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PRESENT

Mr Donald Maclean (Chairman)

  
 

Mr Archie K Campbell (Vice-Chairman)

  
 

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Donald M Mackay

 

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald Macdonald

 

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mrs Mary Bremner

 

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

 

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Donald Manford

     
     

APOLOGIES

Mr Roderick J Murray

  

Tribute: Mr James L Macarthur

  

The Chairman referred with sadness to the recent death of Mr James L Macarthur who had been a very active Member of the Committee. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman conveyed condolences to Mr Macarthur's family on their sad loss.

Gordon C Frith

  

The Chairman intimated that Mr Gordon C Frith, who had been Clerk to the Committee since 1987 was transferring to new duties with effect from March 2002. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Frith for his support and asssitance to the Committee and wished him every success in his new duties.

   

MINUTES

Development Services

Crofting Joint Consultative Committee

DS09.05

1

2

The Minutes of Meetings of 21 November 2001 and 10 December 2001 were approved.

The Minute of Meeting of the Crofting Joint Consultative Committee of 16 November 2001 was noted and it was agreed to approve the recommendations detailed in the Minute.

Arising out of consideration of the above item, it was agreed that it be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Chairman, to make representations, including seeking Meetings with outside organisations, Members of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive to put forward the Comhairle's position on Land Reform, taking account of the views of a Special Meeting of the Crofting Joint Consultative Committee at which the issue of Land Reform would be considered.

   

KEY TASKS

Update on Key Tasks

PR11.40

3

The Chief Executive submitted a Report intimating that the Key Tasks agreed by the Comhairle for each of its Committees in 1999, provided the framework for service developments. There was a need, following the adoption of the Comhairle's revised decision making structure, to assess the progress made in implementing the Key Tasks as well as re-allocating Key Tasks to Committees so as to reflect changes in Committee remits and responsibilities.

Appended to the Report was a statement setting out the Key Tasks, together with information on the progress concerning the implementation of the Key Tasks.

It was agreed to recommend that the recommendations as detailed in the Report "Update on Key Tasks", by the Chief Executive be noted insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

   

FINANCE

Non-Housing Capital Programme: Third Quarter Monitoring

PR110.08

4

The Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding Non-Housing Capital Expenditure Programme for the period 1 April 2001 - 31 December 2001.

It was agreed to recommend that the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Finance concerning "Non-Housing Capital Programme: Third Quarter Monitoring" be noted, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned

.

Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring

PR110.08

5

The Director of Finance submitted a Report giving information on the Quarterly Forecast Out-turn. The Report detailed the Revenue Expenditure incurred in the period from 1 April 2001 - 31 December 2001 for the Comhairle's services, including the Housing Revenue Account, and set out the forecasts of expenditure to 31 March 2002.

It was agreed that the Report by the Director of Finance regarding "Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring" be noted, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Budget Strategy 2002/2003

PR110.08

6

The Director of Finance submitted a Report advising Members of the final Aggregate External Finance announcement for 2002/2003 and set out the Revised Budget Strategy for 2002/2003 - 2004/2005.

It was agreed to recommend that the recommendations detailed in the Report "Budget Strategy 2002/2003" by the Director of Finance, be noted, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Draft Revenue Estimates 2002/2003

PR110.08

7

The Director of Finance submitted the Comhairle's Draft Revenue Estimates for the financial year 2002/2003.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the Draft Revenue Estimates detailed in the Report on "Budget Strategy 2002/2003" by the Director of Finance, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned, subject to any necessary textual amendments deemed appropriate by the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Director for Sustainable Communities.

Budget Service Strategy Report

PR110.08

8

The Director of Finance submitted a Report containing the Service Strategy Development Reports for the budget year 2002/2003. The Reports set out areas of committed and desirable growth for each service, together with savings proposed to fund the growth and to meet the agreed Cash Planning Limits.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report entitled "Budget Service Strategy Report 2002/2003" by the Director of Finance insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

   

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Community Employment Initiative

DS40.01.22

9

The Principal Administrator sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

Location of Business Advantage Team

DS40.01.20

10

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report regarding accommodation for the Business Advantage Team. It was indicated in the Report that following a review of customer requirements and accommodation available, the most suitable accommodation identified was at the "Old Pointers", Town Hall, Stornoway. It was noted that alternative tenants had been identified for the accommodation in the Ness Development Centre.

It was agreed that the Business Advantage Team be housed in the "Old Pointers", Town Hall, Stornoway, for the duration of the project, on the basis of the costs involved being met from the Project Budget.

