*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a draft policy document in relation to community development. The Report indicated that the draft policy forms the basis of a public consultation process prior to a full policy being submitted to the Comhairle. The consultation document highlighted the rational, principles and processes for supporting local communities through the Community Development Policy.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Community Development Draft Policy be endorsed; (2) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to conduct a Consultation Exercise with a range of agencies, including the Local Voluntary Sector; and (3) the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Report on the Consultation and the final Policy Document to be submitted to a future meeting.
		SPORT
Support for Talented Athletes AL06.01.58	17*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the introduction of a Sport Facility Access Scheme for Talented Athletes in the Western Isles. The Report indicated that the Sports Facility Access Scheme for Talented Athletes would support individuals in the Western Isles competing in their sport at regional, national or international levels of performance including free access to Comhairle owned sports facilities as part of a recognised training programme. The Report highlighted that access to the programme would be through a formal application process requiring athletes to meet certain criteria which were detailed in the proforma appended to the Report by the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to introduce a Sports Facility Access Scheme for local talented athletes in order to support them in their efforts to achieve success at the highest level of sports.
		RELATED MATTERS
The World Festival of Island Cultures: Jeju, South Korea 2001 PR60	18*	The Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report informing the Committee of an invitation from the Organising Committee of the World Festival of Island Cultures based in Jeju, South Korea requesting performers from the Western Isles to participate in the festival in 2001. The Report detailed the background to the request indicating that representatives of the Festival Organising Committee had visited the Western Isles and had detailed the support that would be available for participating in this event. It was agreed to recommend that subject to a full and satisfactory Report from the Meeting of the Organising Committee that: (1) the Chief Executive be authorised to spend a provisional sum of £5,000 from the Arts and Leisure Services Grants Budget to cover the outline costs of performance rehearsal and associated publicity; (2) a Report considering the invitation be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee of 20 February 2001; and (3) staff from Education and Leisure Services and European and Development Services be authorised to develop the support structure for this event.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress Report PR33.01.12	19	With reference to item 107 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2000 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a progress Report in relation to items of business outstanding on the Arts and Leisure Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.