|
|
|
MINUTES
|
|
Minute of
Meeting of 23 August 2006
|
1
|
The Minute of
Meeting of 23 August 2006 was approved.
|
|
Declaration
of Interests
|
2
|
There were no
declarations of interest.
|
|
|
|
RENEWABLE ENERGY
|
|
Support for Renewable Energy Supply Chain
Development
DS61.19
|
3
|
The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a report detailing proposals to award
funding to the Outer Hebrides Chamber of Commerce from the Energy
Implementation Fund in order to support private sector led activity in the
renewable energy supply chain.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
approve financial assistance of £20,000 to the Outer
Hebrides Chamber of Commerce to support both core activity and
activity in the renewable energy supply chain.
|
|
Scottish Planning Policy 6 - Renewable
Energy: Consultation Draft
DS61.19
|
4
|
The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to a consultation
from the Scottish Executive in relation to Scottish Planning Policy 6:
Renewable Energy. The Report stated
that SPP6’s key purpose was to:
·
Support a diverse range of
renewable energy technologies, including encouraging the development of
growing and new technologies;
·
Recognise the importance of
fully engaging with local communities at all stages of the planning process;
·
Guide developments to
appropriate sites; and
·
Ensure that environmental,
economic and social benefits were fully exploited.
The Report
highlighted a number of specific areas of interest to the Comhairle and a
draft response to the consultation document was detailed.
|
|
|
|
It was agreed to recommend
to the Comhairle that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised
to submit a response on behalf of the Comhairle to the Scottish Executive on
the basis of the comments contained in Appendix 1 to the Report subject to
strengthening the comments in relation to the use of Section 75 Agreements.
|
|
Introduction of Renewable Energy Systems
at Cothrom
DS61.19
|
5
|
The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to a request for
financial assistance from Cothrom to assist with the construction of a new
purpose built facility. The Report
stated that Cothrom was a properly constituted community organisation based
in Stoneybridge in the Middle District of South Uist and ran a range of
training, business and community development activities which were delivered
through a network of centres in Benbecula, South Uist and Barra. The Report further stated that the new
facility would include a range of renewable energy devices, both as an
environmental measure and as a way to reduce overall electricity running
costs.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
approve financial assistance of £25,800 to Cothrom to support the
introduction of renewable energy systems subject to the Director of Finance
being satisfied that the expenditure could be classed as capital.
|
|
|
|
DEVELOPMENT PLANS
|
|
Western Isles Local Plan: Proposed
Modifications
DS24.01
|
6
|
With reference
to item 19 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 February 2006 the Director for
Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing the schedule of proposed
modifications to the finalised Western Isles Local Plan as a basis for public
consultation. The Report stated that
the schedule had been prepared to take appropriate account of representations
received together with clarifications and updated information. The Report further stated that the
consultation outcome would be reported back to the Comhairle in due course,
together with an update on any unresolved objections and public local inquiry
matters.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note the current position regarding representation considerations;
and
(2)
approve the Proposed Schedule of Modifications to the Western
Isles Local Plan as set out in Appendix 3 to the Report as a basis for public
consultation.
|
|
|
|
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
|
|
Programme
and Progress
PR33.01.12
|
7
|
The Director
of Technical Services submitted a programme and progress Report in respect of
Sustainable Development properties.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
|
|
Supporting
the Western Isles Aquaculture Industry
DS40.04.49
|
8
|
The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to the Scottish
Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department’s provision of grant
funding, through a Fish Farm Relocation Scheme, to enable aquaculture farming
businesses to relocate from current sites in order to benefit the environment
and protect wild fisheries. The Report
stated that the Comhairle had been approached by the Scottish Executive to
administer the Scheme within the Outer Hebrides
area.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
proceed in principle with the implementation of the Fish Farm
Relocation Scheme as detailed in the Report; and
(2)
conclude discussions with the Scottish Executive based on the
general principles laid out in the Scheme Guidelines at Appendix 1 to the
Report.
|
|
Comhairle Piers – Removal of Disused Fuel
Tanks
T07.02
|
9
|
The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to proposals to remove
disused fuel tanks at Comhairle owned piers.
