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Tribute:
Ms Anne Murray
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The Chairman
welcomed Ms Anne Murray to her first Meeting of the Committee following her
appointment as Economic Development Officer.
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MINUTES
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Sustainable Development Committee
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 8 December 2004 was approved.
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Declarations of Interests
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2
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Mr Angus
Campbell declared an interest and left the Meeting dureing consideration of
Items 15 and 29.
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FINANCE
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Third Quarter
Revenue Monitoring 2004/05
PR110.05
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3
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The Acting
Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Comhairle’s Forecast
Revenue Outturn for 2004/05 at the end of the third quarter. A summary of
the financial performance to the end of December 2004 was appended to the
Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
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Third Quarter Capital Monitoring 2004/05
PR110.03
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4
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The Acting
Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning progress with the 2004/05
Capital Programme as at 31 December 2004.
It was
agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations in the Report insofar as
the Committee’s interests were concerned.
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Revenue Estimates 2005/06
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5
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The Acting
Director of Finance submitted the draft Revenue Estimates for 2005/06.
It was
agreed to recommend approval of the Draft Revenue Estimates 2005/2006,
insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned.
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PRESENTATION
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Hebridean Mink Project Update
DS40.02.22(a)
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6
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the Hebridean
Mink Project. The Project sought to control Mink populations in order to
protect important bird life in specially protected areas in the Western Isles
and was due to run until June 2006. Mr Niall Moore, Head of the Conservation
Management Team at the Central Science Laboratory (and part of the Hebridean
Mink Project Team) addressed the Committee in relation to the current
position of the Project, its impact upon job creation, local economic
multipliers and identified progress against targets. Members were afforded
the opportunity of asking questions of Mr Moore.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
support a contribution of £10k
(2004/05) towards additional trapping activity for South Uist and support an
interim project scheme for 2006/07 at the current annual level; and
(2)
seek an evaluation of further
involvement in any proposed EU ‘LIFE’ funded project for a future phase.
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BIODIVERSITY
AND COUNTRYSIDE
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Appointment of Consultants:
Biodiversity Action Plans
DS61.01
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7
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the production
of a local Biodiversity Action Plan for the Western Isles which was being
developed by the Comhairle in partnership with other agencies and
organisations. The first phase of action plans had been formally launched in
May 2004 and the second phase of five habitat and species draft action plans
had been produced for consultation with the aim to launch in May 2005.
Public consultation was being proposed to finalise the second phase of action
plans and to encourage participation in the implementation of the plans. The
Report indicated that, given the timescale for undertaking the consultation,
Natural Capital should be appointed to undertake the first phase of
consultation.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve the appointment of consultants, Natural Capital, to
undertake a public consultation exercise on the second phase of the draft
Habitat and Species Action Plans.
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Countryside Access Programme Update
DS61.20
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8
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With reference
to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 November 2003 the Director for
Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing progress with the
Countryside Access Programme. The Programme seeks to enable the improvement
of approximately 195km of paths throughout the Western Isles, 50km of which
would be to an all ability standard. The Project Management Group had
prioritised the paths to be developed. The Report proposed that work should
commence on the priority one routes identified through the prioritisation
exercise.
It was agreed
to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note the project’s progress; and
(2)
approve priority projects over £20k as
listed in the Report.
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Woodland Nursery
Provision PER
DS40.05
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9
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to proposals to
establish a tree nursery to provide a facility where stock could be produced
and maintained for use in Comhairle projects such as road upgrading. The
facility would also allow for the delivery of skills training in
agro-forestry and tree management as well as community capacity building
programmes.
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It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approve inclusion of the project
“Woodland Nursery Provision” in the Capital Programme 2004-08 in line with
the Project Evaluation Report at Appendix 1;
(2)
approve that a lease be entered into
with the Stornoway Trust in relation to the area required at a rental no more
than is determined by the District Valuer and that the lease be on such terms
and conditions as the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with
the Directors of Technical Services and Sustainable Communities shall
determine;
(3)
approves that the Capital funding and
management of the project is transferred to the Technical Services
Department; and
(4)
agrees that the Director of Technical
Services and the Director for Sustainable Communities bring forward a joint
Report for approval to a future Meeting, detailing arrangements for the
day-to-day management of the facility.
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RENEWABLE
ENERGY
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GreenSpace PER
DS61.01
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10
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The Director
of Technical Service submitted a Report in relation to the GreenSpace
Project. The basic principle of the Project was to bridge the gap between
energy demand and renewable energy supply in the design of new and existing
buildings. The Project outcome would be a powerful suite of simulation tools
and would assist building designers to integrate renewable energy systems and
rational use of energy technologies into every stage of the building
lifecycle. A summary of the feasibility study in relation to the project was
detailed in the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the GreenSpace Project for
inclusion in the 2004/08 Capital Programme in line with the Project
Evaluation Report at Appendix 2 to the Report.
