men0011

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 22 November 2000 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Donald I Nicholson (Chairman)

Mr Angus Nicolson (Vice-Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr George Lonie

Mr James L Macarthur

APOLOGIES

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

MINUTES

Environmental Services

CH01.02

82

The Minute of Meeting of 4 October 2000 was approved.

Environmental Services Sub-Committee

CH01.02

83

The Minute of Meeting of Environmental Services Sub-Committee of 30 October 2000 was noted.

Highlands and Islands Action Group on Fuel Prices

CH04.03.10

84

The Minute of Meeting of the Highlands and Islands Action Group on Hydrocarbon Fuel Prices of 6 October 2000 was noted.

Service Strategy Development Report

85*

The Service Strategy Development Reports for the 2001/02 Revenue Estimates for each of the Comhairle's Services were submitted. The Reports set out committed growth together with proposed expenditure savings to match growth and savings proposed to match cash planning limits of expenditure.

It was agreed to note that the Service Strategy Development Reports insofar as the committee's interest was concerned.

Second Quarter Revenue Outturn

86

With reference to item 57 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the income and revenue expenditure incurred for the Comhairle's services, including the Housing Revenue Account, for the period ending September 2000. The Report compared such income and expenditure with the revenue estimates of income and expenditure.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2000 - 30 September 2000

87*

With reference to item 58 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period of 1 April - 30 September 2000 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 2000/01 for each service. It was noted that the forecast outturn was £220,000 below the revised approved programme of £15,650,000. A summary of the variations was set out and details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the forecast outturn, insofar as the committee's interest was concerned as the revised approved Capital Programme for the financial year 2000/01 and specifically that;

(1) £35,000 CFCR be transferred from money set aside from the closure of the Secondary Department of Scalpay School to fund the Home Economic Unit at Sir E Scott School;

(2) an overspend of £22,000 of the Scalpay Bridge Project be included in the Capital Programme and funded out of slippage; and

(3) an overspend of £80,000 on the Smith Avenue/Sandwick Road Roundabout Project be included in the Capital Programme and funded out of slippage.

Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue Programme 2000/2001)

88

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the expenditure upon the repair and maintenance of properties held on the Environmental Services account from 1 April 2000 - 30 September 2000.

It was agreed to note the Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Government Announcement on Additional Funding for Waste Disposal

CH03.08

89*

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing announcements by the Scottish Executive of additional funding for complying with the Landfill Directive and for dealing with waste and other recycling issues over the following three financial years. The Executive's spending plans highlighted the need to prepare early in order to take advantage of the new funding as it was likely funding would be allocated on the basis of whoever was ready to proceed at the earliest stage. It was therefore important that preparation of the Comhairle's Waste Strategy proceeded and there was currently an application for HISP funding to undertake a large scale strategy report looking at providing solutions for dealing with waste in small communities on a Europe wide basis.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Committee note the Scottish Executive would target a further £2.5m per year (equivalent to £30k for Eileanan an Iar) in the next three financial years for developing waste disposal strategies;

(2) the matter of additional resources for the waste disposal strategy be considered as part of the revenue estimates process after the outcome of the HISP application was known;

(3) the Committee note that additional funding in the current financial year, based upon a further investment by the Scottish Executive of £3m nationally, would provide a late payment to be spent on specific waste and recycling initiatives in the current financial year;

(4) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to utilise the funding in the current financial year on infrastructure and equipment to ensure a less phased and more comprehensive introduction of recycling to the Western Isles; and

(5) the proposals set out in the additional paper be approved as the basis for the bid for grant assistance from the Strategic Waste Fund.

Derelict Vehicle Uplift Service Review

CH03.08.04

90*

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report in respect of the contract for the removal of derelict vehicles. The service had operated successfully and a high number of derelict vehicles had been uplifted. However, due to a reduction in the value of scrap metal, the contractor had encountered significant difficulties in persuading a mainland crusher operator to come to the island, process the cars and take the baled scrap metal to the mainland for recycling. The Comhairle had applied for HISP funding to purchase a mobile car baler for use throughout the Western Isles and this would give contractors an opportunity to operate the service in all the islands of the Western Isles.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the contract for the removal of derelict vehicles be not renewed until the outcome of the funding bid to HISP for a car baler was known;

(2) a full review of the removal of the derelict vehicles service be carried out once the outcome of the HISP car baler application was known; and

(3) the uplift of derelict vehicles be restricted to compulsory removals until the review had been completed.

