AL9803

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday, 10 March 1998 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Donald Murray

Mr Roderick Macdonald

Mr George Lonie

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Kenneth Mackay

Mr Angus M Graham

Mrs Mary Bremner

Tribute: Mr Alasdair Dunlop

The Chairman referred to the success of Mr Alasdair Dunlop, Principal Physical Education Teacher at The Nicolson Institute, in winning the 800 metres event at the British Veterans' Indoor Athletics Championship and in previously breaking the Scottish Veterans' 400 metre record and, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Dunlop of these successes.

Arts and Leisure

C02.13

25

MINUTES

The Minutes of Meetings of 27 January and 25 February 1998 were approved.

Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring

PR110.08.14

26

FINANCE

With reference to item 109 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 November 1997, the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Income and Revenue Expenditure for Arts and Leisure incurred from 1 April to 31 December 1997.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Programme and Progress

AL02.02.01

27

BUILDINGS

With reference to item 7 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998, the Director of Technical Services submitted the Programme and Progress Report in relation to the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Arising out of consideration of this item, the Chief Executive reported on progress regarding the new library provision in Stornoway.

It was agreed to note the Report by the Chief Executive and to hold a special meeting of the Committee on Tuesday 24 March 1998 to determine the matter.

R & M (Revenue) Programme 1997/98

AL03.03.01

28

With reference to item 112 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 November 1997, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Arts and Leisure Repairs and Maintenance Programme for the period 1 April to 31 December 1997.

It was agreed to note the Report.

PIR Lochmaddy Village Hall

AL03.01.29

29*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding proposals by Lochmaddy Hall Committee to renovate and extend the Lochmaddy Village Hall at an estimated total cost of £300,000. The works involved in the Project were outlined in the Report, together with comments on the proposals. It was noted that assistance of £45,000, or 15% of the estimated cost, was being sought from the Comhairle.

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle support the Lochmaddy Hall Committee in refurbishing the Lochmaddy Village Hall through the inclusion of provision in the Capital Expenditure Programme when prioritisation of projects was being considered.

Site for New Build of Children's Centre in Barra

E02.60

30*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application from the Barra Pre-School Association for an area of land, 20 metres by 25 metres, opposite Castlebay School to enable the establishment of a Children's Centre. The proposals were outlined in the Report, together with comments by the Director of Education and Leisure Services. It was noted that the request was supported by the Castlebay School management, the School Board and the Local Member.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to allocate an area of land, 20 metres by 25 metres, opposite Castlebay School to enable the establishment of a Children's Centre, subject to terms and conditions agreed by the Director of Corporate Services and subject to a legal clearance and receipt of a detailed planning application.

Lewis and Harris Sports Festival 1998

AL06.01.23

31*

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

With reference to item 23 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 March 1997, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application from the Lewis and Harris Sports Festival 1998 for financial assistance towards the operation of the Sports Festival between 28 February and 28 March 1998.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a Revenue Grant of £2,000 plus the free use of The Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre, Stornoway, to the Lewis and Harris Sports Festival between 28 February and 28 March 1998.

Lewis Film Society

AL05.02.29

32*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application from the Lewis Film Society for financial assistance towards an operating loss estimated at £1,734.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a Revenue Grant of £1,000 to support the work of the Lewis Film Society in 1997/98.

It was further agreed that the Director of Education and Leisure Services investigate whether the mobile cinema could be brought to na h-Eileanan an Iar or, alternatively, if additional funding could be sought to support the Film Society.

Musicians of the Western Isles: Update

AL05.02

33

THE ARTS

With reference to item 103 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 September 1997, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out progress regarding the proposal to make recordings of local Musicians of the Western Isles. It was stated that there were two possible providers of suitable recording facilities in na h-Eileanan an Iar who were keen to become involved in such a project. It was indicated that discussions were being undertaken with both parties with a view to putting together a suitable project and that a further Report be submitted to the Committee in due course.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Swimming Teaching Allowance

M04.04.02

34*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding proposals to increase the amount paid to Lifeguards for teaching swimming lessons. It was stated that Lifeguards who possessed swimming teacher qualifications received an additional payment of £3.00 per hour when they taught a swimming class. The hourly rate had been agreed in 1981 and had not been reviewed since that time. It was stated that the rate was substantially lower than that payable elsewhere in Scotland and it was suggested that the rate be raised to £4.50 per hour to bring it more into line with that paid by other local authorities. The financial implications were set out in the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to increase the allowance for Lifeguards when giving swimming lessons from £3.00 to £4.50 per hour, with effect from 1 April 1998.

Reports Outstanding

PR33.01.12

35

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

With reference to item 23 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee since May 1994.

It was agreed to note the Report.

