18 March (4.10pm)

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 18 March 2003 at 4.10 pm

PRESENT

Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Archie K Campbell

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr George Lonie

Mr Martin C Taylor

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr David Blaney

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mr Donald Manford

Mr Angus Campbell

APOLOGIES

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr Donald M Mackay

Tribute: Mr Donald M Mackay

The Chairman stated that Mr Donald M Mackay, Member for the Lochs Ward, had indicated that he intended to stand down as a Councillor. Mr Mackay had been a Member of the Comhairle since 1980 and had occupied many key positions, including the chairmanship of the Education Committee and Development Services Committee, Vice-Convener and Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee and, in 1994 had been unanimously as Convener of the Comhairle.

The Chairman paid tribute to Mr Mackay's service on the Comhairle and wished him a well and happy retirement.

Tribute: Mr Philip R McLean

The Chairman stated that Mr Philip R McLean, Member for the Plasterfield Ward since 1999, had moved to the mainland and would not be seeking election to the Comhairle. He paid tribute to Mr McLean's service to the community and on the Comhairle and conveyed to Mr McLean and his family every best wish for the future.

Tribute: Mr Roderick J Murray

The Chairman intimated that Mr Roderick J Murray, Member for the Laxdale Ward since 1994, would not be seeking again for the Comhairle. Before his election to the Comhairle, Mr Murray had been employed within Economic Development for both central and local government for a period of 32 years. In 1999, Mr Murray had been elected to the office of Vice-Convener and Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee. Mr Murray had been a vigorous campaigner for and supporter of the Gaelic language and had led the Comhairle's evidence to the Scottish Executive's Education and Culture Committee. He had recently been appointed to the Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and to the Crofters' Commission.

In conclusion, the Chairman paid tribute to Mr Murray's service to the Comhairle and the wider community in the Western Isles.

Tribute: Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

The Chairman intimated that Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, Member for the Port of Ness Ward since 1994 had indicated that she would not be seeking re-election to the Comhairle. He paid tribute to Mrs Mackenzie's contribution to the work of the Comhairle and to the wider community, particularly in the area of Arts and as Vice-Chairman of the Arts and Leisure Committee, and wished Mrs Mackenzie a long and happy retirement.

Tribute: Mr Finlay Morrison

The Chairman stated that Mr Finlay Morrison, who had the Member for the North Lochs Ward since 1997 had indicated that he would not be seeking re-election. He paid to Mrs Morrison's contribution to the work of the Comhairle as a quiet yet effective representative of his constituents and of his work as Vice-Chairman of the Commercial Operations Board.

The Chairman conveyed best wishes to Mr Morrison for a happy retirement.

Tribute: Mr Donald Mackay

The Chairman referred to Mr Donald Mackay, who had been Councillor for the Tiumpan Ward from 1975 to 1996 and had served as the first Chairman of the Transportation Committee, who had died recently. On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman conveyed sympathy and condolences to Mr Mackay's widow in her sad loss.

MINUTES

Comhairle

1

The Minutes of Meetings of 12 February 2003 (2 meetings) were approved.

COMMITTEES

Committee Decision Reports

2

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 - 11 March 2003

(2) Housing Committee - 11 March 2003

(3) Education Committee - 11 March 2003, with the exception of Item 10.

Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved approval of the recommendation in Item 10 of the Decision Report that a Gaelic Medium Unit be established in Pairc School.

Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Donald Manford, moved as an amendment that the Education Committee review the proposed use of the Gym at Pairc School to house the Gaelic Medium Unit in consultation with parents and the community and that a report on the issue be submitted to the next meeting of the Education Committee.

On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.

(4) Environmental Services Committee - 12 March 2003, with the exception of Items 14 and 17.

With reference to Item 14 of the Decision Report, the Director for Sustainable Communities, submitted a Report setting out the outcome of negotiations with Scottish Co-op to secure improved car parking provision and a pavement for pedestrians across the front of the site. It was indicated that the applicants proposed to increase the number of car parking spaces to 26 which was very close to matching the level required by the Comhairle's standards.

Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Ian M Macleod, moved that the application for planning permission for the renovation and extension of the existing A C Macdonald shop at Daliburgh to create a new Co-op Store at Daliburgh be approved subject to conditions detailed in the Appendix to the Report.

Mr David Blaney, seconded by Mr Ronald J Mackinnon, moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to a Site Visit Committee having delegated powers to determine the applications.

On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.

It was agreed to establish a Committee of five Members and to appoint the following Members to serve on the Committee:

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr David Blaney.

In respect of Item 17 of the Decision Report, Radioactivity in Food and the Environment, the Committee approved the recommendation in the Decision Report, subject to the addition of the following:

"In the absence of such a comprehensive testing regime and the clarity that such a regime would bring, the Comhairle must maintain a balanced stance on the issue of radiological contamination of the environment and counter any alarmist publicity that could cause unwarranted long term damage to the economy."

(5) Transportation Committee - 12 March 2003, with the exception of Item 11.

With respect to Item 11 of the Decision Report, Allocation of Additional Roads Resources, the Comhairle agreed that the decision be amended to read as follows:

"That the additional £274,000 allocated by the Scottish Executive in January 2003 for Roads Resources be allocated to the Roads Resurfacing Programme."

(6) Sustainable Development Committee - 12 March 2003, with the exception of Item 14.

With respect to Item 14 of the Decision Report, Western Isles Tourist Board Funding Request, it was agreed to approve the recommendations in the Decision Report with the addition of the following:

"(3) that a further £8,000 be awarded to VisitHebrides to be funded from the Promotions Budget for the Department for Sustainable Communities."

(7) Social Work Committee - 13 March 2003.

(8) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 18 March 2003.

(9) Policy & Finance Committee - 10 March 2003, with the exception of Item 14.

Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald, moved approval of the recommendations in Item 14 of the Decision Report, Decision-Making System: Follow-Up Review.

Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Donald Manford, moved as an amendment that recommendation (7) be deleted from Item 14 of the Decision Report.

On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.

(10) Policy & Finance Committee - 18 March 2003.

