AL9804

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 21 April 1998 at 9.00 a.m.

PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Roderick Macdonald

Mr Donald Murray

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr George Lonie

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Callum I Macmillan

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Kenneth Mackay

Mr Alasdair Nicholson

Mrs Mary Bremner

MINUTES

Arts and Leisure

C02.13

37

The Minutes of Meetings of 10 and 24 March 1998 were approved.

Arts and Leisure Sub-Committee

C02.13

38*

The Minute of Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Sub-Committee of 26 March 1998 was submitted.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendation in item 3 of the Minute.

BUILDINGS

Programme and Progress

AL02.02.01

39

With reference to item 27 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 March 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.

Acres Boys Club

AL03.01.23

40*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an updated project initiation Report in relation to the purchase and renovation of the Acres Boys Club Building, Stornoway. The Report detailed the costs of purchasing the building at a price determined by the District Valuer and included details of the costs of renovation for the building and indicated that the project could be scheduled for its construction phase in 2000/2001. The Report recommend that:

(1) Members approve, in principle, the proposed phasing of the construction element of the Acres Boys Club Building in financial year 2000/2001;

(2) Members, subject to the proposed phasing of the project being deemed acceptable, authorise the purchase of the Acres Boys Club Building for the sum of £10,000, on the basis of funding, including legal fees estimated at £500, being re-allocated from the Schools Energy Management heading in the 1998/99 Capital Programme;

(3) The estimated additional pre-refurbishment revenue costs of £6.8k per annum be considered in the context of the preparation of 1999/2000 Revenue Estimates for Education and Arts and Leisure. Any revenue costs incurred in the present financial year to be absorbed within the current provision; and

(4) The estimated additional post-refurbishment revenue costs of £28.7k per annum (at current prices) be considered in the context of the preparation of the Revenue Estimates for Education and Arts and Leisure for the first operational year of the new facility.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to make arrangements to purchase the Acres Boys Club Building in the sum of £10,000 and that the funding including the legal fees estimated at £500 be reallocated from the School Energy Management heading in the 1998/99 capital programme; and

(2) the recommendations detailed at (a), (c) and (d) in the Report be deferred pending a further Report detailing the monthly usage of the facility both in terms of School and community usage.

Right of Vehicular and Pedestrian Access to the Stornoway Bowling Club

AL02.04.02

41*

With reference to item 43 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 April 1997 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding an application to acquire a servitude right of vehicular and pedestrian access from the Stornoway Bowling Club House to Bayhead Street, Stornoway, over an area of ground owned by the Comhairle. The Report detailed the background and current position regarding the right of access by the Stornoway Bowling Club to their Club House.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Education and Leisure Services, be authorised to grant a Deed of Servitude both for vehicular and pedestrian traffic to the Stornoway Bowling Club on appropriate terms and conditions and subject to necessary planning permission being obtained and the Bowling Club bearing the costs involved in the transaction whether or not it proceeded.

Valtos Centre

A02.02

42*

With reference to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report providing information on progress with the Valtos Centre project.

It was recommended that the Report be noted.

Mr Callum I Macmillan, seconded by Mr George Lonie moved that a Member/ Officer Working Group be established to work with the Director of Technical Services to bring a proposal on the Valtos Centre Project to the next Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Committee.

Mr Alasdair G Macrae, seconded by Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, moved as an amendment that the Report be noted.

On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.