Energy Innovation Zone

DS61.18

11

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report outlining the impact of the Energy Innovation Zone Initiative which had been launched on 21 February 2001. The Report suggested that it would be appropriate for the Comhairle to pursue the Partnership approach with its Community Planning Partners, the Scottish Executive, the UK Government and other relevant bodies, to develop the Energy Innovation Zone Initiative. It was intimated in the Report that the Comhairle could co-ordinate and draft a collective statement in the form of a brochure on the work undertaken by the Energy Innovation Zone Initiative and that this brochure could also be used as a marketing tool for future work. It was stated in the Report that budgetary provision existed within the Revenue Estimates for 2001/2002 to permit such a brochure to be compiled.

The Report suggested that renewable energy development within the Western Isles should be promoted on the "European stage" and that this could be organised by the Islenet Co-ordinator, with the timing of any European Event being dependent on the availability of those involved with the Energy Innovation Zone Initiative.

It was agreed to:

(1) approve the suggested strategy outlined in Paragraphs 7.3 to 7.4 of the Report entitled, "Energy Innovation Zone", with associated costs estimated in the sum of £7,000; and

(2) authorise the Director for Sustainable Communities to draw up final details of the proposals outlined in Paragraphs 7.3 to 7.4 of the abovementioned Report.

Renewable Energy: Reporting Arrangements

DS61.19

12

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report proposing that the remit of the Alternative Energy Member/Officer Working Group should be revised so as to allow a closer relationship between the Group and the Committee, on the basis that the remit would be as follows:

"to develop and promote the use of renewable and alternative energy within the Comhairle, external organisations and communities. The Group to report to the Sustainable Development Committee on a regular basis, on matters affecting the work of that Committee".

The Report gave information on the operation of the Western Isles Alternative and Renewable Energy Partnership (WIAREP) and indicated that a Steering Group consisting of Officials from the Comhairle, Western Isles Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Royal Bank of Scotland, Transco, North of Scotland Water Authority, Lews Castle College (UHI), Stornoway Trust and Scottish and Southern Energy, were currently drafting a strategy and a way forward for WIAREP, on the basis that the strategy would be reported to the Comhairle and the Community Planning Forum in due course. It was suggested in the Report that it would be appropriate for the Comhairle to be represented at Member level on WIAREP. The Report gave background information on the current allocation of energy related tasks between Officers of the Comhairle and stressed that Officers were currently engaged on a wide range of work in relation to the development of the "Energy Agenda".

It was agreed to:

(1) note the Report on Renewable Energy Reporting Arrangements; and

(2) approve the revised remit for the Alternative Energy Member/Officer Working Group as detailed in Paragraph 6.3 of the Report,

It was agreed to recommend that:

(3) Mr Donald M Mackay, Chairman of the Alternative Energy Member/Officer Working Group, be nominated as the Comhairle's representative on the emerging Western Isles Alternative & Renewable Energy Partnership.

   

Donald John Macsween declared an interest in the following item and left the Meeting during consideration of the matter.

Hebridean Celtic Festival

AL11.01

13

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for funding for the Hebridean Celtic Festival over the three years, 2002-2004. It was indicated in the Report that the Festival was held on an annual basis and was a well-established event with a strong national and international profile. The Report stated that audience figures had grown year on year and that the Festival brought both direct and indirect benefits to the Western Isles in economic, social and cultural terms and was an important flagship event for promoting the Islands. It was further stated that whilst both the Comhairle and Western Isle Enterprise had been major funders of the Festival since its inception, considerable efforts had been made to increase sales revenue and commercial sponsorship for the event and that opportunities to attract a major sponsor for the Festival, in the future were currently being explored.

The Report referred to the fact that a Business Plan covering the 2002-2004 Festival had indicated that the event required a total annual funding of around £30,000 from the Comhairle and the detailed breakdown of how the Comhairle could fund the Festival in the sum of £30,000 during the 2001/2002, 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 financial years was given in the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) in addition to the Leisure Services grant of £15K already approved for the 2002 Hebridean Celtic Festival, a grant of up to £10K be offered towards the co-ordination and marketing costs for 2002, allocated from the Marketing & Promotion budget in the current and 2002/03 financial years as appropriate;

(2) Comhairle funding of £25K per year for the 2003 and 2004 Hebridean Celtic Festivals be approved, in principle and, subject to budgetary provision being made in the 2002/03 and 2003/04 financial years, the detailed terms and conditions of grant to be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities, and;

(3) the Director for Sustainable Communities should assist the Hebridean Celtic Festival organisers to pursue opportunities for major commercial sponsorship.

   

It was agreed that in accordance with the terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following three Items on the grounds that exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Carloway Factory, Garenin

DS41.04

14

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the Carloway Factory, Garenin, and outlined a number of options in relation to the future of the Factory.

It was agreed to sell to the present tenant Donald Macleod Ltd, at a reduced price, all Comhairle land and premises at the Carloway Factory, Garenin, subject to Scottish Executive approval and on other such terms and conditions as the Director of Corporate Services and the Director for Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Chief Executive, shall determine, at an estimated cost of £25,000.