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WIAREP Constitution
DS09.08
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11
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The Chief Executive submitted a Report in
relation to the Western Isles Alternative and Renewable Energy Partnership,
which had been established in June 2001, as a partnership to co-ordinate
renewable energy issues in the Western Isles. The Report detailed a draft
constitution which WIAREP proposed to adopt and, in line with the Western
Isles branding exercise, to change its name to the Hebridean Renewable Energy
Partnership.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
endorse the proposed HebREP
Constitution; and
(2)
authorise the Director for Sustainable
Communities, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, to examine
the appropriate level of representation on HebREP and report back their
conclusions for approval to the Committee.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Programme and Progress
PR33.01.12
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12
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in relation
to Economic Development properties.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
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Economic Development: New Building
Programme
DS40.01.02
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13
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the Comhairle's
portfolio of sites and premises which were leased to a wide variety of small
and medium sized enterprises in order to encourage business start-ups and
expansions. In an effort to meet demand to support island businesses a
priority list had been developed to provide suitable premises for new or
expanding businesses which would include new buildings in Castlebay,
Balivanich and Leverburgh. The Report indicated that the first proposal for
an application to HISTP was for a Unit at Castlebay, Isle of Barra.
Discussions had been held with prospective tenants and the building had been
planned to suit their respective needs.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approves the Project Evaluation Report
for Business Unit Provision (Appendix 1) for inclusion in the Capital
Programme 2004/08;
(2)
agrees that a new development unit of
approximately 140m2 be built on the new Castlebay Development
Estate at a total cost of approximately £235,000; and
(3)
agrees that an application be made to
HISTP for £94,000 for the new Castlebay Development Estate.
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Iomairt Aig an Oir – Update Report
DS40.01.23
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14
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The Director for
Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the current
position of Iomairt aig an Oir. Iomairt aig an Oir was a Scottish Executive
led development programme established in 1997 which was targeted at
accelarating the economic and social development of some of Scotland’s most
peripheral and fragile communities. The original three areas identified in
the Western Isles were currently in a two year transitional phase and the
areas of Lochs and Barra/Vatersay had been chosen as Iomairt aig an Oir areas
for three years from April 2004 and October 2004 respectively.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note the current position of Iomairt
aig an Oir in the Western Isles; and
(2)
approve funding of up to a maximum of
£17,847 for 2004/05, £16,800 for 2005/06, £12,000 for 2006/07 and £6,000 for
2007/08 as detailed in paragraph 6.2 of the Report.
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Mr Angus Campbell declared an interest and
left the Meeting during consideration of the following item 15.
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Newspapers and Magazines Block Exemption
Initiative
CH02
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15
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report in relation to proposed changes to national newspaper and
magazine distribution agreements. The review was being undertaken by the
Office of Fair Trading at the request of the Department of Trade and
Industry. The present system operated under a block exemption which allowed
publishers, wholesalers and retailers to conduct their business and fulfil
contractual agreements free from legal challenge. The Report indicated that
new competition arrangements would see the end of the current system of
territorial distribution and Scotland’s rural newsagents could be under
threat if the government removed the block exemption ruling which allowed
newspapers and magazines to be delivered through the UK with the same cover price, regardless of geographical location.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note the Report;
(2)
authorise the Director for Sustainable
Communities to write to the appropriate Scottish and UK Ministers objecting to these proposals; and
(3) seek the support of the MP/MSP and
appropriate bodies and organisations and make representations to newspapers.
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It was
unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 17 of
the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above
recommendations on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to enable
early representations to be made on the grounds that the recommendations were
not contentious and did not breach a major policy consideration of the
Comhairle.
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TOURISM
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Tourism Framework Document
DS40.08
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16
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing arrangements for the
delivery of tourism services in the Outer Hebrides from 2005. The Report
detailed a draft Tourism Framework Document which set out, in legal terms,
what was expected from both Local Authorities and VisitScotland. The Report
further detailed the comments from VisitScotland in relation to the draft
Partnership Agreement.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approve the Tourism Partnership
Agreement detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report; and
(2)
agree to fund Tourism activity as
follows;
·
£104,000 for core activities from the
Tourism Budget; and
·
£25,000 for the maintenance/development of
VisitHebrides.com from the Marketing and Promotion Budget.
