DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday, 10 June 1998 at 2.00pm

PRESENT	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Donald Maclean	Mr Kenneth Mackay
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Norman Macdonald
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Colin Campbell
	Mr Angus M Graham	Capt Roderick Mackinnon
	Mr Donald M Mackay	Mr Allan F Macleod
APOLOGIES	Mr Callum I Macmillan	Mrs Mary Bremner

Development Services DS09.01	88	MINUTES The Minute of Meeting of 1 June 1998 was approved.
Development Services Sub-Committee DS09.02	89	The Minute of Meeting of the Development Services Sub-Committee of 8 April 1998 was noted.
Crofting Joint Consultative Committee DS09.05	90*	The Minutes of Meetings of the Crofting Joint Consultative Committee of 7 May and 2 June 1998 were noted and the recommendations contained therein recommended for approval.
Carry Forward of Revenue Budgets PR110.08.13	91*	FINANCE The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning proposals for the allocation of funds carried forward from the 1997/98 financial year. The Report referred to: (1) the Comhairle's decision to meet the costs of serving a loan taken out by Lewis and Harris Auction Marts Limited and suggested that it would be appropriate to meet part of this cost from funds carried forward from the 1997/98 financial year; and (2) the amounts earmarked for use in relation to the Business Loans Scheme and New Venture and Fisheries Assistance Schemes.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the earmarked amount of £127,544.00 be used for the Business Loans Scheme and New Venture and Fisheries Assistance Schemes in 1998/99 and that the Chief Executive be authorised to incur the appropriate expenditure; and
		(2) the remaining £5,133.00 be used as part of the funding for the contribution to the Lewis and Harris Auction Marts Limited. and that the Chief Executive be authorised to incur the appropriate expenditure.
1997/98 Underspend: Carry Forward PR110.08.13	92*	The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report identifying underspends in the Environmental Services Department's budget's for 1997/98. The total underspend in the Department's Budget totalled £55,750 and was available for carrying forward into the 1998/99 Financial Year. The Report indicated that carry forward monies were better spent on one-off expenditure to bring about service improvements rather than on items that would have revenue implications in future years. It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned, that £55,750.00 underspend in 1997/98 of the Environmental Services budgets be carried forward and used in the following manner: (1) £12,000 for the Western Isles Litter Initiative; (2) £25,000 to complete the Rueval Landfill Access Road; (3) £6,000 to tackle the backlog of derelict vehicles; and (4) £12,750 for purchasing specialised commercial skips. and that the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to incur expenditure detailed above.
Fourth Quarter Revenue Out-Turn 1997/98 PR110.08.13	93	With reference to item 44 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 March 1998, the Chief Executive, Director of Environmental Services and the Director of Technical Services submitted Reports setting out the pattern of actual expenditure as against budgetary expenditure for the 1997/98 financial year. It was indicated in the Report that the figures detailed in the Report were the final unaudited figures which would appear in the year end accounts of the Comhairle. It was agreed to note the Report.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: Final Out-Turn Figures 1997/98 PR110.01	94*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the 1997/98 financial year for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report highlighted areas of overspend, underspend and slippage within the Programme. It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned, that the Director of Finance be authorised to carry forward the net underspend and slippage on the Programme of Capital Expenditure for 1997/98 to cover the increased commitments in 1998/99 on the basis detailed in his Report.