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PRESENT	Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Donald Murray
	Mr Roderick Macdonald	Mr George Lonie
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Kenneth Mackay
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mrs Mary Bremner

Tribute: Mr Alasdair Dunlop		The Chairman referred to the success of Mr Alasdair Dunlop, Principal Physical Education Teacher at The Nicolson Institute, in winning the 800 metres event at the British Veterans' Indoor Athletics Championship and in previously breaking the Scottish Veterans' 400 metre record and, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Dunlop of these successes.
Arts and Leisure C02.13	25	MINUTES The Minutes of Meetings of 27 January and 25 February 1998 were approved.
Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring PR110.08.14	26	FINANCE With reference to item 109 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 November 1997, the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Income and Revenue Expenditure for Arts and Leisure incurred from 1 April to 31 December 1997. It was agreed to note the Report.
Programme and Progress AL02.02.01	27	BUILDINGS With reference to item 7 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998, the Director of Technical Services submitted the Programme and Progress Report in relation to the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme. It was agreed to note the Report.
		Arising out of consideration of this item, the Chief Executive reported on progress regarding the new library provision in Stornoway. It was agreed to note the Report by the Chief Executive and to hold a special meeting of the Committee on Tuesday 24 March 1998 to determine the matter.
R & M (Revenue) Programme 1997/98 AL03.03.01	28	With reference to item 112 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 November 1997, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Arts and Leisure Repairs and Maintenance Programme for the period 1 April to 31 December 1997. It was agreed to note the Report.
PIR Lochmaddy Village Hall AL03.01.29	29*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding proposals by Lochmaddy Hall Committee to renovate and extend the Lochmaddy Village Hall at an estimated total cost of £300,000. The works involved in the Project were outlined in the Report, together with comments on the proposals. It was noted that assistance of £45,000, or 15% of the estimated cost, was being sought from the Comhairle.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle support the Lochmaddy Hall Committee in refurbishing the Lochmaddy Village Hall through the inclusion of provision in the Capital Expenditure Programme when prioritisation of projects was being considered.
Site for New Build of Children's Centre in Barra E02.60	30*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application from the Barra Pre-School Association for an area of land, 20 metres by 25 metres, opposite Castlebay School to enable the establishment of a Children's Centre. The proposals were outlined in the Report, together with comments by the Director of Education and Leisure Services. It was noted that the request was supported by the Castlebay School management, the School Board and the Local Member.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to allocate an area of land, 20 metres by 25 metres, opposite Castlebay School to enable the establishment of a Children's Centre, subject to terms and conditions agreed by the Director of Corporate Services and subject to a legal clearance and receipt of a detailed planning application.
Lewis and Harris Sports Festival 1998 AL06.01.23	31*	FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE With reference to item 23 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 March 1997, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application from the Lewis and Harris Sports Festival 1998 for financial assistance towards the operation of the Sports Festival between 28 February and 28 March 1998.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a Revenue Grant of £2,000 plus the free use of The Nicolson-Lewis Sports Centre, Stornoway, to the Lewis and Harris Sports Festival between 28 February and 28 March 1998.
Lewis Film Society AL05.02.29	32*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application from the Lewis Film Society for financial assistance towards an operating loss estimated at £1,734.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a Revenue Grant of £1,000 to support the work of the Lewis Film Society in 1997/98.
		It was further agreed that the Director of Education and Leisure Services investigate whether the mobile cinema could be brought to na h-Eileanan an Iar or, alternatively, if additional funding could be sought to support the Film Society.
Musicians of the Western Isles: Update AL05.02	33	THE ARTS With reference to item 103 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 September 1997, the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report setting out progress regarding the proposal to make recordings of local Musicians of the Western Isles. It was stated that there were two possible providers of suitable recording facilities in na h-Eileanan an Iar who were keen to become involved in such a project. It was indicated that discussions were being undertaken with both parties with a view to putting together a suitable project and that a further Report be submitted to the Committee in due course.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
Swimming Teaching Allowance M04.04.02	34*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding proposals to increase the amount paid to Lifeguards for teaching swimming lessons. It was stated that Lifeguards who possessed swimming teacher qualifications received an additional payment of £3.00 per hour when they taught a swimming class. The hourly rate had been agreed in 1981 and had not been reviewed since that time. It was stated that the rate was substantially lower than that payable elsewhere in Scotland and it was suggested that the rate be raised to £4.50 per hour to bring it more into line with that paid by other local authorities. The financial implications were set out in the Report.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to increase the allowance for Lifeguards when giving swimming lessons from £3.00 to £4.50 per hour, with effect from 1 April 1998.
Reports Outstanding PR33.01.12	35	PERFORMANCE REVIEW With reference to item 23 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee since May 1994. It was agreed to note the Report.
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