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PRESENT

Mr Donald Macleod (Chairman)

  
 

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Donald Murray

 

Mr Roderick Macdonald

Mr Donald I Nicholson

 

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Callum I Macmillan

 

Mr Alasdair Nicholson

Mrs Mary Bremner

   

MINUTES

Arts and Leisure

C02.13

49*

The Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 was approved.

   

Arising out of consideration of the Minute, the Chairman referred to the recent successful visit by representatives from Derry City Council, Northern Ireland, and stated that he hoped that the links now established between the Western Isles and Derry would be strengthened in future.

   

Reference was made to a proposal to commemorate the 1400th anniversary in June 1997 of the death of Colm Cille. It was stated that this presented an opportunity for the Western Isles to participate in a joint commemoration of this significant event with Derry and other areas of the Highland and Islands.

   

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be allocated a sum of £6,000 from the balances from the 1995/96 financial year towards the costs of examining participation in the commemoration of the 1400th anniversary of Colm Cille; and

(2) the Director of Administration and Legal Services and Director of Education and Leisure Services prepare proposals for the commemoration for submission to the Committee.

   

FINANCE

Revenue Budget 1995/96: Balances

AL03.03.01

PR110.08.11

50*

With reference to item 72 of the Minute of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 14 May 1996, the Chief Executive submitted a Report setting out proposals for the utilisation of some of the Council's accumulated balances totalling £764,000, in order to enhance service provision in 1996/97. Proposals for using the balances in respect of each Committee were detailed in the Report.

   

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to implement the following amendments to the Committee's Revenue Budget:-

(1) increase Community Education Service budgets as follows:

    (a) travel and subsistence - £2,000;

    (b) part-time Community Education workers - £2,000;

    (c) increase Community Grants Budget - £9,000;

                      (2) increase the Museum Service budget by £6,000, this sum to be allocated in respect of the proposed commemoration of the death of Colm Cille;

(3) increase the budget for indoor leisure provision as follows:

    (a) repairs and maintenance - £4,000;

    (b) provision of uniforms and protective clothing - £2,000;

    (c) increase in travel and subsistence budgets for health and safety and professional training purposes - £2,000;

    (d) increase training budget - £1,500; and

    (e) purchase of current generators for use in swimming pools in the Southern Division - £4,500;

(4) provision of semi-ambulant access to the Town Hall - £13,000.

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme

1995/96

AL03.03.02

51

With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 1996, 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 31 March 1996.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Applications for Financial Assistance

52*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted Reports detailing applications for financial assistance from a number of organisations 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:

   

and that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to offer and pay the grants as detailed.

   

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Capital Works Programme and Progress

AL02.02.01

53

With reference to item 42 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 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.

All-Weather Sports Facility:

Progress Report

AL02.10

54

With reference to item 44 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996, the Chief Executive reported that funding totalling £946,000 had been secured from the Scottish Sports Council Lottery Fund towards the costs of the All-Weather Sports Facility in Stornoway. He stated that the Council's proposals had been publicised and it was anticipated that work would start on the site early in July 1996.

   

The Report was noted.

Technical Standards for Play Areas

AL06.02.01

55*

With reference to item 54 of the Minute of Meeting of 6 June 1995, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposals to extend the Technical Standards required for play area equipment. It was indicated that the current required standard was BS5696. It was stated that the existing policy of compliance with BS5696 restricted the available choice of equipment to both Council play areas and Council-funded play areas. In view of this it was proposed to expand the approved compliance standard to include the German DIN 7926 standard with the retention of the BS5696 code of practice for installation and maintenance of play equipment. It was indicated that the Council's insurers had confirmed that compliance with either BS5696 or DIN 7926 was acceptable.

   

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services apply the following standards in relation to the supply and installation of play equipment:

                      (1) extension of the existing Council policy of using play equipment complying with BS5696 in all new Council play areas, upgrading of existing Council play areas, play areas formed on Council owned land and play areas funded by Council grants to include play equipment conforming to BS5696 or DIN 7926;

                      (2) quotations received for play equipment must have the relevant certification and test results supplied with the quotation for the equipment proposed, and that equipment supplied be identified with the relevant mark on the structure; and

                      (3) equipment be installed and maintained in accordance with BS5696 part 3 1979 (Code of Practice for Installation and Maintenance).

