MAL9901

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ARTS AND LEISURE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 26 January 1999 at 9.00 a.m.

PRESENT

Mr Alasdair G Macrae (Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Roderick Macdonald

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr George Lonie

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Kenneth Mackay

Mr Donald Murray

Mrs Mary Bremner

Tribute: Gordon Murray

C01.04

The Chairman referred to Gordon Murray who was presented with the "Children of Courage" award by the Duchess of Kent at a Ceremony in Westminster Abbey in London in December 1998. Gordon raised the sum of £13,400 for Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow and, on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman congratulated Gordon on his achievement.

Tribute: Christmas Decorations

C01.04

The Chairman referred to the festive decorations and events and congratulated all those who were involved in the arrangements.

MINUTES

Arts and Leisure Committee

C02.13

1

The Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 was approved.

FINANCE

AEF Announcement, Policy Framework and Budget Strategy 1999/2000 PR110.03.24

2*

With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the final Aggregate External Finance (AEF announcement) and outlining a revised Budget Strategy for 1999/2000. Comments on the effect of the AEF settlement and movements in reserves, balance and contingency fund were outlined in the Report.

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

Growth and Savings Proposals for the 1999/2000 Budget: Revised

PR110.03.24

3*

With reference to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the revised Growth and Savings Proposals for consideration as part of the 1999/2000 budgetary process.

It was agreed to recommend that in the savings to match CPL's:

(1) rationalisation of Lewis and Harris Community minibus be reinstated; and

(2) the reduction in grants to community and voluntary associations be reinstated.

Draft Budget Book 1999/2000

PR110.03.24

4*

With reference to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Finance submitted a Draft Budget Book for the Financial Year 1999/2000 detailing the Income and Revenue Expenditure budgeted for each of the Comhairle's services in the Financial Year 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the Draft Budget Book 1999/2000 for the Committee's interest subject to such further amendments as would be approved by the Comhairle.

BUILDINGS

Capital Works Programme and Progress

PR03.02.01

5

With reference to item 134 of the Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in relation to the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Valtos Outdoor Centre

AL02.02

6*

With reference to item 136 of the Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 the Director of Technical Services and the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a joint Report detailing the necessary remedial works to the Centre in order to bring the building up to the standard required by the Health and Safety Executive for the Centre to retain its operating licence. Appendix 1 to the Report contained a detailed breakdown of the costs of the remedial works and summarised that the central repairs and renewals were estimated at £60,000.

The Minute of Meeting of the Valtos Member/Officer Working Group of 20 January 1999 was submitted. The Working Group had put forward the following conclusions for consideration by the Committee:

(1) that the sum of £60,000 be not spent on remedial works at the Valtos Outdoor Centre;

(2) the effect of the Community buy-out of the Valtos estate on the future of the Valtos Outdoor Centre including the formation of a partnership with a separate trust to develop the Centre be the subject of a further Report;

(3) propose interim arrangements in relation to the current reservations for the Centre and examining the possibility of using the Centre on a non-residential basis subject to Health and Safety issues being met; and

(4) a Report on detailed costs in relation to replacing the oil tank tarring works round the centre and the minimum work required to be done to showers for the Centre to retain the operating licence as a day centre.

It was agreed to recommend;

(1) approval of the conclusions of the Valtos Member/Officer Working Group; and

(2) that the Report by the Director of Education and Leisure Services should examine the use of the Community Centre and the school for non-residential purposes in relation to the reservations for 1999.

All-Weather Playing Area: Community Usage

AL02.10

7

With reference to item 54 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 June 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing community usage of the all-weather playing facility over the two calendar years of 1997 and 1998.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Football Pitches in the Uists and Barra

AL06.01.58

8*

With reference to item 97 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing the general conditions of football pitches in Uist and Barra.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services submit an estimate of the necessary repairs to the football pitches at Paible, Daliburgh and Castlebay and in the event of Capital Work being required a Project Initiation Report be prepared for consideration in the 2000/2001 budgetary process.

