26 August 02

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 28 August 2002 at 4.30 pm

PRESENT

Mr Alex A MacDonald (Chairman)

Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Archie K Campbell

Mr Malcolm J Graham

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 Ian M Macleod

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Philip R McLean

Prayer

The Meeting was opened with Prayer led by Mr Murdo Macleod.

Welcome: Mrs Helen Froud

On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman welcomed Mrs Helen Froud, who had recently taken up the post of Director of Corporate Services, to her first meeting of the Comhairle.

Tribute: Mr Robin Bennie

The Chairman referred to Mr Robin Bennie, Director of Finance, who was unwell and on sick leave and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended best wishes to Mr Bennie for a speedy recovery.

Tribute: Mr Angus Campbell

On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman extended condolences to Mr Angus Campbell, Member for the Newton Ward, whose mother had died recently.

MINUTES

Comhairle

1

The Minute of Meeting of 20 June 2002 was approved.

Emergency Powers

2

The Minute of Meeting of Emergency Powers Committee of 14 August 2002 was submitted.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations set out in Item 3 of the Minute.

COMMITTEES

Committee Decisions

3

(a) Policy and Finance Committee of 26 August 2002; decision relating to HISTP bids.

Extract from the Decision Report of the Meeting of the Policy and Finance Committee of 26 August 2002 setting out the Committee's decision in relation to Item 8, HISTP: Western Isles Project Summer 2002 Round;

It was agreed to approve financial support for the following Western Isles Projects for Round 5 of HISTP:

(1) Western Isles OFTTI;

(2) Western Isles Recycling Phase 3

(3) Western Isles Community Composting

(4) Stornoway Sports Centre: Variable Floor

(5) Castlebay Development Area

(6) Western Isles Community Funding Resource

(7) Western Isles Cultural & Heritage Initiative

(b) Environmental Services Committee of 20 August 2002; decision relating to Lingerbay: reconsideration of 1991 Planning Application.

Extract from Decision Report of the Meeting of the Environmental Services Committee of 20 August 2002 setting out the Committee's decision in respect of Lingerbay: reconsideration of 1991 Planning Application was submitted for consideration by the Comhairle.

It was agreed that, in respect of the consideration of the Planning Application for coastal superquarry at Lingerbay, Isle of Harris, the Scottish Executive that the Comhairle does not have any "new evidence or information" that it would wish to be considered by the Scottish Ministers.

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8(6) that the following Item be considered as a matter of urgency because of the need to progress essential land acquisitions and relocations in respect of the new Sports Centre in Stornoway before the end of August 2002.

Decisions: Arts and Leisure Committee of 27 August 2002

4

An extract from the Decision Report of the Arts and Leisure Committee of 27 August 2002 was submitted setting out decisions taken in respect of two Items relating to the development of the new Sports Centre facility in Stornoway:

(1) Relocation of Alcoholics Anonymous Premises; and

(2) Request for financial assistance: ATC, Stornoway.

The Comhairle was asked to determine the recommendation in respect of virement of funds from the conditional Capital Programme for the new Sports Centre.

It was agreed that the Director of Finance be authorised to vire £140,000 from the conditional Capital Programme for the new Sports Centre to fund all the essential land acquisitions and relocations necessary to meet the criteria for external funding applications.

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 (6) that the following Item referred to the Comhairle by the Transportation Committee at its meeting on 28 August 2002 be considered as an urgent Item in light of the concerns expressed by Members and in the wider community over the proposals by Loganair to introduce flights on Sundays and the clear expectation that the matter will be debated at an early date.

Loganair New Services

An extract from the Decision Report for the meeting of the Transportation Committee of 28 August 2002 was submitted indicating that the Committee had referred the Report by the Director of Technical Services, "Loganair New Services" to the Comhairle for consideration and discussion as a matter of urgency in light of the concerns expressed by Elected Members and within the community.

Following discussion, the Comhairle agreed a Motion in the following terms submitted by Mr Donald M Mackay, seconded by Mr Finlay Morrison:

"This Council opposes the proposals by Loganair to operate Sunday flights in and out of Stornoway as from 27 October 2002."

Arising out of consideration of the issue, the Comhairle agreed a further Motion by Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Donald Manford:

"The Comhairle supports all attempts to give workers in Scotland the same legal protection over Sunday working as those in England and Wales."

"In order to bring the changes into force as soon as possible, the Comhairle called upon our MP to demand that the Government initiate necessary changes in legislation as a matter of urgency."

"The Comhairle writes to the Trade Unions representing workers at Stornoway Airport making clear our support for equal employment rights for Scottish workers."

