3 October 2001

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 3 October 2001 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Angus Nicolson (Chairman)

Mr Ian M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Alexander A MacDonald

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr George Lonie

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mr James L Macarthur

MINUTES

Environmental Services Committee

C01.02

62

The Minute of Meeting of 29 August 2001 was approved.

MANAGEMENT

Proposed Restructure of the Community Services Section

PR31.01

63*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals for a restructuring of the Community Services Section to meet the increasing service demands as the Comhairle moves towards the implementation phase of the National Waste Strategy and the high demands on time due to the programmed expansion in recycling.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the management structure for the Community Services Section as detailed in the Report, including the relevant changes in job title, as the basis for considering the future establishment of posts and management of the section.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

EC End of Life Vehicle Directive - Review of UK Government

CH03.05

64*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the Government Consultation Paper on the End of Life Vehicle Directive. The Report detailed the various options for systems of collection, treatment and recycling of end of life vehicles and how the implementation of the Directive would affect the removal of these vehicles from the Western Isles. The Report detailed the Comhairle's proposed response to the Consultation Document.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the content of the draft response to the Consultation Paper on the EC End of Life Vehicle Directive.

Waste Strategy - Engagement of Consultants

CH03.08

65*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals to appoint an Environmental Consultant to draw up the Comhairle's Waste Implementation Plan. The Report outlined a draft brief for the Waste Implementation Plan which sought to reflect the outcomes of the Area Waste Plan and the aspirations of the Comhairle and the community at large for the future of waste management within the islands.

It was agreed to recommend:

(1) approval of the draft brief for the Comhairle's Waste Implementation Plan outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report; and

(2) that Enviros Aspinwall, as the Comhairle's current waste consultants, be invited to draw up costed proposals for producing the Comhairle's Waste Implementation Plan, for consideration by the Committee.

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, to enable a public consultation exercise to be undertaken, on the basis that the recommendations were not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.

Future Use of Public Conveniences in Uist

CH03.07

66*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals for the future use of public conveniences in Uist. The Public Convenience Strategy included the rationalisation of public conveniences following on from the new infrastructure works at Berneray and Eriskay Causeways.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Otternish facilities be closed and the building leased to Caledonian MacBrayne;

(2) the facilities at Haun be closed and the building leased to Eriskay Community Council;

(3) the facility at Ludag be retained until such time as facilities are available at the new ferry terminal on Eriskay; and

(4) the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director for Sustainable Communities, be authorised to negotiate the terms of the leases required.

Public Convenience Grant - Laxay

CH03.07

67*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application from Kinloch Historical Society for a grant to build a public convenience at Laxay. The proposals would address the lack of such a facility in the recognised key area from Stornoway to Tarbert.

It was agreed to recommend the inclusion of the grant application to provide convenience facilities in Laxay as part of the three-year capital plan for Public Convenience Grants.

Review of Dog Fouling Initiatives

CH03.08

68*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report reviewing the pilot scheme of initiatives in Stornoway to tackle to problem with dog fouling in particular areas. The pilot initiatives had been largely successful and indicated that the best means of dealing with the problem was a co-ordinated programme of education and enforcement supported by the provision of dog bins and signage undertaken in partnership with the communities affected and other relevant agencies.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the publicity campaign on dog fouling be re-launched in partnership with other appropriate agencies; and

(2) initiatives to tackle dog fouling be undertaken on a partnership basis with communities that have identified a need, without incurring additional revenue costs.

LICENSING

Late Hours Catering Licence Hours

CH04.26

69*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals to allow late hours catering premises to extend their opening hours during Mod week. The Report indicated that Northern Constabulary had been consulted and indicated that they would have no objection to late hours catering premises being open whilst licensed premises were open.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to determine applications to exempt late hours catering premises from the requirement to hold a licence for the period from 11.00pm Friday 12 October to 5.00am Saturday 20 October 2001 inclusive, that any exemption be limited, so far as the legislation allows, to the hours detailed in paragraph 5.2 of the Report, and that any exemption be subject to all existing conditions other than those relating to hours of operation.