Stornoway Museum: Extension

AL09.01.07

9*

With reference to item 95 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an extension to the Francis Street Museum to provide storage accommodation, accommodation for a conservation laboratory, the archaeologist service and enhanced public facilities. The Report indicated that discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund had established that the Scheme proposed for the extension to the Francis Street Museum met a number of the criteria of the Heritage Lottery Fund and that a Phase 1 application should be submitted to ascertain the likely response of the Heritage Lottery Fund thereby avoiding unnecessary professional design work at this stage.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit a Phase 1 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Museum extension including an application for funding towards the professional costs of working up a full scheme.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Request for Capital Grant Application: Leverburgh Village Hall

AL03.01.26

10*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a request for Capital Grant Application from Leverburgh Village Hall towards the costs of renovating the existing village hall at an outline cost of £420,000 and seeking funding in the sum of £50,000 from the Comhairle.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) a Project Initiation Report be prepared so that Leverburgh be considered in the context of the 2000/2001 Capital Grants for Community Halls; and

(2) in the event that external funding is secured Leverburgh Village Hall be given priority of application for Scottish Office funding.

Grant Application: Feis Eilean Fraoich

AL11.02

11*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request from Feis Eilean an Fhraoich for financial assistance towards the costs of the accommodation incurred during the annual Feis held from 27 - 31 July 1998, and seeking a total grant in the sum of £1963.50.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to pay the Feis Eilean an Fhraoich invoice of £1963.50 for the lease of school premises from the Minor Work Grants to Voluntary Organisations.

Millennium Committee: Request for Financial Assistance

AL11.01

12*

With reference to item 128 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 September 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from the Millennium Committee towards the costs of activities celebrating the Millennium.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a grant in the sum of £4,000 to the Millennium Committee from the Minor Work Grants to Voluntary Organisations.

Ceolas: Funding Status

AL05.03.47

13*

With reference to item 75 of the Minute of Meeting of 9 June 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the future funding status of Ceolas indicating that Ceolas was a unique Summer School based in South Uist which has a strong Gaelic flavour and included lessons in traditional music, song and dance of the Scottish Gaidhealtachd.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to include Ceolas in the list of grants guaranteed funding within the Comhairle's Arts and Leisure budget construction.

Request for Financial Assistance: Barvas Football Pitch

AL11.01

14*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for capital grant from the Barvas Community Association towards the costs of building a football pitch at Barvas and seeking financial assistance in the sum of £20,000.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Project Initiation Report to allow the Barvas Community Association application to be considered within the context of the 2000/2001 Capital Grants.

Request for Financial Assistance: Carloway Football Pitch

AL11.01

15*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application from Carloway Football Club to award the cost of the proposed building of changing facilities at Carloway Football Pitch and seeking financial assistance in the sum of £10,000.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to prepare a Project Initiation Report so that the Carloway Football Club application could be considered within the context of the 2000/2001 capital grants.

Scottish Millennium Festival Fund: List of Applications

PR61.01

16

With reference to item 128 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 September 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing the range of applications submitted from groups in the Western Isles to the Millennium Festival Fund.

It was agreed to note the Report.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Communities: Change Through Learning

AL04.10

17

With reference to item 105 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing the recommendations of a Ministerial Task Group concerning the future of Community Education. The Depute Director of Leisure Services highlighted the changes which would affect the structure and organisation of community education in the Western Isles and outlined the financial implications of these changes.

It was agreed to note:

(1) the Report of the Working Group; and

(2) that the Best Value Review of Community Education would consider both the COSLA Consultation Paper and the recommendations from the Ministerial Task Group on the Future of Community Education.

MUSEUM

St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh

AL02.15

18*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the ownership status of St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh and the implications to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The Report indicated that St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh had fallen into the Comhairle's ownership by default and that the Comhairle also inherited common law maintenance obligations. The Report indicated that there would be financial implications to the Comhairle and further indicated that there may be additional cemeteries which had fallen into Comhairle ownership in a similar manner.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the situation in relation to the ownership of St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh be noted;

(2) the Comhairle approve the necessary expenditure in identifying the immediate steps to be taken at the site in respect of public safety;

(3) a search to determine the number of other cemeteries which as a result of the 1925 Act might by default have passed into the ownership of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, be approved;

(4) the Director of Education and Leisure Services and the Director of Corporate Services submit a joint Report in relation to the establishment of a trust to promote the interpretation of the Uidh Chapel; and

(5) the Director of Corporate Services submit a Report on the appropriate location of Committee responsibility.