Decommissioning of Oil and Gas Structures DS40.09.05	95*	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT With reference to item 116 of the Minute of Meeting of 7 June 1995, the Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the Decommissioning of Oil and Gas Structures which would require to be disposed of over the next few years. It was indicated in the Report that, at present, it was estimated that some 150 structures required to be disposed of and that the Government's view was that each application for disposal by owners would be examined on a case by case basis. The Report stated that there was little likelihood that the Government would introduce a National Policy on Decommissioning, as the Oil and Gas Industry's requirement to decommission structures was slowing down, in light of the opportunities afforded by new technology to increase production from what were formerly marginal or exhausted fields. It was intimated that when decommissioning of oil and gas structures took place on any scale, it would be likely to occur at existing shipyards and fabrication yards in the UK and throughout Europe and the rest of the World. The Report highlighted that it could, in the longer term, be possible to establish decommissioning yards in na h-Eileanan an Iar but that this would be dependent on changes in the market for decommissioning of oil and gas structures and would require considerable capital investment to bring about the creation of appropriate sites. The Report concluded that it would be appropriate to monitor the position with regard to decommissioning of oil and gas structures so as to ensure that na h-Eileanan an Iar was in the best position possible to take any advantage of future demand for the decommissioning of oil and gas structures.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report by the Chief Executive be noted; and (2) the Chief Executive be authorised to monitor the situation with regard to demand for decommissioning of oil and gas structures with a view to ascertaining benefits for na h-Eileanan an Iar in the future.
Mossend Development Estate DS41.23	96*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report outlining proposals to ease traffic congestion within Mossend Industrial Estate. The Report gave background information in relation to the traffic congestion problems experienced by tenants of business units on the Estate and visitors to the Estate. The Report indicated that a meeting had been held between officers of the Comhairle and tenants to discuss options for improving the existing situation and it was proposed that officers of the Comhairle would be regularly monitoring the Estate to ensure that tenants complied with their lease terms and conditions. It was further suggested that it would be appropriate to consider removing the landscaped area within the Estate to provide an additional parking space at an estimated cost of £18,000, inclusive of fees.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle approve the removal of the planting area at Mossend Development Estate, as detailed in the drawings attached to the Report by the Chief Executive and that the Chief Executive be authorised to replace the planting area with a hard surface at an estimated cost of £18,000, inclusive of fees, on the basis of the costs involved being met within the Revenue Estimates for Development Services for 1998/99; and
		(2) the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to seek to acquire a small strip of land adjacent to the Mossend Development Estate to further improve the situation, with regard to traffic congestion, in the long run.
		It was agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item, on grounds defined in Standing Order 26(f), namely, that exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of a person, other than the Comhairle, would be disclosed.
Application for Lease of Site at Kallin Harbour DS41.31.01	97*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning an application for the lease of an area of ground at Kallin Harbour for the purpose of erecting a shared building for live storage of shellfish. The Report commented on the application and indicated that live storage facilities would enable the fishermen concerned to hold their catches in order to maximise their returns. It was further indicated that the Harbour Master was satisfied that an area of approximately 100 square metres could be made available for lease to the applicants, Messrs D & H Stewart and D J Macrae.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to lease a site of approximately 100 square metres at Kallin Harbour to Messrs D & H Stewart and D J Macrae for the purpose of erecting premises for live storage of shellfish, subject to:
		(1) terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the District Valuer; and (2) the precise location of the site and the maximum dimensions of the building being approved by the Director of Technical Services.
Cultural Visit to St Etienne: Proiseact nan Ealan PR60.01	98*	With reference to item 77 of the Minute of Meeting of the Arts and Leisure Committee of 9 June 1998, the Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking homologation for his action in responding positively to a request for financial assistance from Proiseact nan Ealan towards the travel costs of a cultural visit by representatives from na h-Eileanan an Iar to St Etienne, France in June 1998. The Report indicated that the visit had attracted financial support from the Scottish Office and Western Isles Enterprise.
		It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned, that the action taken by the Chief Executive in responding positively to the request for financial assistance from Proiseact nan Ealan for a cultural visit to St Etienne, France, in June 1998, on the basis detailed in the Report, be homologated.
The Role of Crofting in Rural Communities DS40.02	99	CROFTING The Chief Executive submitted a Report indicating that the Comhairle had been invited to comment on the Crofters Commission Discussion Paper entitled "The Role of Crofting in Rural Communities". The Report referred to discussions which had taken place in connection with the Discussion Paper at the Crofting Joint Consultative Committee on 2 June 1998 and indicated that the comments expressed at the Joint Consultative Committee would be included in a Report to the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 23 June 1998. It was agreed to note the Report.
