AL9511

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 21 November 1995 at 9.00am

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 Kenneth Mackay

Mr Alasdair Nicholson

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Donald Murray

APOLOGIES

Mrs Christina McNeill

Tribute

The Chairman referred to the Royal National Mod which was held in Golspie from 16 - 20 October 1995, and referred to the success of Western Isles competitors at the National Mod. The Committee extended congratulations to all competitors and participants in the Golspie Mod.

Arts and Leisure

C02.13

98

MINUTES

The Minute of Meeting of 3 October 1995 was approved.

With reference to Item 96 of the Minute, the Chief Executive reported that meetings had been arranged with the Trustees of the Scottish Museum on 27 November 1995 and with the Trustees of the British Museum on 30 November 1995.

The Vice-Convener, seconded by Mrs Mary Bremner, moved that the Council be represented at the meetings by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, or their nominees, and the relevant Officers.

Mr Kenneth Mackay, seconded by Mr George Lonie, moved as an amendment that in addition to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Council be represented at Member level by Mr Callum I Macmillan and Mr Alasdair Nicholson.

On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast, and became the finding of the meeting.

FINANCE

Mid-Term Review 1995/96

AL03.03.01

PR110.04.16

99*

With reference to item 72 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 November 1994, there was submitted:

(1) Revised Budget Book 1995/96;

(2) Report by the Chief Executive, describing the outcome of the Finance Sub-Committee Working Party's consideration of the Mid Term Review of Expenditure for 1995/96;

(3) Note of Meeting of Finance Sub-Committee Working Party of 14 November 1995; and

(4) Minute of Meeting of Finance Sub-Committee of 20 November 1995.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the revised Revenue Budget for 1995/96 for Arts and Leisure Services and of the Arts and Leisure related proposals set out in the Minute of Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of 20 November 1995.

Capital Expenditure 1995/96:

Progress Report

AL03.02.01

100

With reference to Item 71 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programmes of Capital Expenditure for General Services for 1995/96. The Report detailed the actual expenditure incurred to 30 June 1995 and the estimated expenditure to 31 March 1996 in each programme.

It was agreed to note the Report, for the Committee's interest.

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 1995/96

AL03.03.02

101

With reference to Item 72 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme for 1995/96 in respect of Arts and Leisure properties. The Report detailed the approved expenditure for 1995/96 and the total expenditure committed and expended as at 30 September 1995.

It was agreed to note the Report.

General Services Capital Programme 1995/96: CFCR

AL03.02.01

102

The Director of Finance submitted a Report on the progress of expenditure on the General Services Capital Programme and the Capital financed from Current Revenue Projects, insofar as such expenditure related to projects within the Arts and Leisure Committee's remit.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Financial Plan of Capital Expenditure 1996/97 - 1998/99

AL03.02.01

103*

The Chief Executive submitted a Report outlining the Draft Financial Plan of Capital Expenditure for 1996/97 - 1998/99 in respect of the Council's various Programmes of Capital Expenditure.

It was agreed to recommend, for the Committee's interest, approval of the Financial Plan of Capital Expenditure 1996/97 - 1998/99 for Education and for General Services, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Arising out of consideration of this matter, it was agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Council investigate alternatives to Capital Expenditure Consents for any future new capital projects.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh's Award: Financial Assistance 1995/96

AL07.01.17

104*

With reference to Item 65 of the Minute of Meeting of 4 October 1995, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report outlining the Council's financial assistance for the Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Report recommended that a Council contribution of £8000 for the 1995/96 Financial Year be made to the Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh's Award as follows:

(1) The Arts and Leisure Committee recommend a revenue grant of £3400 from the Community Education Grants and Subscriptions (Youth Work) Budget 1995/96;

(2) The Education Committee recommend a revenue contribution of £3500 from the Secondary Budget (Other Agency and Contracted Services) and a Section 24 Grant of £1100 from the Ross and Cromarty Educational Trust; and

(3) The Council continue to provide free office accommodation and services to the project in 1995/96.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Lewis Film Society

AL05.02.09

105

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on a request for financial assistance to the Lewis Film Society. The Report indicated that the Society, which had been formed in the early 1980s had initially enjoyed good support, but went into abeyance in the early 1990s. It was now intended to re-establish the Lewis Film Society and Revenue Grant was sought to replace the Society's projection screen and preferential rates for the let of Stornoway Town Hall for film showings on a weekly basis from January 1996. The financial implications of Council assistance was detailed in the Report.

