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COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR |
Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 12 February 2004 at 7.00pm
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PRESENT |
Mr Alex A Macdonald (Convener) |
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Mr Angus Campbell (Vice-Convener) |
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Miss Samantha E L Hawkins |
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Mr John Mackay |
Mr Angus McCormack |
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Mr Iain Morrison |
Donald I Nicholson |
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Mr Roderick Morrison |
Mr Norman M Macleod |
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Mr Norman A Macdonald |
Mr Alexander M Mackintosh |
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Mr Angus M Graham |
Mrs Annie Macdonald |
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Mr Malcolm J Graham |
Mrs Morag Munro |
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Mr Ian M Macleod |
Mr Donald Macdonald |
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Mr Neil Campbell |
Mr Archie K Campbell |
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Mr George Lonie |
Mr Donald Maclean |
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Mr Angus Nicolson |
Mr Martin C Taylor |
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Mr Murdo Macleod |
Mr Ronald J Mackinnon |
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Mr Norman L Macdonald |
Mr Angus Macdonald |
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Mr Keith Dodson |
Mr Donald Manford |
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APOLOGIES |
Mr Donald J Macsween |
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Prayer |
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The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr John Mackay
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Tribute: Mr Simon Fraser OBE
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The Convener referred to Mr Simon Fraser who had been awarded the OBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Mr Fraser was involved in the successful community buyouts at Bhaltos, North Harris, Assynt, Knoydart and Gigha. On behalf of the Comhairle, the Convener congratulated Mr Fraser on receiving this well deserved honour.
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Mrs Chrissie Mackay
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The Convener referred to Mrs Chrissie Mackay (nee Martin) from Marybank, Stornoway, who had celebrated her 103rd birthday recently. The Convener, on behalf of the Comhairle, sent best wishes to Mrs Mackay.
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Mrs Mary Ann Kennedy
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The Convener referred to Mrs Mary Ann Kennedy, who lived in Leurbost but had been born in Carloway who would celebrate her 100th birthday on 13 February 2004. The Convener referred to Mrs Kennedy’s interesting life. Mrs Kennedy was the second youngest in a family of nine. Mrs Kennedy and her late husband, Jack, married in Shanghai and lived there until 1946, having experienced the Japanese occupation of China and spent 3 years with her family in a prisoner of war camp. Mrs Kennedy had returned to Lewis in 1983. The Convener, on behalf of the Comhairle, sent best wishes to Mrs Kennedy.
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BT Schools Gaelic Debate
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The Convener referred to Sgoil Lionacleit, who in November 2003 had won the Gaelic Debate competition sponsored by BT. Fifteen Schools from throughout Scotland had taken part in the debate. The Convener, on behalf of the Comhairle, congratulated Sgoil Lionacleit on their success in the Competition.
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MINUTES
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Minute of Meeting of 4 December 2003 |
1 |
The Minute of Meeting of 4 December 2003 was approved.
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Report of Meeting of 12 February 2004 at 2.00pm |
2 |
The Report of Meeting of 12 February 2004 at 2.00pm was approved.
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COMMITTEES AND BOARDS
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Standing Service Committees: Appointment of Members C01.03.01 |
3 |
The Acting Director of Corporate Services submitted a report advising of Mr Ian M Macleod’s intention to resign as substitute member of the Highlands and Western Isles Valuation Board, as a Comhairle nominee on the Western Isles Tourist Board and as a member of the Local Government Employee JCC
The Convener called for nominations to serve as a substitute member on the Highlands and Western Isles Valuation Board.
It was agreed to appoint Mr Donald I Nicholson as a substitute member of the Highlands and Western Isles Valuation Board.
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The Convener called for nominations to serve on the Western Isles Tourist Board and the following members were duly moved and seconded:
Mr Martin C Taylor Mr Neil Campbell |
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The Committee proceeded to vote by ballot, the results of which were as follows:
Mr Martin C Taylor 15 Mr Neil Campbell 15
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Following the ballot, Mr Martin C Taylor indicated that he no longer wished to be considered for appointment to the Western Isles Tourist Board.
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The Convener then declared that Mr Neil Campbell had been appointed to serve on the Western Isles Tourist Board.
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The Convener called for nominations to serve on the Local Government Employee Joint Consultative Committee.
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It was agreed that Miss Samantha E L Hawkins be appointed to serve on the Local Government Employee Joint Consultative Committee.