The Gall-Gaedhil: The Western Isles in the Viking World: An International Conference and Exhibition

PR13.09.11

19*

With reference to item 126 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 September 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the organisation of an international academic conference and a major museum exhibition on the Western Isles in the Viking Age to be held in the year 2000. The Report detailed the areas in which both the exhibition and conference would have an emphasis.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to mount an exhibition and organise an international conference on the Vikings in the Western Isles to be held in the year 2000 and that a further Report on the financial implications of these events would be submitted to a further Meeting of the Committee.

Development Officer: Comainn Eachdraidh

AL09.02

20*

With reference to item 146 of the Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a post of Development Officer for the Comuinn Eachdraidh which would promote and enhance the voluntary work of the Comuinn Eachdraidh which had been recognised as a very valuable resource in the Western Isles.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) an application be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Main Grants Revenue Fund towards the costs of a Development Officer for the Comuinn Eachdraidh on a three year contract;

(2) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit applications to Western Isles Enterprise and Scottish Museums Council for financial assistance;

(3) a further Report be submitted to the Arts and Leisure Committee on the outcome of the applications for financial assistance and identifying any shortfall; and

(4) the post of Development Officer be considered through the establishment of post procedure and in light of funding available.

SPORTS

Sports Festival Against Drugs

AL06.01.23

21*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a successful bid for grant from the 1998/99 Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund and also from private businesses in the Western Isles being Cala Hotels, Sports World, Macleod Insurance, Dark Island Hotel, Colin Campbell Sports and the Castlebay Hotel which would support the costs in 1999 of the Sports Festival Against Drugs held annually in the Western Isles.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Report be noted; and

(2) the welcome support provided by Scotland Against Drugs and the private sector in the promotion of sports and exercise in the Western Isles as an alternative to drugs be acknowledged.

RELATED MATTERS

Conditions of Use of Minibuses

AL06.06

22*

The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning revisions to the conditions of use of Comhairle minibuses and particularly referring to the requirement for all the users to hold a Comhairle permit based on a minibus driving test.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the new conditions.

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

23

With reference to item 149 of the Minute of Meeting 17 November 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing outstanding Reports arising from the decisions of the Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