Hooklift Vehicle Subject to Salvage

CH05.08

91

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report in respect of the Comhairle's hooklift skip handling vehicle. The vehicle had been aboard the ferry Elektron which had ran aground on St Kilda and had become the subject of salvage thereafter. The vehicle was currently held in bond in Belfast and the Comhairle was left without the capacity to provide a full community skip service. Discussions were continuing with the Treasury Solicitors Office and the Ministry of Defence to ascertain responsibility for making the required payments to secure the release of the vehicle.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Sandwick Cemetery Wall

CH03.04.03

92*

With reference to item 30 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000 the Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning proposals for improving access and reconstruction of the unstable boundary wall at Sandwick Cemetery. Tenders for the replacement dwarf wall and railings had been awarded to the lowest tenderer on a phased basis to allow the Comhairle to withdraw from the contract if necessary to remain within budget. However, in view of the competitive contract price, the provision of a further £8.5k from within the Capital Programme for the current financial year would allow the full works to be completed.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) works to the boundary wall and railings at Sandwick Cemetery be completed in the current financial year subject to the necessary financial provision being identified in the sum of £8.5k at the third quarter monitoring of the Capital Programme; and

(2) the Comhairle withdraw, by mutual agreement with the previous owner, from the land acquisition contract for the small area of ground between the cemetery and croft 29 Lower Sandwick.

Acquaculture Industry Liaison

93*

The Acting Chief Executive submitted a Report detailing ways to improve the liaison arrangements between the Comhairle and the acquaculture industry in the Western Isles. The acquaculture industry was economically vital to the local economy and the Comhairle would have an important regulatory role once legislation to extend planning powers to marine acquacultures was passed by the Scottish Parliament.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle establish an Acquaculture Liaison Group with a remit to discuss issues of mutual interest with representatives of the Western Isles Fish Farming Industry on a regular basis; and

(2) the Chairman be nominated to serve on the Acquaculture Liaison Group.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Reports Outstanding

PR33.01.12

94

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

It was agreed to note the Report.

