mes0101

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 31 January 2001 at 9.00am

PRESENT

Mr Donald I Nicholson (Chairman)

Mr Angus Nicolson (Vice-Chairman)

Mrs Katie M Mackenzie

Mr Donald M Mackay

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr James L McArthur

MINUTES

Environmental Services CH01.02

1

The Minute of Meeting of 22 November 2000 was approved.

FINANCE

AEF Announcement, Policy Framework and Budget Strategy 2001/02 - 2003/03

PR110.03.25

2

It was agreed to defer consideration of this item until the full implications of McCrone were known.

Updated Service Strategy Development Reports

PR110.08

3

It was agreed to defer consideration of this item until the full implications of McCrone were known.

Draft Revenue Budget 2001/02

PR110.03.25

4

It was agreed to defer consideration of this item until the full implications of McCrone were known.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring to 31 December 2000

PR110.08

5*

With reference to item 87 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 November 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April 2000 to 31 December 2000/01 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated out-turn for the financial year 2000/01 for each service.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the forecast out-turn be approved as the Revised Approved Programme;

(2) slippage within the Conditional Upon External Funding Programme be approved as detailed in appendix 3 of the Report;

(3) an overspend of £21k on the Smith Avenue/Sandwick Road Roundabout Project be included in the Capital Programme and funded out of slippage;

(4) £365k be included in the Capital Programme for the Ardmhor Road and Breakwater and be funded out of slippage;

(5) £40k be included in the Capital Programme, to be funded from the overall levels of slippage, for the relocation of Daliburgh Library

(6) acceleration of the Minor Fishery Piers Improvement Programme be approved;

(7) an additional £10k, funded from slippage, be allocated to complete the works at Sandwick Cemetery;

(8) the Waste Disposal Strategy project be transferred from the Conditional Programme to the main Capital Programme at a net cost of £60k; and

(9) the Airport Development project and the Mobile Recyclable Materials project, which had been successful in obtaining HISP funding, be included in the Capital Programme.

Building Control Income - Impact on Budgets 2000/01

CH01.01

6*

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the implications of an unexpected reduction in income from Building Control and Development Control Services. The reduction in income would be beyond the capacity of the relevant Service Committee to absorb and the Report proposed that part of the loss may be compensated by tightening expenditure within the Environmental Services Department. This would be made up of minor savings over numerous budget heads and would not impact on any one service.

It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to minimise the impact of the loss of income from Building Control and Development Control Services by constraining expenditure of the Environmental Services Committee in the current financial year within the service levels budgeted for that Committee.

Decentralisation of Animal Health Service CH03.03

7*

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing proposals to allow the Animal Health Officer to work from home under the Comhairle's Remote Working Policy. The Report indicated that given that much of the work of the post holder was within the community, the post had always been considered suitable for remote working and the proposed arrangements were outlined.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle's Animal Health Officer be permitted, with immediate effect, to work from home;

(2) these arrangements be reviewed in twelve months time; and

(3) a health and safety risk assessment be carried out before the remote working commences.

NOSWA, Western Isles -Organisational Changes

DS65.01

8*

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the representations made in respect of possible organisational changes within NOSWA in the Western Isles. Any restructuring could have significant implications for the Comhairle, the Health Board and the Community as a whole, as the provision of water and sewerage services had public health and economic implications.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the Report;

(2) recommend that the Convener be authorised to invite the Chief Executive of NOSWA to a future Meeting of Policy and Resources Committee; and

(3) recommend that the Convener be authorised to make further representations to NOSWA and the Scottish Executive highlighting the Comhairle's concerns regarding the operation of water services.

Sgoil Lionacleit - Coastal Erosion E07

9*

With reference to item 72 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the extent of coastal erosion along the coastline south and east of Sgoil Lionacleit. The ongoing coastal erosion had been monitored over a number of years by Technical Services Department and consultants had visited the area and produced an Interim Report . The Interim Report indicated that there was no economic engineering solution to the problem and that doing nothing was also not an option. The adverse effects of wind and wave action on the dune system could be reduced by the introduction of an effective Shoreline Management Plan in consultation with SNH and other interested parties.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the development of a Shoreline Management Plan be undertaken in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage and that such a plan be monitored on a twice yearly basis; and

(2) a further report on the likely financial implications arising from the implementation of a Shoreline Management Plan be prepared for consideration prior to detailed development work being undertaken.

Consultation on Planning and Telecommunications

PR31.12

10*

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report in respect of consultation documents issued by the Scottish Executive outlining proposals for increasing planning controls over telecommunications developments.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to respond to the Scottish Executive detailing the comments and concerns summarised in the Report;

(2) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to request that all telecommunications code system operators developing in the Western Isles agree to a voluntary protocol with the Comhairle to the effect that they would adhere to the draft proposals during the period pending the implementation of new planning powers; and

(3) with regard to Comhairle land and property, applications for telecommunications development be considered on a case by case basis by the Land, Property and Technology Sub-Committee.