___

PRESENT	Mr Alex A MacDonald (Chairman)
	Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mr Archie K Campbell
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	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 Ian M Macleod	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Philip R McLean

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with Prayer led by Mr Murdo Macleod.
Welcome: Mrs Helen Froud		On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman welcomed Mrs Helen Froud, who had recently taken up the post of Director of Corporate Services, to her first meeting of the Comhairle.
Tribute: Mr Robin Bennie		The Chairman referred to Mr Robin Bennie, Director of Finance, who was unwell and on sick leave and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended best wishes to Mr Bennie for a speedy recovery.
Tribute: Mr Angus Campbell		On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman extended condolences to Mr Angus Campbell, Member for the Newton Ward, whose mother had died recently.
		MINUTES
Comhairle	1	The Minute of Meeting of 20 June 2002 was approved.
Emergency Powers	2	The Minute of Meeting of Emergency Powers Committee of 14 August 2002 was submitted. It was agreed to approve the recommendations set out in Item 3 of the Minute.

		COMMITTEES
Committee Decisions	3	(a) Policy and Finance Committee of 26 August 2002; decision relating to HISTP bids. Extract from the Decision Report of the Meeting of the Policy and Finance Committee of 26 August 2002 setting out the Committee's decision in relation to Item 8, HISTP: Western Isles Project Summer 2002 Round;
		It was agreed to approve financial support for the following Western Isles Projects for Round 5 of HISTP: (1) Western Isles OFTTI; (2) Western Isles Recycling Phase 3 (3) Western Isles Community Composting (4) Stornoway Sports Centre: Variable Floor (5) Castlebay Development Area (6) Western Isles Community Funding Resource (7) Western Isles Cultural & Heritage Initiative
		(b) Environmental Services Committee of 20 August 2002; decision relating to Lingerbay: reconsideration of 1991 Planning Application. Extract from Decision Report of the Meeting of the Environmental Services Committee of 20 August 2002 setting out the Committee's decision in respect of Lingerbay: reconsideration of 1991 Planning Application was submitted for consideration by the Comhairle. It was agreed that, in respect of the consideration of the Planning Application for coastal superquarry at Lingerbay, Isle of Harris, the Scottish Executive that the Comhairle does not have any "new evidence or information" that it would wish to be considered by the Scottish Ministers.
		The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8(6) that the following Item be considered as a matter of urgency because of the need to progress essential land acquisitions and relocations in respect of the new Sports Centre in Stornoway before the end of August 2002.
Decisions: Arts and Leisure Committee of 27 August 2002	4	An extract from the Decision Report of the Arts and Leisure Committee of 27 August 2002 was submitted setting out decisions taken in respect of two Items relating to the development of the new Sports Centre facility in Stornoway: (1) Relocation of Alcoholics Anonymous Premises; and (2) Request for financial assistance: ATC, Stornoway.
		The Comhairle was asked to determine the recommendation in respect of virement of funds from the conditional Capital Programme for the new Sports Centre.
		It was agreed that the Director of Finance be authorised to vire £140,000 from the conditional Capital Programme for the new Sports Centre to fund all the essential land acquisitions and relocations necessary to meet the criteria for external funding applications.
		The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 (6) that the following Item referred to the Comhairle by the Transportation Committee at its meeting on 28 August 2002 be considered as an urgent Item in light of the concerns expressed by Members and in the wider community over the proposals by Loganair to introduce flights on Sundays and the clear expectation that the matter will be debated at an early date.
Loganair New Services		An extract from the Decision Report for the meeting of the Transportation Committee of 28 August 2002 was submitted indicating that the Committee had referred the Report by the Director of Technical Services, "Loganair New Services" to the Comhairle for consideration and discussion as a matter of urgency in light of the concerns expressed by Elected Members and within the community.
		Following discussion, the Comhairle agreed a Motion in the following terms submitted by Mr Donald M Mackay, seconded by Mr Finlay Morrison:
		"This Council opposes the proposals by Loganair to operate Sunday flights in and out of Stornoway as from 27 October 2002."
		Arising out of consideration of the issue, the Comhairle agreed a further Motion by Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Donald Manford:
		"The Comhairle supports all attempts to give workers in Scotland the same legal protection over Sunday working as those in England and Wales."
		"In order to bring the changes into force as soon as possible, the Comhairle called upon our MP to demand that the Government initiate necessary changes in legislation as a matter of urgency."
		"The Comhairle writes to the Trade Unions representing workers at Stornoway Airport making clear our support for equal employment rights for Scottish workers."
___