12 February 2003 (7.00pm)

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 12 February 2003 at 7.00pm.

PRESENT

Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archie K Campbell

Mr George Lonie

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Martin C Taylor

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mr David Blaney

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Angus Campbell

Mrs Mary Bremner

Prayer

The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Murdo Macleod.

Tribute: Mr Louis Maciver

The Chairman referred to the recent death of Mr Louis Maciver who had been Member of the Comhairle for the Laxdale Ward for May 1986 until February 1992 and who had served as Vice-Chairman of Manpower Committee and Chairman of the Education Committee. On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman conveyed sympathy and condolences to Mr Maciver's family in their sad loss.

Tribute: Fios

On behalf of the Comhairle the Chairman extended congratulations to all those involved in the production of Fios, the local newspaper for Ness, in their achievement in winning the award for best community newspaper in Scotland.

MINUTES

Comhairle

1

The Minute of Meeting of 19 December 2002 was approved.

CONSTITUTION

Appointment of Representative of Religious Interests

CO1.03.01

2

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Rev Donald A Macdonald, Kinloch, had resigned as the representative of Religious Interests serving on the Education Committee. Rev Macdonald had been nominated by the Western Isles Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland which had appointed Rev Dr Iain D Campbell, Back, to succeed him as a Member on the Education Committee.

It was agreed to note the appointment of Rev Dr Iain D Campbell as a representative of Religious Interests on the Education Committee.

FINANCE

Mr Alex A Macdonald, Mr Roderick J Murray, Mr Murdo Macleod, Mr Norman L Macdonald, Mr Donald Macdonald, Mrs Morag Munro, Mr Archie K Campbell and Mr Donald Maclean, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, it was agreed to appoint Mr Norman A Macdonald as Chairman during consideration of the following item.

Council Tax on Second and Long-Term Empty Homes

PR100.07.02

3

With reference to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 December 2002, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding consultation by the Scottish Executive on Council Tax on second and long-term empty homes. The Report by the Acting Director of Finance considered by the Comhairle on 10 December 2002 was appended to the Report, together with a letter addressed to the Chief Executive, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, setting out the Comhairle's preliminary conclusions on the issue.

It was agreed that the views set out in the letter to the Chief Executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities be submitted to the Scottish Executive as the Comhairle's views on the proposals set out in the Executive's Consultation Paper on Council Tax on Second and Long-Term Empty Homes.

COMMITTEES

Joint Future Committee

4

The Minute of Meeting of the Joint Future Committee of 27 November 2002 was noted.

Committee Decision Reports

5

Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted. The Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Committee Decision Reports, unless otherwise indicated:

(1) Arts and Leisure Committee - 4 February 2003

(2) Housing Committee - 4 February 2003

(3) Education Committee -4 February 2003

(4) Environmental Services Committee - 5 February 2003

(5) Transportation Committee - 5 February 2003

(6) Sustainable Development Committee - 5 February 2003, with the exception of the recommendation in item 17 of the Decision Report.

With respect of item 17 of the Decision Report it was agreed as follows:

(1) to award grant assistance to the Highland Buildings Preservation Trust for a feasibility study for the Old Sail Loft, Stornoway, from the Department for Sustainable Communities Marketing and Promotion Budget subject to the satisfactory completion of the study; and

(2) that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to make representations to Historic Scotland requesting that consideration of developing the Old Sail Loft into a Maritime Museum and/or Aquarium be included in the feasibility study.

(7) Social Work Committee - 6 February 2003

(8) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 11 February 2003

(9) Commercial Operation Board - 17 December 2002 and 6 January 2003

(10) Policy and Finance Committee - 3 February 2003 and 12 February 2003 at 2.00pm, with the exception of item 3.

Mr Alasdair G Macrae and Mr Archie K Campbell, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald moved approval of the recommendation in item 3 of the Decision Report of the Policy and Finance Committee of 12 February 2003 at 2.00pm.

Mr Donald M Mackay, seconded by Mr Roderick Morrison, moved as an amendment, that any funds released by Duthaich Leodhais agus na Hearadh be split evenly between the North Harris Trust and the Pairc Energy Liaison Committee.

It was agreed in terms of Standing Order 53 that the vote be taken by roll call.

On the matter being put to the vote there voted as follows:

Motion

Amendment

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr George Lonie

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Martin C Taylor

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr David Blaney

Mr Donald Manford

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Donald Maclean

The Chairman declared that the Motion had been carried.