It was agreed to withdraw the Report on the basis that the Director of Education and Leisure Services would consider providing a Revenue Grant up to a maximum sum of £1000 to the Society under existing powers, in terms of the Scheme of Delegation.

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Capital Works Programme and Progress

AL02.02.01

106

With reference to Item 89 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 October 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.

Arising out of consideration of this matter, the Committee agreed that the Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Report to the Arts and Leisure Committee by April 1996 on the provision for young people of a facility large enough to encompass a ten pin bowling alley, 1000-seater hall, restaurant/coffee shop, ice skating rink, theatre and related modern facilities. The facility to be based on a suitable site in the Western Isles, with convenient access for the largest possible number of young people. The Report is to set out the financial implications on the basis that the Council would act as an enabler, working with other public, private and voluntary agencies.

Play Areas

H03.35.08

107*

With reference to Item 94 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 October 1995, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on the condition of play equipment at the Bayhead Play Area and seeking the Committee's approval for the replacement of the current equipment and funding arrangements. The Report went on to outline the progress, to date, by the Play Areas Working Party and indicated that in terms of priority, the Working Party had identified the Bayhead Play Area as the highest priority area requiring attention. Two schemes had been considered: Scheme A at an estimated cost of £62,000 and Scheme B at £121,000, containing a number of adventure type units, which would represent a high quality provision, in accordance with the Council's stated objectives. The Committee's views on the Scheme to be adopted for the improvement of the Bayhead Play Area was sought.

It was agreed to recommend that Scheme A, at an estimated cost of £62,000 be adopted for the replacement of equipment at the Bayhead Play Area, and that the necessary budgetary provision had been recommended by the Finance Sub-Committee at its Meeting on 14 November 1995.

Public Use of Tarbert Swimming Pool

E02.37.04

108

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on the current position regarding the use of the trainer pool at Sir E Scott School, Tarbert, and the desire to extend the usage of the facility by the community, following a public meeting in Sir E Scott School on Wednesday 4 October 1995. The Report indicated the total costs involved in the recent renovations and repairs undertaken to the pool and the current lifeguard arrangements when the pool was in use. The community had requested that the pool be made available for general swimming for up to 3 hours a night during the week and for 8 hours on Saturdays. The financial implications of such a provision would require additional expenditure of approximately £3,300 per annum to the Council and it was recommended that the Council do not open the trainer pool for an additional 25 hours a week because of the lack of financial provision within the Arts and Leisure Committee Budget.

It was agreed to recommend that the trainer pool at Tarbert be made available for public use for an additional 25 hours per week, on the basis that the expenditure involved be met from a corresponding adjustment to the 1995/96 Arts and Leisure Budget (Page 153 - Line 31) of the Budget Book by assuming an increase in projected income of £3,300

Disabled Swimming Facilities, North Uist

AL06.01.19

109

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on the possibility of making some degree of enhancement to the provision of disabled people in Uist for swimming facilities. The Report indicated that until recently disabled people in Uist were able to take advantage of, and make use of, a private hydro-therapy facility in the area, but as this was no longer possible, the Council had been requested to adapt the pool at Sgoil Lionacleit to enable hydro-therapy swimming to continue. The Report indicated that the costs of adapting Sgoil Lionacleit could not be considered since the facilities were not suitable for the adaptations identified, that the minor improvements involved could not be undertaken until the 1996/97 Financial Year at the earliest, and that a further Report on the Capital Costs of changing facilities was required.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Stornoway Sports Field Project

