10 December 2001

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Monday 10 December 2001 at 6.15pm

PRESENT

Mr Donald Maclean (Chairman)

Mr Archie K Campbell (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr James L Macarthur

Mr Norman M Macleod

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Donald Manford

CROFTING

It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds of exempt information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient, or former recipient of, any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle, and information relating to financial or business affairs of any particular person, other then the Comhairle, would be disclosed.

Western Isles Slaughterhouses DS40.02.26

192*

With reference to Item 173 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2001, the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the situation regarding assistance to the Western Isles' four slaughterhouses.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Report "Slaughtering in the Western Isles" from the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) be accepted as meeting adequately the terms of the Consultant's Brief;

(2) the recommendations contained in the SAC Report (2.1-2.11) be adopted in full;

(3) the Comhairle agree, in principle, to submit notifications for Rescue and Restructuring Aid to the European Commission to provide a Rescue Aid Package for Heather Isle Meats Ltd and a Restructuring Plan for all four existing slaughterhouse operators in the Western Isles under the terms of Community Guidelines 1999/C 288/02, based on the recommendations contained in the SAC Report, any Rescue and Restructuring Packages being required to lead to the long-term financial viability of the enterprises concerned;

(4) detailed discussions be held with the four existing slaughterhouse operators in the Western Isles, Western Isles Enterprise and the Scottish Executive Environment Rural Affairs Department, to allow determination of the level and scope of the proposals under (3) above, and;

(5) detailed proposals for Rescue and Restructuring Aid be brought before the Committee by the Director for Sustainable Communities, following consideration by the Western Isles Slaughterhouses Member/Officer Working Group for approval, prior to submission.

PRESENT	Mr Donald Maclean (Chairman)
	Mr Archie K Campbell (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mrs Mary Bremner
	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr James L Macarthur
	Mr Norman M Macleod	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Donald J Macsween	Mr Donald Manford

		CROFTING
		It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds of exempt information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient, or former recipient of, any financial assistance provided by the Comhairle, and information relating to financial or business affairs of any particular person, other then the Comhairle, would be disclosed.
Western Isles Slaughterhouses DS40.02.26	192*	With reference to Item 173 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2001, the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the situation regarding assistance to the Western Isles' four slaughterhouses. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report "Slaughtering in the Western Isles" from the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) be accepted as meeting adequately the terms of the Consultant's Brief; (2) the recommendations contained in the SAC Report (2.1-2.11) be adopted in full;
		(3) the Comhairle agree, in principle, to submit notifications for Rescue and Restructuring Aid to the European Commission to provide a Rescue Aid Package for Heather Isle Meats Ltd and a Restructuring Plan for all four existing slaughterhouse operators in the Western Isles under the terms of Community Guidelines 1999/C 288/02, based on the recommendations contained in the SAC Report, any Rescue and Restructuring Packages being required to lead to the long-term financial viability of the enterprises concerned;
		(4) detailed discussions be held with the four existing slaughterhouse operators in the Western Isles, Western Isles Enterprise and the Scottish Executive Environment Rural Affairs Department, to allow determination of the level and scope of the proposals under (3) above, and;
		(5) detailed proposals for Rescue and Restructuring Aid be brought before the Committee by the Director for Sustainable Communities, following consideration by the Western Isles Slaughterhouses Member/Officer Working Group for approval, prior to submission.