30 October 2001

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on 30 October 2001 at 7.00 pm

PRESENT

Mr Alex A Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Philip R McLean

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Angus M 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 Alasdair G Macrae

Mr David Blaney

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Prayer

The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr IanM Macleod

Tribute: Royal National Mod

The Chairman on behalf of the Comhairle, extended congratulations to the participants and prizewinners at the Royal National Mod which had been held in the Western Isles. In particular, congratulations were extended to Mr Archie Maclean, who was originally from Barra who won the Gold Medal and Miss Donna Murray and Mr Murdo Macleod both from Lewis, who had won the traditional Gold Medal. The Chairman noted that this had a very successful Mod for the islands with many trophies being won by island competitors. The Chairman referred particularly to the many young people who had taken part in the Mod and who had performed at a high standard. On behalf of the Comhairle the Chairman commended the Mod Committee for their tremendous effort in ensuring the success of Mod nan Eilean 2001.

Tribute: Mr Angus Peter Campbell

The Chairman on behalf of the Comhairle, extended congratulations to Mr Angus Peter Campbell from South Uist who had received the Bardic Crown at the Royal National Mod.

Tribute: Mrs Christina Morrison

The Chairman referred Mrs Christina Morrison, Creag Aonich, Laggandoin, Scalpay who had celebrated her 106^th birthday on 22 October 2001 and, on behalf of the Comhairle, conveyed best wishes to Mrs Morrison.

Tribute: Mr Donnie Morrison

The Chairman referred to Mr Donnie Morrison, Council Officer, who was attending his last meeting of the Comhairle prior to taking retirement in November 2001 after 22 years of service. He paid tribute Mr Morrison's work, commenting that he had undertaken his duties diligently, without fanfare and always with gravitas. He stated that Mr Morrison's ability had been recognised beyond the Comhairle and he had twice been elected President of the Scottish Branch of the Guild of Mace Bearers. On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman thanked Mr Morrison for his many years, dedicated service and extended best wishes to him for a long and peaceful retirement.

MINUTES

Comhairle

19

The Minute of Meeting of 11 September 2001 was approved.

OUTSIDE BODIES

Appointments to Outside Bodies

20

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding the appointment of Members to the following bodies:

UHI Millennium Institute Foundation

Lasair Information Services Ltd

A summary relating to each organisation was set out in the Report.

It was agreed:

(1) to nominate Mr Norman L Macdonald and Mr Donald Maclean to serve on the UHI millennium Institute Foundation for the four years ending in September 2004

(2) to note the resignation of Mr Donald Maclean and Mr Ronald J Mackinnon as Directors of Lasair Information Services Ltd, pending the review of appointment of Members to serve as Directors of Companies.

Committees

21

Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted. Unless otherwise indicated the Comhairle approve the recommendations of the Committees and noted the decisions where these related to delegated functions:

(1) Arts and Leisure Committee - 6 October 2001

(2) Housing Committee - 2 October 2001

(3) Education Committee - 2 October 2001

(4) Environmental Services Committee - 3 October 2001

(5) Transportation Committee - 3 October 2001

(6) Development Services Committee - 3 October 2001

(7) Social Work Committee - 4 October 2001

(8) Contract Services Committee - 4 October 2001

(9) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 29 October 2001

(10) Policy and Finance Committee - 2 October 2001, with the exception of Items 10, 26, 27, 28 and 29

In respect of Item 10 it was agreed to approve the recommendations in the Decision Report with the following addition: that a report be circulated within the next week as to why the money was taken out of the budget for the Lewis War Memorial and setting out how it was proposed that the Lewis War Memorial Garden could be finished.

Mr Roderick J Murray seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald, moved approval of the recommendations in Items 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Decision Report.

Mr Angus M Graham seconded by Mr Donald J Macsween, moved as an amendment in respect of Items 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Decision Report that, in light of the fact that these issues had been recommended by the Policy and Finance Committee, which only consists of 12 members of the Comhairle, and that therefore the majority of the Comhairle has not had the opportunity to discuss these issues in detail, consideration of them be deferred until such time as we can have a special Comhairle Meeting, as quickly as possible, to afford other members the opportunity to look at those matters in greater detail.