AL02.10

110

With reference to Item 80 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report outlining the progress on the Stornoway Playing Fields Project, following a Meeting with representatives of the Scottish Sports Council in Stornoway on 27 October 1995. The Report indicated that the Sports Council's General Fund would contribute approximately £190k, to be approved at the November Meeting of the Sports Council, towards the synthetic grass playing surface, floodlighting and associated facilities proposed at the current Nicolson Institute Playing Fields. Financial assistance towards the Smith Avenue natural grass playing field and polymeric running track would be given favourable consideration under the Sports Council's Lottery Fund. It also was indicated that initial approaches to Western Isles Enterprise had received a favourable response and that it was proposed that an application for financial assistance would be submitted to the Foundation for Sport and the Arts for the project.

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Supplementary Report, detailing the current estimated costs for the project, as follows:

Synthetic Pitch £576k

Polymeric Track and Grass Pitch £1.127M

Bus and Car Access Road and Parking £169.5k

Changing Facilities and Equipment/Maintenance Storage £340k

Landscaping £65k

Total £2,277.5k

It was agreed to recommend that the project be undertaken as one phase, subject to the necessary external funding approvals being obtained. In the event of such external funding approvals not being obtained, it was agreed that consideration be given to undertaking the project in phases, in accordance with the level of external funding obtained.

Action Outstanding

PR33.01.12

111

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.

Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig

AL05.01

112*

The Committee considered the following item of business by virtue of Standing Order 8, the Chairman being of the opinion that the item should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances, namely, that a nomination was required to enable the Council to be represented at a Meeting of the Trust on 22 November 1995.

The Depute Director of Administration reported that an invitation had been received from Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig for the Council to be represented on the Board of Directors of the Urras.

It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman be appointed as Director to represent the Council on the Board of Directors of Urras Studio Drama Gaidhlig.

____

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 Kenneth Mackay
	Mr Alasdair Nicholson	Mrs Mary Bremner
	Mr Donald Murray