It was further agreed to recommend that the following members should serve on the Member/Officer Working Group:

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Callum I Macmillan

FINANCE

Grants Budget Distribution 1998/99

AL03.03

43*

With reference to item 90 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 September 1997 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the adjusted budget distribution within the Arts and Leisure for Grants for 1998/99 and further detailing the reallocation of budgets within the Grants area to enhance the provision for equipment support. The Report detailed the necessary adjustment required for the equipment budget flowing from specific Comhairle decisions.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to implement the adjustments and budget alterations as indicated in the Appendix to this Minute.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Non-Comhairle Play Areas: Application for Grant: Play Areas at Outend Coll, Leverburgh and Upper Barvas

AL02.12

44*

With reference to item 14 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning applications for financial assistance from three Non-Comhairle Play Area Groups providing the background and current position in relation to each of the three applications.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) in principle, one non-Comhairle Play Area Group per financial year be considered under the Community Education Equipment Budget;

(2) the order of priority be as indicated in the Report for the reasons outlined and that the project to be supported in the current financial year from the Community Education Budget be the Outend Coll project;

(3) £12k from CFCR (Housing) be prioritised to fund developments to the area of land contiguous to the Council Housing Scheme at Dunmore Crescent, Leverburgh as a contribution to the Planned Leverburgh Play Area Scheme and Associated Environmental Works; and

(4) that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to refer the remaining projects for consideration under the Capital Programme for 1998/99, should any slippage become available during the course of the year.

It was further agreed to recommend that a Report be submitted to the Committee which would formalise the position in terms of Comhairle policy in relation to Capital Expenditure for play areas, whether or not they were attached to Council Housing Schemes.

Portrona

AL05.06

45*

With reference to item 24 of the Minute of Meeting of 12 March 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from Portrona in the sum of £10,500 towards producing an enhanced version of the 1996 community play concerning Stornoway in the heyday of the herring industry.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to offer a grant of up to £10,500 to Portrona, subject to the due submission of completed accounts.

Theatre Highland: Highlands and Islands Tour of Don Juan

AL11.06

46*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application for financial assistance from Theatre Highland in respect of their tour of the Western Isles with the adaptation of the play Don Juan. It was indicated that the tour would fall within the Comhairle's criteria for financial assistance.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to offer grant support up to £3,500 to Theatre Highland, subject to the due submission of completed accounts.

Harris Arts and Heritage

AL05.02

47*

With reference to item 41 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 April 1997 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for Revenue Grant from Harris Arts and Heritage Limited. It was indicated that the Harris Arts and Heritage Limited was classified as a Comhairle supported body following a Comhairle decision of 13 May 1997 and included the full details of the 1998/99 programme.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a revenue grant of £3,500 towards the operation of Harris Arts and Heritage Limited in 1998/99.

Taigh Chearsabhagh

Trust

AL09.02.12

48*

With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1997 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a number of applications from Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust with regard to funding for 1998/99. It was indicated in the Report that the Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust had been classified as a Comhairle supported body and further indicated that while provision had been made for Revenue support for this organisation no provision had been made for operational programmes.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a revenue grant of £4,120 to the Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust; and

(2) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to advise the Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust that applications for operational programmes would be more appropriately directed towards organisations which were not offering annual revenue support.

Harris Community Trust

AL06.05.57

49*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for Millennium Project support by the Harris Community Trust. The Report indicated that the application was for matching funding for Millennium Projects and provided details of the projects.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award the sum of £1,400 as matching funding for the Harris Community Trust Millennium Project; and

(2) in principle, the sum of £1,400 be awarded for 1999/2000 as matching funding for the Harris Community Trust Millennium Project

MUSEUM SERVICES

Conservation Laboratory

AL09.01.15

50*

With reference to item 47 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a conservation laboratory to provide a working base for the proposed Museum Conservation Officer and indicated that the Scottish Museums Council had approved grant aid in principle towards the costs associated with the provision of a conservation laboratory.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to establish a Conservation Laboratory in the Haldane Annex and that he be further authorised to equip the laboratory with the necessary specialist materials and equipment in the sum of £13,214 to be met as follows:

Scottish Museums Council grant £4,105

Museums Exhibition, Maintenance

and Conservation budget £3,509

Savings (delay in appointment of Archaeologist) £5,519

Museum Services: Museum Conservation Officer AL09.01.15

51*

With reference to item 47 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the successful grant application to the Scottish Museums Council for funding in respect of a post of Museum Conservation Officer. The Report highlighted the background to the application, the conservation requirements of the Calbost Collection, the Museum's existing collection and also the collections held by the various Comuinn Eachdraidh throughout the Western Isles and gave details of the level of grant aid towards the establishment of the post of Museum Conservation Officer.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to establish the post of Museum Conservation Officer in the sum of £16,642, on the basis that the funding associated with the post would be as follows:

Scottish Museums Council £8,481

Savings in:

(a) vacant post of Museum Assistant £2,000

(b) delay in appointment of Archaeologist £6,161

RELATED MATTERS

Appointment of Director of Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig

AL05.01

52*

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning a vacancy as Director of Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig inviting Members to appoint a Director to replace Mr Donald Macleod who had resigned as Director.

It was agreed to recommend that Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, Member for the Port of Ness Ward, be appointed as a Director of Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig.

APPENDIX

ARTS AND LEISURE GRANTS BUDGET DISTRIBUTION 1998/99

Budget

Initial Budget 1997/98

Revised Budget 1997/99

Initial Budget 1998/99

Internal Re-distribution to reflect Comhairle Decisions

Internal Re-distribution to enhance Equipment Budget

Equipment

8,036

8,036

13,136

13,136

25,136

(+£12k)

Adult Education

4,182

4,182

4,234

4,234

4,234

Arts

16,452

23,457

(+£7k)

18,658

11,038

9,038

(-£2k)

An

Lanntair

13,158

13,158

13,322

Transferred

-----------

Sports and Games

17,304

18,034

(+£1k)

17,247

17,247

12,247

(-£5k)

Youth

Work

19,676

25,676

(+6k)

25,922

17,922

12,922

(-£5k)

Community Associations

10,302

10,302

10,431

10,431

10,431

Community Events

30,000

30,000

46,375

46,375

46,375

Gaelic

/ADO

20,000

20,000

20,250

20,250

20,250

Comhairle-Supported Bodies

An

Lanntair

13,322

13,322

Taigh Chearsabhaigh

4,120

4,120

Harris Arts and Heritage Ltd.

