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PRESENT

Mr Donald Macleod (Chairman)

  
 

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Vice-Chairman)

Mr George Lonie

 

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Donald I Nicholson

 

Mr Roderick Macdonald

Mr Callum I Macmillan

 

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Donald M Mackay

 

Mr Alasdair Nicholson

Mr Kenneth Mackay

 

Mr Donald Murray

  
     

APOLOGIES

Mrs Mary Bremner

  

Arts and Leisure

C02.13

86

MINUTES

The Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995 was approved.

Gaelic Development Joint Liaison Committee

PR13.05.09

87

The Minute of Meeting of the Gaelic Development Joint Liaison Committee of 5 September 1995 was noted, for the Committee's interest.

   

FINANCE

Applications for Financial Assistance

88*

(1) Feisean nan Gaidheal - The Chairman welcomed Mr Arthur Cormack, Development Officer, Feisean nan Gaidheal, to the meeting and invited Mr Cormack to address the Committee on the work of the organisation.

    In his presentation, Mr Cormack set out the background to the Feis movement and outlined the organisation of the Feisean. The proposed developments within the Feisean movement within the Western Isles were highlighted and, in particular, Mr Cormack referred to a proposal to appoint a full or part-time officer to co-ordinate and develop Feisean activities. He stated that these developments would require funding support and expressed the hope that the Council would give sympathetic consideration to future applications for financial assistance. In conclusion, Mr Cormack extended an invitation to the Council to nominate a representative to attend Feisean nan Gaidheal Board meetings.

   

    The opportunity was given to Members to ask questions of Mr Cormack.

    The Chairman thanked Mr Cormack for his interesting and informative presentation.

    It was agreed to recommend that Mr Donald Murray be nominated as the Council's representative to attend Board meetings of Feisean nan Gaidheal.

(2) The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted Reports detailing applications for financial assistance from a number of organisations and individuals and commenting on each application.

    It was agreed to recommend that Revenue Grants be awarded as follows, subject to the Conditions of Grant set out in the Reports by the Director of Education and Leisure Services:-

Capital Works Programme and Progress

AL02.02.01

89

LAND AND BUILDINGS

With reference to item 76 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 August 1995, the Director of Technical Services submitted the Capital Works Programme and Progress Report for Arts and Leisure properties.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre:

Sunbed Update

AL02.01.01

90*

With reference to item 79 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the following were submitted:-

   

(1) a Report by the Director of Education and Leisure Services concerning the usage, safety measures and supervision of the sunbed facility at the Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre. It was indicated in the Report that a survey of sunbed users had indicated that they wished the facility to be retained on the basis that all the information available in the sunbed area was sufficient for them to make up their own minds regarding whether or not to use the sunbed. It was stated that approaches to other local authorities had indicated that, with one exception, the use of sunbeds had not been a cause of concern. A summary of the results of the survey was set out in the Report. It was stated that the advice from the Institute of Sports and Recreation Management was that it was preferable for sunbed facilities to be provided in sport and recreation centres. It was recommended in the Report that, in the light of the current information available and the current practice throughout Scotland, together with the recommendation of the Institute of Sports and Recreation Management, the current provision of a sunbed facility at the Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre be maintained, with the position kept under review by means of an Annual Report; and

(2) a letter of 11 September 1995 from the Locum Director of Public Health and the Director of Strategic Planning at Western Isles Health Board, outlining the health hazards in relation to sunbed usage.

    It was agreed to recommend that the sunbed facility at the Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre be removed with immediate effect.

    On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, the Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendation, on behalf of the Council, under delegated powers, because of the unacceptable health hazards which had been identified relating to the use of sunbeds on the basis that this recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy decision of the Council.

Lews Castle: National Gaelic Archive/Centre and Public Library Feasibility Study

E02.28.20

PR13.04

91*

With reference to Item 157 of the Minute of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 12 September 1995, the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report concerning feasibility studies undertaken by the Technical Services Department Consultancy Unit to investigate the feasibility of Lews Castle as a base for a National Gaelic Archive/Centre and the feasibility of the public library for Stornoway being accommodated within the building, as well as considering other locations in the context of possible future development strategies. Copies of the feasibility study had been previously circulated to Members. The outcome of the feasibility study was summarised in the Report, together with details of further progress on a number of matters relating to the development of the Lews Castle building. It was indicated that a number of consultation meetings had been held with potential funding bodies and possible partners in any project to develop the Lews Castle building.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the conclusions of the Feasibility Studies insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Broadbay Local Plan: Consultative Draft

DS24.03

92*

LEISURE PROVISION

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the statements relating to sport, recreation and leisure contained in the consultative draft of the Broadbay Local Plan. The stated objectives and proposals for the Broadbay area were summarised in the Report, together with general comments thereon. The stated proposals for sport, recreation and leisure provision were outlined and comments on each proposal set out in the Report.

   

It was agreed to recommend that the comments set out in the Report by the Director of Education and Leisure Services be submitted as the Committee's comments on the consultative draft of the Broadbay Local Plan, with the addition of proposals to include play areas at Outend Coll and Sandwick as part of the Local Plan.


William MacGillivray Commemoration

1996

AL05.01

93*

THE ARTS

The Chief Executive and the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Joint Report concerning proposals to commemorate the life and work of William MacGillivray. A summary of the proposals was appended to the Report. It was indicated that William MacGillivray had been described as "the greatest ornithologist that this Country has ever possessed", and that the commemoration proposed included a travelling exhibition of his drawings which would be staged in the Western Isles, Aberdeen and London. It was stated that a feasibility study had been undertaken into the proposals. It was indicated that the estimated cost of implementing the proposals was £35,500 and that a Council contribution of approximately £3,000 might be sought in 1996/97. It was noted that the Project Steering Committee had requested the provision of accounting and payroll services by the Council as an "in-kind" contribution, but that a charge for such services would require to be made once Compulsory Competitive Tendering procedures were in place within the Finance Department.

