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MINUTES
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Minute of
Meeting of 16 June 2004
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 16 June 2004 was approved
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FINANCE
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General
Fund Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2004 – 30 June 2004
PR110.01
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2
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The Director
of Finance submitted a Report detailing progress in the Capital Programme for
2004/05 as at 30 June 2004.
It was
agreed to recommend, in so far as the Committee's interests were concerned,
that the Forecast Out-turn be approved as the Revised Approved Programme, and
specifically:
(1) the acceleration of £20k for Electrical
Upgrading Work at Lochmaddy School from the Renovation/Composite Programme
for such work;
(2) the acceleration of £84k for the
Schools Accessibility Programme from the Renovation/Composite Programme for
such work;
(3) the acceleration of £103k for Reroofing
Work at Daliburgh School from the Renovation/Composite Programme for such
work;
(4) the slippage of £20k for Boiler Plant
Replacement in Schools;
(5) the slippage of £914k of expenditure
and £390k of income on the South Uist Care Development project;
(6) the acceleration of £58k for Capital
Repairs to Social Work Properties from the Renovation/Composite Programme for
such work;
(7) the slippage of £335k of expenditure on
Roads to Communities to 2005/06 pending the outcome of a HISTP claim for
funding for this project;
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(8) the overspend of £23k on Pointers; and
(9) the overspend of £195k on the Stornoway
Sports Centre.
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First
Quarter Revenue Monitoring
PR110.05
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3
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The Director
of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle’s forecast revenue
outturn for 2003/04 at the end of the first quarter.
It was agreed
to recommend, in so far as the Committee's interests were concerned, that the
Report be noted.
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BIODIVERSITY AND COUNTRYSIDE
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Nature
Conservation Designations – Consultation Procedures
DS61.01
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4
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the various
environmental designations within Scotland. Mr David Mallon, Scottish
Executive made a presentation in relation to the Executive’s Nature
Conservation Policies in general and consultation procedures relating to
marine and terrestrial designations and the new bio-diversity duty for public
bodies. Members were afforded the opportunity of asking questions of Mr
Mallon.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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Miss Samantha
E L Hawkins declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of
the following item.
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Proposed
Local Nature Reserve at Loch Stiapabhat, Ness
DS61.02.02
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5
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report detailing progress towards the declaration of Loch Stiapabhat,
Ness as a Local Nature Reserve. The Report stated that the Comhairle will
only be in a position to move towards declaration once a Local Management
Group had been constituted and once a Management Plan had been prepared and
approved. The Report further indicated that an informal group had been
established but would require to be formally constituted and the Comhairle
would wish to satisfy itself with regard to the implications of the
Constitution and any matters regarding land ownership.
It was agreed
to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle approve the declaration
of Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve subject to -
(a) the approval of the Directors of
Corporate Services and Finance of the Local Management Group Constitution;
and
(b) a finalised Local Management Plan, and
confirmation of the relevant Grazings Committee’s approval being in place;
and
(2)
any proposed change in land ownership
be reported to the Comhairle before action was taken.
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Langavat
cSAC Management Plan
DS61.01
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6
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the draft
Management Plan for the Langavat candidate Special Area of Conservation. The
Report stated that the plan recommended a management structure for the
Special Area of Conservation which was based on the model used for the
Lochmaddy European Marine Site.
It was
agreed to:
(1) defer consideration of this matter
until the next Meeting of the Committee; and
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(2) recommend that the Director for
Sustainable be authorised to make the necessary arrangements to enable the
designation for the Langavat candidate Special Area of Conservation to be put
on hold pending determination of the Management Plan.
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DEVELOPMENT
PLANS
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Wastewater
Drainage: Development Plan Policy
DS65
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7
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report intimating that future
development in settlements with an “at capacity” public sewerage system was
potentially constrained. The Report indicated that some seventeen island
settlement areas currently had an “at capacity’ public sewerage system and
that a further ten were close to capacity. It was stated in the Report that
the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) objected to new private
sewerage systems in areas with public sewerage systems, even where the latter
was “at capacity,” as SEPA considered public sewerage systems could be better
managed, regulated and improved to thereby deliver environmental and wider
benefits.