3,500

3,500

Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh Award

8,000

8,000

___

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

		MINUTES
Arts and Leisure C02.13	37	The Minutes of Meetings of 10 and 24 March 1998 were approved.
Arts and Leisure Sub-Committee C02.13	38*	The Minute of Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Sub-Committee of 26 March 1998 was submitted. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendation in item 3 of the Minute.
		BUILDINGS
Programme and Progress AL02.02.01	39	With reference to item 27 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 March 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.
Acres Boys Club AL03.01.23	40*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an updated project initiation Report in relation to the purchase and renovation of the Acres Boys Club Building, Stornoway. The Report detailed the costs of purchasing the building at a price determined by the District Valuer and included details of the costs of renovation for the building and indicated that the project could be scheduled for its construction phase in 2000/2001. The Report recommend that: (1) Members approve, in principle, the proposed phasing of the construction element of the Acres Boys Club Building in financial year 2000/2001; (2) Members, subject to the proposed phasing of the project being deemed acceptable, authorise the purchase of the Acres Boys Club Building for the sum of £10,000, on the basis of funding, including legal fees estimated at £500, being re-allocated from the Schools Energy Management heading in the 1998/99 Capital Programme; (3) The estimated additional pre-refurbishment revenue costs of £6.8k per annum be considered in the context of the preparation of 1999/2000 Revenue Estimates for Education and Arts and Leisure. Any revenue costs incurred in the present financial year to be absorbed within the current provision; and
		(4) The estimated additional post-refurbishment revenue costs of £28.7k per annum (at current prices) be considered in the context of the preparation of the Revenue Estimates for Education and Arts and Leisure for the first operational year of the new facility. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to make arrangements to purchase the Acres Boys Club Building in the sum of £10,000 and that the funding including the legal fees estimated at £500 be reallocated from the School Energy Management heading in the 1998/99 capital programme; and (2) the recommendations detailed at (a), (c) and (d) in the Report be deferred pending a further Report detailing the monthly usage of the facility both in terms of School and community usage.
Right of Vehicular and Pedestrian Access to the Stornoway Bowling Club AL02.04.02	41*	With reference to item 43 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 April 1997 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding an application to acquire a servitude right of vehicular and pedestrian access from the Stornoway Bowling Club House to Bayhead Street, Stornoway, over an area of ground owned by the Comhairle. The Report detailed the background and current position regarding the right of access by the Stornoway Bowling Club to their Club House. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Education and Leisure Services, be authorised to grant a Deed of Servitude both for vehicular and pedestrian traffic to the Stornoway Bowling Club on appropriate terms and conditions and subject to necessary planning permission being obtained and the Bowling Club bearing the costs involved in the transaction whether or not it proceeded.
Valtos Centre A02.02	42*	With reference to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report providing information on progress with the Valtos Centre project. It was recommended that the Report be noted. Mr Callum I Macmillan, seconded by Mr George Lonie moved that a Member/ Officer Working Group be established to work with the Director of Technical Services to bring a proposal on the Valtos Centre Project to the next Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Committee. Mr Alasdair G Macrae, seconded by Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, moved as an amendment that the Report be noted. On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly. It was further agreed to recommend that the following members should serve on the Member/Officer Working Group: Mr Norman A Macdonald Mr Roderick Morrison Mr Callum I Macmillan
		FINANCE
Grants Budget Distribution 1998/99 AL03.03	43*	With reference to item 90 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 September 1997 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the adjusted budget distribution within the Arts and Leisure for Grants for 1998/99 and further detailing the reallocation of budgets within the Grants area to enhance the provision for equipment support. The Report detailed the necessary adjustment required for the equipment budget flowing from specific Comhairle decisions.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to implement the adjustments and budget alterations as indicated in the Appendix to this Minute.
		FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Non-Comhairle Play Areas: Application for Grant: Play Areas at Outend Coll, Leverburgh and Upper Barvas AL02.12	44*	With reference to item 14 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning applications for financial assistance from three Non-Comhairle Play Area Groups providing the background and current position in relation to each of the three applications. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) in principle, one non-Comhairle Play Area Group per financial year be considered under the Community Education Equipment Budget; (2) the order of priority be as indicated in the Report for the reasons outlined and that the project to be supported in the current financial year from the Community Education Budget be the Outend Coll project; (3) £12k from CFCR (Housing) be prioritised to fund developments to the area of land contiguous to the Council Housing Scheme at Dunmore Crescent, Leverburgh as a contribution to the Planned Leverburgh Play Area Scheme and Associated Environmental Works; and (4) that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to refer the remaining projects for consideration under the Capital Programme for 1998/99, should any slippage become available during the course of the year. It was further agreed to recommend that a Report be submitted to the Committee which would formalise the position in terms of Comhairle policy in relation to Capital Expenditure for play areas, whether or not they were attached to Council Housing Schemes.
