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PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Vice-Chairman)

  
 

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Callum I Macmillan

 

Mr Roderick Macdonald

Mr Donald M Mackay

 

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Kenneth Mackay

 

Mr Alasdair Nicholson

Mrs Christina McNeill

 

Mr Donald Murray

Mrs Mary Bremner

 

Mr George Lonie

  
     

APOLOGIES

Mr Donald Macleod

  

   

MINUTES

Arts and Leisure AL02.13

1

The Minute of Meeting of 19 November 1996 was approved.

   

FINANCE

Policy Framework:

1997/98 Budget Strategy and Cash Planning Limits

PR110.03.23

2*

With reference to Item 96 of Minute of Meeting of 19 November 1996 the Director of Finance submitted a Report outlining the 1997/98 Revenue Support Settlement, advising on the policy implications of the settlement and setting Cash Planning Limits for Heads of Services. The Report contained recommendations on the 1997/98 Policy Framework and Budget Strategy.

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

Revenue Expenditure Monitoring Report 1996/97: 1 April - 31 December 1996

PR110.02.18

3

With reference to Item 98 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 November 1996 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing Income and Revenue expenditure incurred from 1 April 1996 - 31 December 1996. The Report compared such Income and Expenditure with provision made in the Revenue Budgets for Income and Expenditure for Council services for 1996/97.

It was agreed to note the Report, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

The Future of Capital Expenditure

PR110.01

4*

With reference to Item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of 27 January 1997, the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the future of Capital Expenditure in the light of the decision by the Secretary of State for Scotland to discontinue capital plans for Local Authorities. The Report contained recommendations on the Policy to be adopted in relation to future Capital Expenditure allocations..

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations of the Finance Sub-Committee of 27 January 1997.

Capital Expenditure Monitoring Report 1996/97:

1 April - 31 December 1996

PR110.01.03

5*

With reference to Item 99 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 November 1996 the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the period 1 April 1996 - 31 December 1996 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account.

It was agreed to recommend that the forecast out-turn for 1996/97 be approved as the revised Capital Expenditure Programme and the full underspend on the 1996/97 Programme be carried forward to cover legal commitments in 1997/98.

Community Education: Revenue Grants 1996/97: Progress Report

AL03.01

6

With reference to Item 36 of Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report providing details of the expenditure on Community Education Grants and Subscriptions to 30 November 1996 and appending to the Report a list of the all organisations which had been awarded grants. It was indicated that a Report would be submitted to the next Meeting of the Committee showing the expenditure incurred between 1 December 1996 and 31 March 1997.

It was agreed to note the Report.

   

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 1996/97: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 31 December 1996

AL03.03.01

7

With reference to Item 103 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 November 1996 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme for 1996/97 in respect of Arts and Leisure properties. The Report detailed the approved expenditure for 1996/97 and the total expenditure committed and expended as at the 31 December 1996.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Capital Works: Programme and Progress

Al02.02.01

8

With reference to Item 104 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 November 1996 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Capital Work Programme and Progress in relation to Arts and Leisure properties.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Lews Castle Project: Update and Link Progress Report

E02.28.20

9

With reference to Item 99 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 November 1996 the Chief Executive submitted a Report detailing the progress on the Lews Castle Project and indicating that the National Heritage Memorial Fund had intimated orally that the Trustees, having considered the proposed Scheme, expressed the view that while the Project as submitted would not receive Lottery Funding on the scale requested, the Trustees would be prepared to consider a more modest scheme at a level of approximately £2.75m. A detailed Progress Report outlining options in relation to the future of the Project, including consideration being given to Objective 1 Funding and the Phased Development of the Project, would be submitted to the next Meeting of the Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Smith Avenue Sports Facilities: Changing Facilities

AL02.10

10*

With reference to Item 54 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 June 1996 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report informing Members of the results of the tendering exercise for the Changing Rooms and Stores at the All-weather Sports Facilities at Smith Avenue, Stornoway. The Report gave background information on the tender and indicated areas of increased cost over previous estimates and provided an update on the financial aspects of the Project.

It was agreed to recommend:

(i) that the Director of Administration and Legal Services be authorised to accept the lowest tender received for the Changing Facilities Building at the All-Weather Sports Facility at Smith Avenue, Stornoway, being that submitted by Sinclair Macleod and Co. Ltd in the sum of £300,442.54;

(ii) approval of the revised estimated cost for the Smith Avenue Sports Facilities Project, identified in the Report, in the sum of £2,054,000; and

(iii) approval of the additional funding required for the project from the 1997/98 Block Capital Expenditure Consent.

The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendations, on behalf of the Council, under delegated powers, in light of the need to accept the tender prior to the next scheduled Meeting of the Council and to enable the Project to progress within the agreed timescale, on the basis that these recommendations were not contentious and did not breach a major policy decision of the Council.

Ardvourlie Outdoor Activity Centre

AL02.