The Report
referred to structure plan policy DM6 which stated that:
“new
developments in areas with public sewerage systems will be expected to
connect to the public sewer unless such connection would result in an
unsustainable use of resources. In such cases the development will only be
permitted if a suitable, sustainable alternative method can be provided.
Proposed private sewerage arrangements must be implemented without adverse
impact on groundwater or watercourses and provide sufficient treatment of
effluent”.
It was
highlighted in the Report that in applying policy DM6 it was considered that
connection to a public system ‘at capacity’ represented an unsustainable use
of resources and therefore allowed for consideration of an alternative
suitable sustainable method of drainage. It was further intimated in the
Report that planning applications should be determined in accordance with the
Development Plan unless material considerations indicated otherwise and that
the Comhairle's Development Plan policies, particularly the recently approved
Structure Plan, provided clear guidance for making decisions and allowed for
the consideration of private sewerage arrangements in public sewered areas.
It was pointed out in the Report that, whilst noting the priority given to
the Development Plan in decision making, each planning application would have
to be considered on the facts and circumstances relating to that application
and it was stressed that every application site would be different and that
some may not be suitable for private systems.
The Report
further referred to the fact that current Scottish Water data was based on
historical survey information and that it was understood that Scottish Water
was currently reviewing its information base relating to waste water systems
and that with a national consultation exercise underway on its future
investment programme Scottish Water was unable to give any programme on
system capacity upgrades. The Report concluded that discussions should be
held with relevant Outside Bodies to investigate respective concerns and
identify arrangements that allowed for responsible and sustainable future
development outcomes, namely the delivery of both socio-economic and
environmental objectives and that any such discussions with outside bodies
should include:
(1)
identification of measures and mechanisms for
private/public waste water systems that achieved sustainable
development objectives;
(2)
early stakeholder input to the Western Isles
Local Plan Policy preparation; and
(3)
influencing Scottish Water to improve
investment upgrade of public sewerage systems in fragile rural areas.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note that current Development Plan
policy for settlements allowed for consideration of development if a suitable
sustainable alternative method of drainage could be provided within ‘at
capacity’ systems;
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(2)
authorise the Director for Sustainable
Communities to discuss with Scottish Water, SEPA and others, arrangements
that enable positive sustainable development outcomes; and
(3)
request urgent conclusion of the
ongoing review of the Scottish Water information base regarding public
wastewater systems.
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Investing
in Water Services 2006 – 2014
DS65
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8
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report indicating that the Scottish
Executive had requested the Comhairle's views on the “Investing in Water
Services 2006 – 2014” consultation paper.
A proposed
response from the Comhairle was appended to the Report.
It was
emphasised that public infrastructure provision was important to sustaining
communities in the Western Isles and enabling future development demands to
be met and that future investment in water services must address local
priority needs to:
(1)
increase capacity of existing public
wastewater area systems;
(2)
extend the network of first time public
wastewater provision;
(3)
resolve potential low water pressure
constraints on large scale developments; and
(4)
replace older water mains pipes.
It was
emphasised in the Report that specific public funding was required to carry
out the abovementioned works.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
submit the comments set out in the
Report as the basis of its response to the Scottish Executive; and
(2)
urgently discuss investment issues with
relevant bodies to ensure the Scottish Water Investment programme meets the
special needs and priorities of the Western Isles.
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RENEWABLE
ENERGY
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Western
Isles Development Trust
DS40.01.02
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9
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The Chief Executive submitted a Report
indicating that a Western Isles Development Trust had been incorporated on 2
August 2004. The Report detailed the Memorandum and Articles of Association
in relation to the Trust. The Report stated that the Comhairle had appointed
Directors to serve on the Trust and the Director of Corporate Services was
arranging for other first nominated Members to be appointed as Directors in
accordance with the Articles of Association.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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Alternative
and Renewable Energy Developments Member/Officer Working Group
DS09.08
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10
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The Chief
Executive submitted a Report detailing progress with the Alternative and
Renewable Energy Developments Member/Officer Working Group. The Report
stated that the Working Group had considered in detail issues including
community benefit, the Energy Act 2004 and marine energy. The Report also
indicated that meetings had also been held with Mr Calum Macdonald MP to
discuss the Energy Act 2004 and with representatives of Shetland Islands
Council in relation to Co-operative Schemes.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Western Isles Development Trust do not negotiate the level of benefit and
that a Focus Group consisting of the Convener, Vice-Convener and Chairmen of
Sustainable Development, Transportation and Environmental Services Committees
be formed and that two Members of that Group, together with the Chief
Executive would take forward all negotiations on behalf of the Comhairle with
the full legal and professional support necessary.
