Mco0004

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 18 April 2000 at 7.00 pm

PRESENT

Mr Alexander A MacDonald (Chairman)

Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Archibald K Campbell

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr George Lonie

Mr James L McArthur

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr David Blaney

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mr Donald Manford

Mr Philip R McLean

APOLOGIES

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Angus Campbell

Prayer

The Meeting was opened with Prayer led by Mr Ian M Macleod.

Tribute: Lord Dunrossil

C41.04

The Chairman referred to the recent death of Lord Dunrossil, Lord Lieutenant to the Western Isles and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended condolences to Lord Dunrossil's family in their sad loss.

Tribute: Fishing Accident

C41.04

The Chairman referred to the recent tragic death of two Lewis fishermen, Mr Murdo Morrison, Kershader, South Lochs, and Mr Donald John Macleod, Point, and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended sympathy and condolences to the families of Mr Morrison and Mr Macleod.

Tribute: Mr Norman Malcolm Macdonald

C41.04

The Chairman referred to the recent death of Mr Norman Malcolm Macdonald, from Tong, and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended sympathy and condolences to Mr Macdonald's widow and family.

Tribute: Gall-Gaidheil

The Chairman referred to the recent Viking Conference hosted by the Comhairle's Museum Service and to the Lewis Chessmen which were back in Uig for the first time since their discovery 170 years ago and, on behalf of the Comhairle, congratulated all those involved in the success of the events.

MINUTES

Comhairle

C01.01

13

The Minute of Meeting of 9 March 2000 was approved.

Constitution: Bye-Election: Manor Park Ward

14

The Returning Officer reported that Mr Murdo Macleod had been elected as Councillor for the Manor Park Ward following the by-election held on 13 April 2000.

The Chairman congratulated Mr Macleod on his election and welcomed him to his first meeting of the Comhairle.

Committee Membership: Filling of Vacancies

C01.03.01

15

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report inviting the Comhairle to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod, Member for the Manor Park Ward, to fill vacancies on Service Committees. In addition, the Comhairle was invited to fill vacancies arising on Joint Liaison and Joint Consultative Committees.

It was agreed to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod to serve on the following Service Committees:

Education Committee

Housing Committee

Social Work Committee

It was further agreed to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod to serve on the following Committees:

CNES/WIHB Joint Liaison Committee

Joint Consultative Committee for People with Disability

Joint Consultative Committee for Local Government Employees.

Policy and Resources Committee: Filling of Vacancy

16

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report inviting the Comhairle to appoint a Member to fill a vacancy on the Policy and Resources Committee for a non-Chairman Member to serve for the remainder of the terms of the Comhairle.

Mr Norman A Macdonald, seconded by Mr Donald Maclean, moved the election of Mr Malcolm J Macleod.

Mr David Blaney, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved the election of Mr Donald Manford.

On a vote being taken by ballot, there voted as follows:-

Mr Malcolm J Macleod - 17 votes

Mr Donald Manford - 11 votes.

The Chairman declared that Mr Malcolm J Macleod had been appointed to serve on the Policy and Resources Committee for the remainder of the term of the Comhairle.

COMMITTEES

Committees

17

The Minutes and Reports of Committees were submitted as follows and, unless otherwise indicated, were noted with regard to delegated functions and approved with regard to referred functions, except where they had already been dealt with by the Comhairle:

Arts and Leisure Committee

(1) Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000

In respect of Item 20 of the Minute, it was agreed that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award £7,250 to the organisers of the Western Isles production of "Our Town Story" from the Arts and Leisure Committee (Events Budget).

Housing Committee

(2) Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000, with the exception of Item 27 to the extent that the recommendations conflicted with those in Item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Committee of 28 March 2000.

Education Committee

(3) Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000, subject to the recommendation in Item 38 being amended to read as follows:

"It was agreed to recommend that £7,250 be contributed from Education (Schools Equipment Budget - Primary and Secondary)"

Environmental Services Committee

(3) Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000

Transportation Committee

(4) Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000, subject to the following amendments:

(a) that recommendation (2) of Item 24 of the Minute read as follows:

"(2) to recommend that £150,000 of the underspend from Winter Maintenance Budget 1999/2000 be allocated to Unadopted Roads with up to £10,000 to the joint commissioning of a Transport Authority for the Highlands and Islands Study with the balance being added to the Resurfacing and Surface Dressing Budgets to deal with the most pressing needs."