APOLOGIES	Mrs Christina McNeill

Tribute		The Chairman referred to the Royal National Mod which was held in Golspie from 16 - 20 October 1995, and referred to the success of Western Isles competitors at the National Mod. The Committee extended congratulations to all competitors and participants in the Golspie Mod.
Arts and Leisure C02.13	98	MINUTES The Minute of Meeting of 3 October 1995 was approved. With reference to Item 96 of the Minute, the Chief Executive reported that meetings had been arranged with the Trustees of the Scottish Museum on 27 November 1995 and with the Trustees of the British Museum on 30 November 1995. The Vice-Convener, seconded by Mrs Mary Bremner, moved that the Council be represented at the meetings by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, or their nominees, and the relevant Officers. Mr Kenneth Mackay, seconded by Mr George Lonie, moved as an amendment that in addition to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Council be represented at Member level by Mr Callum I Macmillan and Mr Alasdair Nicholson. On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast, and became the finding of the meeting.
		FINANCE
Mid-Term Review 1995/96 AL03.03.01 PR110.04.16	99*	With reference to item 72 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 November 1994, there was submitted: (1) Revised Budget Book 1995/96;
		(2) Report by the Chief Executive, describing the outcome of the Finance Sub-Committee Working Party's consideration of the Mid Term Review of Expenditure for 1995/96;
		(3) Note of Meeting of Finance Sub-Committee Working Party of 14 November 1995; and (4) Minute of Meeting of Finance Sub-Committee of 20 November 1995.
		It was agreed to recommend approval of the revised Revenue Budget for 1995/96 for Arts and Leisure Services and of the Arts and Leisure related proposals set out in the Minute of Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of 20 November 1995.
Capital Expenditure 1995/96: Progress Report AL03.02.01	100	With reference to Item 71 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programmes of Capital Expenditure for General Services for 1995/96. The Report detailed the actual expenditure incurred to 30 June 1995 and the estimated expenditure to 31 March 1996 in each programme. It was agreed to note the Report, for the Committee's interest.
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 1995/96 AL03.03.02	101	With reference to Item 72 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme for 1995/96 in respect of Arts and Leisure properties. The Report detailed the approved expenditure for 1995/96 and the total expenditure committed and expended as at 30 September 1995. It was agreed to note the Report.
General Services Capital Programme 1995/96: CFCR AL03.02.01	102	The Director of Finance submitted a Report on the progress of expenditure on the General Services Capital Programme and the Capital financed from Current Revenue Projects, insofar as such expenditure related to projects within the Arts and Leisure Committee's remit. It was agreed to note the Report.
Financial Plan of Capital Expenditure 1996/97 - 1998/99 AL03.02.01	103*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report outlining the Draft Financial Plan of Capital Expenditure for 1996/97 - 1998/99 in respect of the Council's various Programmes of Capital Expenditure. It was agreed to recommend, for the Committee's interest, approval of the Financial Plan of Capital Expenditure 1996/97 - 1998/99 for Education and for General Services, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned. Arising out of consideration of this matter, it was agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Council investigate alternatives to Capital Expenditure Consents for any future new capital projects.
		COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh's Award: Financial Assistance 1995/96 AL07.01.17	104*	With reference to Item 65 of the Minute of Meeting of 4 October 1995, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report outlining the Council's financial assistance for the Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Report recommended that a Council contribution of £8000 for the 1995/96 Financial Year be made to the Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh's Award as follows: (1) The Arts and Leisure Committee recommend a revenue grant of £3400 from the Community Education Grants and Subscriptions (Youth Work) Budget 1995/96;
		(2) The Education Committee recommend a revenue contribution of £3500 from the Secondary Budget (Other Agency and Contracted Services) and a Section 24 Grant of £1100 from the Ross and Cromarty Educational Trust; and (3) The Council continue to provide free office accommodation and services to the project in 1995/96. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Lewis Film Society AL05.02.09	105	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on a request for financial assistance to the Lewis Film Society. The Report indicated that the Society, which had been formed in the early 1980s had initially enjoyed good support, but went into abeyance in the early 1990s. It was now intended to re-establish the Lewis Film Society and Revenue Grant was sought to replace the Society's projection screen and preferential rates for the let of Stornoway Town Hall for film showings on a weekly basis from January 1996. The financial implications of Council assistance was detailed in the Report. It was agreed to withdraw the Report on the basis that the Director of Education and Leisure Services would consider providing a Revenue Grant up to a maximum sum of £1000 to the Society under existing powers, in terms of the Scheme of Delegation.
		LAND AND BUILDINGS
Capital Works Programme and Progress AL02.02.01	106	With reference to Item 89 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 October 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. Arising out of consideration of this matter, the Committee agreed that the Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Report to the Arts and Leisure Committee by April 1996 on the provision for young people of a facility large enough to encompass a ten pin bowling alley, 1000-seater hall, restaurant/coffee shop, ice skating rink, theatre and related modern facilities. The facility to be based on a suitable site in the Western Isles, with convenient access for the largest possible number of young people. The Report is to set out the financial implications on the basis that the Council would act as an enabler, working with other public, private and voluntary agencies.
