COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 10 February 2005 at 4.00pm

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

		MINUTE
Report of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10 February 2005 at 2.00pm	1	The Director of Corporate Services submitted the Report of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10 February 2005 at 2.00pm. It was agreed to note the Report.
		FINANCE
Revenue Estimates 2005/2006:  Budget Strategy and Council Tax 2005/2006 to 2006/2007	2	The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning approval of the draft budget for 2005-06 and setting out the budget strategy and council tax for 2004/05 to 2005/06. It was agreed that: (1)        the draft budget at Section 3 of the Budget Folder, including the uses of the Contingency budget and the amendments in Appendix A be approved; (2)        the Council Tax for 2005/06 be set at £956 for Band D properties; (3)        departments be required to identify recurring savings of 1% in 2005/06, to be implemented from 1 October 2005 to create savings of 0.5% in 2005/06 and 1% annually thereafter; (4)        the budget strategy for 2005/06 and 2006/07 be as detailed in Appendix B, including a further1% efficiency savings in 2006/07;
		(5)        the creation of a spend to save fund of £500k from balances be approved; (6)        an indicative Council Tax of £980 be set for 2006/07; and (7)        CoSLA be supported in making representation to the Scottish Executive concerning additional funding for 2007/08.
Draft Budget Book 2005/2006	3	The Director of Finance submitted details of the Draft Budget Book for 2005/06. It was agreed to approve the recommendations detailed in the Report.