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COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 20 June 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 Iain Morrison

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Angus M Graham

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Archibald 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

Mr Philip R Maclean

APOLOGIES

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Prayer

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

Tributes: Queen's Birthday Honours List

C41.01

On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman extended congratulations to all the people honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in the Birthday Honours List in June 2000, especially Members and Officers working in Local Government and, in particular, the following recipients of Honours:

(1) Professor Roderick N M Macsween who had received a Knighthood for services to medicine and pathology and who had been Professor of Pathology at Glasgow University until his retirement in September 1999;

(2) Mr Murdo Maclean, Private Secretary to the Chief Whip who had received a Knighthood, and who had connections with Great Bernera, Ness and Uig;

(3) Mrs Catriona Macleod, Headteacher at Isobel Nair School, Clarkston, who had received an OBE for services to Special Education Needs;

(4) Miss Christina Macdonald, Headteacher at Laxdale School, who had been awarded the MBE for her services to Education; and

(5) Mrs Ann Draper, President of An Comunn Gaidhealach 1995-1999, and Honorary President of the organisation, who had received an MBE for services to Gaelic.

Tribute: Miss Isabella Morrison

C41.05

The Chairman referred to Miss Isabella Morrison of Garyvard, South Lochs, who had celebrated her 100th Birthday and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended best wishes to Miss Morrison.

MINUTES

Comhairle

C01.01

25

The Minutes of Meetings of 16 and 17 May 2000 and 16 June 2000 were approved.

CONSTITUTION

Education Committee: Appointment of Representative of Religious Interests

E06.06

26

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Mrs Christina Garbutt had resigned as the representative of the Roman Catholic Church on the Education Committee and intimating that the Roman Catholic Church had nominated the Very Rev John Angus Galbraith, St Peter's, Daliburgh, to serve on the Committee.

It was agreed to appoint the Very Rev John Angus Galbraith to serve on the Education Committee to represent the interests of the Roman Catholic Church.

QUESTIONS

Water Charges Relief

C33.01

27

Mr Donald I Nicholson asked the Vice-Convener what representations has the Council made to the Minister for the Environment, Sarah Boyack, on the high level of water charges and especially on her proposal that a system of relief should be introduced in Scotland similar to that operated for Council Tax?

The Vice-Chairman replied that on behalf of the Comhairle he had written to the Minister on 9 March 2000 regarding increases in the North of Scotland Water Authority charging. A copy of that letter had been circulated to Members and was available if Members wished a further copy. In the letter he had pointed out the severe impact which these charges would have on the people of the Western Isles and the business community. He had pointed out that the charges would impact most heavily on the disadvantaged members of our community and suggested that in those cases, some form of rebate should be applied and that there should be an immediate reduction in the charges in line with our economic indicators.

The Minister had responded on 8 June 2000 and, whilst she had not agreed to any reduction, she had agreed to investigate how best those on lower incomes could be protected. The Scottish Executive intended to consult on this over the summer and he had asked the Director of Finance to examine possible options for rebated charges.

Environmental Improvements: Parkend Industrial Estate

C33.01

28

Mr Donald I Nicholson asked the Chairman of the Development Services Committee what is the scope and expected timescale for the implementation of the environmental improvements for the Parkend Industrial Estate as set out in the Broadbay Local Plan at EC13/1?

Mr Donald Maclean replied that the Broadbay Local Plan is currently in its "finalised" state and is expected to be completed later this year. Bunding and trees were established in the early 1980s to separate the site from the adjacent houses. Drainage improvements were made in 1997/98 and soft landscaping was established in 1997/98 along the A866 edge of the site. All land at Parkend has either been sold or is leased to tenants. Any improvement plans will take in the interests of those occupiers. Environmental improvement plans will be drawn up in this financial year. On the basis of these plans, costs will be identified. A timescale and budget for implementation will then be made. This could be in 2001/02.

Funding for Carers

C33.01

29

Mr Angus Nicolson put the following Question to the Convener:

On 8 December 1999, the Scottish Executive wrote to all Councils announcing £10 million funding for carers, in accordance with an announcement to Parliament on 24 November 1999, the Comhairle's allocation was £70,000.