Plot 8, Parkend Development Estate

DS41.60

15

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the sale of Plot 8, Parkend Development Estate. The Report gave background information in relation to the sale.

It was agreed that as a result of the amended size of Plot 8, Parkend Development Estate, the Comhairle agree to repay the difference, as detailed in the Report by the Director for Sustainable Communities, to the new owner at the current market valuation per the Valuation Office and on the terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director for Sustainable Communities and the Director of Corporate Services.

Unit 8A, 7 James Street, Stornoway

DS41.14.11

16

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a request from Mr Paul Welch, T/A Pied Piper, to terminate his lease of Unit 8A, 7 James Street, Stornoway. The Report gave background information in relation to the request.

It was agreed that the Comhairle agree to the request by Mr Paul Welch, T/A Pied Piper, to vacate Unit 8A, 7 James Street, Stornoway and that the current lease be terminated at no penalty to the tenant.

East Loch Tarbert Waterfront Regeneration and Harris Tweed Centre Proposals

DS40.33

17

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report regarding proposals to infill and re-generate East Loch Tarbert, providing a Harris Tweed Centre serviced site and improved marine opportunities. It was indicated in the Report that there was provision in the Comhairle's Capital Programme for assistance towards the cost of the Harris Tweed Centre and it was proposed that this provision be re-allocated for use towards the costs of a combined infill/serviced site and Harris Tweed Centre Development at East Loch Tarbert. The Report concluded that a combined infill/serviced site and Harris Tweed Centre Development at East Loch Tarbert would be of considerable economic and environmental benefit to Harris and the Western Isles and that the advantages of the Project, as detailed in the Report would include:

(1) the provision of prime development land;

(2) employment and potential development spin-offs from the Harris Tweed Centre;

(3) a possible increase in tourism with enhanced potential of the Harris Tweed Centre on a gateway site;

(4) environmental improvement;

(5) marine potential, and;

(6) highway/parking provision

It was agreed to recommend:

(1) that the Comhairle note the previous background work and key agency views outlined in Paragraphs 5.1 to 5.6 of the Report entitled "East Loch Tarbert Waterfront Regeneration and Harris Tweed Centre Proposals: Background Information" and give it support, in principle, to progress consideration of the Harris Tweed Centre on the East Loch infill site, Tarbert;

(2) to the Policy and Finance Committee that the Comhairle's £131,000 Capital Programme 2002/2003 for the Harris Tweed Centre, be re-allocated to a combined Infill Serviced Site and Harris Tweed Development Site at East Loch Tarbert, and;

(3) that subject to recommendation (2) above, the Comhairle approve a contribution of up to £30,000 maximum from the £131,000 Capital Programme 2002/2003 allocation to be utilised on design work for the East Loch Tarbert Infill/Serviced Site and Harris Tweed Schemes.

Private Slaughter of Livestock

CH03.10.11

18

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the legal position in respect of the killing of animals for human consumption outwith licensed slaughtering facilities. The Report intimated that following consideration of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) Report entitled "Slaughtering in the Western Isles", that the Comhairle had agreed to give consideration to finding ways to encourage producers to have all animals killed for human consumption slaughtered in licensed facilities, in order to protect public health. It was further intimated in the Report that the Food Standards Agency had issued advice to Local Authorities in England, in respect of the private slaughter of animals for human consumption, however, this advice had not yet been formally issued to Local Authorities in Scotland. It was stated in the Report that the issue was considered to be of such importance to the Comhairle that Counsel's opinion was being sought in respect of the legality or otherwise of private slaughter.

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Supplementary Report seeking authority to ensure that in the event of any conflict between the Counsel's opinion referred to in the abovementioned Report and the Food Standards Agency's draft guidance on the legal position in respect of the private slaughter of animals, that these should be clarified as soon as possible. It was suggested that it would be appropriate as a first step to invite the Food Standards Agency to review their opinion in light of any legal advice which the Council may receive and that in the event of there still being no agreement between the Food Standards Agency and the Comhairle, that the Comhairle should seek to pursue the matter, with the support of other Local Authorities, through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and possibly by Judicial Review, as soon as the advice from the Food Standards Agency had been formally issued.

It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned that, if there was a conflict between the Food Standards Agency and Counsel's opinion in respect of the legality or otherwise of private slaughter, that:

(1) the Comhairle invite the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) to reconsider their draft advice on private slaughter in light of Counsel's opinion, and;

(2) if conflict still existed, it be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities and Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chairman of Environmental Services Committee, to take the necessary action to seek clarification on the legality of the draft guidance issued by the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) in respect of private slaughter, once that advice had been formally issued.

   

Mr Angus M Graham, who was not a Member of the Committee, declared an interest in the following item and left the Meeting during consideration of the matter.