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 Mod week, on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Reports Outstanding - Progress

PR33.01.12

70

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing reports outstanding from decisions of the Environmental Services Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

___

PRESENT	Mr Angus Nicolson (Chairman)
	Mr Ian M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie
	Mr Alexander A MacDonald	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr George Lonie	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Alasdair G Macrae	Mr James L Macarthur

		MINUTES
Environmental Services Committee C01.02	62	The Minute of Meeting of 29 August 2001 was approved.
		MANAGEMENT
Proposed Restructure of the Community Services Section PR31.01	63*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals for a restructuring of the Community Services Section to meet the increasing service demands as the Comhairle moves towards the implementation phase of the National Waste Strategy and the high demands on time due to the programmed expansion in recycling. It was agreed to recommend approval of the management structure for the Community Services Section as detailed in the Report, including the relevant changes in job title, as the basis for considering the future establishment of posts and management of the section.
		ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
EC End of Life Vehicle Directive - Review of UK Government CH03.05	64*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning the Government Consultation Paper on the End of Life Vehicle Directive. The Report detailed the various options for systems of collection, treatment and recycling of end of life vehicles and how the implementation of the Directive would affect the removal of these vehicles from the Western Isles. The Report detailed the Comhairle's proposed response to the Consultation Document. It was agreed to recommend approval of the content of the draft response to the Consultation Paper on the EC End of Life Vehicle Directive.
Waste Strategy - Engagement of Consultants CH03.08	65*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals to appoint an Environmental Consultant to draw up the Comhairle's Waste Implementation Plan. The Report outlined a draft brief for the Waste Implementation Plan which sought to reflect the outcomes of the Area Waste Plan and the aspirations of the Comhairle and the community at large for the future of waste management within the islands. It was agreed to recommend: (1) approval of the draft brief for the Comhairle's Waste Implementation Plan outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report; and (2) that Enviros Aspinwall, as the Comhairle's current waste consultants, be invited to draw up costed proposals for producing the Comhairle's Waste Implementation Plan, for consideration by the Committee. 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, to enable a public consultation exercise to be undertaken, on the basis that the recommendations were not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
Future Use of Public Conveniences in Uist CH03.07	66*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals for the future use of public conveniences in Uist. The Public Convenience Strategy included the rationalisation of public conveniences following on from the new infrastructure works at Berneray and Eriskay Causeways. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Otternish facilities be closed and the building leased to Caledonian MacBrayne; (2) the facilities at Haun be closed and the building leased to Eriskay Community Council; (3) the facility at Ludag be retained until such time as facilities are available at the new ferry terminal on Eriskay; and (4) the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director for Sustainable Communities, be authorised to negotiate the terms of the leases required.
Public Convenience Grant - Laxay CH03.07	67*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application from Kinloch Historical Society for a grant to build a public convenience at Laxay. The proposals would address the lack of such a facility in the recognised key area from Stornoway to Tarbert. It was agreed to recommend the inclusion of the grant application to provide convenience facilities in Laxay as part of the three-year capital plan for Public Convenience Grants.
Review of Dog Fouling Initiatives CH03.08	68*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report reviewing the pilot scheme of initiatives in Stornoway to tackle to problem with dog fouling in particular areas. The pilot initiatives had been largely successful and indicated that the best means of dealing with the problem was a co-ordinated programme of education and enforcement supported by the provision of dog bins and signage undertaken in partnership with the communities affected and other relevant agencies. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the publicity campaign on dog fouling be re-launched in partnership with other appropriate agencies; and (2) initiatives to tackle dog fouling be undertaken on a partnership basis with communities that have identified a need, without incurring additional revenue costs.
		LICENSING
Late Hours Catering Licence Hours CH04.26	69*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning proposals to allow late hours catering premises to extend their opening hours during Mod week. The Report indicated that Northern Constabulary had been consulted and indicated that they would have no objection to late hours catering premises being open whilst licensed premises were open. It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to determine applications to exempt late hours catering premises from the requirement to hold a licence for the period from 11.00pm Friday 12 October to 5.00am Saturday 20 October 2001 inclusive, that any exemption be limited, so far as the legislation allows, to the hours detailed in paragraph 5.2 of the Report, and that any exemption be subject to all existing conditions other than those relating to hours of operation. 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 Mod week, on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
		PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Reports Outstanding - Progress PR33.01.12	70	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing reports outstanding from decisions of the Environmental Services Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.