Portrona AL05.06	45*	With reference to item 24 of the Minute of Meeting of 12 March 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from Portrona in the sum of £10,500 towards producing an enhanced version of the 1996 community play concerning Stornoway in the heyday of the herring industry. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to offer a grant of up to £10,500 to Portrona, subject to the due submission of completed accounts.
Theatre Highland: Highlands and Islands Tour of Don Juan AL11.06	46*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report regarding an application for financial assistance from Theatre Highland in respect of their tour of the Western Isles with the adaptation of the play Don Juan. It was indicated that the tour would fall within the Comhairle's criteria for financial assistance. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to offer grant support up to £3,500 to Theatre Highland, subject to the due submission of completed accounts.
Harris Arts and Heritage AL05.02	47*	With reference to item 41 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 April 1997 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for Revenue Grant from Harris Arts and Heritage Limited. It was indicated that the Harris Arts and Heritage Limited was classified as a Comhairle supported body following a Comhairle decision of 13 May 1997 and included the full details of the 1998/99 programme.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a revenue grant of £3,500 towards the operation of Harris Arts and Heritage Limited in 1998/99.
Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust AL09.02.12	48*	With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1997 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a number of applications from Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust with regard to funding for 1998/99. It was indicated in the Report that the Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust had been classified as a Comhairle supported body and further indicated that while provision had been made for Revenue support for this organisation no provision had been made for operational programmes.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a revenue grant of £4,120 to the Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust; and (2) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to advise the Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust that applications for operational programmes would be more appropriately directed towards organisations which were not offering annual revenue support.
Harris Community Trust AL06.05.57	49*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for Millennium Project support by the Harris Community Trust. The Report indicated that the application was for matching funding for Millennium Projects and provided details of the projects. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award the sum of £1,400 as matching funding for the Harris Community Trust Millennium Project; and (2) in principle, the sum of £1,400 be awarded for 1999/2000 as matching funding for the Harris Community Trust Millennium Project
		MUSEUM SERVICES
Conservation Laboratory AL09.01.15	50*	With reference to item 47 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a conservation laboratory to provide a working base for the proposed Museum Conservation Officer and indicated that the Scottish Museums Council had approved grant aid in principle towards the costs associated with the provision of a conservation laboratory. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to establish a Conservation Laboratory in the Haldane Annex and that he be further authorised to equip the laboratory with the necessary specialist materials and equipment in the sum of £13,214 to be met as follows: Scottish Museums Council grant £4,105 Museums Exhibition, Maintenance and Conservation budget £3,509 Savings (delay in appointment of Archaeologist) £5,519
Museum Services: Museum Conservation Officer AL09.01.15	51*	With reference to item 47 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 April 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the successful grant application to the Scottish Museums Council for funding in respect of a post of Museum Conservation Officer. The Report highlighted the background to the application, the conservation requirements of the Calbost Collection, the Museum's existing collection and also the collections held by the various Comuinn Eachdraidh throughout the Western Isles and gave details of the level of grant aid towards the establishment of the post of Museum Conservation Officer. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to establish the post of Museum Conservation Officer in the sum of £16,642, on the basis that the funding associated with the post would be as follows: Scottish Museums Council £8,481 Savings in: (a) vacant post of Museum Assistant £2,000 (b) delay in appointment of Archaeologist £6,161
		RELATED MATTERS
Appointment of Director of Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig AL05.01	52*	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning a vacancy as Director of Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig inviting Members to appoint a Director to replace Mr Donald Macleod who had resigned as Director. It was agreed to recommend that Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, Member for the Port of Ness Ward, be appointed as a Director of Urras Studio Drama Gàidhlig.


ARTS AND LEISURE GRANTS BUDGET DISTRIBUTION 1998/99
Budget	Initial Budget 1997/98	Revised Budget 1997/99	Initial Budget 1998/99	Internal Re-distribution to reflect Comhairle Decisions	Internal Re-distribution to enhance Equipment Budget
Equipment	8,036	8,036	13,136	13,136	25,136 (+£12k)
Adult Education	4,182	4,182	4,234	4,234	4,234
Arts	16,452	23,457 (+£7k)	18,658	11,038	9,038 (-£2k)
An Lanntair	13,158	13,158	13,322	Transferred	-----------
Sports and Games	17,304	18,034 (+£1k)	17,247	17,247	12,247 (-£5k)
Youth Work	19,676	25,676 (+6k)	25,922	17,922	12,922 (-£5k)
Community Associations	10,302	10,302	10,431	10,431	10,431
Community Events	30,000	30,000	46,375	46,375	46,375
Gaelic /ADO	20,000	20,000	20,250	20,250	20,250
*Comhairle-Supported Bodies*
An Lanntair				13,322	13,322
Taigh Chearsabhaigh				4,120	4,120
Harris Arts and Heritage Ltd.				3,500	3,500
Western Isles Duke of Edinburgh Award				8,000	8,000