ES9808

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday, 19 August 1998 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Donald I Nicholson (Chairman)

Mr Allan F Macleod (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Iain Macsween

Mr Donald Murray

Mr Kenneth Mackay

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Colin Campbell

Tribute: Mr Keith Mackay

The Chairman welcomed Mr Keith Mackay, Quality Manager for the West of Scotland Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Scheme to the Meeting.

Tribute:

Norina Macphail and Rhiannon Shephard

The Chairman welcomed Norina Macphail and Rhiannon Shephard, Trainee Environmental Services Officers to their first Meeting of Environmental Services Committee.

Environmental Services

CH02.06

62

MINUTES

The Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 was approved.

First Quarter Revenue Out-Turn 1998/99

PR110.08.14

63

FINANCE

The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report setting out the pattern of actual expenditure as against budgeted expenditure for the period 1 April 1998 - 30 June 1998.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 1998 - 30 June 1998

PR110.01.24

64*

The Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the 1998/99 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, approval of the forecast out-turn as the revised Programme of Capital Expenditure for 1998/99, noting the variations in expenditure.

Rural Litter Initiative

CH03.08.11

65

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998, the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning the progress made to establish the new Rural Litter Initiative Scheme. The proposed service would require a person based at the Bennadrove Landfill site covering Lewis and Harris and one based at the Rueval Landfill site to cover Uist and Barra, each equipped with a pick-up truck. Because of the new licence conditions imposed on Rueval Landfill Site the person based there would be required to work part time on the litter initiative and part time as landfill manager.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Litter Initiative - Stornoway Street Cleansing

CH03.08.11

66*

With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the range of measures proposed to be undertaken as part of the new litter initiative for the Stornoway town area. The Report detailed the package of measures proposed to help tackle problems of littering and street cleansing in the Stornoway town area which could be put in place within the budget available.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the following:

(1) additional street cleansing operations on Friday and Saturday evenings in the Stornoway town area as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report;

(2) the clean up of major incidents of littering reported by the public within the boundaries of the Stornoway town area by a "hit squad" approach, within the time limits laid down in Appendix 2 of the Report;

(3) that the scheme to tackle major littering incidents be run on a trial basis for six months;

(4) the steam cleaning and repainting of street furniture in Stornoway town centre; and

(5) the thorough cleaning of one of the paved streets in Stornoway town centre as a pilot scheme to gauge public reaction and costs.

Stornoway Litter Initiative - Dog Fouling CH03.08.11

67*

With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing a pilot scheme under the litter initiative which would seek to tackle the problem of dog fouling in Stornoway town area. The problem of dog fouling in the streets of Stornoway had been attracting complaints and growing public concern and the Report detailed a strategy which would give the best balance between value for money and visual impact. It was impossible at this stage to gauge the scale of requests for this type of service and it was suggested that the scheme be run for a period of six months and then re-examined.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to;

(1) introduce the clean up of dog fouling on pavements reported by the public within the boundaries of the Stornoway town area by a "hit squad" approach, within the time limits detailed in the appendix to the Report;

(2) set up a telephone hotline for the public to report major incidences of littering and of dog fouling on pavements within the boundaries of the Stornoway town area;

(3) run the scheme to tackle dog fouling on a trial basis for six months;

(4) conduct a campaign to educate dog owners and the general public into cleaning up after their dogs; and

(5) provide dog waste bins and dog fouling signs at certain key points in the Stornoway town area to be funded from the budget for environmental improvements.

Radiation Monitoring 1997/98 CH03.13.04

68

With reference to item 52 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 June 1997 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the results of the radiation monitoring programme for 1997/98 taken as part of the West of Scotland Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Scheme. The results indicated fluctuations in levels from previous years but the overall levels were so small they were more likely to be due to variations in sampling and analysis procedures than changes in radiation levels in the environment. The levels of radiation detected in Na h-Eileanan an Iar were well below the Generalised Derived Limits and in may cases below the limits of detection.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Atlantic Frontier Environmental Forum CH03.09.16

69*

The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning the Conference on 6 - 7 October 1998 in Aberdeen being run by the Atlantic Frontier Environmental Forum. The Conference was aimed at organisations and individuals with an interest in the environmental issues associated with oil and gas development in the Atlantic Margin and the topics would include oil activities, coastal protection strategies and wildlife monitoring.

It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman or his nominee, be authorised to attend the Atlantic Frontier Environmental Forum Conference in Aberdeen on 6 -7 October 1998.