Mini-Baler Trial DS40.02	100*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning proposals to undertake a practical trial to test the viability of a mini-baler and wrapper in Lewis and Harris. The Report indicated that the mini-baler could greatly assist the crofting community as it offered the potential to reduce dependence on Winter feed purchased from the Mainland. It was further pointed out that the mini-baler and wrapper could be used with a small tractor and that the bales were sufficiently small to be moved by hand. It was intimated that the mini-baler and wrapper trials would take place during the period 27 July - 3 August, on a number of sites in Lewis and Harris and that there would be a demonstration arranged at one agricultural show, at a total estimated cost of £6,000. The Report further indicated that Western Isles Enterprise and LEADER II had agreed to part fund the project in the sum of £4,500.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Chief Executive be authorised to contribute £1,500 towards the costs of carrying out a trial of the mini-baler system in Lewis and Harris, on the basis of the costs involved being met from provision within the Revenue Estimates for Development Services (Crofting Initiatives) for 1998/99.
Bostadh Iron Age House Reconstruction AL09.01.15	101*	TOURISM With reference to item 84 of the Arts and Leisure Committee of 9 June 1998, the Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning an application for financial assistance from Bernera Historical Society towards the cost of developing of reconstructed iron age house at Bostadh, Great Bernera. The Report identified potential sources of funding for this application and indicated that the Project, once completed, would provide a tourist facility in a peripheral area.
		It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned, that the Chief Executive be authorised to make a financial contribution in the sum of £10,000 towards the costs involved in the Bostadh Iron Age House Reconstruction Project, on the basis that: (1) the sum involved was reallocated from the sum of £30,000 held against the Bernera Community Centre Enlargement Project, which was an approved Project in the Comhairle's Programme of Capital Expenditure for 1998/99, due to slippage expected on that Project; and (2) the Comhairle note that further assistance, in the sum of £6,000 would be given to the Bostadh Iron Age House Reconstruction Project through the Community Employment Programme.
Programme and Progress T07.01	102	FISHERIES AND FISHERY PIERS The Director of Technical Services submitted the Capital Works Programme and Progress Report in respect of Fishery Piers. It was agreed to note the Programme and Progress Report in respect of Fishery Piers.
Pier Users Group including Uist Piers Arrangement DS40.04.43	103*	With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 March 1998, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving details in relation to progress made in establishing Pier Users Groups in Lewis and Harris. It was indicated in the Report that, following inspections by the Health and Safety Executive Inspectorate, it had become clear that the establishment of Pier Users Groups should take place, as soon as possible, to satisfy the regular monitoring requirements of the Inspectorate.
		The Report referred to the decision of the Comhairle that Uist piers should be monitored by one person to be employed by an organisation other than the Comhairle and suggested that it would be appropriate to assess the effectiveness of the Lewis and Harris Pier Users Groups prior to introducing any permanent arrangements for Uist piers but that an interim arrangement be established whereby the Harbour Master or other staff within the Technical Services Department based in the Balivanich Office would monitor Uist piers on a frequent basis. The Report further suggested that, in light of the use made of Breasclete pier by a large number of visiting fishing vessels, it would be appropriate for the Carloway Pier Users Group employee to be engaged to monitor Breasclete pier and that the costs associated with this proposal could be financed by awarding 10% of pier dues raised at this pier with a mileage allowance, at casual users rate, being paid from the base pier.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the progress made in terms of the Lewis and Harris Pier Users Groups be noted; and (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to introduce an interim arrangement in respect of Uist piers, whereby the Harbour Master or a number of Technical Services staff based at Balivanich would undertake a monitoring programme until such time as the effectiveness of the Lewis and Harris Pier Users Groups was evaluated, on the basis that the evaluation would be undertaken by the beginning of March 1999, prior to a further Report being submitted by the Director of Technical Services on this matter.
