COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Statutory General Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 17 May 2007 at 10.00am

Welcome		In accordance with Section 3(3) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Returning Officer chaired the meeting and welcomed all present to the ninth statutory meeting of the Comhairle.
Prayer		The meeting was opened with prayer, led by Mr Donald I Nicholson.
		CONSTITUTION
Return of Election C20.02	1	The Returning Officer submitted the Return of Local Election held on Thursday 3 May 2007 as follows:

Ward	Name Of Councillor	Postal Address
BARRAIGH, BHATERSAIGH EIRISGEIGH AGUS UIBHIST A DEAS	DONALD MANFORD	29 Eoligarry, Isle of Barra, HS9 5YD
	GERRY MACLEOD	17 Kenneth Drive, Lochboisdale, South Uist, HS8 5TJ
	PETER CARLIN	Grianamul, Bridgend, Creagorry, Benbecula HS7 5PG
	DAVID BLANEY	Arnaval, Askernish, South Uist, HS8 5SY
BEINN NA FOGHLA AGUS UIBHIST A TUATH	MARTIN TAYLOR	13 Rathad Mhic Eoin, Balivanich, Benbecula, HS7 5NG
	UISDEAN ROBERTSON	Ferguslea, 16 Carinish, North Uist, HS6 5HL
	ARCHIE K CAMPBELL	Druim Dubh, Paiblesgarry, North Uist, HS6 5EF
NA HEARADH AGUS CEANN A DEAS NAN LOCH	MRS MORAG MUNRO	3 Borve, Scarista, Isle of Harris, HS3 3HT
	PHILIP R McLEAN	1 Portrona Drive, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2HE
	MISS CATHERINE MACDONALD	10 Drinishader, Isle of Harris, HS3 3DX
SGIR’ UIGE AGUS CEANN A TUATH NAN LOCH	NORMAN A MACDONALD	4 Ardroil, Uig, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9EU
	MRS ANNIE MACDONALD	18 Laxay, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9PJ
	ALEX A MACDONALD	18 Urquhart Gardens, Stornoway Isle of Lewis, HS1 2TX

SGIRE AN RUBHA	DONALD I NICHOLSON	28a East Street, Sandwick, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0AL
	DONALD JOHN MACSWEEN	Cnoc nan Cidhean, 49 Lower Bayble, Point, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0QA
	NORMAN M MACLEOD	16 Eagleton, Lower Bayble, Point, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0QD
STEORNABHAGH A DEAS	CHARLIE NICOLSON	Leybourne House, 20 James Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2QN
	ANGUS McCORMACK	25 North Street, Sandwick, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0AD
	KEITH DODSON	34 Mackenzie Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2JY
	ANGUS CAMPBELL	8 Bulnacraig Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2RY
STEORNABHAGH A TUATH	MURDO MACLEOD	31 Urquhart Gardens, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2TX
	IAIN MACKENZIE	7 Ceum a’ Bhealaich, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2UB
	RODDIE MACKAY	205 Bakers Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0EA
	NEIL CAMPBELL	3 Cearn Chilleagraidh, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2UJ
LOCH A TUATH	CATRIONA STEWART	38 Vatisker, Back, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0JS
	KENNETH MACIVER	11 Upper Coll, Back, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0LS
	JOHN A MACIVER	11 New Tolsta, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0NN
AN TAOBH SIAR AGUS NIS	AGNES RENNIE	Iadhacro, 25 South Galson, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0SH
	KENNETH M MURRAY	Carnan House, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9BD
	IAIN MORRISON	“Hallagro”, Park Barvas, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0QZ
	JOHN MACKAY	Glebe House, South Dell, Ness, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0SP

Sederunt

The Head of Executive Office proceeded to take the sederunt. The following members were present:

PRESENT		Mr David Blaney	Mr Angus Campbell
		Mr Peter Carlin	Mr Keith Dodson
		Mr Gerry Macleod	Mr Angus McCormack
		Mr Donald Manford	Mr Charlie Nicolson
		Mr Archie K Campbell	Mr Neil Campbell
		Mr Uisdean Robertson	Mr Roddie Mackay
		Mr Martin Taylor	Mr Iain Mackenzie
		Miss Catherine MacDonald	Mr Murdo Macleod
		Mr Philip R McLean	Mr John A Maciver
		Mrs Morag Munro	Mr Kenneth Maciver
		Mr Alex A MacDonald	Mrs Catriona Stewart
		Mrs Annie Macdonald	Mr John Mackay
		Mr Norman A MacDonald	Mr Iain Morrison
		Mr Norman M Macleod	Mr Kenneth M Murray
		Mr Donald J Macsween	Mrs Agnes Rennie
		Mr Donald I Nicholson
Election of Convener	2	The Returning Officer called for nominations for the office of Convener of the Comhairle. Mr Donald J Macsween, seconded by Mr Philip McLean, moved the election of Mr Donald Manford as Convener of the Comhairle. Mr Angus Campbell, seconded by Mr Iain Morrison, moved the election of Mr Alex A MacDonald as Convener of the Comhairle. There being no further nominations, the Comhairle then proceeded to vote by ballot, the result of which was as follows: Mr Donald Manford 13 Mr Alex A Macdonald 18 The Returning Officer then declared that Mr Alex A MacDonald be duly elected as Convener of the Comhairle for the period to May 2011 and invited Mr MacDonald to take the chair for the remainder of the meeting.
Election of Vice-Convener	3	The Convener called for nominations for the office of Vice-Convener of the Comhairle. Mr David Blaney, seconded by Mr Philip McLean, moved the election of Mr Donald I Nicholson as Vice-Convener of the Comhairle. Mr Norman A MacDonald, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved the election of Mr Angus Campbell as Vice-Convener of the Comhairle. There being no further nominations, the Comhairle then proceeded to vote by ballot, the result of which was as follows: Mr Donald I Nicholson 7 Mr Angus Campbell 24 The Convener declared that Mr Angus Campbell be duly elected as Vice-Convener of the Comhairle for the period to May 2011.
Approval of Standing Orders, Scheme of Administration and Scheme of Delegation C01.01	4	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning revisions to the Standing Orders, Scheme of Administration and Scheme of Delegation. It was proposed at the meting that the following amendments to the separately circulated Standing Orders, Scheme of Administration and Scheme of Delegation be made: In paragraph 11(2) of the Standing Orders the words “or Vice Chair” be deleted. In paragraph 8(1) of the Scheme of Administration the word “seventeen” be deleted and the word “eighteen” substituted therefor. In paragraph 8(3) of the Scheme of Administration the words “or a Sub-Committee of the Policy and Resources Committee” be deleted.
		It was agreed that (1) the revised Scheme of Administration, Scheme of Delegation and Standing Orders be approved; and (2) the Comhairle authorise the Chief Executive to make further minor amendments to the Scheme of Administration, Scheme of Delegation and Standing Orders to ensure internal consistency and to take account of any legislative changes subject to the Comhairle being notified of any such changes.

		The Vice Convener declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of the following item.
Senior Councillors’ Allowance C32	5	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the allowances payable to senior Councillors. The basic salary for elected members and the salary payable to the Convener was detailed in the Report. It was agreed that the salary (inclusive of basic salary) payable to the Vice-Convener be £19,316 and the salary payable to the Chairs of Education and Children’s Services, Sustainable Development, Environment and Protective Services Committee, Transportation and Audit and Scrutiny Committee and the Vice-Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee be £17,384.
Standing Service Committees: Appointment of Members C01.03.01	6	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the appointment of Members to the Comhairle’s Standing Service Committees, in terms of the preferences expressed by Members. It was agreed to approve the appointment of Members to the Standing Service Committees, as detailed in the Appendix to the Minute.
Appointment of Members C01.03.01	7	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle’s representation on the Northern Joint Police Board, Highlands and Islands Fire Board and the Highland and Western Isles Joint Valuation Board and requesting that the Comhairle appoint Members to serve on these Joint Boards. The Chairman called for nominations for Members to serve on the Joint Boards and the following nominations were duly moved and seconded: Mr Norman M Macleod Mr Kenneth Murray Mr Gerry Macleod Mr Charlie Nicolson Mr Iain Mackenzie Mr Murdo Macleod Mr Peter Carlin Mr Donald I Nicholson The Comhairle proceeded to vote by ballot, the result of which was as follows: Mr Norman M Macleod 22 Mr Gerry Macleod 11 Mr Iain Mackenzie 15 Mr Peter Carlin 20 Mr Kenneth Murray 12 Mr Charlie Nicolson 21 Mr Murdo Macleod 13 Mr Donald I Nicholson 11 The Convener then declared that the following Members had been duly appointed to represent the Comhairle on both the Northern Joint Police Board and the Highlands and Islands Fire Board: Principal Members Substitute Members Mr Norman M Macleod Mr Murdo Macleod Mr Charlie Nicolson Mr Kenneth Murray Mr Peter Carlin Mr Donald I Nicholson Mr Iain Mackenzie Mr Gerry Macleod It was further agreed that Mr Murdo Macleod and Mr Kenneth Murray be appointed as the Comhairle’s principal Members on the Highlands and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board and that Mr Donald I Nicholson and Mr Gerry Macleod be appointed as the Comhairle’s substitute members on the Highlands and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board.
Western Isles Licensing Board C15.01	8	The Chief Executive submitted a Report regarding the appointment of Members to the Western Isles Licensing Board in terms of Section 1 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976. The Convener called for nominations for Members to serve on the Western Isles Licensing Board and the following nominations were duly moved and seconded: Mr David Blaney Mr Norman M Macleod Mr Martin Taylor Mrs Annie Macdonald Mr Donald J Macsween Mr John Mackay Mr Uisdean Robertson Mr Peter Carlin Mr Murdo Macleod Mr Iain Mackenzie Miss Catherine MacDonald Mr Donald Manford The Convener declared that the above Members had been appointed to the Western Isles Licensing Board.