In a letter of 8 December the following sentences were emphasised:

"As a minimum, Ministers expect authorities to use the additional resources to create additional services for carers, including respite, and to develop existing quality services. These additional resources should not therefore be used to fund existing services."

Will the Convener please confirm how the additional money has been allocated in order to develop additional services for carers?

The Convener responded as follows:

The allocation of funding for carers' services was the subject of a Report to the Social Work Committee in February 2000. The Director of Social Work reported to the Committee the allocation of an additional £40,000 within the grant-aided expenditure for 2000/01. This added to the £30,000 already included in the grant for 1999/00. That £30,000 has been allocated, transparently, to carers' services through Crossroads and Tagsa Uibhist.

The Report to the Committee summarised the position, that the nominal increase in the element of GAE for carers' services had to be offset against a reduction of £230,000 in the overall grant settlement for 2000/01.

The Report to the Committee also noted, with the same emphasis as the sentence in Councillor Nicolson's Question, the letter from the Depute Minister for Community Care, Ian Gray, in which he said that the £40,000 represented additional resources for additional services.

In view of the sharp reduction in GAE, the Committee noted the terms of the allocation, and agreed to make representation to the Scottish Executive about the terms under which this allocation had been publicly promoted as additional to current provision.

Arising from the Committee decision, the Chair of the Social Work Committee wrote to Mr Gray. This letter, a copy of which is available to any Member who wishes to look at it in detail, asked that the Scottish Executive should not promote new funding when, in reality, there had been substantial overall reduction in the allocation for Social Work Services.

This specific area was also covered in a meeting on 9 June 2000 that took place in Lewis with the Minister, attended by both the Chair of the Social Work Committee and the Director of Social Work. Mr Gray agreed to give further consideration to the issues raised on the allocation for carers' services.

COMMITTEES

Committees

30

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

(1) Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000;

Housing

(2) Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000;

Education

(3) Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000, with the exception of Item 60.

Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved approval of the recommendations in Item 60 of the Minute.

Mr Donald J Macsween, seconded by Mr Angus M Graham, moved as an amendment that the Comhairle adopt Option 3 in the Consultation Paper regarding the Review of Secondary Education in Stornoway as the basis for consultation.

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

Environmental Services

(4) Minute of Meeting of 31 May 2000;

Transportation

(5) Minute of Meeting of 31 May 2000, subject to the addition in the recommendation at Item 69 (1) of the road at Valasay, Bernera, to the list of Unadopted Roads.

The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following Item be considered as a matter of urgency to enable implementation of proposals contained in the Minutes on a date which fell before the next scheduled meeting of the Comhairle.

(6) The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee was submitted.

It was agreed to approve the recommendations in Items 14, 15 and 16 of the Minute.

Development Services

(7) Minute of Meeting of 31 May 2000;

Mr Alasdair G Macrae and Mr Angus Nicolson having declared an interest left the meeting during consideration of the following Item.

(8) Minute of Meeting of 19 June 2000;

Social Work

(9) Minute of Meeting of 1 June 2000;

Contract Services

(10) Minute of Meeting of 1 June 2000;

Policy and Resources

(11) Report of Meeting of 20 June 2000, with the exception of the recommendation in Item 60 of the Minute of Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of 29 May 2000.

Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald, moved the approval of the recommendation in Item 60 of the Minute of Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of 29 May 2000.

Mr Donald J Macsween, seconded by Mr George Lonie, moved as an amendment that the Comhairle move to hold a referendum in Lewis and Harris to determine the views of the population with regard to Sunday ferry sailings, with the cost of the referendum to be met from the Contingency Fund.

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

NOTICE OF MOTION

Environmental Improvements: Parkend Industrial Estate

C34.01

31

Mr Donald I Nicholson, seconded by Mr George Lonie, submitted a Notice of Motion in the following terms:

"That the Development Services Department in conjunction with other Departments of the Council as required bring forward a Report to a future meeting of the Committee on the proposals for environmental improvements as set out in EC13/1 with particular reference to the Parkend Industrial Estate.

It was agreed, in accordance with the terms of Standing Order 39 to remit the Notice of Motion to the next ordinary meeting of the Development Services Committee.