Attendance at KIMO Meetings and Annual Conference CH03.13

70*

With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle's decision to join the Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation (KIMO). The Comhairle was entitled to nominate one Member and one substitute Member to attend routine meetings of KIMO together with three Members to attend the International Conference and Annual General Meeting which would be held in Wexford, Republic of Ireland on 9 - 11 October 1998.

It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman, or his nominee, be authorised to attend;

(1) routine Meetings of KIMO; and

(2) the International Conference and AGM of KIMO being held in Wexford, Republic of Ireland on 9 - 11 October 1998.

COAST PROTECTION

Duties on Coast Protection: Counsels Opinion DS60.01

71

With reference to item 42 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 April 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Counsels opinion on whether the Comhairle had any duty to carry out coast protection works in its area and whether it had a duty to maintain such works which it had already constructed. The author of the Report explained that the reference to Nuisance in the Report was to Nuisance in its legal sense and that it included Common Law Nuisance.

It was agreed to note the Report.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Review of Progress and Decisions PR33.01.12

72

With reference to item 16 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing progress with the implementation of decisions of Environmental Services Committee from January 1996 - June 1998.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Outstanding Action PR33.01.12

73

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

ADDITIONAL ITEM

The Chairman ruled, in accordance with the provision of Section 50B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as detailed in terms of Standing Order 8(a), that the following item be considered as a matter or urgency in order to allow the Committee to take a view on the matter.

Infectious Salmon Anaemia

CH03.06.09

74*

The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA). ISA was a contagious viral disease affecting farmed Atlantic salmon that was found in Scotland for the first time in May 1998. ISA was a notifiable disease under EU Fish Health Legislation and Atlantic salmon was the only species known to be susceptible. The Legislative and practical controls were the responsibility of the Scottish Office Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen and the Comhairle had no locus in the issue other than its serious concerns about the potential economic effect on the fish farming industry in the Western Isles.

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, seconded by Mr Colin Campbell, moved that the Comhairle approach the Scottish Office to request an inquiry into the incidence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in Scotland and the possibility of it spreading to the Western Isles.

Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mr Roderick J Murray, moved as an amendment to the motion that the Comhairle do not request the Scottish Office to investigate the incidence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in Scotland.

On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.

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PRESENT	Mr Donald I Nicholson (Chairman)
	Mr Allan F Macleod (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Alasdair G Macrae
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie	Mr Norman L Macdonald
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Iain Macsween
	Mr Donald Murray	Mr Kenneth Mackay
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Colin Campbell

