4 Sept 2003

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday, 4 September 2003 at 7.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Alex A MacDonald (Convener)

Mr Angus Campbell (Vice-Convener)

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Miss Samantha E.L. Hawkins

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr John Mackay

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Alexander M Mackintosh

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mrs Annie Macdonald

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archie Campbell

Mr Neil Campbell

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr George Lonie

Mr Martin C Taylor

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Peter Carlin

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Keith Dodson

Mr Angus Macdonald

Mr Angus McCormack

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr Angus Nicolson

Tribute: Mr John Maclennan

The Convener referred to Mr John Maclennan who had died recently. Mr Maclennan was Stornoway Town Council Officer for thirty years and was a well-known figure within Stornoway Town Hall. The Convener, on behalf of the Comhairle, conveyed condolences to Mr Maclennan's family in their sad loss.

Tribute: Highland Amateur Cup

The Convener referred to Stornoway Athletic and Lochs Football teams who had both reached the final of the Highland Amateur Cup. The final was to be played at Goathill Park on Friday, 5 September 2003 and it was the first time that two Island teams had reached the final of the competition. The Convener congratulated both teams on their achievement.

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 12 June 2003

1

The Minute of Meeting of 12 June 2003 was approved.

Minute of Meeting of 29 July 2003

2

The Minute of Meeting of 29 July 2003 was approved with the inclusion of the following amendment:

at Item 4 of the Minute the following introductory paragraph be included:

"Mr Norman M Macleod, Mr Angus Campbell and Mr Norman L Macdonald declared an interest and withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the following item."

CONSTITUTION

Standing Service Committees: Appointment of Members

3

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Mr Donald J Macsween wished to resign as a Member of the Housing Committee and wished to be appointed to the vacancy on the Environmental Services Committee. The Report indicated that as there was a vacancy on Environmental Services, the consent of another elected Member was not required.

It was agreed that Mr Donald J Macsween be appointed to the Environmental Services Committee and it was noted that he was no longer a Member of the Housing Committee.

Local Government Employee: Joint Consultative Committee

4

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Mr Angus Campbell had tendered his resignation as a Member of the Local Government Employee JCC. The Comhairle was invited to appoint a Member to fill the vacancy created by Mr Campbell's resignation.

It was agreed that Mr Ronald J Mackinnon be appointed to the Local Government Employee Joint Consultative Committee.

Proposal to amend the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils

5

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking approval to commence a procedure to amend the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils following a request from local residents in order to establish a Community Council for the Tong/Aird Tong area which currently fell within the Laxdale Community Council boundary

It was agreed that:

(1) consultation take place on a proposed amendment to the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils in order to establish a Community Council for the Tong/Aird Tong area; and

(2) a further Report on the outcome of the said consultation would be placed before the next meeting of the Comhairle.

OUTSIDE BODIES

Gaelic Language and Culture Forum

6

The Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services submitted a joint Report seeking approval to increase the Membership of the Gaelic Language and Culture Forum to include Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba.

It was agreed that Membership of the Gaelic Language and Culture Forum be extended to include a representative of Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba and that the Scheme of Administration be amended accordingly.

COMMITTEES

Committee Decision Reports

8

The Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted.

The Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Committee Decision Reports unless otherwise indicated.

(a) Arts & Leisure Committee - 26 August 2003 with the exception of items 2(3) and 18(2) and subject to the deletion of Item 15(2).

(b) Housing Committee - 26 August 2003.

(c) Education and Children's Services Committee - 26 August 2003.

(d)[i] Environmental Services Committee - 27 August 2003, with the exception of Item 2.

In respect of Item 2 of the Decision Report, Civic Government Licensing Panel: Appointment of Members, the Comhairle noted the term of the Decision Report, subject to the addition of the following:

Local Members be informed when applications in their area were due to be considered by the Civic Government Licensing Panel and that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to implement a system which would allow Members to receive this information.

(c) Environmental Services Committee - 3 September 2003, with the exception of Items 1 and 2.

In respect of Item 1 of the Decision Report, Chicken Sheds: 20 North Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, the Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Decision Report, subject to the addition of the following Condition:

A 1.8m chicken fence be erected in line with the far end of shed number 2, across the width of the croft.

Mr Ian M Macleod, seconded by Mr Peter Carlin, moved approval of the recommendation at Item 2 of the Decision Report.

