02 August 2001

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 2 August 2001 at 2.00 pm

PRESENT

Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Philip R Mclean

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archie K Campbell

Mr George Lonie

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr James L McArthur

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Angus M Graham

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr David Blaney

Prayer

The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Finlay Morrison

Tribute Mr Donald M Mackay and Mr David Blaney

The Chairman referred to Mr Donald M Mackay, Member for Lochs, and Mr David Blaney, Member for Daliburgh and Eriskay, who had both been admitted to hospital recently and, on behalf of the Comhairle, conveyed best wishes to Mr Mackay and Mr Blaney for a speedy recovery.

COMMITTEES

Transportation Committee

13

The Committee Decision Report of the Transportation Committee of 2 August 2001 was submitted.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations detailed in the Decision Report.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency to enable the Comhairle to determine the level of assistance to an organisation and to be able to advise the company by a deadline which fell before the next scheduled meeting of Development Services and the Comhairle.

It is recommended that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that exempt information in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as defined in Standing Order 26(f) - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle).

Business Loans Scheme

14

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report regarding an application by Criticall Ltd for financial assistance under the Business Loans Scheme. It was stated that the application was in respect of an extension to the company's operation in the Western Isles and would create 9 new jobs in the short term with the potential for further jobs in the longer term. An outline of the proposal was set out in the report. It was indicated that there was sufficient scope within the Business Loan Scheme guarantee to fund the loan sought.

It was agreed to approve the application from Criticall Ltd for a loan of £140,000 under the Business Loan Scheme, subject to standard scheme conditions.

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PRESENT	Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Philip R Mclean
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Archie K Campbell
	Mr George Lonie	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Angus Nicolson	Mr James L McArthur
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mrs Mary Bremner
	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Angus Campbell	Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Donald J Macsween	Mr David Blaney

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Finlay Morrison
Tribute Mr Donald M Mackay and Mr David Blaney		The Chairman referred to Mr Donald M Mackay, Member for Lochs, and Mr David Blaney, Member for Daliburgh and Eriskay, who had both been admitted to hospital recently and, on behalf of the Comhairle, conveyed best wishes to Mr Mackay and Mr Blaney for a speedy recovery.
		COMMITTEES
Transportation Committee	13	The Committee Decision Report of the Transportation Committee of 2 August 2001 was submitted.
		It was agreed to approve the recommendations detailed in the Decision Report.
		ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
		The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following items be considered as a matter of urgency to enable the Comhairle to determine the level of assistance to an organisation and to be able to advise the company by a deadline which fell before the next scheduled meeting of Development Services and the Comhairle.
		It is recommended that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that exempt information in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as defined in Standing Order 26(f) - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle).
Business Loans Scheme	14	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report regarding an application by Criticall Ltd for financial assistance under the Business Loans Scheme. It was stated that the application was in respect of an extension to the company's operation in the Western Isles and would create 9 new jobs in the short term with the potential for further jobs in the longer term. An outline of the proposal was set out in the report. It was indicated that there was sufficient scope within the Business Loan Scheme guarantee to fund the loan sought.
		It was agreed to approve the application from Criticall Ltd for a loan of £140,000 under the Business Loan Scheme, subject to standard scheme conditions.
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