11 December 2001

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 11 December 2001 at 4.00 pm

PRESENT

Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice- Chairman)

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr George Lonie

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Archie K Campbell

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr James L McArthur

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Philip R McLean

Mr David Blaney

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Ian M Macleod

Prayer

The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Donald M Mackay.

MINUTES

Comhairle

23

The Minute of Meetings of 30 October 2001 and 22 November 2001 were approved.

OUTSIDE BODIES

Nominations to COSLA Executive Groups

24

The Chief Executive submitted a Report regarding nominations made to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) of Members to serve on the Executive Groups established by the Convention. It was stated that the following Members had been nominated to serve on the Executive Groups indicated:

Executive Group

Comhairle Nomination

Modern Government

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Finance

Mr Roderick J Murray

Personnel and Resources

Mr Roderick J Murray

Education

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Arts and Leisure

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Social Services and Health Improvement

Mrs Mary Bremner

Environment , Sustainability and Community Safety

Mr Angus Nicolson

Economic Development and Planning

Mr Donald Maclean

Roads and Transportation

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Housing

Mr George Lonie

Rural Affairs

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

It was indicated that the nominations followed the pattern adopted by the Comhairle in 1999, the Chairmen of the relevant committees having been nominated. It was noted that, in accordance with previous practice, no nomination had been submitted for membership of the Urban Affairs Executive Group.

It was agreed to homologate the action of the Chief Executive in submitting the nominations detailed for membership of the executive groups established by COSLA.

COMMITTEES

Committee Decision Reports

25

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

(1) Arts and Leisure Committee - 20 November 20001

(2) Housing Committee - 20 November 2001

(3) Education Committee - 20 November 2001

(4) Environmental Services Committee - 21 November 2001

(5) Transportation Committee - 21 November 2001

It was agreed to approve the recommendation in Item 6 of the Decision Report with the following addition:

that, in terms of the Inter-Island Air Service Contract for Stornoway to Benbecula the Director of Technical Services be authorised to indicate to Highland Airways that, following their request, no service is provided on 2 January 2002 on the basis that the Comhairle will not require to provide subsidy for the one rotation contractually required on that day.

It was agreed to approve the recommendation in Item 14 of the Decision Report with the addition of the following:

that there be a schools competition for the name and logo of the 0800 Roads and Lighting Faults Reporting Scheme.

(6) Development Services Committee - 21 November 2001

In respect of Item 24 of the Decision Report it was agreed that, in light of representations from the parties concerned and new information that had become available, it would not be necessary for a site visit to be undertake to the Leverburgh Village hall and that the following conditions be added to the planning consent for the development :

No work to install vent units shall take place until a scheme for controlling the noise from the ventilation opening in the north west and south east elevations of the building has been submitted to and approved by the Comhairle as planning authority. The approved scheme shall be implemented fully within six months from the date of this permission and shall then be retained for the satisfaction of the Comhairle throughout the life of the development.

(7) Social Work Committee - 22 November 2001

(8) Contract Services Committee - 22 November 2001

(9) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 10 November 2001

(10) (a) Policy and Finance Committee - 19 November 2001

(b) Policy and Finance Committee - 22 November 2001

(c) Policy and Finance Committee - 11 December 2001

It was agreed to approve the recommendations in Item 7 of the Decision Report of 11 December 2001 subject to the fourth bullet point of recommendation (5) being amended to read as follows:

The Comhairle approve in principle the inclusion of all children's services under a single education and Children's Committee, with the timetable for implementation of this change being set in tandem with changes to Social Work structures brought about by the requirements of the Joint Future Group on Joint Arrangements for Community Care Services with the Western Isles NHS Board.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the ground that exempt information as defined in paragraphs 4 and 6 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle).

Mr Angus Nicolson, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

(11) Development Services Committee - 10 December 2001

PERSONNEL

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following Item be considered as a matter of urgency to enable the Comhairle to consider the conclusions of the Preliminary Investigation Panel established in terms of circulars CO/121 and CO/129 of the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for Local Authorities Services.

It was agreed that the public, including the press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information as defined of paragraph 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to a particular employee, former employee or applicant to become an employee of, or a particular officer holder or former office holder or applicant to become an office holder under the Comhairle.

Preliminary Investigation by a Panel of Elected Members - Conclusions

26

With reference to Item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2001, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding the preliminary and careful investigation of questions raised by an elected member in connection with the Chief Executive. The conclusions of the preliminary investigation panel were appended to the Report. It was indicated that the Members appointed had concluded that the matter did not require further consideration.

It was agreed to note that the Panel appointed by the Comhairle to carry out a preliminary and careful examination had concluded that the matter referred to them did not require further consideration.