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


APOLOGIES	Mr Alasdair G Macrae


		MINUTES
Environmental Services CH01.02	82	The Minute of Meeting of 4 October 2000 was approved.
Environmental Services Sub-Committee CH01.02	83	The Minute of Meeting of Environmental Services Sub-Committee of 30 October 2000 was noted.
Highlands and Islands Action Group on Fuel Prices CH04.03.10	84	The Minute of Meeting of the Highlands and Islands Action Group on Hydrocarbon Fuel Prices of 6 October 2000 was noted.
Service Strategy Development Report	85*	The Service Strategy Development Reports for the 2001/02 Revenue Estimates for each of the Comhairle's Services were submitted. The Reports set out committed growth together with proposed expenditure savings to match growth and savings proposed to match cash planning limits of expenditure.
		It was agreed to note that the Service Strategy Development Reports insofar as the committee's interest was concerned.
Second Quarter Revenue Outturn	86	With reference to item 57 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the income and revenue expenditure incurred for the Comhairle's services, including the Housing Revenue Account, for the period ending September 2000. The Report compared such income and expenditure with the revenue estimates of income and expenditure.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2000 - 30 September 2000	87*	With reference to item 58 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period of 1 April - 30 September 2000 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated outturn expenditure for the financial year 2000/01 for each service. It was noted that the forecast outturn was £220,000 below the revised approved programme of £15,650,000. A summary of the variations was set out and details of the Capital Programme, together with proposed revisions were appended to the Report.
		It was agreed to recommend approval of the forecast outturn, insofar as the committee's interest was concerned as the revised approved Capital Programme for the financial year 2000/01 and specifically that; (1) £35,000 CFCR be transferred from money set aside from the closure of the Secondary Department of Scalpay School to fund the Home Economic Unit at Sir E Scott School; (2) an overspend of £22,000 of the Scalpay Bridge Project be included in the Capital Programme and funded out of slippage; and (3) an overspend of £80,000 on the Smith Avenue/Sandwick Road Roundabout Project be included in the Capital Programme and funded out of slippage.
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue Programme 2000/2001)	88	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the expenditure upon the repair and maintenance of properties held on the Environmental Services account from 1 April 2000 - 30 September 2000.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
		ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Government Announcement on Additional Funding for Waste Disposal CH03.08	89*	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing announcements by the Scottish Executive of additional funding for complying with the Landfill Directive and for dealing with waste and other recycling issues over the following three financial years. The Executive's spending plans highlighted the need to prepare early in order to take advantage of the new funding as it was likely funding would be allocated on the basis of whoever was ready to proceed at the earliest stage. It was therefore important that preparation of the Comhairle's Waste Strategy proceeded and there was currently an application for HISP funding to undertake a large scale strategy report looking at providing solutions for dealing with waste in small communities on a Europe wide basis.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Committee note the Scottish Executive would target a further £2.5m per year (equivalent to £30k for Eileanan an Iar) in the next three financial years for developing waste disposal strategies; (2) the matter of additional resources for the waste disposal strategy be considered as part of the revenue estimates process after the outcome of the HISP application was known; (3) the Committee note that additional funding in the current financial year, based upon a further investment by the Scottish Executive of £3m nationally, would provide a late payment to be spent on specific waste and recycling initiatives in the current financial year; (4) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to utilise the funding in the current financial year on infrastructure and equipment to ensure a less phased and more comprehensive introduction of recycling to the Western Isles; and (5) the proposals set out in the additional paper be approved as the basis for the bid for grant assistance from the Strategic Waste Fund.
Derelict Vehicle Uplift Service Review CH03.08.04	90*	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report in respect of the contract for the removal of derelict vehicles. The service had operated successfully and a high number of derelict vehicles had been uplifted. However, due to a reduction in the value of scrap metal, the contractor had encountered significant difficulties in persuading a mainland crusher operator to come to the island, process the cars and take the baled scrap metal to the mainland for recycling. The Comhairle had applied for HISP funding to purchase a mobile car baler for use throughout the Western Isles and this would give contractors an opportunity to operate the service in all the islands of the Western Isles.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the contract for the removal of derelict vehicles be not renewed until the outcome of the funding bid to HISP for a car baler was known; (2) a full review of the removal of the derelict vehicles service be carried out once the outcome of the HISP car baler application was known; and (3) the uplift of derelict vehicles be restricted to compulsory removals until the review had been completed.

Hooklift Vehicle Subject to Salvage CH05.08	91	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report in respect of the Comhairle's hooklift skip handling vehicle. The vehicle had been aboard the ferry Elektron which had ran aground on St Kilda and had become the subject of salvage thereafter. The vehicle was currently held in bond in Belfast and the Comhairle was left without the capacity to provide a full community skip service. Discussions were continuing with the Treasury Solicitors Office and the Ministry of Defence to ascertain responsibility for making the required payments to secure the release of the vehicle.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
Sandwick Cemetery Wall CH03.04.03	92*	With reference to item 30 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 March 2000 the Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report concerning proposals for improving access and reconstruction of the unstable boundary wall at Sandwick Cemetery. Tenders for the replacement dwarf wall and railings had been awarded to the lowest tenderer on a phased basis to allow the Comhairle to withdraw from the contract if necessary to remain within budget. However, in view of the competitive contract price, the provision of a further £8.5k from within the Capital Programme for the current financial year would allow the full works to be completed.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) works to the boundary wall and railings at Sandwick Cemetery be completed in the current financial year subject to the necessary financial provision being identified in the sum of £8.5k at the third quarter monitoring of the Capital Programme; and (2) the Comhairle withdraw, by mutual agreement with the previous owner, from the land acquisition contract for the small area of ground between the cemetery and croft 29 Lower Sandwick.
Acquaculture Industry Liaison	93*	The Acting Chief Executive submitted a Report detailing ways to improve the liaison arrangements between the Comhairle and the acquaculture industry in the Western Isles. The acquaculture industry was economically vital to the local economy and the Comhairle would have an important regulatory role once legislation to extend planning powers to marine acquacultures was passed by the Scottish Parliament.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle establish an Acquaculture Liaison Group with a remit to discuss issues of mutual interest with representatives of the Western Isles Fish Farming Industry on a regular basis; and (2) the Chairman be nominated to serve on the Acquaculture Liaison Group.
		PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Reports Outstanding PR33.01.12	94	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing reports outstanding from decisions of Environmental Services Committee.
		It was agreed to note the Report.