Miss Samantha E.L. Hawkins, seconded by Mr John Mackay, moved that the following Condition be included in the approval:

The hours of operation be restricted to 9.30am - 3.00pm, Monday to Friday in the interests of the safety of the users of the play park.

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

(e) Transportation Committee - 27 August 2003, with the exception of Item 14.

Mr Alex A MacDonald declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of the following Item. The Vice-Convener chaired the Meeting during consideration of the following item.

It was agreed to adjourn the meeting at 7.45 pm and reconvene at 7.50 pm when the Members listed in the Sedurunt were found to be present.

In respect of Item 14, the Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Decision Report and agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report to the next meeting of the Transporatation Committee addressing the proposal that

(1) the Comhairle reaffirms its policy of seeking to establish, in place of the Shipping Services Committee, a properly constituted Ferry Users Consultative Committee, with representation from private, public, business and haulier users sectors; and

(2) the Comhairle seeks, in conjunction with other Islands authorities, to establish a fair fares system of Road Equivalent Tarrif by vigorously lobbying the Scottish Executive to establish such a system without delay.

(f) Sustainable Development Committee - 27 August 2003.

(g) Social Work Committee - 28 August 2003 with the exception of item 11.

(h) Commercial Operations Board - 28 August 2003.

(i) Audit and Scrutiny Committee - 4 September 2003.

(j) Policy and Resources Committee - 4 September 2003, with the following textual amendments to items 11, 19 and 40.

In respect of Item 11, that the wording "subject to finance being available" be included.

In respect of Item 19, recommendation (c) be amended to read

"any minor textual amendments be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services".

In respect of Item 40, that the words "three quarter width" be deleted.

In respect of Item 17, the Comhairle agreed that the Scheme of Administration be amended on the basis of the establishment of an Information and Communications Technology Sub Committee which would be a Sub Committee of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Arising out of consideration of Item 15, it was agreed that the Director of Finance would submit a Report to the next meeting of Policy and Resources Committee in respect of the appropriateness of the use of Ward Priorities Funding to provide safety and amenity lighting.

PRESENT	Mr Alex A MacDonald (Convener)
	Mr Angus Campbell (Vice-Convener)	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Miss Samantha E.L. Hawkins	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr John Mackay	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Alexander M Mackintosh
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mrs Annie Macdonald
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Archie Campbell
	Mr Neil Campbell	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr George Lonie	Mr Martin C Taylor
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mr Peter Carlin
	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Keith Dodson	Mr Angus Macdonald
	Mr Angus McCormack	Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES	Mr Angus Nicolson