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Renewable
Energy Conferences
DS03
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11
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The Chief
Executive submitted a Report highlighting forthcoming key renewable energy
conferences which would provide up to date information on renewable energy
issues and facilitate influencing of key decision makers. The Report
indicated that a Western Isles presence at these conferences would assist in
building partnerships, political lobbying and promoting the islands
exceptional renewable resources at a national and international level.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
Member attendance at renewable energy
conferences be determined by the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation
with the Convener and the Chairman of Sustainable Development Committee, and
that this delegation could include attendance at conferences outwith the
United Kingdom;
(2)
the Chief Executive be authorised to
approve officer attendance at Renewable Energy Conferences outwith the United
Kingdom on the recommendation of the appropriate Head of Service; and
(3)
the Chief Executive be authorised to
liaise with partner organisations to ensure that maximum benefit was obtained
from attendance at such conferences.
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ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
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Creating
Communities of the Future – Final Draft
DS40.01.02
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12
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With reference to item 2 of the Minute of
Meeting of 21 April 2004 the Chief Executive and Director for Sustainable
Communities submitted a joint Report detailing the revised Creating
Communities of the Future document. The Report stated that the document
provided a shared vision for the regeneration of the Western Isles based on
six inter-related economic drivers. The Report also indicated that the
strategy provided a long term regeneration vision for the Western Isles and
would be supported by a detailed action and lobbying plan.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve the final draft of the revised Creating Communities of the
Future Strategy.
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following
item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of
Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed,
namely information relating to a particular employee, former employee or
applicant to become an employee of, or a particular office holder or former
office holder, or applicant to become an office holder under the Comhairle.
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Consumer
Direct Scotland – Progress Report
CH02.01.12
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13
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With reference
to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 16 June 2004 the Director for
Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the
implementation phase of the Consumer Direct Project. The present call rate
and the anticipated growth rate had led the project team to move to recruit
additional staff for the Contract Centre.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
notes the current progress with the
implementation of the Consumer Direct Scotland Project; and
(2)
notes the action taken under
delegation.
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Modern
Apprenticeship Scheme Progress
DS01
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14
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the Comhairle's
Apprenticeship and Enterprise Scheme. The Report stated that consultants
were commissioned to carry out research into the attitudes of employers as to
the provision of modern apprenticeship placements as well as identifying the
type and level of services the business community wished to see provided.
The Report detailed the objectives of the research, the methodology adopted
and summarised the findings. It was indicated that the consultants had
reported that there was some lack of knowledge with regard to the Comhairle's
Apprenticeship and Enterprise Scheme and an Advice/Support Centre should be
established to assist businesses with the process of taking on modern
apprentices.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle:
(1)
note the progress made with the
Apprenticeship Scheme;
(2)
agree that the advice and support
service via Business Advantage be enhanced; and
(3)
note that a Report recommending the
dis-establishment of the post of Youth Enterprise and Apprenticeship
Assistant would be considered by the Human Resources Sub-Committee.
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Sustainable Development Business
Unit Maintenance
DS01
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15
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing a planned programme
of business property maintenance in respect of the Comhairle's Economic
Development properties which were leased out to business tenants.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve a programme of planned maintenance on Sustainable
Development Committee’s business and other units over a 4 year period at a
total cost of £300k.
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Marketing Brand Project
DS40.01.02
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16
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report in relation to the project to establish a marketing brand
for the Western Isles. The Report stated that the Community Planning
Partnership had commissioned consultants to carry out research into the development
of a marketing brand for the Western Isles and a summary of the
recommendations was detailed in the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle encourage the Community Planning Partnership to :
·
progress the marketing brand project;
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engage all interested parties;
·
develop a local communications strategy;
·
increase the involvement of the private
sector;
·
develop a brand;
·
develop marketing strategy; and
·
seek funding for a long term marketing
strategy.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of Items 17 and 18 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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17
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing a request from the
current tenant to terminate the lease of Unit 6 Mossend Development Estate.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle:
(1)
agree to the request to vacate Unit 6
Mossend Development Estate and that the current lease be terminated on
condition that the tenant settles any debts owing to the Comhairle and that
the premises are left in a state at least as good as he received them; and
(2)
agree to advertise Unit 6 Mossend
Development Estate for lease.