The Report stated that the Comhairle's fuel delivery system was rolled
out to fourteen pier locations throughout Na h-Eileanan an Iar and a large
number of unregulated tanks were removed from the piers by their owners as
these systems came on-stream. A number
of larger tanks still remained at Comhairle piers and it was intended to
remove these tanks.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
under Article 27 (2) (a) of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Various
Harbours) Harbour Revision Order 2002 remove non-conforming tanks from any of
its piers, having first made every effort to establish proof of ownership and
thereafter providing opportunity for owners to remove their tanks within a
period of 30 days; and
(2)
agree that the tank at Griminish be, in the first instance,
advertised for sale under sealed bid, with a condition that the buyer remove
it from site.
|
|
|
|
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).
|
|
Kallin Harbour –
Project Funding
T07.02.23
|
10*
|
With reference
to item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of 23 August 2006 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the outcome of investigations
into possible sources of funding to make up the shortfall on the Kallin
Harbour Development Project. The
Report stated that WIE/HIE had confirmed they were not able to provide
additional support to the project and a response from the Scottish Executive
Environment and Rural Affairs Department was awaited. The Report further stated that the
Comhairle's existing Capital Programme was being reviewed with a view to
identifying potential underspends in existing budgets.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note
progress of the efforts to secure additional funding for the Kallin Harbour Development Project.
|
|
Barra Fishery Facilities Feasibility
Studies
DS40.04.49
|
11
|
The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the outcome of a
feasibility study which had examined the provision of enhanced fishery facilities
at Barra. The Study detailed the costs
for a multi-use facility located near the north east side of the Vatersay
Causeway.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle note the results of the feasibility study undertaken
to assess the feasibility and cost of providing enhanced fishery facilities
in Barra; and
(2)
the proposal be considered during future Capital Programmes and
external funding project assessment exercises.
|
|
|
|
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).
Mr Iain
Morrison declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of
the following item
|
|
Sale of Plots A & B, 3-5
Bells Road, Stornoway
DS41
|
12*
|
The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to a request from
Mr D Mackay, T/A Autoparts Stornoway Ltd to purchase plots A and B at Bells Road,
Stornoway.
It was agreed to defer consideration of this item to
a future Meeting.
|
|
Lochmaddy
Slaughterhouse
LB06
|
13*
|
The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report in relation to proposals to
rent the premises at Lochmaddy Slaughterhouse from the existing owner for a
one year period in order to provide a slaughtering facility for the crofters
of Uist.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
continue the lease of Lochmaddy Slaughterhouse, with the present operator
providing the service on the basis of the present lease, with an option to
renew for a further year provided the Director of Corporate Services, the
Director for Sustainable Communities and the Director of Finance were
satisfied with the provision.
|
|
|
|
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 any particular
employee of the Comhairle.
|
|
Proposals for the Redeployment of
Business Advantage
DS40.33.242
|
14*
|
A Report was submitted by
the Director for Sustainable Communities detailing proposals for the
re-deployment of Business Advantage staff and outlining proposals for closer
working relationships with Western Isles Enterprise.
The Report stated the European-funded element of the Business
Advantage (BA) service had terminated in June 2006. BA staff were presently deployed on a range
of short-term contracts and in delivering a range of services such as the
various Comhairle Loan Guarantee Schemes and the new Inter-Islands Business
Development Scheme. In the run-up to
June 2006, the Comhairle had endorsed the strategic goal of “mainstreaming”
the BA service.
It was agreed to recommend, in so far as the
Committee’s interests were concerned, that the Comhairle
(1)
retain the Business Advantage Service with the service
re-orientated to provide a focused and targeted local market support service;
(2)
retain the posts of Senior Business Development Officer and the
Business Development Assistants (Uist & Barra and Lewis & Harris) a
total of 2 FTE;
(3)
re-allocate £70,000 from the HISTP match fund to facilitate the
retention of the Business Advantage service;
(4)
delete the post of Business Development Officer;
(5)
endorse the strategic aspiration of the establishment of a new
office facility to serve as an inter-agency centre for all economic
development services;
(6)
agree that the Director for Sustainable Communities support
Western Isles Enterprise
in the development of an inter-agency centre for all economic development
services;
(7)
approve the relocation of the Business Advantage service to the
Customer Services Team of Western Isles Enterprise;
(8)
approve an aligned annual business planning process between the
Comhairle’s Economic Development Service and Western Isles Enterprise to
allow the implementation of a joint annual business plan; and
(9)
authorise the Director for Sustainable Communities to develop
appropriate working procedures to allow facilitate inter-agency working
through the joint deployment of staff.
|