___

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 Iain Morrison	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr Archibald 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
	Mr Philip R Maclean
APOLOGIES	Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Prayer		The Meeting was opened with Prayer led by Mr Donald M Mackay.
Tributes: Queen's Birthday Honours List C41.01		On behalf of the Comhairle, the Chairman extended congratulations to all the people honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in the Birthday Honours List in June 2000, especially Members and Officers working in Local Government and, in particular, the following recipients of Honours: (1) Professor Roderick N M Macsween who had received a Knighthood for services to medicine and pathology and who had been Professor of Pathology at Glasgow University until his retirement in September 1999; (2) Mr Murdo Maclean, Private Secretary to the Chief Whip who had received a Knighthood, and who had connections with Great Bernera, Ness and Uig; (3) Mrs Catriona Macleod, Headteacher at Isobel Nair School, Clarkston, who had received an OBE for services to Special Education Needs; (4) Miss Christina Macdonald, Headteacher at Laxdale School, who had been awarded the MBE for her services to Education; and (5) Mrs Ann Draper, President of An Comunn Gaidhealach 1995-1999, and Honorary President of the organisation, who had received an MBE for services to Gaelic.
Tribute: Miss Isabella Morrison C41.05		The Chairman referred to Miss Isabella Morrison of Garyvard, South Lochs, who had celebrated her 100th Birthday and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended best wishes to Miss Morrison.
		MINUTES
Comhairle C01.01	25	The Minutes of Meetings of 16 and 17 May 2000 and 16 June 2000 were approved.
		CONSTITUTION
Education Committee: Appointment of Representative of Religious Interests E06.06	26	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Mrs Christina Garbutt had resigned as the representative of the Roman Catholic Church on the Education Committee and intimating that the Roman Catholic Church had nominated the Very Rev John Angus Galbraith, St Peter's, Daliburgh, to serve on the Committee.
		It was agreed to appoint the Very Rev John Angus Galbraith to serve on the Education Committee to represent the interests of the Roman Catholic Church.
		QUESTIONS
Water Charges Relief C33.01	27	Mr Donald I Nicholson asked the Vice-Convener what representations has the Council made to the Minister for the Environment, Sarah Boyack, on the high level of water charges and especially on her proposal that a system of relief should be introduced in Scotland similar to that operated for Council Tax?
		The Vice-Chairman replied that on behalf of the Comhairle he had written to the Minister on 9 March 2000 regarding increases in the North of Scotland Water Authority charging. A copy of that letter had been circulated to Members and was available if Members wished a further copy. In the letter he had pointed out the severe impact which these charges would have on the people of the Western Isles and the business community. He had pointed out that the charges would impact most heavily on the disadvantaged members of our community and suggested that in those cases, some form of rebate should be applied and that there should be an immediate reduction in the charges in line with our economic indicators.
		The Minister had responded on 8 June 2000 and, whilst she had not agreed to any reduction, she had agreed to investigate how best those on lower incomes could be protected. The Scottish Executive intended to consult on this over the summer and he had asked the Director of Finance to examine possible options for rebated charges.
Environmental Improvements: Parkend Industrial Estate C33.01	28	Mr Donald I Nicholson asked the Chairman of the Development Services Committee what is the scope and expected timescale for the implementation of the environmental improvements for the Parkend Industrial Estate as set out in the Broadbay Local Plan at EC13/1?
		Mr Donald Maclean replied that the Broadbay Local Plan is currently in its "finalised" state and is expected to be completed later this year. Bunding and trees were established in the early 1980s to separate the site from the adjacent houses. Drainage improvements were made in 1997/98 and soft landscaping was established in 1997/98 along the A866 edge of the site. All land at Parkend has either been sold or is leased to tenants. Any improvement plans will take in the interests of those occupiers. Environmental improvement plans will be drawn up in this financial year. On the basis of these plans, costs will be identified. A timescale and budget for implementation will then be made. This could be in 2001/02.