(b) Item 38 - that a ground breaking ceremony be held shortly after the award of the contract for the Eriskay Causeway and that the MSP and MP be invited to the ceremony as well as Members of the Transportation Committee and local Members.

(c) Item 40 - that the following projects be added to the Minor Roads Safety Improvement Scheme for consideration:

(1) Matheson Road/Church Street/Goathill Road Traffic Lights;

(2) Road Widening - Blar Buidhe to Auction Mart

(3) Bus Layby at Back Community Centre

(4) Cleit Junction, Upper Shader

(5) Junction at Memorial Avenue

(6) Sheshader Junction

(7) Rock Excavation Site at Carragreich, Scalpay

Arising out of Item 32, it was agreed to remit for the Finance Sub-Committee's consideration the proposal that the Comhairle organise a referendum in Lewis and Harris to determine the views of the population with regard to Sunday ferry sailings, particularly consideration of the funding of such a referendum.

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following be considered as a matter of urgency in order to enable the Comhairle to proceed to consultation to allow consideration and decision of matters raised within a statutory timescale.

The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 31 March 2000 was submitted.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations in Items 5 and 6 of the Minute.

Development Services

(5) The Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000, with the exception of Item 38.

Mr Donald Maclean, seconded by Mr Archibald K Campbell, moved approval of the recommendations in Item 38 of the Minute.

Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mrs Mary Bremner, moved as an amendment approval of the recommendation in Item 58(b) of the Minute of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 18 April 2000.

On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.

Social Work Committee

(6) Minute of Meeting of 30 March 2000 with the exception of Item 29.

It was agreed that the issue of charges for transport to Social Work Day Services be considered by the Joint Consultative Committee for People with Disability in the first instance.

Contract Services Committee

(7) Minute of Meeting of 30 March 2000, with the exception of the recommendation in Item 17 of the Minute.

Policy and Resources Committee

(8) Report of Meeting of 18 April 2000.