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

APOLOGIES	Mr Philip R McLean	Mr Donald M Mackay

Tribute: Mr Donald M Mackay		The Chairman stated that Mr Donald M Mackay, Member for the Lochs Ward, had indicated that he intended to stand down as a Councillor. Mr Mackay had been a Member of the Comhairle since 1980 and had occupied many key positions, including the chairmanship of the Education Committee and Development Services Committee, Vice-Convener and Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee and, in 1994 had been unanimously as Convener of the Comhairle. The Chairman paid tribute to Mr Mackay's service on the Comhairle and wished him a well and happy retirement.
Tribute: Mr Philip R McLean		The Chairman stated that Mr Philip R McLean, Member for the Plasterfield Ward since 1999, had moved to the mainland and would not be seeking election to the Comhairle. He paid tribute to Mr McLean's service to the community and on the Comhairle and conveyed to Mr McLean and his family every best wish for the future.
Tribute: Mr Roderick J Murray		The Chairman intimated that Mr Roderick J Murray, Member for the Laxdale Ward since 1994, would not be seeking again for the Comhairle. Before his election to the Comhairle, Mr Murray had been employed within Economic Development for both central and local government for a period of 32 years. In 1999, Mr Murray had been elected to the office of Vice-Convener and Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee. Mr Murray had been a vigorous campaigner for and supporter of the Gaelic language and had led the Comhairle's evidence to the Scottish Executive's Education and Culture Committee. He had recently been appointed to the Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and to the Crofters' Commission.
		In conclusion, the Chairman paid tribute to Mr Murray's service to the Comhairle and the wider community in the Western Isles.
Tribute: Mrs Katie M Mackenzie		The Chairman intimated that Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, Member for the Port of Ness Ward since 1994 had indicated that she would not be seeking re-election to the Comhairle. He paid tribute to Mrs Mackenzie's contribution to the work of the Comhairle and to the wider community, particularly in the area of Arts and as Vice-Chairman of the Arts and Leisure Committee, and wished Mrs Mackenzie a long and happy retirement.
Tribute: Mr Finlay Morrison		The Chairman stated that Mr Finlay Morrison, who had the Member for the North Lochs Ward since 1997 had indicated that he would not be seeking re-election. He paid to Mrs Morrison's contribution to the work of the Comhairle as a quiet yet effective representative of his constituents and of his work as Vice-Chairman of the Commercial Operations Board. The Chairman conveyed best wishes to Mr Morrison for a happy retirement.
Tribute: Mr Donald Mackay		The Chairman referred to Mr Donald Mackay, who had been Councillor for the Tiumpan Ward from 1975 to 1996 and had served as the first Chairman of the Transportation Committee, who had died recently. On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman conveyed sympathy and condolences to Mr Mackay's widow in her sad loss.
		MINUTES
Comhairle	1	The Minutes of Meetings of 12 February 2003 (2 meetings) were approved.
		COMMITTEES
Committee Decision Reports	2	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 - 11 March 2003 (2) Housing Committee - 11 March 2003 (3) Education Committee - 11 March 2003, with the exception of Item 10. Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved approval of the recommendation in Item 10 of the Decision Report that a Gaelic Medium Unit be established in Pairc School. Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Donald Manford, moved as an amendment that the Education Committee review the proposed use of the Gym at Pairc School to house the Gaelic Medium Unit in consultation with parents and the community and that a report on the issue be submitted to the next meeting of the Education Committee. On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.
		(4) Environmental Services Committee - 12 March 2003, with the exception of Items 14 and 17.
		With reference to Item 14 of the Decision Report, the Director for Sustainable Communities, submitted a Report setting out the outcome of negotiations with Scottish Co-op to secure improved car parking provision and a pavement for pedestrians across the front of the site. It was indicated that the applicants proposed to increase the number of car parking spaces to 26 which was very close to matching the level required by the Comhairle's standards.
		Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Ian M Macleod, moved that the application for planning permission for the renovation and extension of the existing A C Macdonald shop at Daliburgh to create a new Co-op Store at Daliburgh be approved subject to conditions detailed in the Appendix to the Report.
		Mr David Blaney, seconded by Mr Ronald J Mackinnon, moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to a Site Visit Committee having delegated powers to determine the applications. On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.
		It was agreed to establish a Committee of five Members and to appoint the following Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Ian M Macleod Mr Angus Nicolson Mr Murdo Macleod Mr Norman M Macleod Mr David Blaney.
		In respect of Item 17 of the Decision Report, Radioactivity in Food and the Environment, the Committee approved the recommendation in the Decision Report, subject to the addition of the following: "In the absence of such a comprehensive testing regime and the clarity that such a regime would bring, the Comhairle must maintain a balanced stance on the issue of radiological contamination of the environment and counter any alarmist publicity that could cause unwarranted long term damage to the economy."
		(5) Transportation Committee - 12 March 2003, with the exception of Item 11. With respect to Item 11 of the Decision Report, Allocation of Additional Roads Resources, the Comhairle agreed that the decision be amended to read as follows: "That the additional £274,000 allocated by the Scottish Executive in January 2003 for Roads Resources be allocated to the Roads Resurfacing Programme."
		(6) Sustainable Development Committee - 12 March 2003, with the exception of Item 14.
		With respect to Item 14 of the Decision Report, Western Isles Tourist Board Funding Request, it was agreed to approve the recommendations in the Decision Report with the addition of the following:
		"(3) that a further £8,000 be awarded to VisitHebrides to be funded from the Promotions Budget for the Department for Sustainable Communities."
		(7) Social Work Committee - 13 March 2003.
		(8) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 18 March 2003.
		(9) Policy & Finance Committee - 10 March 2003, with the exception of Item 14.
		Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald, moved approval of the recommendations in Item 14 of the Decision Report, Decision-Making System: Follow-Up Review.
		Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Donald Manford, moved as an amendment that recommendation (7) be deleted from Item 14 of the Decision Report.
		On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.
		(10) Policy & Finance Committee - 18 March 2003.