11*

There was submitted joint Report by the Chief Executive and the Director of Education and Leisure Services concerning a request from the Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association for financial assistance towards the construction of an Outdoor Activity Centre at Ardvourlie, Isle of Harris. The Report indicated that the proposed facility would cater for Youth Groups throughout the country and would be well situated to allow people to participate in a wide range of outdoor activities. The estimated cost of the Project was approximately £470,000 which included building costs, professional fees, V.A.T, (at current rates) and various items of equipment and fittings. A proposed funding package had been suggested, (subject to confirmation and conditional upon funds being available) as follows:

   

Sports Council Lottery Funding £235,000

Lewis and Harris Youth Club's Association £150,000

Western Isles Council £40,000

Western Isles Enterprise £45,000

      Total £470,000

   

It was agreed to recommend that:

(i) the Lewis and Harris Youth Club's Association be advised by the Director of Education and Leisure Services that it was not possible to recommend support for the Project at this stage; and

(ii) the Project, subject to the submission of a fully detailed Project Initiation Report, be considered as a Scheme for Capital Funded From Current Revenue for 1998/99.

   

CAPITAL GRANTS

Capital Grants Projects: Commemorative Wall Plaques

AL03.01

12*

With reference to Item 36 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report seeking the views of Members on the production of bilingual Commemorative Wall Plaques for display at Capital Grant Projects which had been supported by the Council and suggesting that the following text would be appropriate:

"Chaidh an togalach seo ath-leasachadh le taic bho Chomhairle nan Eilean",

"This facility has been provided with the aid of a Grant from the Western Isles Council."

The Report indicated that the cost of production of an initial stock of twenty four wall plaques would amount to £245 with the costs being met from the Community Education Budget.

   

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to make it a condition of grant for Capital Grant Projects that Commemorative Council Wall Plaques, as detailed in the Report, be displayed at each completed Project to recognise the Council's financial involvement.

Local Capital Grant Scheme 1997/98: Uig Community Centre Association

AL03.01.16

13*

With reference to Item 71 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 August 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a Community Centre Building Project submitted by Uig Community Centre Association, Isle of Lewis. The Report indicated that the Association had outlined proposals to construct a Community Centre on land adjacent to Uig School which would cater for a variety of social, cultural and recreational activities. The Report further indicated that the costs of the development had been estimated at £356,000 and sought Council financial assistance in the sum of £50,000.

   

It was highlighted that the Council's contribution of £50,000 would release financial contributions from other funding bodies.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to confirm approval of the Uig Community Centre Project for the purposes of the Local Capital Grant Scheme in line with its agreed priority listing on the basis of a Council contribution of £50,000 from the Programme of Capital Expenditure 1997/98, towards the construction costs of a Community Centre, subject to the necessary provision being made in the Capital Expenditure Programme.

   

SPORTS

Lewis and Harris Sports Festival Against Drugs

AL06.01.23

14*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report informing Members of the successful bid for funding from the Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund for a joint initiative involving the Council, the Lewis and Harris Sports Festival, Healthy Islands Partnership and the private sector. The Report highlighted that funding had been secured in the sum of £1,970 from the Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund for the visit of four high profile sports personalities to the 1997 Sports Festival and recommending that the Council note the contents of the Report and conveys thanks to the Scottish Drugs fund for its award of £1,970.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(i) the Report be noted; and

(ii) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to convey thanks to the Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund for the award.

Indoor Leisure Concessionary Charges

AL02.01.02

15*

With reference to Item 59 of the Minute of Meeting of 6 June 1995 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report seeking to implement a simplified and more equitable Concessionary Scheme for members of the public using the indoor leisure facilities and suggested the implementation of the proposed Concessionary Scheme as follows:

   

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to implement the concessionary scheme as detailed in the Report with effect from 1 April 1997.

Sports Development

AL06.02.07

16*

With reference to Item 75 of Minute of Meeting of 27 August 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning progress, to date, in respect of various sports developments and indicating that the first phase of the Sports Council's aided developments had been concluded and that the programming of the usage of the facilities by various Sporting Organisations and Community Groups was being considered. The Report indicated that an initial Meeting of the Sports Development Advisory Group was scheduled for 29 January 1997 in the Town Hall, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

   

It was agreed to recommend:

(i) the progress, to date, be noted;

(ii) that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to organise a competition to determine appropriate name designations for the new sports areas, currently known as Sandwick Park and Springfield Park, and that a prize of free usage of the facilities for one year be offered to the successful entrant;

   

(iii) that the Chairman of the Education Committee and the Vice-Chairman of the Arts and Leisure Committee would represent the Council at the initial Meeting of the Organisations which had registered an interest in becoming involved in Sports Development; and

   

(iv) that further Reports by the Director of Education and Leisure Services would be submitted as usage of the facilities develops.

   

PLAY AREAS

Play Areas Provided by Developers: Maintenance and Repair

AL06.02

17*

With reference to Item 41 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 there was submitted Report by the Director of Education and Leisure Services to consider the principle of Developers paying a capital sum to the Council to cover the future maintenance, repair and insurance of play areas.

It was agreed to recommend that:

   

(i) the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to offer to a company providing a housing development which includes a play area the option of paying a lump sum to the Council that would enable routine maintenance, inspection, replacement and insurance to be met without additional cost to the Council in perpetuity as a means of fulfilling the developers ongoing maintenance obligations; and

   

(ii) the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to enter into an agreement in terms of the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 to enable the Council to carry out maintenance, repair, renewal and insurance on behalf of Muirneag Housing Association with the ownership of the land remaining with Muirneag Housing Association in exchange for a lump sum of £16,000, on the basis that equipment would not be replaced and that when the lump sum was expended all the responsibilities in relation to the play area would revert to Muirneag Housing Association.

   

RELATED MATTERS

Action Outstanding Progress Report

PR33.01.12

18

With reference to Item 111 of the Minute of Meeting of 19 November 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.

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