Tribute: Mr Keith Mackay		The Chairman welcomed Mr Keith Mackay, Quality Manager for the West of Scotland Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Scheme to the Meeting.
Tribute: Norina Macphail and Rhiannon Shephard		The Chairman welcomed Norina Macphail and Rhiannon Shephard, Trainee Environmental Services Officers to their first Meeting of Environmental Services Committee.
Environmental Services CH02.06	62	MINUTES The Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 was approved.
First Quarter Revenue Out-Turn 1998/99 PR110.08.14	63	FINANCE The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report setting out the pattern of actual expenditure as against budgeted expenditure for the period 1 April 1998 - 30 June 1998. It was agreed to note the Report.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring: 1 April 1998 - 30 June 1998 PR110.01.24	64*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the 1998/99 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, approval of the forecast out-turn as the revised Programme of Capital Expenditure for 1998/99, noting the variations in expenditure.
Rural Litter Initiative CH03.08.11	65	ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998, the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning the progress made to establish the new Rural Litter Initiative Scheme. The proposed service would require a person based at the Bennadrove Landfill site covering Lewis and Harris and one based at the Rueval Landfill site to cover Uist and Barra, each equipped with a pick-up truck. Because of the new licence conditions imposed on Rueval Landfill Site the person based there would be required to work part time on the litter initiative and part time as landfill manager. It was agreed to note the Report.
Litter Initiative - Stornoway Street Cleansing CH03.08.11	66*	With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the range of measures proposed to be undertaken as part of the new litter initiative for the Stornoway town area. The Report detailed the package of measures proposed to help tackle problems of littering and street cleansing in the Stornoway town area which could be put in place within the budget available. It was agreed to recommend approval of the following: (1) additional street cleansing operations on Friday and Saturday evenings in the Stornoway town area as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report; (2) the clean up of major incidents of littering reported by the public within the boundaries of the Stornoway town area by a "hit squad" approach, within the time limits laid down in Appendix 2 of the Report; (3) that the scheme to tackle major littering incidents be run on a trial basis for six months; (4) the steam cleaning and repainting of street furniture in Stornoway town centre; and (5) the thorough cleaning of one of the paved streets in Stornoway town centre as a pilot scheme to gauge public reaction and costs.
Stornoway Litter Initiative - Dog Fouling CH03.08.11	67*	With reference to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing a pilot scheme under the litter initiative which would seek to tackle the problem of dog fouling in Stornoway town area. The problem of dog fouling in the streets of Stornoway had been attracting complaints and growing public concern and the Report detailed a strategy which would give the best balance between value for money and visual impact. It was impossible at this stage to gauge the scale of requests for this type of service and it was suggested that the scheme be run for a period of six months and then re-examined. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Environmental Services be authorised to; (1) introduce the clean up of dog fouling on pavements reported by the public within the boundaries of the Stornoway town area by a "hit squad" approach, within the time limits detailed in the appendix to the Report;
		(2) set up a telephone hotline for the public to report major incidences of littering and of dog fouling on pavements within the boundaries of the Stornoway town area; (3) run the scheme to tackle dog fouling on a trial basis for six months;
		(4) conduct a campaign to educate dog owners and the general public into cleaning up after their dogs; and (5) provide dog waste bins and dog fouling signs at certain key points in the Stornoway town area to be funded from the budget for environmental improvements.
Radiation Monitoring 1997/98 CH03.13.04	68	With reference to item 52 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 June 1997 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the results of the radiation monitoring programme for 1997/98 taken as part of the West of Scotland Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Scheme. The results indicated fluctuations in levels from previous years but the overall levels were so small they were more likely to be due to variations in sampling and analysis procedures than changes in radiation levels in the environment. The levels of radiation detected in Na h-Eileanan an Iar were well below the Generalised Derived Limits and in may cases below the limits of detection. It was agreed to note the Report.
Atlantic Frontier Environmental Forum CH03.09.16	69*	The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning the Conference on 6 - 7 October 1998 in Aberdeen being run by the Atlantic Frontier Environmental Forum. The Conference was aimed at organisations and individuals with an interest in the environmental issues associated with oil and gas development in the Atlantic Margin and the topics would include oil activities, coastal protection strategies and wildlife monitoring. It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman or his nominee, be authorised to attend the Atlantic Frontier Environmental Forum Conference in Aberdeen on 6 -7 October 1998.
Attendance at KIMO Meetings and Annual Conference CH03.13	70*	With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 the Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle's decision to join the Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation (KIMO). The Comhairle was entitled to nominate one Member and one substitute Member to attend routine meetings of KIMO together with three Members to attend the International Conference and Annual General Meeting which would be held in Wexford, Republic of Ireland on 9 - 11 October 1998. It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman, or his nominee, be authorised to attend; (1) routine Meetings of KIMO; and (2) the International Conference and AGM of KIMO being held in Wexford, Republic of Ireland on 9 - 11 October 1998.
		COAST PROTECTION
Duties on Coast Protection: Counsels Opinion DS60.01	71	With reference to item 42 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 April 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Counsels opinion on whether the Comhairle had any duty to carry out coast protection works in its area and whether it had a duty to maintain such works which it had already constructed. The author of the Report explained that the reference to Nuisance in the Report was to Nuisance in its legal sense and that it included Common Law Nuisance.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Review of Progress and Decisions PR33.01.12	72	With reference to item 16 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing progress with the implementation of decisions of Environmental Services Committee from January 1996 - June 1998. It was agreed to note the Report.
Outstanding Action PR33.01.12	73	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.
		ADDITIONAL ITEM
		The Chairman ruled, in accordance with the provision of Section 50B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as detailed in terms of Standing Order 8(a), that the following item be considered as a matter or urgency in order to allow the Committee to take a view on the matter.
Infectious Salmon Anaemia CH03.06.09	74*	The Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA). ISA was a contagious viral disease affecting farmed Atlantic salmon that was found in Scotland for the first time in May 1998. ISA was a notifiable disease under EU Fish Health Legislation and Atlantic salmon was the only species known to be susceptible. The Legislative and practical controls were the responsibility of the Scottish Office Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen and the Comhairle had no locus in the issue other than its serious concerns about the potential economic effect on the fish farming industry in the Western Isles. Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, seconded by Mr Colin Campbell, moved that the Comhairle approach the Scottish Office to request an inquiry into the incidence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in Scotland and the possibility of it spreading to the Western Isles. Mr Norman L Macdonald, seconded by Mr Roderick J Murray, moved as an amendment to the motion that the Comhairle do not request the Scottish Office to investigate the incidence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia in Scotland. On the matter being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.
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