   

It was further agreed that the Director of Technical Services submit a further Report following publication of the new European Standard for Play Areas and Play Equipment highlighting the changes between the Council's policy in relation to the acceptable standards and that of the European Standard.

Stornoway Town Hall:

Request for Free Let

LB35.01

56*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application from Lochs Gaelic Choir for the free use of Stornoway Town Hall for a Memorial Concert originally booked for 10 May 1996. It was stated that the Choir had been granted the free use of the Town Hall at a cost of £76.50 in income foregone and homologation of this action was sought.

   

It was agreed to recommend homologation of the action of the Director of Education and Leisure Services in granting free use of Stornoway Town Hall to Lochs Gaelic Choir for the concert which had been re-scheduled for 3 June 1996.

Provision of Vending Machines:

Conditions of Contract

AL02.01

57*

The Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report concerning proposed contracts for the provision of two vending machines at the Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre by Coca Cola Schweppes Beverages plc. It was indicated that the terms of the Contract submitted by the Company were governed by the law of England. The Council's Contract Regulations required that all contracts entered into by the Council be governed by the law of Scotland. It was stated that Coca Cola Schweppes Beverages plc were not prepared to amend their standard conditions of contract to make the contract subject to the Law of Scotland. The Committee was asked to determine whether, in the light of the information contained in the Report, the Director of Administration and Legal Services should be authorised to enter into a contract on the Council's behalf for the provision of two vending machines at the Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre which was subject to English Law and contrary to the Council's Contract Regulation 13.

   

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Administration and Legal Services be not authorised to enter into the contracts which were subject to English Law.

   

SPORT AND GAMES

Policy Statement

AL06.01

58*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a Policy Statement relating to the provision for Sport and Games within the Western Isles. A policy statement was set out in the Report which included a general statement of support for the development of sports and games, a commitment to consultation with appropriate bodies, the allocation of funds to ensure the operation of indoor and outdoor sports facilities and the support of other organisations, a commitment to training and coaching and assistance towards transportation for groups to take advantage of facilities, all subject to available resources.

   

It was agreed to recommend approval of the Policy Statement detailed in the Report by the Director of Education and Leisure Services in relation to support for sports and games.

   

Arising out of consideration of this matter, it was agreed to recommend that the Chief Executive make representations to the Scottish Sports Council seeking their support for the concept of community sports facilities being included in new area schools and seeking financial support from the Scottish Sports Council towards costs of travel to the mainland by local sports teams and groups to enable them to take part in national competitions.

   

It was further agreed that the Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Report on the establishment of two full-time posts of Sport Development Officer who would be responsible for the promotion of priority sports, including facilities for the disabled, and support for the establishment of local Sports Councils.

   

RELATED MATTERS

School and Community Minibuses:

1996/97 Deployment and Allocation of Possible Funding

AL06.06

E05.01.23

59*

With reference to item 40 of the Minute of Meeting of the Education Committee of 23 April 1996, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a proposed Scheme for School/Community Minibus usage based on the restoration of funding for the current financial year. An outline of the funding provision up to 1995/96, the location and usage of minibuses was set out in the Report. It was stated that, at the time of the consideration of the Revenue Budgets, funding for school minibuses was reduced in order to meet savings targets. The impact of the reduction in funding was detailed in the Report. It was proposed that a sum of £34,000 be provided from the additional funds of £291,000 allocated to the Education Budgets for 1996/97 to redress the effects of the reduction as part of the Revenue Budgets savings. Proposals for the allocation of the minibus funding were outlined in the Report.