Tribute: Mr John Maclennan		The Convener referred to Mr John Maclennan who had died recently. Mr Maclennan was Stornoway Town Council Officer for thirty years and was a well-known figure within Stornoway Town Hall. The Convener, on behalf of the Comhairle, conveyed condolences to Mr Maclennan's family in their sad loss.
Tribute: Highland Amateur Cup		The Convener referred to Stornoway Athletic and Lochs Football teams who had both reached the final of the Highland Amateur Cup. The final was to be played at Goathill Park on Friday, 5 September 2003 and it was the first time that two Island teams had reached the final of the competition. The Convener congratulated both teams on their achievement.
		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 12 June 2003	1	The Minute of Meeting of 12 June 2003 was approved.
Minute of Meeting of 29 July 2003	2	The Minute of Meeting of 29 July 2003 was approved with the inclusion of the following amendment:
		at Item 4 of the Minute the following introductory paragraph be included:
		"Mr Norman M Macleod, Mr Angus Campbell and Mr Norman L Macdonald declared an interest and withdrew from the Meeting during consideration of the following item."
		CONSTITUTION
Standing Service Committees: Appointment of Members	3	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Mr Donald J Macsween wished to resign as a Member of the Housing Committee and wished to be appointed to the vacancy on the Environmental Services Committee. The Report indicated that as there was a vacancy on Environmental Services, the consent of another elected Member was not required.
		It was agreed that Mr Donald J Macsween be appointed to the Environmental Services Committee and it was noted that he was no longer a Member of the Housing Committee.
Local Government Employee: Joint Consultative Committee	4	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Mr Angus Campbell had tendered his resignation as a Member of the Local Government Employee JCC. The Comhairle was invited to appoint a Member to fill the vacancy created by Mr Campbell's resignation. It was agreed that Mr Ronald J Mackinnon be appointed to the Local Government Employee Joint Consultative Committee.
Proposal to amend the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils	5	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking approval to commence a procedure to amend the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils following a request from local residents in order to establish a Community Council for the Tong/Aird Tong area which currently fell within the Laxdale Community Council boundary
		It was agreed that:
		(1) consultation take place on a proposed amendment to the Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils in order to establish a Community Council for the Tong/Aird Tong area; and
		(2) a further Report on the outcome of the said consultation would be placed before the next meeting of the Comhairle.
		OUTSIDE BODIES
Gaelic Language and Culture Forum	6	The Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services submitted a joint Report seeking approval to increase the Membership of the Gaelic Language and Culture Forum to include Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba.
		It was agreed that Membership of the Gaelic Language and Culture Forum be extended to include a representative of Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba and that the Scheme of Administration be amended accordingly.
		COMMITTEES
Committee Decision Reports	8	The Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted.
		The Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Committee Decision Reports unless otherwise indicated. (a) Arts & Leisure Committee - 26 August 2003 with the exception of items 2(3) and 18(2) and subject to the deletion of Item 15(2). (b) Housing Committee - 26 August 2003.
		(c) Education and Children's Services Committee - 26 August 2003.
		(d)[i] Environmental Services Committee - 27 August 2003, with the exception of Item 2. In respect of Item 2 of the Decision Report, Civic Government Licensing Panel: Appointment of Members, the Comhairle noted the term of the Decision Report, subject to the addition of the following: Local Members be informed when applications in their area were due to be considered by the Civic Government Licensing Panel and that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to implement a system which would allow Members to receive this information.
		(c) Environmental Services Committee - 3 September 2003, with the exception of Items 1 and 2. In respect of Item 1 of the Decision Report, Chicken Sheds: 20 North Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, the Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Decision Report, subject to the addition of the following Condition:
		A 1.8m chicken fence be erected in line with the far end of shed number 2, across the width of the croft.
		Mr Ian M Macleod, seconded by Mr Peter Carlin, moved approval of the recommendation at Item 2 of the Decision Report. Miss Samantha E.L. Hawkins, seconded by Mr John Mackay, moved that the following Condition be included in the approval:
		The hours of operation be restricted to 9.30am - 3.00pm, Monday to Friday in the interests of the safety of the users of the play park. On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the Meeting.
		(e) Transportation Committee - 27 August 2003, with the exception of Item 14.
		Mr Alex A MacDonald declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of the following Item. The Vice-Convener chaired the Meeting during consideration of the following item.
		It was agreed to adjourn the meeting at 7.45 pm and reconvene at 7.50 pm when the Members listed in the Sedurunt were found to be present. In respect of Item 14, the Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Decision Report and agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report to the next meeting of the Transporatation Committee addressing the proposal that
		(1) the Comhairle reaffirms its policy of seeking to establish, in place of the Shipping Services Committee, a properly constituted Ferry Users Consultative Committee, with representation from private, public, business and haulier users sectors; and (2) the Comhairle seeks, in conjunction with other Islands authorities, to establish a fair fares system of Road Equivalent Tarrif by vigorously lobbying the Scottish Executive to establish such a system without delay.
		(f) Sustainable Development Committee - 27 August 2003.
		(g) Social Work Committee - 28 August 2003 with the exception of item 11.
		(h) Commercial Operations Board - 28 August 2003.
		(i) Audit and Scrutiny Committee - 4 September 2003.
		(j) Policy and Resources Committee - 4 September 2003, with the following textual amendments to items 11, 19 and 40.
		In respect of Item 11, that the wording "subject to finance being available" be included. In respect of Item 19, recommendation (c) be amended to read "any minor textual amendments be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services". In respect of Item 40, that the words "three quarter width" be deleted. In respect of Item 17, the Comhairle agreed that the Scheme of Administration be amended on the basis of the establishment of an Information and Communications Technology Sub Committee which would be a Sub Committee of the Policy and Resources Committee.
		Arising out of consideration of Item 15, it was agreed that the Director of Finance would submit a Report to the next meeting of Policy and Resources Committee in respect of the appropriateness of the use of Ward Priorities Funding to provide safety and amenity lighting.