AL9603

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 12 March 1996 at 9.00am.

PRESENT

Mr Donald Macleod (Chairman)

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Roderick Macdonald

Mr Kenneth Mackay

Mr Alasdair Nicholson

Mrs Christina McNeill

Mr Donald Murray

Mrs Mary Bremner

APOLOGIES

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

MINUTES

Arts and Leisure

C02.13

23

The Minute of Meeting of 29 February 1996 was approved.

FINANCE

Applications for Financial Assistance

24*

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:

RECIPIENT	PURPOSE	GRANT	BUDGET
Alexe Dilworth (AL07.01.25)	Participation in "Operation Raleigh" placement during 1996	£316	Community Education Grants and Subscriptions
Allan Macdonald (AL07.01.25)	Participation in "Operation Raleigh" placement during 1996	£316	Community Education Grants and Subscriptions
"Portrona" (AL05.01.44)	Staging of Community Play	£10,000 (in principle to be paid retrospectively and subject to submission of a full Report and audited accounts)	Community Events
Feis Ceilteach Chalanais 1996 (AL05.01.45)	Support of Activities (Guarantee against Loss)	£9,820 (and free use of Stornoway Town Hall)	Community Events
MacGillivray Project 1996 (AL05.01)	Assistance towards staging costs	£3,000	Community Events

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Capital Works Programme and Progress

AL02.02.01

25

With reference to Item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 1996, 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.

Stornoway Town Hall: Provision for Semi-Ambulant Access and Toilet Facility

LB35.01

26*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out proposals for the provision of semi-ambulant access and toilet facilities in Stornoway Town Hall. Existing facilities for access to the Town Hall by disabled people were outlined in the Report. It was indicated that wheel-chair access to the Registrar's Office, Assessors Office and An Lanntair's stair lift could be gained through the main hall by the provision of two short ramps at the Cromwell Street entrance to the Town Hall. It was proposed to locate a unisex WC for disabled people within the main hall foyer for both semi-ambulant and disabled use. It was stated that the estimated costs for the works, including fees, was £15,000.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the provision of semi-ambulant access and toilet facilities to Stornoway Town Hall subject to financial provision being made available and subject to further consultation with disabled users of the building prior to any work being carried out.

Arts Centre in Stornoway

AL05.01

27

With reference to Item 63 of the Minute of Meeting of 6 June 1995 the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report regarding the proposed Arts Centre in Stornoway. It was stated that the Arts Centre Member/Officer Working Group had met the other partnership bodies involved in the Feasibility Study for the proposed Arts Centre in Stornoway and a representative of the consultants who had undertaken the Feasibility Study. It was indicated that clarification had been obtained from the Consultants over a number of issues arising from the Feasibility Study Report and that representatives from An Lanntair had stated that the Company would take the lead role in the development of the Arts Centre Project. It was noted that it had been proposed that an inter-agency forum be established to oversee the development of the facility. It was stated that the Stornoway Arts Centre Steering Group had been established by An Lanntair Ltd with the aim of progressing the project and the company had invited representation from the Council, Western Isles Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council onto the Steering Group. It was noted that the first Meeting of the Steering Group had been held on 27 February 1996 to which representatives of the Council had been invited.

It was agreed to note the Report.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Lewis Chessmen: National Museums of Scotland Loan

AL09.01.07

28*

With reference to Item 96 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 October 1996, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding discussions with the National Museums of Scotland concerning the loan of the eleven Lewis Chess pieces in their possession. It was stated that a period of loan for the chess pieces had been agreed from beginning of May 1996 up until the end of September 1996 subject to a letter of confirmation from the National Museums of Scotland. It was noted that the pieces could be incorporated within the existing displays at the Museums with a minimum of re-organisation and would be returned to Edinburgh, along with the other loan items from the National Museum currently on display. It was noted that there would be a modest courier charge and it was not anticipated that there would be any problems with the terms and conditions of the loan.

It was agreed to recommend homologation of the action of the Director of Education and Leisure Services in securing the further loan of the eleven Lewis chess pieces in the possession of the National Museums of Scotland.

RELATED MATTERS

Action Outstanding

PR33.01.12

29

With reference to item 20 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 1996, 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.

____

PRESENT	Mr Donald Macleod (Chairman)
	Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Roderick Macdonald	Mr Kenneth Mackay
	Mr Alasdair Nicholson	Mrs Christina McNeill
	Mr Donald Murray	Mrs Mary Bremner

APOLOGIES	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

		MINUTES
Arts and Leisure C02.13	23	The Minute of Meeting of 29 February 1996 was approved.
		FINANCE
Applications for Financial Assistance	24*	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:

		LAND AND BUILDINGS
Capital Works Programme and Progress AL02.02.01	25	With reference to Item 9 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 1996, 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.
Stornoway Town Hall: Provision for Semi-Ambulant Access and Toilet Facility LB35.01	26*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out proposals for the provision of semi-ambulant access and toilet facilities in Stornoway Town Hall. Existing facilities for access to the Town Hall by disabled people were outlined in the Report. It was indicated that wheel-chair access to the Registrar's Office, Assessors Office and An Lanntair's stair lift could be gained through the main hall by the provision of two short ramps at the Cromwell Street entrance to the Town Hall. It was proposed to locate a unisex WC for disabled people within the main hall foyer for both semi-ambulant and disabled use. It was stated that the estimated costs for the works, including fees, was £15,000.
		It was agreed to recommend approval of the provision of semi-ambulant access and toilet facilities to Stornoway Town Hall subject to financial provision being made available and subject to further consultation with disabled users of the building prior to any work being carried out.
Arts Centre in Stornoway AL05.01	27	With reference to Item 63 of the Minute of Meeting of 6 June 1995 the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report regarding the proposed Arts Centre in Stornoway. It was stated that the Arts Centre Member/Officer Working Group had met the other partnership bodies involved in the Feasibility Study for the proposed Arts Centre in Stornoway and a representative of the consultants who had undertaken the Feasibility Study. It was indicated that clarification had been obtained from the Consultants over a number of issues arising from the Feasibility Study Report and that representatives from An Lanntair had stated that the Company would take the lead role in the development of the Arts Centre Project. It was noted that it had been proposed that an inter-agency forum be established to oversee the development of the facility. It was stated that the Stornoway Arts Centre Steering Group had been established by An Lanntair Ltd with the aim of progressing the project and the company had invited representation from the Council, Western Isles Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council onto the Steering Group. It was noted that the first Meeting of the Steering Group had been held on 27 February 1996 to which representatives of the Council had been invited.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
		MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Lewis Chessmen: National Museums of Scotland Loan AL09.01.07	28*	With reference to Item 96 of the Minute of Meeting of 3 October 1996, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding discussions with the National Museums of Scotland concerning the loan of the eleven Lewis Chess pieces in their possession. It was stated that a period of loan for the chess pieces had been agreed from beginning of May 1996 up until the end of September 1996 subject to a letter of confirmation from the National Museums of Scotland. It was noted that the pieces could be incorporated within the existing displays at the Museums with a minimum of re-organisation and would be returned to Edinburgh, along with the other loan items from the National Museum currently on display. It was noted that there would be a modest courier charge and it was not anticipated that there would be any problems with the terms and conditions of the loan.
		It was agreed to recommend homologation of the action of the Director of Education and Leisure Services in securing the further loan of the eleven Lewis chess pieces in the possession of the National Museums of Scotland.
		RELATED MATTERS
Action Outstanding PR33.01.12	29	With reference to item 20 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 1996, 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.
____