   

It was agreed to recommend, for the Committee's interest, that the Director of Education and Leisure Services implement the proposals relating to minibus funding and usage as follows:

(1) formal responsibility for all minibuses, currently allocated to the Education service, be transferred to the Community Education service;

(2) the operational deployment of these minibuses be undertaken by Community Education service but on the basis of more daytime curriculum use by schools and community and extra-curricular school use at evenings and weekends;

(3) the funding of minibuses, previously allocated to only three schools, be redistributed over all schools on the basis set out in the Appendix to the Minute;

(4) schools be allowed to enter into such short or longer term arrangements for the hire of Community Education minibuses and other transport as are appropriate given their requirements and resources;

(5) schools may enter into arrangements which exceed their allocated budget only where they are able to fund the additional expenditure from other resources;

(6) schools may only acquire minibuses and other transport which meets the requirements of regulations and Council guidelines with regard to transporting of school pupils; and

(7) the future location of Community Education minibuses be determined flexibly by the Community Education service having regard to developing requirements and operational considerations.

Review of Committee Business

PR03.06.02

60*

With reference to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of the Performance Review Sub-Committee of 26 April 1996, the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report setting out a proposed standard system for Committees to monitor progress with their business.

   

It was agreed to recommend, for the Committee's interest, that the Director of Administration and Legal Services implement the proposals for the Review of Committee business on the following basis:

                      (1) twice each year at the October/November and May/June series of meetings the Committee monitor progress with their business;

                      (2) the first of these reviews take place in October/November 1996;

                      (3) the format of the review paper follow the action sheet circulated by the Director of Administration and Legal Services after each series together with a progress column completed by the relevant Head of Service; and

                      (4) the "Reports Outstanding" paper included on the Agenda of each meeting of the Standing Service committees be continued.

Action Outstanding

PR01.33.12

61

With reference to item 48 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 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.

APPENDIX

    

MINIBUS HIRE/FUEL ALLOWANCES

        
 

No. of

MINIBUS

    

No. of

MINIBUS

Primary Schools

Pupils

BUDGET

  

Primary Schools

Pupils

BUDGET

Aird

66

£318

  

Cliasmol

4

£76

Airidhantuim

58

£296

  

Leverhulme Mem

57

£292

Back

146

£637

  

Manish

8

£92

Balallan

24

£156

  

Scalpay

30

£180

Barvas

61

£303

  

Seilebost

11

£104

Bayble

72

£342

  

Sir E Scott

82

£382

Bernera

18

£137

  

Berneray

14

£121

Bragar

37

£213

  

Carinish

66

£323

Breasclete

43

£232

  

Dunskellar

17

£133

Carloway

51

£268

  

Lochmaddy

24

£161

Cross

35

£205

  

Paible

51

£268

Fidigarry

24

£151

  

Balivanich

131

£578

Galson

0

£0

  

Daliburgh

130

£584

Knock

54

£270

  

Eriskay

17

£133

Knockiandue

21

£144

  

Iochdar

115

£514

Laxdale

190

£808

  

Stoneybridge

19

£136

Leurbost

44

£231

  

Castlebay

89

£410

Lionel

39

£221

  

Craigston

22

£148

Pairc

21

£149

  

Eoligarry

25

£160

Sandwickhill

118

£521

  

Total Primary

2596

£12,930

Shawbost

45

£244

        

Sty Primary

421

£1,729

        

Tolsta

28

£172

        

Tong

47

£242

        

Uig

21

£149

        

MINIBUS HIRE/FUEL ALLOWANCES

        
 

No. of

MINIBUS

        

Secondary Schools

Pupils

BUDGET

        

Back Secondary

66

£718

        

Bayble Secondary

60

£662

        

Leurbost Secondary

31

£395

        

Lionel Secondary

51

£599

        

Shawbost Secondary

44

£535

        

Leverhulme MemSec.

0

£0

        

Scalpay Secondary

0

£0

        

Paible Secondary

37

£471

        

Daliburgh Secondary

15

£268

        

Eriskay Secondary

7

£194

        

LCDS

158

£1,554

        

Nicolson Ins

1008

£9,378

        

Sir E Scott Secondary

140

£1,399

        

Lionacleit

396

£3,755

        

Castlebay Secondary

112

£1,141

        

Total Secondary

2125

£21,070

        

TOTAL PRIMARY &

            

SECONDARY

4721

£34,000

        

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