Western Isles PESCA Programme DS40.04.36	104*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report giving information on projects involving Comhairle funding, which would be included in the Western Isles PESCA Programme for 1998. The Report indicated that PESCA was a European Union Community Initiative aimed at fishery dependent areas and that the Western Isles PESCA Programme had been funded by European Union, Western Isles Enterprise, the Private Sector and the Comhairle. Details of: (1) the Marking and Promotion; and (2) Research and Development; Projects included in the 1998/99 Programme, which would be funded by the Comhairle, were given in the Report as follows: (1) Marketing and Promotion Marketing Co-ordinator Exhibitions Market Research Promotion of Local Market (2) Research and Development Fishing Trials Fish Waste Study Study Visits Air Freight Study Aquaculture Regulating Orders
		It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the Programme of PESCA Expenditure detailed in the Report by the Chief Executive at a total net cost of £30,000 to be met from provision within the Revenue Estimates for Development Services (PESCA) for 1998/99 and that the Chief Executive be authorised to incur the expenditure detailed in the Report.
Maritime Festival DS02.48	105*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning a request from Sail Hebrides towards the costs involved in co-ordinating and marketing a Maritime Festival which would be based around the ISTA Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race. Details of the marketing activity aimed at promoting Stornoway, Tarbert, Lochmaddy, Lochboisdale and Castlebay were given in the Report together with estimated costs. The Report emphasised that the activities of Sail Hebrides in attracting tall ships to na h-Eileanan an Iar would be of direct benefit to the local economy as well as raising the profile of na h-Eileanan an Iar for involvement in future major sailing events.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Chief Executive be authorised to contribute the sum of £2,655 to Sail Hebrides towards the costs of co-ordinating the marketing of the proposed Maritime Festival on the basis of the sum involved being met from provision within the Revenue Estimates for Development Services (Promotion and Marketing) for 1998/99.
List of Piers and Harbours in na h-Eileanan an Iar T07.02	106	With reference to item 83 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 April 1998, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving information on the number of piers and harbours in na h-Eileanan an Iar and the access provision to these facilities from both landward and seaward. It was stated that the information contained in the Report had been compiled following a "table-top exercise" and that to provide more detailed information would require a physical survey of each facility outwith the Comhairle's ownership. It was further stated in the Report that the list of piers and harbours appended to the Report was by no means exhaustive as several fish farms had constructed their own facilities.
		It was further indicated that it had not been possible to include details of crofters rights on access to the foreshore, including rights to sand and gravel, due to the timescale involved and financial and manpower resources required to carry out a full consultation procedure and processing of the findings. It was agreed to note the Report.
National Planning Policy Guideline: Rural Development (Draft) DS20.09	107*	DEVELOPMENT CONTROL The Chief Executive submitted a Report giving details of the content of the National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) Consultation Draft on Rural Development. The Report commented on the draft NPPG and indicated that it could act as a useful planning policy checklist for the preparation of Development Plans in remote rural areas such as na h-Eileanan an Iar. It was further indicated that most of the policy guidelines contained in the draft NPPG were currently being addressed by the Comhairle. It was emphasised in the Report that the Scottish Office should be requested to give consideration to the production of a Planning Advice Note on Community Planning and how it related to the preparation of Structure Plans and Local Plans.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Chief Executive be authorised to respond to: (1) the Scottish Office on the NPPG Consultation Draft on Rural Development on the basis set out in paragraph 5.1 to 6.15 of his Report; and
		(2) COSLA on the NPPG Consultation Draft on Rural Development in the terms set out in the sections underlined in paragraphs 6.13 and 6.15 of his Report.