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COMMUNITY
SUPPORT
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Community Initiated Projects – Ness Sports and Recreation Association
AL06.05.56
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17
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for
grant funding under the Comhairle's Community Initiated Projects Scheme from
Ness Sports and Recreation Association Ltd. The Association was a community
organisation which had been involved in developing sport facilities in the Ness area and a new £1.8m facility was presently under construction. The application was
for grant funding in relation to the costs of provision of fixed equipment
within the new Spòrs Nis facility.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Committee approve funding of £20,000 to the Ness Sports and Recreation
Association from the Community Initiated Projects Scheme, subject to evidence
of all necessary match funding being confirmed.
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Community Initiated Projects –
Carloway Community Association
AL04.03
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18
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The Director for
Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to an application for
grant funding under the Comhairle's Community Initiated Project Scheme from
Carloway Community Association. The funding was for the upgrading and
development costs of the Carloway Community Hall which was a vital community
facility which was well utilised by a diverse range of community groups,
organisations and individuals. The proposed upgrading would improve the
overall fabric of the facility making it a safer, more attractive environment
and would boost the overall usage of the hall, thereby underpinning its
ongoing sustainability.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Committee approve funding of £14,400 to Carloway Community Association from
the Community Initiated Projects Scheme, subject to evidence of all necessary
match funding being confirmed.
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Community Initiated Projects –
Balivanich Community Leisure Area Group
AL06.02.01
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19
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to an application
for grant funding under the Comhairle's Community Initiated Projects Scheme
from Balivanich Community Leisure Area Group. The Group was currently
developing the Balivanich Leisure/Recreation Park and the funding would be
used to undertake groundworks, surfacing and the purchase of equipment for a
community park where local residents and visitors could enjoy a variety of
activities in a safe and pleasant environment.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Committee approve funding of £20,000 to the
Balivanich Community Leisure Area Group from the Community Initiated Projects
Scheme, subject to evidence of all necessary match funding being confirmed.
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Western Isles Credit Union Project
PR43.01
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20
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing progress with the
Western Isles Credit Union Project. A Project Steering Group had been formed
and a Project Officer appointed at the end of September 2004 to take forward
a number of key tasks agreed by the Steering Group. The Report further indicated
that the focus of recent activity had been on compiling marketing material
and organising a series of awareness raising meetings throughout the Western
Isles.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle note the progress of the Western Isles Credit Union Project.
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CROFTING
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Consultation on the Interim CCAGS
Scheme
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21
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The
Director of Corporate Services, following consultation wih the Chairman,
withdrew this item.
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Consultation on the Croft House
Grant Scheme
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22
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The
Director of Corporate Services, following consultation wih the Chairman,
withdrew this item.
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MARINE
ENVIRONMENT
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UK & Scottish Climate Change
Programme Reviews: Consultation
CH03.01
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23
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a proposed response to the
consultations currently being undertaken by the Government and the Scottish
Executive on climate change programmes. These programmes were to be
significant contributions to the global response to climate change and sought
to set out strategic, far-reaching packages of policies and measures across
all centre of the economy. The Report highlighted the UK and Scottish climate change programmes.
It was
agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee’s interests were concerned,
that the Comhairle approve that Appendix 3 in the Report, together with the
comments made by Members and including the basis of the recent article in
Holyrood magazine, should form the basis of a common Comhairle response to
both DEFRA and the Scottish Executive Environment Group.
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Remote Sensing of Soft Coasts
Project
DS60.01
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24
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the Remote Sensing of
Soft Coasts Project. Concerns about climate change and rises in sea levels
have increased the awareness of the necessity for accurate planning and
monitoring of coastlines and low lying inland areas. The aim of the Project
was to gather baseline data which could then be used with in-house Geographic
Information Systems to assist with development planning, identifying
vulnerable areas and mapping. The Report further indicated that the project
was being led by Scottish Natural Heritage who had invited the Comhairle,
along with others, to support and partly fund the initiative.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle;
(1)
agree to be a project partner and
approve funding of up to £15k to project costs as detailed in the Report; and
(2)
authorise the Director of Technical
Services to circulate a briefing paper to members detailing relevant
organisations duties and responsibilities in relation to coast protection.
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Tanker Traffic in the Minches – PSSA
Designation
DS61.01
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25
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the proposal, approved by
the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), to designate part of Western
European Waters including the Minches and West of Hebrides as a Particularly
Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). It was emphasised in the Report that the PSSA was
a sea area requiring special protection through action by the IMO because of
its significance for recognised ecological, socio-economic or scientific
reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime
activities. It was stated in the Report that the designation was likely to
strengthen the case for control and routing of vessels through the Minches
and West of Hebrides. It was further stated in the Report that the only
protective measure, which the IMO proposed, at this point, was to prohibit
the carriage of heavy grades of oil in vessels of more than 600 DWT, except
in double hull tankers and that for some tankers this provision would only
apply from 2008.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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West Coast of Scotland Sandeel Fishery
DS40.04.14
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26
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to a SEERAD
consultation document on the management arrangements for the Shetland and
West Coast Sandeel Fisheries. SEERAD were proposing that the current
management arrangements could be continued for 2005 given their precautionary
nature and the safeguards they provided for all interests. The Report
further indicated that the Western Isles Fisherman’s Association was calling
for a 50% reduction in the number of licences for the West Coast Fishery.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle support the WIFA proposal for a 50% reduction in the number of
licences in the West Coast Sandeel Fishery.