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Barra Abattoir
DS40
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18
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report detailing a request from the operator of the Abattoir at
Gearadhmor, Barra for financial assistance in relation to the improvement and
upgrading of the existing abattoir facility. The Report indicated the
proposed improvements would provide an up to date abattoir facility which
would satisfy all the necessary regulations and provide new employment
opportunities.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve funding up to £15,603 for the second phase of the upgrade
and improvements to the slaughterhouse at Gearadhmor, Barra from the Crofting
Budget for the 2004/05 financial year.
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COMMUNITY
SUPPORT
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of Items 19 and 20
on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule
7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely
information relating to a particular employee, former employee or applicant
to become an employee of, or a particular office holder or former office
holder, or applicant to become an office holder under the Comhairle.
Mr Donald
Macdonald declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of
the following item.
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Community Support Network Rollout
DS40.34
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19
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing a proposed rollout
programme for the second phase of the Comhairle's Community Support Network.
The Report further detailed an exit strategy for the Better Neighbourhood
Services Fund. The Report stated that it was intended that seven full time
equivalent Community Co-ordinator posts would have been created by April 2005
in addition to the existing BNSF Service Co-ordinators who would be absorbed
into the Community Support Network in 2006.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle:
(1)
approve the proposed network rollout
programme as identified in the Report;
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(2)
refer the additional funding
requirements for 2006/07 and beyond to the Finance Working Party for their
consideration as part of their forward planning assumptions; and
(3)
approve the Exit Strategy for the
Better Neighbourhood Services Fund (BNSF) and its financial implications as
set out in the Report.
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BNSF Contract Extensions
DS40.34
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20
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report in relation to an extension to the contracts of employment
for Better Neighbourhood Services Fund Co-ordinators in light of funding for
an additional year recently approved by the Scottish Executive. The Report
further indicated that the post of BNSF Service Co-ordinator (West Side of
Lewis) had recently been vacated and the opportunity existed to accelerate
the rollout of the Comhairle's Community Support Network by replacing this
post with that of a Community Co-ordinator (North West Side).
It was agreed to recommend that the
Committee note the Report.
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Revision to BNSF Local Outcome
Agreement (Westside)
DS40.34
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21
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report seeking approval to provide the Scottish Executive with a
formal decision to depart from the provision of a West Side Dementia Unit
through the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund in favour of an enhanced home
based care service. The Report indicated that the provision of a ten bed
dementia unit for the West Side had first been proposed as a BNSF outcome in
2001 but national policy support for institutional care had now shifted in
favour of increased support for home based care.
It was agreed to recommend that,
subject to the concurrence of Social Work Committee, the Comhairle agree to:
(1)
depart from the BNSF Output: “Provide a
ten bedded Dementia Unit in the village of Carloway”; and
(2)
substitute in its place the Output:
“Provide a Community Care Centre in Carloway with facilities for social,
personal and health care and comprising an outreach base for an enhanced
home based care service”.
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Draft Response to the Big Lottery Fund, Scotland Consultation
PR100.09.01
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22
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report detailing a draft response to the Big Lottery Fund, Scotland consultation. The Report stated that the Big Lottery Fund was a new lottery
funding distributor that would bring together the work of the Community Fund,
which provided funding for charities and the voluntary and community sectors
and the New Opportunities Fund, which funded health, education and
environmental projects. It was indicated that the Big Lottery Fund would
also take over the Millennium Commissions role of supporting large scale
regeneration projects.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
approve the draft document, with any agreed amendments to allow the final
response to be submitted for the consultation deadline of 30 September 2004.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the Meeting during consideration
of the following item 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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Request for Financial Assistance –
Lochboisdale Amenity Trust
AL03
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23
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report in relation to a request for financial assistance from
Lochboisdale Amenity Trust. The Report stated that the Amenity Trust
proposed a large scale community improvement scheme in Lochboisdale including
a play park, ball park, landscaping and community park. The total cost of
the development was £217k and the shortfall required to complete the project
and secure all other external funding was £19k. The Report further indicated
that assurances had been received from the Amenity Trust that insurance and
ongoing maintenance costs associated with the development would be met by the
Trust and no other future requests for ongoing revenue support from the
Comhairle would be expected.