Funding for Carers C33.01	29	Mr Angus Nicolson put the following Question to the Convener: On 8 December 1999, the Scottish Executive wrote to all Councils announcing £10 million funding for carers, in accordance with an announcement to Parliament on 24 November 1999, the Comhairle's allocation was £70,000.
		In a letter of 8 December the following sentences were emphasised: "As a minimum, Ministers expect authorities to use the additional resources to create additional services for carers, including respite, and to develop existing quality services. These additional resources should not therefore be used to fund existing services." Will the Convener please confirm how the additional money has been allocated in order to develop additional services for carers?
		The Convener responded as follows: The allocation of funding for carers' services was the subject of a Report to the Social Work Committee in February 2000. The Director of Social Work reported to the Committee the allocation of an additional £40,000 within the grant-aided expenditure for 2000/01. This added to the £30,000 already included in the grant for 1999/00. That £30,000 has been allocated, transparently, to carers' services through Crossroads and Tagsa Uibhist. The Report to the Committee summarised the position, that the nominal increase in the element of GAE for carers' services had to be offset against a reduction of £230,000 in the overall grant settlement for 2000/01. The Report to the Committee also noted, with the same emphasis as the sentence in Councillor Nicolson's Question, the letter from the Depute Minister for Community Care, Ian Gray, in which he said that the £40,000 represented additional resources for additional services. In view of the sharp reduction in GAE, the Committee noted the terms of the allocation, and agreed to make representation to the Scottish Executive about the terms under which this allocation had been publicly promoted as additional to current provision.
		Arising from the Committee decision, the Chair of the Social Work Committee wrote to Mr Gray. This letter, a copy of which is available to any Member who wishes to look at it in detail, asked that the Scottish Executive should not promote new funding when, in reality, there had been substantial overall reduction in the allocation for Social Work Services. This specific area was also covered in a meeting on 9 June 2000 that took place in Lewis with the Minister, attended by both the Chair of the Social Work Committee and the Director of Social Work. Mr Gray agreed to give further consideration to the issues raised on the allocation for carers' services.
		COMMITTEES
Committees	30	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		(1) Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000;
Housing		(2) Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000;

Education		(3) Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2000, with the exception of Item 60. Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved approval of the recommendations in Item 60 of the Minute. Mr Donald J Macsween, seconded by Mr Angus M Graham, moved as an amendment that the Comhairle adopt Option 3 in the Consultation Paper regarding the Review of Secondary Education in Stornoway as the basis for consultation.
		On the matter being put to the vote, the Motion received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the Meeting.
Environmental Services		(4) Minute of Meeting of 31 May 2000;
Transportation		(5) Minute of Meeting of 31 May 2000, subject to the addition in the recommendation at Item 69 (1) of the road at Valasay, Bernera, to the list of Unadopted Roads. The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following Item be considered as a matter of urgency to enable implementation of proposals contained in the Minutes on a date which fell before the next scheduled meeting of the Comhairle. (6) The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee was submitted. It was agreed to approve the recommendations in Items 14, 15 and 16 of the Minute.
Development Services		(7) Minute of Meeting of 31 May 2000; Mr Alasdair G Macrae and Mr Angus Nicolson having declared an interest left the meeting during consideration of the following Item. (8) Minute of Meeting of 19 June 2000;
Social Work		(9) Minute of Meeting of 1 June 2000;
Contract Services		(10) Minute of Meeting of 1 June 2000;
Policy and Resources		(11) Report of Meeting of 20 June 2000, with the exception of the recommendation in Item 60 of the Minute of Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of 29 May 2000. Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Norman L Macdonald, moved the approval of the recommendation in Item 60 of the Minute of Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of 29 May 2000. Mr Donald J Macsween, seconded by Mr George Lonie, moved as an amendment that the Comhairle move to hold a referendum in Lewis and Harris to determine the views of the population with regard to Sunday ferry sailings, with the cost of the referendum to be met from the Contingency Fund. On the matter being put to the vote, the Motion received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.

		NOTICE OF MOTION
Environmental Improvements: Parkend Industrial Estate C34.01	31	Mr Donald I Nicholson, seconded by Mr George Lonie, submitted a Notice of Motion in the following terms: "That the Development Services Department in conjunction with other Departments of the Council as required bring forward a Report to a future meeting of the Committee on the proposals for environmental improvements as set out in EC13/1 with particular reference to the Parkend Industrial Estate.
		It was agreed, in accordance with the terms of Standing Order 39 to remit the Notice of Motion to the next ordinary meeting of the Development Services Committee.
___