COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Monday 30 August 2004 at 6.00pm

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

Prayer:		The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr John Mackay.
		HISTP APPLICATIONS
Comhairle and Comhairle-Led Bids to the HISTP September 2004 Round PR81.01	1	The Chief Executive submitted a Report to seek Members’ approval for the proposed Comhairle/Comhairle-led bids to the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme (HISTP) September 2004 round. It was agreed that the Comhairle (a) note that the sum of £165k allocated to the Community Economic Development Project in 2004/05 was no longer required for that project and could be returned to the Comhairle’s Match Fund;  and (b) approve the following projects for submission to the HISTP September 2004 round, with financial contributions from the Comhairle as detailed in the Report (i) The Spinal Route (ERDF) – Not subject to application deadline. (ii) A858 Breasclete Road Improvements (ERDF) (iii) Community Renewable Support Fund (ERDF) – Funds may require to be routed though a third party. (iv) Opportunities for Training Towards Independence (OFTTI) (ESF) - Funding of £104,776 to be allocated from the Comhairle’s Match Fund. (v) Western Isles Apprenticeship Support - Pilot Project (ESF) - Funding of £39,500 to be allocated from the Comhairle’s Match Fund and it was noted that there was provision in the Comhairle’s Revenue Budgets of £25,000.
		(vi) East Camp Redevelopment (Third Party HISTP Bid) - £30,000 to be allocated from the Comhairle Match Fund, on an underwriting basis (vii) Provision of an Ice Plant at Kallin Harbour (FIFG) – It was noted that the Project would be considered by Sustainable Development Committee, Policy and Resources Committee and Comhairle as deadline for allocation in this measure was 30 September 2004. (viii) The Bridge:  An Integrated Community Facility (Third Party HISTP Bid) Mr Angus Graham, seconded by Mr Keith Dodson, moved that consideration of the Bridge:  An Integrated Community Facility project be deferred to enable a more detailed analysis to be carried out using the PER framework and submitted to the Finance Working Party who would make recommendations to the Comhairle with the aim of this project being submitted to the next round of HISTP projects in March 2005 all in accordance with the Comhairle’s Constitutional Documents. Mr Norman A. Macdonald, seconded by Mr Archie Campbell, moved as an amendment that consideration of the Bridge:  An Integrated Community Facility and Ice-Plant at Kallin  Harbour projects be deferred until a full business plan and PER respectively were agreed by the Comhairle and until the Comhairle had identified the funding for these projects in accordance with the Comhairle’s Constitutional Documents. The meeting was adjourned to allow the Motion and Amendment to be put in writing and when the meeting was reconvened, Mr Norman A. Macdonald with the consent of his Seconder, withdrew his Amendment and the Motion became the finding of the meeting.
Regional Aid 2007-2013:  Consultation on European Commission Proposals on Regional State Aid PR70	2	The Chief Executive submitted a Report to update Members on the DTI’s consultation paper on the European Commission’s proposals to revise the regional aid guidelines post-2006 and proposing their this Report provide the basis of a draft response by the Comhairle to the DTI paper before the deadline date of 6 September 2004.  A draft response by the Chief Executive was circulated to the Comhairle. It was agreed that the draft response by the Chief Executive be approved as the Comhairle’s formal response to the DTI’s consultation paper on the Commission’s proposals to revise regional state aid post-2006.