Play Areas H03.35.08	107*	With reference to Item 94 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 October 1995, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on the condition of play equipment at the Bayhead Play Area and seeking the Committee's approval for the replacement of the current equipment and funding arrangements. The Report went on to outline the progress, to date, by the Play Areas Working Party and indicated that in terms of priority, the Working Party had identified the Bayhead Play Area as the highest priority area requiring attention. Two schemes had been considered: Scheme A at an estimated cost of £62,000 and Scheme B at £121,000, containing a number of adventure type units, which would represent a high quality provision, in accordance with the Council's stated objectives. The Committee's views on the Scheme to be adopted for the improvement of the Bayhead Play Area was sought. It was agreed to recommend that Scheme A, at an estimated cost of £62,000 be adopted for the replacement of equipment at the Bayhead Play Area, and that the necessary budgetary provision had been recommended by the Finance Sub-Committee at its Meeting on 14 November 1995.
Public Use of Tarbert Swimming Pool E02.37.04	108	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on the current position regarding the use of the trainer pool at Sir E Scott School, Tarbert, and the desire to extend the usage of the facility by the community, following a public meeting in Sir E Scott School on Wednesday 4 October 1995. The Report indicated the total costs involved in the recent renovations and repairs undertaken to the pool and the current lifeguard arrangements when the pool was in use. The community had requested that the pool be made available for general swimming for up to 3 hours a night during the week and for 8 hours on Saturdays. The financial implications of such a provision would require additional expenditure of approximately £3,300 per annum to the Council and it was recommended that the Council do not open the trainer pool for an additional 25 hours a week because of the lack of financial provision within the Arts and Leisure Committee Budget. It was agreed to recommend that the trainer pool at Tarbert be made available for public use for an additional 25 hours per week, on the basis that the expenditure involved be met from a corresponding adjustment to the 1995/96 Arts and Leisure Budget (Page 153 - Line 31) of the Budget Book by assuming an increase in projected income of £3,300
Disabled Swimming Facilities, North Uist AL06.01.19	109	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report on the possibility of making some degree of enhancement to the provision of disabled people in Uist for swimming facilities. The Report indicated that until recently disabled people in Uist were able to take advantage of, and make use of, a private hydro-therapy facility in the area, but as this was no longer possible, the Council had been requested to adapt the pool at Sgoil Lionacleit to enable hydro-therapy swimming to continue. The Report indicated that the costs of adapting Sgoil Lionacleit could not be considered since the facilities were not suitable for the adaptations identified, that the minor improvements involved could not be undertaken until the 1996/97 Financial Year at the earliest, and that a further Report on the Capital Costs of changing facilities was required. It was agreed to note the Report.
Stornoway Sports Field Project AL02.10	110	With reference to Item 80 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 August 1995, the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report outlining the progress on the Stornoway Playing Fields Project, following a Meeting with representatives of the Scottish Sports Council in Stornoway on 27 October 1995. The Report indicated that the Sports Council's General Fund would contribute approximately £190k, to be approved at the November Meeting of the Sports Council, towards the synthetic grass playing surface, floodlighting and associated facilities proposed at the current Nicolson Institute Playing Fields. Financial assistance towards the Smith Avenue natural grass playing field and polymeric running track would be given favourable consideration under the Sports Council's Lottery Fund. It also was indicated that initial approaches to Western Isles Enterprise had received a favourable response and that it was proposed that an application for financial assistance would be submitted to the Foundation for Sport and the Arts for the project.
		The Director of Technical Services submitted a Supplementary Report, detailing the current estimated costs for the project, as follows: Synthetic Pitch £576k Polymeric Track and Grass Pitch £1.127M Bus and Car Access Road and Parking £169.5k Changing Facilities and Equipment/Maintenance Storage £340k Landscaping £65k Total £2,277.5k
		It was agreed to recommend that the project be undertaken as one phase, subject to the necessary external funding approvals being obtained. In the event of such external funding approvals not being obtained, it was agreed that consideration be given to undertaking the project in phases, in accordance with the level of external funding obtained.
Action Outstanding PR33.01.12	111	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.
Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig AL05.01	112*	The Committee considered the following item of business by virtue of Standing Order 8, the Chairman being of the opinion that the item should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances, namely, that a nomination was required to enable the Council to be represented at a Meeting of the Trust on 22 November 1995. The Depute Director of Administration reported that an invitation had been received from Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig for the Council to be represented on the Board of Directors of the Urras. It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman be appointed as Director to represent the Council on the Board of Directors of Urras Studio Drama Gaidhlig.