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

Tribute: Gordon Murray C01.04		The Chairman referred to Gordon Murray who was presented with the "Children of Courage" award by the Duchess of Kent at a Ceremony in Westminster Abbey in London in December 1998. Gordon raised the sum of £13,400 for Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow and, on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman congratulated Gordon on his achievement.
Tribute: Christmas Decorations C01.04		The Chairman referred to the festive decorations and events and congratulated all those who were involved in the arrangements.
		MINUTES
Arts and Leisure Committee C02.13	1	The Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 was approved.
		FINANCE
AEF Announcement, Policy Framework and Budget Strategy 1999/2000 PR110.03.24	2*	With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the final Aggregate External Finance (AEF announcement) and outlining a revised Budget Strategy for 1999/2000. Comments on the effect of the AEF settlement and movements in reserves, balance and contingency fund were outlined in the Report. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Growth and Savings Proposals for the 1999/2000 Budget: Revised PR110.03.24	3*	With reference to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the revised Growth and Savings Proposals for consideration as part of the 1999/2000 budgetary process. It was agreed to recommend that in the savings to match CPL's: (1) rationalisation of Lewis and Harris Community minibus be reinstated; and (2) the reduction in grants to community and voluntary associations be reinstated.
Draft Budget Book 1999/2000 PR110.03.24	4*	With reference to item 5 of the Minute of Meeting of 27 January 1998 the Director of Finance submitted a Draft Budget Book for the Financial Year 1999/2000 detailing the Income and Revenue Expenditure budgeted for each of the Comhairle's services in the Financial Year 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000. It was agreed to recommend approval of the Draft Budget Book 1999/2000 for the Committee's interest subject to such further amendments as would be approved by the Comhairle.
		BUILDINGS
Capital Works Programme and Progress PR03.02.01	5	With reference to item 134 of the Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in relation to the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme. It was agreed to note the Report.
Valtos Outdoor Centre AL02.02	6*	With reference to item 136 of the Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 the Director of Technical Services and the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a joint Report detailing the necessary remedial works to the Centre in order to bring the building up to the standard required by the Health and Safety Executive for the Centre to retain its operating licence. Appendix 1 to the Report contained a detailed breakdown of the costs of the remedial works and summarised that the central repairs and renewals were estimated at £60,000. The Minute of Meeting of the Valtos Member/Officer Working Group of 20 January 1999 was submitted. The Working Group had put forward the following conclusions for consideration by the Committee: (1) that the sum of £60,000 be not spent on remedial works at the Valtos Outdoor Centre; (2) the effect of the Community buy-out of the Valtos estate on the future of the Valtos Outdoor Centre including the formation of a partnership with a separate trust to develop the Centre be the subject of a further Report; (3) propose interim arrangements in relation to the current reservations for the Centre and examining the possibility of using the Centre on a non-residential basis subject to Health and Safety issues being met; and (4) a Report on detailed costs in relation to replacing the oil tank tarring works round the centre and the minimum work required to be done to showers for the Centre to retain the operating licence as a day centre. It was agreed to recommend; (1) approval of the conclusions of the Valtos Member/Officer Working Group; and (2) that the Report by the Director of Education and Leisure Services should examine the use of the Community Centre and the school for non-residential purposes in relation to the reservations for 1999.
All-Weather Playing Area: Community Usage AL02.10	7	With reference to item 54 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 June 1996 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing community usage of the all-weather playing facility over the two calendar years of 1997 and 1998. It was agreed to note the Report.
Football Pitches in the Uists and Barra AL06.01.58	8*	With reference to item 97 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing the general conditions of football pitches in Uist and Barra. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services submit an estimate of the necessary repairs to the football pitches at Paible, Daliburgh and Castlebay and in the event of Capital Work being required a Project Initiation Report be prepared for consideration in the 2000/2001 budgetary process.
Stornoway Museum: Extension AL09.01.07	9*	With reference to item 95 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an extension to the Francis Street Museum to provide storage accommodation, accommodation for a conservation laboratory, the archaeologist service and enhanced public facilities. The Report indicated that discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund had established that the Scheme proposed for the extension to the Francis Street Museum met a number of the criteria of the Heritage Lottery Fund and that a Phase 1 application should be submitted to ascertain the likely response of the Heritage Lottery Fund thereby avoiding unnecessary professional design work at this stage. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit a Phase 1 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Museum extension including an application for funding towards the professional costs of working up a full scheme.
		FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Request for Capital Grant Application: Leverburgh Village Hall AL03.01.26	10*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a request for Capital Grant Application from Leverburgh Village Hall towards the costs of renovating the existing village hall at an outline cost of £420,000 and seeking funding in the sum of £50,000 from the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) a Project Initiation Report be prepared so that Leverburgh be considered in the context of the 2000/2001 Capital Grants for Community Halls; and (2) in the event that external funding is secured Leverburgh Village Hall be given priority of application for Scottish Office funding.
Grant Application: Feis Eilean Fraoich AL11.02	11*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request from Feis Eilean an Fhraoich for financial assistance towards the costs of the accommodation incurred during the annual Feis held from 27 - 31 July 1998, and seeking a total grant in the sum of £1963.50. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to pay the Feis Eilean an Fhraoich invoice of £1963.50 for the lease of school premises from the Minor Work Grants to Voluntary Organisations.
Millennium Committee: Request for Financial Assistance AL11.01	12*	With reference to item 128 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 September 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a request for financial assistance from the Millennium Committee towards the costs of activities celebrating the Millennium. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award a grant in the sum of £4,000 to the Millennium Committee from the Minor Work Grants to Voluntary Organisations.