It was
agreed to recommend that a grant of £19k be awarded to Lochboisdale Amenity
Trust from Match Funding for Voluntary Sector Projects subject to written
confirmation from Lochboisdale Amenity Trust that no requests for revenue
funding would be made to the Comhairle as a result of this capital grant.
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ARCHAEOLOGY
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Dun Eistean Archaeological Project:
An Update
AL09.01.15
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24
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing progress with the
Dun Eistean Archaeological Project. The Report indicated that there had been
unavoidable delays in starting the archaeological work on the project due to
organisational problems within a partner organisation. It was indicated that
these problems had now been resolved, contracts had been signed and field
work was expected to proceed in Summer 2005.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
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TOURISM
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Mr Donald
Macdonald declared an interest in the following item.
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Future Tourism Provision
DS40.08
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25
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With reference
to item 18 of the Minute of Meeting of 16 June 2004 the Director for
Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing the outcomes of a
meeting between the Tourism Member/Officer Working Group and representatives
from VisitScotland, the Scottish Executive and the Western Isles Area Tourist
Board in relation to the future structure of tourism facilities and tourism
delivery mechanisms.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle note the Minute of
Meeting of 20 July 2004; and
(2)
the Member/Officer Working Group
progress the Comhairle's Tourism Policy as detailed in Appendix 2 to the
Report.
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FISHING
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Strategic Review of Inshore
Fisheries
DS40.04.49
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26
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing a proposed response
to the Scottish Executive consultation paper on the strategic review of
inshore fisheries. It was indicated that the consultation paper set out
proposals for the future governance and management of inshore fisheries in Scotland which would go some way towards local management of inshore fisheries through a
two tier co-management system. A network of Local Area Management Groups was
proposed with geographical coverage likely to draw upon the existing sea
fisheries districts. The draft consultation paper suggested that there would
be a Management Group for the Western Isles.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the response detailed in the
Report to the SEERAD consultation paper on the Strategic Review of Inshore
Fisheries.
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Mr Angus
Campbell declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of
the following item.
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Marine Fuel Sales
T07.03
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27
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing progress in relation to
the project to provide marine fuel at fishery piers. The Report stated that
the Comhairle currently had fuel tanks at eight locations throughout the
Western Isles either delivering or ready to deliver fuel to customers. Two
large capacity tanks for Kirkibost and Kallin were awaiting uplift from the
supplier and would be delivered at the same time as the remote delivery
systems for the tanks at Berneray and Brevig. The Report indicated that
these tanks, together with a further two tanks at Vatersay and West Loch
Tarbert would require additional work prior to commissioning. The Report
detailed the fuel sales as at 31 July 2004.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the 20,000 litre tank previously
identified for Kirkibost be located at Leverburgh and, on installation, the
existing 11,000 litre tank at Leverburgh be relocated to Miavaig pier; and
(2)
upon installation of the 20,000 litre
tank at Kallin the existing 11,000 litre tank be relocated to Acarsaid.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the Meeting during
consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as
defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act
1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to 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.
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Kallin Harbour
Additional Berthing
T07.02.23
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28
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the options for the
provision of additional berthing at Kallin Harbour, North Uist. The
preferred option consisted of the construction of a breakwater/berth to the
south east of the existing box harbour. The Report further indicated that
options for increased berthing at Leverburgh Harbour were currently being
assessed and discussed with local user groups and a Report would be submitted
to a future Meeting once a preferred option had been identified.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle approve, in terms of the
PER at Appendix 4 to the Report, match funding of £450k from the Fishery
Piers and Marine Access Programme for additional berthing at Leverburgh Pier
and Kallin Harbour;
(2)
the Comhairle approve the preferred
option, Option 2 (Breakwater/Berthing) for the provision of additional
berthing at Kallin Harbour;
(3)
the Comhairle approve the submission of
an application for funding assistance for the preferred option for additional
berthing at Kallin Harbour from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries
Guidance (FIFG); and
(4)
a feasibility study by suitably
experienced consultants be undertaken in relation to the provision of an ice
plant at Kallin harbour.