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

PRESENT	Mr Alex A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Philip R McLean
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Angus M 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 Alasdair G Macrae	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Angus Campbell	Mr Donald Manford



APOLOGIES	Mr Malcolm J Graham

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr IanM Macleod

Tribute: Royal National Mod		The Chairman on behalf of the Comhairle, extended congratulations to the participants and prizewinners at the Royal National Mod which had been held in the Western Isles. In particular, congratulations were extended to Mr Archie Maclean, who was originally from Barra who won the Gold Medal and Miss Donna Murray and Mr Murdo Macleod both from Lewis, who had won the traditional Gold Medal. The Chairman noted that this had a very successful Mod for the islands with many trophies being won by island competitors. The Chairman referred particularly to the many young people who had taken part in the Mod and who had performed at a high standard. On behalf of the Comhairle the Chairman commended the Mod Committee for their tremendous effort in ensuring the success of Mod nan Eilean 2001.
Tribute: Mr Angus Peter Campbell		The Chairman on behalf of the Comhairle, extended congratulations to Mr Angus Peter Campbell from South Uist who had received the Bardic Crown at the Royal National Mod.
Tribute: Mrs Christina Morrison		The Chairman referred Mrs Christina Morrison, Creag Aonich, Laggandoin, Scalpay who had celebrated her 106^th birthday on 22 October 2001 and, on behalf of the Comhairle, conveyed best wishes to Mrs Morrison.
Tribute: Mr Donnie Morrison		The Chairman referred to Mr Donnie Morrison, Council Officer, who was attending his last meeting of the Comhairle prior to taking retirement in November 2001 after 22 years of service. He paid tribute Mr Morrison's work, commenting that he had undertaken his duties diligently, without fanfare and always with gravitas. He stated that Mr Morrison's ability had been recognised beyond the Comhairle and he had twice been elected President of the Scottish Branch of the Guild of Mace Bearers. On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman thanked Mr Morrison for his many years, dedicated service and extended best wishes to him for a long and peaceful retirement.
		MINUTES
Comhairle	19	The Minute of Meeting of 11 September 2001 was approved.
		OUTSIDE BODIES
Appointments to Outside Bodies	20	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding the appointment of Members to the following bodies: UHI Millennium Institute Foundation Lasair Information Services Ltd A summary relating to each organisation was set out in the Report.
		It was agreed: (1) to nominate Mr Norman L Macdonald and Mr Donald Maclean to serve on the UHI millennium Institute Foundation for the four years ending in September 2004 (2) to note the resignation of Mr Donald Maclean and Mr Ronald J Mackinnon as Directors of Lasair Information Services Ltd, pending the review of appointment of Members to serve as Directors of Companies.
Committees	21	Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted. Unless otherwise indicated the Comhairle approve the recommendations of the Committees and noted the decisions where these related to delegated functions: (1) Arts and Leisure Committee - 6 October 2001 (2) Housing Committee - 2 October 2001 (3) Education Committee - 2 October 2001 (4) Environmental Services Committee - 3 October 2001 (5) Transportation Committee - 3 October 2001 (6) Development Services Committee - 3 October 2001 (7) Social Work Committee - 4 October 2001 (8) Contract Services Committee - 4 October 2001 (9) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 29 October 2001 (10) Policy and Finance Committee - 2 October 2001, with the exception of Items 10, 26, 27, 28 and 29 In respect of Item 10 it was agreed to approve the recommendations in the Decision Report with the following addition: that a report be circulated within the next week as to why the money was taken out of the budget for the Lewis War Memorial and setting out how it was proposed that the Lewis War Memorial Garden could be finished.
		Mr Roderick J Murray seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald, moved approval of the recommendations in Items 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Decision Report. Mr Angus M Graham seconded by Mr Donald J Macsween, moved as an amendment in respect of Items 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Decision Report that, in light of the fact that these issues had been recommended by the Policy and Finance Committee, which only consists of 12 members of the Comhairle, and that therefore the majority of the Comhairle has not had the opportunity to discuss these issues in detail, consideration of them be deferred until such time as we can have a special Comhairle Meeting, as quickly as possible, to afford other members the opportunity to look at those matters in greater detail.
		On the matter being put to the vote, the motion received a majority of votes cast and became the finding of the Meeting.