Stornoway Airport Area Planning Policy Brief: Draft for Consultation DS20.20	108*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report appending the Draft Stornoway Airport Area Planning Policy Brief. The Report emphasised that, following the announcement by the Ministry of Defence, that it wished to dispose of Stornoway Airport, there was an absolute necessity of maintaining a commercial Airport at Stornoway. It was indicated that it was proposed to send the Draft Policy Brief to a wide range of organisations on the basis detailed at Appendix 2 to the Report and that comment would be invited from other interested parties and persons by the placing of an advertisement in the local press. The Report further indicated that the Draft Stornoway Airport Area Planning Policy Brief would be a material consideration during the evaluation of any planning applications within the area specified in the Draft Brief, until the Draft Brief had been reviewed, following the completion of the consultation process as outlined in the Report.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Draft Stornoway Airport Area Planning Policy Brief be approved for a consultation period of four weeks and that the Chief Executive be authorised to send a copy of the Draft Policy Briefs to the list of consultees as detailed at Appendix 2 to his Report; (2) the Chief Executive be authorised to place an advertisement in the local press indicating that copies of the Draft Brief could be obtained by interested persons or organisations; and (3) until the Draft Planning Policy Brief had been reviewed as a consequence of the consultation exercise, it be a material consideration for planning applications within the area specified in the Brief.
		The Chief Executive reported that he would submit a Report concerning Stornoway Airport to the next meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 23 June 1998 and it was noted that the possibility of establishing a Member/Officer Working Group in relation to the future of Stornoway Airport and mechanisms for local consultation, could be discussed in the context of consideration of the Chief Executive's Report.
Design of Houses in the Countryside DS20.21	109*	The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report referring to the publication of the Scottish Office Consultation Paper entitled "Improving the Design of New Housing in the Scottish Countryside". The Report commented on the main issues identified in the Consultation Paper and indicated that it was anticipated that, following completion of the consultation exercise, the Government would produce guidance which would be of practical help to local authorities. A draft letter to the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department was appended to the Report and it was proposed that the terms of the draft letter should form the Comhairle's response to the Scottish Office on the Consultation Paper.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to respond to the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department on the Consultation Paper entitled "Improving the Design of New Housing in the Scottish Countryside", in terms of the draft letter detailed at Appendix 1 to this Report; and (2) a further Report and revised design guidelines for new houses and house extensions in na h-Eileanan an Iar, be prepared by the Director of Environmental Services for submission to the Committee following publication of revised Government guidelines but, in any event, no later than the end of 1998.
Erect Staircase for Oganaich A'Bhac Club DS21.01	110*	PLANNING APPLICATIONS The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission for the erection of a stair at the rear of the Club Hall on land which was formally part of the Back School. The Report gave background information, commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to grant planning permission for the erection of a stair at the rear of the Club Hall on land which was formally part of the Back School on the basis of the terms detailed in the draft Decision Notice appended to the Report and subject to the Comhairle's Scheme of Delegation. The Committee 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, in light of the need to have the matter dealt with prior to the next meeting of the Comhairle, on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
Erect Agricultural Building at 4 Leurbost DS21.01	111	BUILDING CONTROL The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning an application for building warrant for the erection of an agricultural building at 4 Leurbost, Lochs, Isle of Lewis. The Report indicated that, as the applicant, Mr Calum Mackinnon was the husband of Mairi Mackinnon, an officer of the Comhairle, the matter could not be dealt with in terms of the Comhairle's Scheme of Delegation. The Report indicated that the proposals complied with the Building Standards Regulations.
		It was agreed that the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to issue a Building Warrant for the erection of an agricultural building at 4 Leurbost, Lochs, Isle of Lewis.
Reports Outstanding PR33.01.12	112	PERFORMANCE REVIEW The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Outstanding Reports arising from decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to note the Report. Arising out of consideration of this item, it was agreed that the Chief Executive be requested to submit a Report concerning the establishment of a marketing company which could be used to promote products from na h-Eileanan an Iar, particularly Harris Tweed, taking full advantages of the marketing opportunities available through use of the Internet and the World-Wide Web.
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