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Eoligarry Slipway
T07.03
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29
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report proposing that Eoligarry slipway be
transferred from Transportation Piers to the Fishery Piers list. The Report
stated that Eoligarry slipway was originally provided to enable a passenger
ferry service to operate across the sound of Barra but, with the introduction
of the vehicular ferry service, there was no longer the need for this
provision from a Transportation perspective.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Eoligarry Pier/Slipway be transferred from
Transportation Piers to the Fishery Piers list.
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Fishery Piers Improvement Programme
T07.02.40
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30
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The Director of Technical Services submitted
a Report detailing a proposed programme of capital works for fishery pier
improvements for 2004/08. The Report stated that the proposed programme of
improvements would be used in refurbishment or replacement of safety items
and to improve the environment at Comhairle fishery piers and harbours.
It was agreed to recommend that the
programme of Fishery Pier Capital Improvements for the period 2004 – 2008 in
Appendix 1 to the Report be approved.
Arising
from consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical
Services would submit a Report on Health and Safety issues at the Comhairle's
fishery piers.
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PERFORMANCE
MONITORING
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Reports Outstanding
PR33.01.12
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31
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report detailing Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the
Committee.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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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, the following items be considered as a matter
of urgency in order to allow the Committee to take a view on the matter.
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Review of the Crofter/Building Grant
Loan Scheme: Scottish Executive Announcement
DS40.02.11
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32
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report indicating that the Crofters
Building Grants and Loans Scheme would be replaced by a Croft House Grant
Scheme. Appended to the Report was a copy of the Scottish Executive
announcement giving information on changes to the Crofters Building Grants
and Loans Scheme. The Report identified a number of key concerns in relation
to the proposed changes to the Scheme, including the maximum available grant
in high-priority areas, the lack of additional allocation to the CBGLS budget
and the absence of any commitment to decentralisation of Scottish Executive
staffing of the Scheme's policy and administration.
It was recommended in the Report that:
(1)
the views of the
Comhairle on the proposed Croft House Grant Scheme be submitted to the
Scottish Executive; and
(2)
the Scottish
Executive be invited to include representation from the Comhairle to assist
its deliberations on decentralisation of Scottish Executive staffing of the
Scheme's policy and administration and the determination of the priority
areas.
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It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle should make
representations, in the strongest possible terms, to the Scottish Executive
for all grant awards for a new house under CBGLS to be made at £22,000
(Geographic Priority Area –High);
(2)
the Comhairle should make
representations, in the strongest possible terms, to the Scottish Executive
for a substantial increase in the total financial provision made by the
Executive for CBGLS; and
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(3)
the Director for Sustainable
Communities be requested to prepare a Report, for consideration by the Policy
and Resources Committee, giving a more detailed analysis of the issues,
identified in the Report submitted to the Housing Committee, including loss
of support for accesses and water connections and the possibility of the
Scottish Executive providing a loan guarantee scheme and if the Scottish
Executive was not able to do so whether the Comhairle should consider
enabling such a measure.
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Strategy and Policy Considerations
in Respect of Renewable Energy Developments in the Western Isles
DS61.19
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33
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report to allow consideration of a strategy and policy framework
to assist the assessment and determination of applications in relation to
proposed renewable energy developments in the Western Isles. The Report
detailed a proposed strategy and policy consideration document which would
assist in bringing some consistency to the decision making processes on
applications for renewable energy developments. It was indicated that the
document would be a material consideration in the relevant planning decision
making process and should be borne in mind in the preparation of the Western
Isles Local Plan. The framework document would be applicable to any
renewable energy development proposal and was not specific to any particular
development.
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It was
agreed to recommend that;
(1)
the document detailed at Appendix 1 to
the Report be approved as the draft guidance that the Comhairle would take
account of in consideration of applications for renewable energy projects in
the Western Isles; and
(2)
a finalised version of the guidance be
presented to the November series of meetings.
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