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It was
unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 17 of
the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above
recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to enable a
response to be made prior to the deadline for receipt of comments on the
grounds that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a
major policy consideration of the Comhairle.
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Community Marine Access Scheme
DS40.01.18
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27
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report detailing grant applications under the Community Marine
Access Scheme towards community slip projects at Keose and Uigean, Isle of
Lewis. The Report indicated that both projects met the criteria for the
Scheme and would provide or enhance facilities for a range of community and
leisure users and make important contributions to community development.
It was agreed
to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
offers a grant of £25% of eligible
project costs up to a maximum of £20k to Keose and Glebe Community
Association towards the Keose Slip project, subject to the conditions of the
Community Marine Access Scheme; and
(2)
offers a grant of 25% of the eligible
projects costs up to a maximum of £20k to Bhaltos Community Trust Ltd toward
the Uigean Slip project, subject to the conditions of the Community Marine
Access Scheme.
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PERFORMANCE
MONITORING
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Reports Outstanding
PR33.01.12
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28
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The Director
of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing these Reports Outstanding
arising from decisions of the Committee.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
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ADDITIONAL
ITEMS
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The Chairman
ruled that in accordance with the provision of Section 50(B) 4 of the Local
Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended the following four items be
considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow the Committee to take a
view on these matters.
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Mr Angus
Campbell declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of
the following item
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HISTP Community Hall Scheme
PR81.01
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report proposing the utilisation of
existing Village Hall Match Funding provision within the Capital Programme
2004/08 to facilitate the drawing down of a further £200k over three years
from the HISTP Programme. In order to achieve this, authorisation was sought
to associate the match funding for village halls within the Capital Programme
with the proposed HISTP application but the Comhairle's £50k allocation would
continue to be committed on a year by year basis against the Scottish
Executive’s Rural Challenge Local Capital Grants Scheme.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle, for the purposes of the proposed bid
to the Highlands and Islands and Special Transitional Programme (HISTP),
agrees to match the £200K contained in the Comhairle's current Capital
Programme for 2004-2008 for ‘Match Funding for Village Halls’ with the
proposed HISTP bid in order to draw down additional funding of £200k from
ERDF.
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Broadband in Remote Areas
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30
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the Broadband
in Remote Rural Areas Project. The Project aimed to deliver a strategic
framework for the development of new broadband services and content for the
benefit of the community across the Western Isles. The Report detailed the
total project costs and indicated that a Project Co-ordinator would be
appointed with responsibility for co-ordinating the local Project Steering
Group and providing financial marketing and executive support.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note the success of the application for
funding to the Northern Periphery Programme for the Broadband in Remote Rural
Areas Project; and
(2)
approve a contribution of 41,850 euros,
(circa £29,275), over the 2005/06 and 2006/07 financial years.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the Meeting during
consideration of the following items 31 and 32 on the grounds that exempt
information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government
(Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the
financial or business affairs of any particular person, other than the
Comhairle.
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Unit 4, Mossend Industrial Estate
DS41.23.04
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31
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing a request from the
existing tenant to terminate his lease of Unit 4, Mossend Development Estate.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle;
(1)
agree to the request by the existing
tenant to vacate Unit 4, Mossend Development Estate and that the current
lease be terminated and the Acting Director of Finance and Director for
Sustainable Communities be authorised to negotiate any debts owing to the
Comhairle; and
(2)
agree to advertise Unit 4, Mossend
Development Estate for lease.
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Severe Weather Storm Damage – Initial
Assessment
|
32
|
The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report indicating that, following the
short period of severe weather experienced throughout the Hebrides in
mid-January, significant storm damage had been reported by the business
community and various other sectors of the local economy. The Report
detailed the work being undertaken by the Comhairle to assess the storm
damage and identify possible steps to help lessen the impact on the business
community.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agrees that the Economic Development
Section ensure that businesses affected by the storm are prioritised and that
available funding is utilised with maximum flexibility in order to provide
additional support such as advisory input and re-start capital.
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It was
unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 17 of
the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above
recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to enable
support to be given immediately, on the basis that the recommendation was not
contentious and did not breach a major policy consideration of the Comhairle.
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