   

It was agreed that in accordance with the terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Western Isles Slaughterhouses

DS40.02.06

19

With reference to Item 192 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 December 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 that the Report by the Western Isles Slaughterhouse Member/Officer Working Group entitled "Western Isles Slaughterhouses" be noted.

Appraisal of Lewis & Harris Cattle Health Scheme

DS40.02

20

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the Lewis & Harris Cattle Health Scheme. It was stated in the Report that the main aims of the Scheme were to improve the number and quality of cattle in Lewis and Harris. The Report gave details of the number of tests undertaken to identify the prevalence of four of the serious cattle diseases in Lewis and Harris livestock and it was intimated that some 50% of all herds were free of disease. The Report stated that the number of cattle producers in Lewis and Harris had increased from 120 in 1998 to 150 in 2001 and that cattle numbers had also increased by 445 head throughout this period. The Report concluded that it was envisaged that the number of producers participating in the Cattle Health Scheme would increase as the Scheme progressed.

It was agreed that the Report by the Director for Sustainable Communities entitled, "Appraisal of Lewis & Harris Cattle Health Scheme" be noted.

   

FISHERIES AND FISHERY PIERS

Programme and Progress

TO7.01

21

The Director of Technical Services submitted the Capital Works Programme and Progress Report in respect of Fishery Piers.

It was agreed that the Report by the Director of Technical Services entitled, "Programme and Progress" be noted.

Pontoons: Scale of Charges

22

With reference to Item 177 of the Minute of Meeting of 21 November 2001, the Director for Technical Services submitted a Report intimating that he had been requested to submit a Report to the Committee on the charges made for Pontoons. It was stated in the Report that as a result of the complex issues involved and the differing views of individual users, it was felt appropriate that the matter should be deferred until such time as the Pontoons were in place and the Pier Users Groups at Miavaig and Stockinish consulted. It was envisaged that a detailed Report on this matter would be presented to the Committee at its Meeting on 27 March 2002.

It was agreed that the Report by the Director of Technical Services entitled, "Pontoons: Scale of Charges" be noted.

   

It was agreed that in accordance with the terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle and the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property, or the supply of goods or services, would be disclosed.

Ardveenish Pier Extension: Final Contract Costs

TO7.02.17

23

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report advising the Committee of the final cost for the contract works to extend the pier at Ardveenish, Isle of Barra.

It was agreed that the final contract value paid to Charles Brand Ltd for the Ardveenish Pier extension, Isle of Barra, as detailed in the Report by the Director of Technical Services, be noted.

Report of Public Local Inquiry into objections to the Broadbay Local Plan

DS24.03

24

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report informing Members of the Report of the Public Local Inquiry into objections to the Broadbay Local Plan. The Report intimated that subsequent to the Inquiry, the objector, Mr Colin B M Scott, had sought to introduce information and that the Reporter, Mr Donald Watt, LLB, NP, having submitted his Report to the Comhairle, had referred this information to the Comhairle and suggested that it be considered along with his Report. The Director for Sustainable Communities stated that the information produced by Mr Colin B M Scott was not new and in his view, did not have any specific bearing on the deliberations of the Reporter, his conclusions or recommendations.

The Report further concluded that the recommendations by the Reporter supported the approach taken by the Comhairle and were to be welcomed.

It was agreed to:

(1) welcome and accept the recommendations of the Reporter appointed to hold a Public Local Inquiry into outstanding objections to the Broadbay Local Plan, for the reasons stated at Paragraph 7.2 and 7.3 of the Report by the Director for Sustainable Communities;

(2) agree that the information produced by Mr Colin B M Scott did not have any specific bearing on the deliberations of the Reporter, his conclusions or recommendations; and

(3) delegate authority to the Director for Sustainable Communities to complete the final stages of the plan-making process to enable adoption of the Broadbay Local Plan.

All-Energy Opportunities Conference and Exhibition, Aberdeen 28-29 May 2002

DS03.01

25

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the 2002 All Energy Opportunities Conference and Exhibition which was to be held in Aberdeen on 28 - 29 May 2002.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the All-Energy Opportunities Conference and Exhibition be placed on the Comhairle's approved List of Conferences;

(2) the Comhairle be represented at the abovementioned event by the Chairman or his nominee and Mr Donald M Mackay, Chairman, Alternative Energy Member/Officer Working Group;

(3) the Comhairle approve £3,500 towards Exhibition costs;

(4) match funding be sought from Western Isles Enterprise; and

(5) representatives from Western Isles Alternative Renewable Energy Partnership and the Stornoway Trust be invited to attend the Conference and Exhibition

.

Reports Outstanding

PR33.01.12

26

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports Outstanding from decisions of the Committee from 1 May 1994.

It was agreed to note the Report.

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