It was agreed to recommend:-

(1) approval in principle to the Council's involvement in the arrangements concerning the William MacGillivray Commemoration in 1996 subject to the submission of further detailed Reports on the matter;

(2) that consideration be given, in the context of the preparation of the Revenue Estimates for Arts and Leisure for 1996/97, to provision in the sum of £3,000 towards the costs of the project; and

(3) that the Council's accounting and payroll services be made available to the project as an additional "in-kind" contribution in the meantime, on the understanding that a charge for these services might become necessary in the future.

Play Areas Working Group: Update

H03.35.08

94

YOUTH WORK

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report outlining the current position concerning the Play Areas Working Group which had been established to investigate all matters surrounding the provision of play areas throughout the Western Isles. The remit of the Working Group was set out in the Report, together with a summary of action taken by the Working Group to date.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Contracting-Out in Public Libraries

AL08.01

95

LIBRARIES

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a feasibility study undertaken into contracting-out in the Public Library Service. It was indicated in the Report that the Department of National Heritage had commissioned Consultants to investigate the extent to which all or part of Public Library Services could be contracted out. It was noted that investigations had included the study of five pilot projects commissioned to test the suitability of various contracting options. Comments on the feasibility of contracting-out, its desirability, the pilot study options and the market for library services were set out

   

in the Report. It was concluded that there was no natural market for providing present library services other than in non-core areas but a clear case for the continued development application of value for money management techniques and processes. It was noted that service standards and outcomes needed developing with a regulatory body to monitor their implementation. It was further concluded that library services should remain essentially in the public sector and that while it was technically feasible, contracting out was not appropriate and there was little evidence to show benefit delivered in other Compulsory Competitive Tendering areas could be achieved in libraries. It was stated that the initial pilot projects needed to be investigated further and further pilots were recommended to explore how partnership with the private sector in funding and skills could best be achieved. The responses to the feasibility Report from the Scottish Office Education Department and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities were set out in the Report, together with comments on the issues raised from the feasibility as they affected the provision of the library service within the Western Isles.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Stornoway Museum: Review and Development

AL09.01.07

96*

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a review of the Museum's operations since re-opening and setting out proposals for the development of facilities. It was indicated that during July and August, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people had visited the Museum each week and the overwhelming response to the Lewis Chessmen Exhibition had been positive and complimentary. Children's activities and the use of the Museum by schools were outlined in the Report. It was noted that a profit was anticipated from sales of materials at the Museum. The effect of budgetary constraints on staffing and opening hours and the equipment and fittings in the Museum were set out in the Report. It was indicated that it had become clear since opening the Museum that there was a need for additional storage space in the building. Concerning the development of the Museum, the objectives identified in developing the Museum's exhibitions and display programmes were outlined in the Report. The proposed exhibition and display programme covering the 1996/97 and 1997/98 financial years was outlined. It was indicated that it was proposed to develop the Museum's educational provisions for schools, drawing on the experience gained over recent months. It was indicated that there was a need to consider financial provision to ensure adequate staffing and security cover in the Museum to ensure the satisfactory operation. Regarding the question of the identified lack of storage space, the requirement to adequately stock the sales point and the lack of access to the upper gallery for disabled people, it was suggested that consideration be given to these matters in the context of the preparation of the 1996/97 Revenue Estimates.

   

It was agreed to recommend:-

(1) approval of the proposed Museum Exhibition Programme, subject to further Reports regarding costs where necessary; and

(2) that consideration be given within the context of the Revenue Estimates for Arts and Leisure 1996/97 to enhancing the Museum's revenue budget to resolve the deficiencies identified.

Arising out of consideration of this item, Mr Alasdair Nicholson, seconded by Mr Calum I Macmillan, moved that this Council:-

   

                      (a) re-iterate its stance that the Lewis Chessmen, as part of the cultural inheritance of the Western Isles, should remain on permanent display in the Islands;

   

(b) should continue negotiations with the British Museum to seek a mutually satisfactory outcome by way of permanent loan or some similar outcome; and

(c) should continue to offer to house the Uig Chess Collection while discussions are under way.

Mr Donald M Mackay, seconded by Mr Roderick Macdonald, moved as an amendment that, whilst intending to comply with its contractual obligations regarding the return of the Lewis Chessmen pieces, the Council resolves that:-

(1) the strength of the Council's and community's feelings that the Uig Chessmen should permanently be displayed in the Western Isles be conveyed to the relevant Museum authorities;

(2) the Council requests a meeting with the Trustees of the British Museum and the Scottish Museum as a matter of urgency to present the Council's case, prior to any decision being taken on the Council's request; and

(3) clarification be sought on the legal position on the ownership of the Lewis Chess Pieces.

On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.

Action Outstanding

PR33.01.12

97

RELATED MATTERS

With reference to item 85 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report detailing action outstanding from the Arts and Leisure Committee since May 1994.

It was agreed to note the Report.

     

APPENDIX

  

NATIONAL GAELIC ARTS PROJECT

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 1995/96

 

Project

Direct

Funding

Indirect

Assistance

 

Drama Training

£1500

  
 

Performing Arts Course

£1150

  
 

Touring Theatre

£800

£200 (facilities provided free of charge at venues)

 

Theatre Company (TOSG)

Nil

  
 

New Commission

£600

Touring Grant (payable only if work is completed and toured to the Western Isles in 1995/96)

 

Expressive Arts Study

Nil

  

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