Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday, 20 February 2001 at 7.00pm.

PRESENT	Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Roderick J Murray (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Philip R McLean
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Norman M Macleod
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Finlay Morrison
	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 Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Alasdair G Macrae	Mr Donald Manford
	Mr Angus Campbell
APOLOGIES	Mr Donald M Mackay

Prayer		The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr Norman M Macleod.
Tribute: Mr Donald M Mackay OBE		The Chairman referred to Mr Donald M Mackay, member for the Lochs Ward and a former Convener of the Comhairle, who had been awarded the OBE in the New Years Honours List and, on behalf of the Comhairle, congratulated Mr Mackay on the award of this honour.
Tribute: Mr Alexander Matheson OBE		The Chairman referred to Mr Alexander Matheson OBE, a former Convener of the Comhairle, who had been appointed as Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles and , on behalf of the Comhairle, congratulated Mr Matheson on his appointment.
Tribute: Mrs Christina Mackay		The Chairman referred to Mrs Christina Mackay from Marybank who had recently celebrated her 100th birthday and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended best wishes to Mrs Mackay.
Tribute: Mrs Dolly Walker		The Chairman referred to Mrs Dolly Walker from Seaforth Road, Stornoway, who had recently celebrated her 100th birthday and, on behalf of the Comhairle, extended best wishes to Mrs Walker.
		MINUTES
Comhairle	3	The minute of meeting of 12 December 2000 was approved, subject to the following amendment: Under Committees, iem (5), Transportation insert: "Mr Donald Macdonald, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of item 129 of the minute."
		QUESTIONS
MoD Housing	4	Mr James L McArthur asked the Chairman of the Housing Committee if he agreed that the failure by the Ministry of Defence to conclude a settlement regarding the Balivanich Housing was unacceptable.
		Mr George Lonie replied as follows: That the failure by the Ministry of Defence to conclude a settlement for the sale of the 89 surplus MoD houses at Balivanich is unacceptable. As the Comhairle is aware Calum Macdonald MP has been working very hard behind the scenes to broker a deal with Dr Lewis Mooney MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence. However, it would appear that these efforts are being thwarted by senior civil servants in the MoD. Mr Lonie stated that he had written to Calum Macdonald MP on 19 February 2001 urging a resolution to this impasse.
		Mr James L McArthur asked as a supplementary if the Chairman would agree the following areas of concern regarding the issue of the Balivanich housing: (a) That the local MP and the people he represents in Balivanich were being treated with contempt by the MP's colleagues within the Ministry of Defence; (b) That there was clearly a situation in which civil servants within the Ministry were not only wagging the tails of the politicians within the MoD but were acting like a terrier with a rat and giving the politicians a good shaking, contrary to the spirit of discussions with the Minister for Defence, John Spellar MP; and (c) That it would be reasonable for the people and the Comhairle to expect the politicians to take back control of the running of the Ministry and not to leave it in the hands of uncaring and callous civil servants.
		Mr George Lonie replied that he agreed partly with the points made by Mr McArthur. He stated that Calum Macdonald MP had telephoned today to report that the Under-Secretary was minded to hold to the agreement reached for the transfer of the houses. There was a parliamentary procedure to be followed and it was hoped that the matter would be resolved within the next few days.
		COMMITTEES
Committees	5	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 - 30 January 2001, with the exception of the recommendation in item 13 of the Decision Report. In respect of item 13 of the Decision Report it was agreed that Daliburgh Library be not located in the Janitor's House at Daliburgh School and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to lease the property to The Uist Traditional Music and Gaelic Arts Association for use as an office base and that the sum of £37,000 identified for conversion be utilised to find alternative accommodation for the library.
		(2) Education Committee - 30 January 2001, with the exception of the recommendations in items 14, 15 and 18 of the Decision Report. In respect of item 14 of the Decision Report it was agreed that the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to lease the Janitor's House at Daliburgh School to The Uist Traditional Music and Gaelic Arts Association. In respect of item 15 of the Decision Report it was agreed that Daliburgh Library be not located in the Janitor's House at Daliburgh School and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services be authorised to lease the property to The Uist Traditional Music and Gaelic Arts Association for use as an office base and that the sum of £37,000 identified for conversion be utilised to find alternative accommodation for the library. Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mrs Morag Munro, moved approval of the recommendation in item 18 of the Decision Report. Mr Donald I Nicholson, seconded by Mr Finlay Morrison, moved as an amendment that: Having carried out statutory consultation, and taking into account the views expressed by those who responded, the Comhairle proceed to implement alternative model A as set out in paragraph 21 of the Consultation Document, that is - The combination of the schools into a single entity, involving distinct vocational and academic sectors with each sector retaining its own series of core departments and modes of delivery; And, further, that a monitoring and implementation group be established to oversee the implementation of the Higher Still Guidelines and the Standard in Schools etc (Scotland) Act 2000 throughout the education authority. Mr Angus M Graham, seconded by Mr Donald J Macsween, moved as a second amendment that in light of the views expressed by the Council's principal Education Adviser, the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services, as contained in the Consultation Document, "Proposals for the Future Secondary Education provision in Stornoway at S3 - S6 stages: "The Lews Castle School type of provision is seen by all interested parties as being desirable. It is also consistent with proposals set out in the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department proposals for the curriculum as enshrined in a document `Higher Still Opportunity for All'. In essence the closure of Lews Castle School would mean the termination of a provision that suits the interests and needs of many pupils. Closure would be educationally damaging to those pupils and economically damaging to the community in terms of the many pupils who have been introduced to skills training for local industry. Closure would not meet a Best Value analysis if the end result was a deterioration in the total educational provision available." Furthermore in light of the inadequacy of the consultation process, the clear expressions of opinion, particularly in rural Lewis, against the closure of the school, the clear view of the Labour Party in Government both at Westminster and Edinburgh to promote diversity in education and the potential for legal challenge should the Council continue on its present course of action, consideration of this issue be deferred and that a further effort be made to find a consensus as to the way forward taking clear account of the huge swell of public support for the retention of the Lews Castle School and that in the meantime the status quo should prevail.
		At the close of debate, and before the Comhairle proceeded to vote on the matter, Mr Angus M Graham withdrew his amendment with the agreement of his seconder.
		It was agreed that the vote be taken by roll call in terms of Standing Order 58.