Ceolas: Funding Status AL05.03.47	13*	With reference to item 75 of the Minute of Meeting of 9 June 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the future funding status of Ceolas indicating that Ceolas was a unique Summer School based in South Uist which has a strong Gaelic flavour and included lessons in traditional music, song and dance of the Scottish Gaidhealtachd. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to include Ceolas in the list of grants guaranteed funding within the Comhairle's Arts and Leisure budget construction.
Request for Financial Assistance: Barvas Football Pitch AL11.01	14*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application for capital grant from the Barvas Community Association towards the costs of building a football pitch at Barvas and seeking financial assistance in the sum of £20,000. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services submit a Project Initiation Report to allow the Barvas Community Association application to be considered within the context of the 2000/2001 Capital Grants.
Request for Financial Assistance: Carloway Football Pitch AL11.01	15*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning an application from Carloway Football Club to award the cost of the proposed building of changing facilities at Carloway Football Pitch and seeking financial assistance in the sum of £10,000. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to prepare a Project Initiation Report so that the Carloway Football Club application could be considered within the context of the 2000/2001 capital grants.
Scottish Millennium Festival Fund: List of Applications PR61.01	16	With reference to item 128 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 September 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing the range of applications submitted from groups in the Western Isles to the Millennium Festival Fund. It was agreed to note the Report.
		COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Communities: Change Through Learning AL04.10	17	With reference to item 105 of the Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report detailing the recommendations of a Ministerial Task Group concerning the future of Community Education. The Depute Director of Leisure Services highlighted the changes which would affect the structure and organisation of community education in the Western Isles and outlined the financial implications of these changes. It was agreed to note: (1) the Report of the Working Group; and (2) that the Best Value Review of Community Education would consider both the COSLA Consultation Paper and the recommendations from the Ministerial Task Group on the Future of Community Education.
		MUSEUM
St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh AL02.15	18*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the ownership status of St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh and the implications to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The Report indicated that St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh had fallen into the Comhairle's ownership by default and that the Comhairle also inherited common law maintenance obligations. The Report indicated that there would be financial implications to the Comhairle and further indicated that there may be additional cemeteries which had fallen into Comhairle ownership in a similar manner.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the situation in relation to the ownership of St Columba's Chapel and Cemetery, Uidh be noted; (2) the Comhairle approve the necessary expenditure in identifying the immediate steps to be taken at the site in respect of public safety; (3) a search to determine the number of other cemeteries which as a result of the 1925 Act might by default have passed into the ownership of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, be approved; (4) the Director of Education and Leisure Services and the Director of Corporate Services submit a joint Report in relation to the establishment of a trust to promote the interpretation of the Uidh Chapel; and (5) the Director of Corporate Services submit a Report on the appropriate location of Committee responsibility.
The Gall-Gaedhil: The Western Isles in the Viking World: An International Conference and Exhibition PR13.09.11	19*	With reference to item 126 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 September 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning the organisation of an international academic conference and a major museum exhibition on the Western Isles in the Viking Age to be held in the year 2000. The Report detailed the areas in which both the exhibition and conference would have an emphasis. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to mount an exhibition and organise an international conference on the Vikings in the Western Isles to be held in the year 2000 and that a further Report on the financial implications of these events would be submitted to a further Meeting of the Committee.
Development Officer: Comainn Eachdraidh AL09.02	20*	With reference to item 146 of the Minute of Meeting of 17 November 1998 the Director of Education and Leisure submitted a Report concerning the establishment of a post of Development Officer for the Comuinn Eachdraidh which would promote and enhance the voluntary work of the Comuinn Eachdraidh which had been recognised as a very valuable resource in the Western Isles. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) an application be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Main Grants Revenue Fund towards the costs of a Development Officer for the Comuinn Eachdraidh on a three year contract; (2) the Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to submit applications to Western Isles Enterprise and Scottish Museums Council for financial assistance; (3) a further Report be submitted to the Arts and Leisure Committee on the outcome of the applications for financial assistance and identifying any shortfall; and (4) the post of Development Officer be considered through the establishment of post procedure and in light of funding available.
		SPORTS
Sports Festival Against Drugs AL06.01.23	21*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning a successful bid for grant from the 1998/99 Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund and also from private businesses in the Western Isles being Cala Hotels, Sports World, Macleod Insurance, Dark Island Hotel, Colin Campbell Sports and the Castlebay Hotel which would support the costs in 1999 of the Sports Festival Against Drugs held annually in the Western Isles.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report be noted; and (2) the welcome support provided by Scotland Against Drugs and the private sector in the promotion of sports and exercise in the Western Isles as an alternative to drugs be acknowledged.
		RELATED MATTERS
Conditions of Use of Minibuses AL06.06	22*	The Director of Education and Leisure Services submitted a Report concerning revisions to the conditions of use of Comhairle minibuses and particularly referring to the requirement for all the users to hold a Comhairle permit based on a minibus driving test. It was agreed to recommend approval of the new conditions.
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	23	With reference to item 149 of the Minute of Meeting 17 November 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing outstanding Reports arising from the decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.