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

APOLOGIES	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Angus Campbell

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with Prayer led by Mr Ian M Macleod.
Tribute: Lord Dunrossil C41.04		The Chairman referred to the recent death of Lord Dunrossil, Lord Lieutenant to the Western Isles and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended condolences to Lord Dunrossil's family in their sad loss.
Tribute: Fishing Accident C41.04		The Chairman referred to the recent tragic death of two Lewis fishermen, Mr Murdo Morrison, Kershader, South Lochs, and Mr Donald John Macleod, Point, and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended sympathy and condolences to the families of Mr Morrison and Mr Macleod.
Tribute: Mr Norman Malcolm Macdonald C41.04		The Chairman referred to the recent death of Mr Norman Malcolm Macdonald, from Tong, and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended sympathy and condolences to Mr Macdonald's widow and family.
Tribute: Gall-Gaidheil		The Chairman referred to the recent Viking Conference hosted by the Comhairle's Museum Service and to the Lewis Chessmen which were back in Uig for the first time since their discovery 170 years ago and, on behalf of the Comhairle, congratulated all those involved in the success of the events.
		MINUTES
Comhairle C01.01	13	The Minute of Meeting of 9 March 2000 was approved.
Constitution: Bye-Election: Manor Park Ward	14	The Returning Officer reported that Mr Murdo Macleod had been elected as Councillor for the Manor Park Ward following the by-election held on 13 April 2000. The Chairman congratulated Mr Macleod on his election and welcomed him to his first meeting of the Comhairle.
Committee Membership: Filling of Vacancies C01.03.01	15	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report inviting the Comhairle to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod, Member for the Manor Park Ward, to fill vacancies on Service Committees. In addition, the Comhairle was invited to fill vacancies arising on Joint Liaison and Joint Consultative Committees.
		It was agreed to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod to serve on the following Service Committees:
		Education Committee Housing Committee Social Work Committee
		It was further agreed to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod to serve on the following Committees: CNES/WIHB Joint Liaison Committee Joint Consultative Committee for People with Disability Joint Consultative Committee for Local Government Employees.
Policy and Resources Committee: Filling of Vacancy	16	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report inviting the Comhairle to appoint a Member to fill a vacancy on the Policy and Resources Committee for a non-Chairman Member to serve for the remainder of the terms of the Comhairle. Mr Norman A Macdonald, seconded by Mr Donald Maclean, moved the election of Mr Malcolm J Macleod. Mr David Blaney, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved the election of Mr Donald Manford. On a vote being taken by ballot, there voted as follows:-
		Mr Malcolm J Macleod - 17 votes Mr Donald Manford - 11 votes.
		The Chairman declared that Mr Malcolm J Macleod had been appointed to serve on the Policy and Resources Committee for the remainder of the term of the Comhairle.
		COMMITTEES
Committees	17	The Minutes and Reports of Committees were submitted as follows and, unless otherwise indicated, were noted with regard to delegated functions and approved with regard to referred functions, except where they had already been dealt with by the Comhairle:
Arts and Leisure Committee		(1) Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000 In respect of Item 20 of the Minute, it was agreed that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to award £7,250 to the organisers of the Western Isles production of "Our Town Story" from the Arts and Leisure Committee (Events Budget).
Housing Committee		(2) Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000, with the exception of Item 27 to the extent that the recommendations conflicted with those in Item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Committee of 28 March 2000.
Education Committee		(3) Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2000, subject to the recommendation in Item 38 being amended to read as follows: "It was agreed to recommend that £7,250 be contributed from Education (Schools Equipment Budget - Primary and Secondary)"
Environmental Services Committee		(3) Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000
Transportation Committee		(4) Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000, subject to the following amendments: (a) that recommendation (2) of Item 24 of the Minute read as follows: "(2) to recommend that £150,000 of the underspend from Winter Maintenance Budget 1999/2000 be allocated to Unadopted Roads with up to £10,000 to the joint commissioning of a Transport Authority for the Highlands and Islands Study with the balance being added to the Resurfacing and Surface Dressing Budgets to deal with the most pressing needs." (b) Item 38 - that a ground breaking ceremony be held shortly after the award of the contract for the Eriskay Causeway and that the MSP and MP be invited to the ceremony as well as Members of the Transportation Committee and local Members. (c) Item 40 - that the following projects be added to the Minor Roads Safety Improvement Scheme for consideration: (1) Matheson Road/Church Street/Goathill Road Traffic Lights; (2) Road Widening - Blar Buidhe to Auction Mart (3) Bus Layby at Back Community Centre (4) Cleit Junction, Upper Shader (5) Junction at Memorial Avenue (6) Sheshader Junction (7) Rock Excavation Site at Carragreich, Scalpay Arising out of Item 32, it was agreed to remit for the Finance Sub-Committee's consideration the proposal that the Comhairle organise a referendum in Lewis and Harris to determine the views of the population with regard to Sunday ferry sailings, particularly consideration of the funding of such a referendum.
		The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following be considered as a matter of urgency in order to enable the Comhairle to proceed to consultation to allow consideration and decision of matters raised within a statutory timescale.
		The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 31 March 2000 was submitted. It was agreed to approve the recommendations in Items 5 and 6 of the Minute.
Development Services		(5) The Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000, with the exception of Item 38. Mr Donald Maclean, seconded by Mr Archibald K Campbell, moved approval of the recommendations in Item 38 of the Minute. Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mrs Mary Bremner, moved as an amendment approval of the recommendation in Item 58(b) of the Minute of Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 18 April 2000.
		On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.
Social Work Committee		(6) Minute of Meeting of 30 March 2000 with the exception of Item 29. It was agreed that the issue of charges for transport to Social Work Day Services be considered by the Joint Consultative Committee for People with Disability in the first instance.
Contract Services Committee		(7) Minute of Meeting of 30 March 2000, with the exception of the recommendation in Item 17 of the Minute.
Policy and Resources Committee		(8) Report of Meeting of 18 April 2000.
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