		On the matter being put to the vote, there voted as follows:
			Motion Mr Roderick J Murray Mr Malcolm J Macleod Mr Iain Morrison Mr Norman A Macdonald Mr Ian M Macleod Mr George Lonie Mr Angus Nicolson Mr Murdo Macleod Mr Norman L Macdonald Mr Alasdair G Macrae Mr Angus Campbell Mr Norman M Macleod Mrs Morag Munro Mr Archibald K Campbell Mr Donald Maclean Mr James L McArthur Mrs Mary Bremner Mr Ronald J Mackinnon Mr David Blaney Mr Donald Manford	Amendment Mr Alexander A Macdonald Mrs Katie M Mackenzie Mr Roderick Morrison Mr Angus M Graham Mr Malcolm J Graham Mr Philip R McLean Mr Donald I Nicholson Mr Donald J Macsween Mr Finlay Morrison Mr Donald Macdonald
		The Chairman declared the motion carried and the Comhairle determined accordingly.
		(4) Environmental Services Committee - 31 January 2001 with the exception of item 10(c). In respect of item 10(c) of the report it was agreed that, with regard to Comhairle property, applications for telecommunications development be considered by the Land, Property and Technology Sub-Committee on a case by case basis.
		(5) Transportation Committee - 31 January 2001, with the exception of item 27 of the Decision Report. In respect of item 14 of the Decision Report, it was agreed that the text after "2001/2003" be deleted. It was agreed that public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item, on the grounds that exempt information in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26(f) would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle). Mr Norman A Macdonald, seconded by Mr Donald Manford, moved approval of the recommendation in item 27 of the Decision Report. Mr David Blaney, seconded by Mr Ronald J Mackinnon, moved as an amendment that the Comhairle accept the tender from Mr G V Macleod for the Ceann a Garraidh to Eoligarry passenger ferry services at a cost of £129,000. On the matter being put to the vote the motion received the majority of votes cast and became the finding of the meeting.
		(6) Development Services Committee - 31 January 2001, with the exception of items 5, 17, 18, 19, 28(c) and 32. In respect of item 5 of the report it was agreed that the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to grant temporary planning permission for a period of five years in respect of the Dog Kennels, Bayhead, North Uist, subject to conditions to be finalised in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee. In respect of item 28(c) of the report it was agreed that, with regard to Comhairle property, applications for telecommunications development be considered by the Land, Property and Technology Sub-Committee on a case by case basis. In respect of item 31 of the report, it was agreed that the reason for refusal of planning permission for the telecommunications installation at the BT exechange, Keith Street, Stornoway, be as follows: "The development, as proposed, would result in excessive visual intrusion in the Stornoway Outstanding Conservation Area and, as such, would fail to either preserve or enhance the Conservation Area."
		Mr Alexander A Macdonald, Mr Angus M Graham and Mr Angus Nicolson having decalred an interest, left the meeting during consideration of items 17, 18 and 19 of the Decision Report. Mr Roderick J Murray occupied the Chair during consideration of the recommendations contained in these items. It was agreed to approve the recommendations in items 17, 18 and 19 of the Decision Report.
		(7) Social Work Committee - 1 February 2001
		(8) Contract Services Committee - 1 February 2001
		(9) Policy and Resources Committee - 20 February 2001
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