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PRESENT	Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice- Chairman)	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr George Lonie	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Angus Nicolson	Mr Archie K Campbell
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr James L McArthur
	Mr Alasdair G Macrae	Mrs Mary Bremner
	Mr Angus Campbell	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Philip R McLean	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Donald I Nicholson	Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Ian M Macleod


Prayer		The Meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Donald M Mackay.
		MINUTES
Comhairle	23	The Minute of Meetings of 30 October 2001 and 22 November 2001 were approved.
		OUTSIDE BODIES
Nominations to COSLA Executive Groups	24	The Chief Executive submitted a Report regarding nominations made to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) of Members to serve on the Executive Groups established by the Convention. It was stated that the following Members had been nominated to serve on the Executive Groups indicated:
		Executive Group	Comhairle Nomination
		Modern Government	Mr Norman L Macdonald
		Finance	Mr Roderick J Murray
		Personnel and Resources	Mr Roderick J Murray
		Education	Mr Norman L Macdonald
		Arts and Leisure	Mr Alasdair G Macrae
		Social Services and Health Improvement	Mrs Mary Bremner
		Environment , Sustainability and Community Safety	Mr Angus Nicolson
		Economic Development and Planning	Mr Donald Maclean
		Roads and Transportation	Mr Norman A Macdonald
		Housing	Mr George Lonie
		Rural Affairs	Mr Alexander A Macdonald
		It was indicated that the nominations followed the pattern adopted by the Comhairle in 1999, the Chairmen of the relevant committees having been nominated. It was noted that, in accordance with previous practice, no nomination had been submitted for membership of the Urban Affairs Executive Group.
		It was agreed to homologate the action of the Chief Executive in submitting the nominations detailed for membership of the executive groups established by COSLA.
		COMMITTEES
Committee Decision Reports	25	Committee Decision Reports were submitted as undernoted. Unless otherwise indicated, the Comhairle approved the recommendations of the Committees and noted the decisions where these related to delegated functions: (1) Arts and Leisure Committee - 20 November 20001 (2) Housing Committee - 20 November 2001 (3) Education Committee - 20 November 2001 (4) Environmental Services Committee - 21 November 2001 (5) Transportation Committee - 21 November 2001
		It was agreed to approve the recommendation in Item 6 of the Decision Report with the following addition: that, in terms of the Inter-Island Air Service Contract for Stornoway to Benbecula the Director of Technical Services be authorised to indicate to Highland Airways that, following their request, no service is provided on 2 January 2002 on the basis that the Comhairle will not require to provide subsidy for the one rotation contractually required on that day.
		It was agreed to approve the recommendation in Item 14 of the Decision Report with the addition of the following: that there be a schools competition for the name and logo of the 0800 Roads and Lighting Faults Reporting Scheme.
		(6) Development Services Committee - 21 November 2001 In respect of Item 24 of the Decision Report it was agreed that, in light of representations from the parties concerned and new information that had become available, it would not be necessary for a site visit to be undertake to the Leverburgh Village hall and that the following conditions be added to the planning consent for the development : No work to install vent units shall take place until a scheme for controlling the noise from the ventilation opening in the north west and south east elevations of the building has been submitted to and approved by the Comhairle as planning authority. The approved scheme shall be implemented fully within six months from the date of this permission and shall then be retained for the satisfaction of the Comhairle throughout the life of the development. (7) Social Work Committee - 22 November 2001 (8) Contract Services Committee - 22 November 2001 (9) Standards and Scrutiny Committee - 10 November 2001 (10) (a) Policy and Finance Committee - 19 November 2001 (b) Policy and Finance Committee - 22 November 2001 (c) Policy and Finance Committee - 11 December 2001
		It was agreed to approve the recommendations in Item 7 of the Decision Report of 11 December 2001 subject to the fourth bullet point of recommendation (5) being amended to read as follows: The Comhairle approve in principle the inclusion of all children's services under a single education and Children's Committee, with the timetable for implementation of this change being set in tandem with changes to Social Work structures brought about by the requirements of the Joint Future Group on Joint Arrangements for Community Care Services with the Western Isles NHS Board.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the ground that exempt information as defined in paragraphs 4 and 6 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle).
		Mr Angus Nicolson, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item.
		(11) Development Services Committee - 10 December 2001
		PERSONNEL
		The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following Item be considered as a matter of urgency to enable the Comhairle to consider the conclusions of the Preliminary Investigation Panel established in terms of circulars CO/121 and CO/129 of the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for Local Authorities Services.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information as defined of paragraph 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to a particular employee, former employee or applicant to become an employee of, or a particular officer holder or former office holder or applicant to become an office holder under the Comhairle.
Preliminary Investigation by a Panel of Elected Members - Conclusions	26	With reference to Item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2001, the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report regarding the preliminary and careful investigation of questions raised by an elected member in connection with the Chief Executive. The conclusions of the preliminary investigation panel were appended to the Report. It was indicated that the Members appointed had concluded that the matter did not require further consideration.
		It was agreed to note that the Panel appointed by the Comhairle to carry out a preliminary and careful examination had concluded that the matter referred to them did not require further consideration.
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