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Western Isles Licensing Board: Membership C15.01 |
4 |
The Acting Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning a further two nominations from the Comhairle to the Western Isles Licensing Board. It was stated in the Report that, at the moment, the Licensing Board has a Membership of ten Councillors who were appointed on 20 May 2003. It was further indicated that experience has shown that membership of the Board is too small and difficulties had recently been encountered in achieving a quorum. It was, therefore, suggested that two additional members be appointed to the Western Isles Licensing Board
The Convener called for nominations for the two places on the Western Isles Licensing Board and the following members were duly moved and seconded:
Mr Norman M Macleod Mr John Mackay Mr Angus Macdonald
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The Committee proceeded to vote by ballot, the results of which were as follows:
Mr Norman M Macleod 22 Mr John Mackay 20 Mr Angus Macdonald 14
The Convener then declared that the following members had been appointed to serve on the Western Isles Licensing Board:
Mr Norman M Macleod Mr John Mackay
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Nominations to CoSLA Executive Groups PR41.03 |
5 |
The Acting Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning nominations made to CoSLA and seeking homologation of the action taken. It was indicated in the Report that a letter dated 17 December 2003 from CoSLA asked the Comhairle to nominate Members to serve on the Executive Groups established by the Convention. It was suggested by CoSLA that the membership of each Executive Group comprise the Chair or Vice-Chair from each member Council and the deadline given for receipt of nominations was 30 January 2004.
It was agreed that the actions of the Chief Executive and the Acting Director of Corporate Services in submitting the nominations detailed in the Appendix for membership of the Executive Groups established by CoSLA be homologated.
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CEREMONIAL
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Proposed Admission of Honorary Freeman: Rev Donald Macaulay OBE and Father Malcolm J Maclellan C42.12 |
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The Acting Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning the statutory admission of Rev Donald Macaulay OBE and Father Malcolm J Maclellan as Honorary Freemen of the Western Isles. It was indicated in the Report that Rev Macaulay and Father Maclellan had been Convener and Vice-Convener of the Council when it was established in 1974 and that they had both devoted much time and effort into ensuring that the Western Isles benefited from the reorganisation of local government. It was proposed that the Ceremony and other related events be held after 16 May 2004.
It was agreed that:
(1) Rev Donald MacAulay OBE of Gearraidh Millis, Bernera, Isle of Lewis and Father Malcolm J MacLellan of St Michael’s, Isle of Eriskay, be admitted as Honorary Freemen of Na h-Eileanan an Iar as persons of distinction who have rendered eminent service to the Western Isles;
(2) the arrangements for a Freedom Ceremony and related events be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Convener; and
(3) the Freedom Ceremony be held after 16 May 2004 in Stornoway and that an evening reception be held in Eriskay on the same evening.
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COMMITTEES
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Committee Decision Reports |
7 |
The Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted.
The Comhairle approved the recommendations in the Committee Decision Reports unless otherwise indicated.
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(1) Arts and Leisure Committee – 3 February 2004
At item 13 of the Arts and Leisure Committee Decision Report it was agreed to the addition of the following recommendations:
(1) that the role of parents in determining and influencing the sex education which children receive in schools be highlighted; and
(2) a desire to address the causes and not merely the symptoms of deteriorating sexual health in the community.
(2) Housing Committee – 3 February 2004
At item 6 of the Housing Committee Decision Report it was agreed that the following text be inserted:
and that the Comhairle be represented at such a meeting by the Chairmen of the Housing and Social Work Committees.
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(3) Education and Children’s Services Committee – 3 February 2004
(4) Environmental Services Committee – 4 February 2004
At item 23 of the Environmental Services Decision Report, it was agreed that the item concerning remote cameras at St Kilda be withdrawn.
(4a) Site Visit Sub-Committee – 11 February 2004
Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Martin C Taylor, moved approval of the recommendations detailed in the Decision Report.
Mr Ian M Macleod, seconded by Mr Donald Maclean, moved as an amendment that the proposed extension would project 23 metres from the existing rear elevation of the home towards the boundary with houses at Ivorhill and would come within 13 metres of the boundary of these houses. As such it would harm the amenities of the residents of adjacent houses on Ivorhill by reasons of visual dominance, overlooking and disturbance. Accordingly the proposed development would be contrary to Policy DS1 of the Broadbay Local Plan.
On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of votes cast.
Mr Angus M Graham, seconded by Mr Angus McCormack, moved as a further amendment that consideration of the matter be deferred until a draft Section 75 Agreement was in place.
On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received the majority of the votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.
(5) Transportation Committee – 4 February 2004
(6) Sustainable Development Committee – 4 February 2004
(7) Social Work Committee – 5 February 2004
(7a) Social Work Committee – 11 February 2004 (Adjourned Meeting)
(8) Commercial Operations Board – 9 February 2004
(9) Audit and Scrutiny Committee – 12 February 2004
(10) Policy and Resources Committee – 12 February 2004
At Item 19 (3) of the Policy and Resources Decision Report, it was agreed that the third word be amended to read “agrees”. |