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PRESENT	Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Archie K Campbell
	Mr George Lonie	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mr Martin C Taylor
	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Alasdair G Macrae	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Donald I Nicholson	Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie
	Mr Angus Nicolson	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Angus Campbell	Mrs Mary Bremner


Prayer		The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Murdo Macleod.
Tribute: Mr Louis Maciver		The Chairman referred to the recent death of Mr Louis Maciver who had been Member of the Comhairle for the Laxdale Ward for May 1986 until February 1992 and who had served as Vice-Chairman of Manpower Committee and Chairman of the Education Committee. On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman conveyed sympathy and condolences to Mr Maciver's family in their sad loss.
Tribute: Fios		On behalf of the Comhairle the Chairman extended congratulations to all those involved in the production of Fios, the local newspaper for Ness, in their achievement in winning the award for best community newspaper in Scotland.
		MINUTES
Comhairle	1	The Minute of Meeting of 19 December 2002 was approved.
		CONSTITUTION
Appointment of Representative of Religious Interests CO1.03.01	2	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Rev Donald A Macdonald, Kinloch, had resigned as the representative of Religious Interests serving on the Education Committee. Rev Macdonald had been nominated by the Western Isles Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland which had appointed Rev Dr Iain D Campbell, Back, to succeed him as a Member on the Education Committee.
		It was agreed to note the appointment of Rev Dr Iain D Campbell as a representative of Religious Interests on the Education Committee.
		FINANCE
		Mr Alex A Macdonald, Mr Roderick J Murray, Mr Murdo Macleod, Mr Norman L Macdonald, Mr Donald Macdonald, Mrs Morag Munro, Mr Archie K Campbell and Mr Donald Maclean, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item. In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, it was agreed to appoint Mr Norman A Macdonald as Chairman during consideration of the following item.
Council Tax on Second and Long-Term Empty Homes PR100.07.02	3	With reference to item 6 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 December 2002, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding consultation by the Scottish Executive on Council Tax on second and long-term empty homes. The Report by the Acting Director of Finance considered by the Comhairle on 10 December 2002 was appended to the Report, together with a letter addressed to the Chief Executive, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, setting out the Comhairle's preliminary conclusions on the issue. It was agreed that the views set out in the letter to the Chief Executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities be submitted to the Scottish Executive as the Comhairle's views on the proposals set out in the Executive's Consultation Paper on Council Tax on Second and Long-Term Empty Homes.
		COMMITTEES
Joint Future Committee	4	The Minute of Meeting of the Joint Future Committee of 27 November 2002 was noted.
Committee Decision Reports	5	Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted. The Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Committee Decision Reports, unless otherwise indicated:
		(1) Arts and Leisure Committee - 4 February 2003 (2) Housing Committee - 4 February 2003 (3) Education Committee -4 February 2003 (4) Environmental Services Committee - 5 February 2003 (5) Transportation Committee - 5 February 2003 (6) Sustainable Development Committee - 5 February 2003, with the exception of the recommendation in item 17 of the Decision Report.
		With respect of item 17 of the Decision Report it was agreed as follows: (1) to award grant assistance to the Highland Buildings Preservation Trust for a feasibility study for the Old Sail Loft, Stornoway, from the Department for Sustainable Communities Marketing and Promotion Budget subject to the satisfactory completion of the study; and
		(2) that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to make representations to Historic Scotland requesting that consideration of developing the Old Sail Loft into a Maritime Museum and/or Aquarium be included in the feasibility study.
		(7) Social Work Committee - 6 February 2003 (8) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 11 February 2003 (9) Commercial Operation Board - 17 December 2002 and 6 January 2003 (10) Policy and Finance Committee - 3 February 2003 and 12 February 2003 at 2.00pm, with the exception of item 3. Mr Alasdair G Macrae and Mr Archie K Campbell, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item. Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald moved approval of the recommendation in item 3 of the Decision Report of the Policy and Finance Committee of 12 February 2003 at 2.00pm. Mr Donald M Mackay, seconded by Mr Roderick Morrison, moved as an amendment, that any funds released by Duthaich Leodhais agus na Hearadh be split evenly between the North Harris Trust and the Pairc Energy Liaison Committee.
		It was agreed in terms of Standing Order 53 that the vote be taken by roll call. On the matter being put to the vote there voted as follows:
		Motion	Amendment
		Mr Norman A Macdonald Mr George Lonie Mr Norman L Macdonald Mrs Morag Munro Mr Donald Macdonald Mr Martin C Taylor Mr Ronald J Mackinnon Mr David Blaney Mr Donald Manford	Mr Alexander A Macdonald Mr Roderick J Murray Mr Malcolm J Macleod Mr Iain Morrison Mr Roderick Morrison Mr Malcolm J Graham Mr Ian M Macleod Mr Murdo Macleod Mr Donald I Nicholson Mr Norman M Macleod Mr Donald J Macsween Mr Donald M Mackay Mr Donald Maclean
		The Chairman declared that the Motion had been carried.
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