Local Countryside Access Officer Post

11*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposals to establish a Local Countryside Access Officer Post. The Post would be established on a joint funding basis with Scottish Natural Heritage and Western Isles Enterprise for a three year period subject to the Comhairle's Establishment of Post Procedure. The location of the post should be determined as part of the Chief Executive's review of Departments.

It was agreed to recommend, in principle, to the establishment of a Local Countryside Access Officer Post, subject to a joint funding package being concluded with Scottish Natural Heritage and Western Isles Enterprise, together with adequate provision being made in the revenue estimates 2001/04 and the completion of the Comhairle's Establishment of Post Procedure, with the location of the post being determined in the context of the Chief Executive's review of Departments.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Outstanding Reports: Progress PR33.01.12

12

The Director of Corporate Services indicated that there were no Reports outstanding from decisions of the Environmental Services Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

ADDITIONAL ITEM

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

Eye Church

DS60.01

13*

The Chairman welcomed Mr John Saunders to the Meeting and invited Mr Saunders to address the Committee on the Consultants Report into the condition of Eye Church Cemetery.

It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Environmental Services, Director of Technical Services and the Chief Executive identify resources to undertake further investigations into the condition of Eye Church, Point from within existing budgets to the satisfaction of the Director of Finance.

PRESENT	Mr Donald I Nicholson (Chairman)
	Mr Angus Nicolson (Vice-Chairman)
	Mrs Katie M Mackenzie	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Alasdair G Macrae	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Finlay Morrison	Mr James L McArthur

		MINUTES
Environmental Services CH01.02	1	The Minute of Meeting of 22 November 2000 was approved.
		FINANCE
AEF Announcement, Policy Framework and Budget Strategy 2001/02 - 2003/03 PR110.03.25	2	It was agreed to defer consideration of this item until the full implications of McCrone were known.
Updated Service Strategy Development Reports PR110.08	3	It was agreed to defer consideration of this item until the full implications of McCrone were known.
Draft Revenue Budget 2001/02 PR110.03.25	4	It was agreed to defer consideration of this item until the full implications of McCrone were known.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring to 31 December 2000 PR110.08	5*	With reference to item 87 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 November 2000 the Director of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April 2000 to 31 December 2000/01 for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report detailed the approved expenditure and estimated out-turn for the financial year 2000/01 for each service. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the forecast out-turn be approved as the Revised Approved Programme; (2) slippage within the Conditional Upon External Funding Programme be approved as detailed in appendix 3 of the Report;
		(3) an overspend of £21k on the Smith Avenue/Sandwick Road Roundabout Project be included in the Capital Programme and funded out of slippage; (4) £365k be included in the Capital Programme for the Ardmhor Road and Breakwater and be funded out of slippage; (5) £40k be included in the Capital Programme, to be funded from the overall levels of slippage, for the relocation of Daliburgh Library (6) acceleration of the Minor Fishery Piers Improvement Programme be approved; (7) an additional £10k, funded from slippage, be allocated to complete the works at Sandwick Cemetery; (8) the Waste Disposal Strategy project be transferred from the Conditional Programme to the main Capital Programme at a net cost of £60k; and (9) the Airport Development project and the Mobile Recyclable Materials project, which had been successful in obtaining HISP funding, be included in the Capital Programme.
Building Control Income - Impact on Budgets 2000/01 CH01.01	6*	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the implications of an unexpected reduction in income from Building Control and Development Control Services. The reduction in income would be beyond the capacity of the relevant Service Committee to absorb and the Report proposed that part of the loss may be compensated by tightening expenditure within the Environmental Services Department. This would be made up of minor savings over numerous budget heads and would not impact on any one service. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to minimise the impact of the loss of income from Building Control and Development Control Services by constraining expenditure of the Environmental Services Committee in the current financial year within the service levels budgeted for that Committee.
Decentralisation of Animal Health Service CH03.03	7*	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing proposals to allow the Animal Health Officer to work from home under the Comhairle's Remote Working Policy. The Report indicated that given that much of the work of the post holder was within the community, the post had always been considered suitable for remote working and the proposed arrangements were outlined. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle's Animal Health Officer be permitted, with immediate effect, to work from home; (2) these arrangements be reviewed in twelve months time; and (3) a health and safety risk assessment be carried out before the remote working commences.
NOSWA, Western Isles -Organisational Changes DS65.01	8*	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report detailing the representations made in respect of possible organisational changes within NOSWA in the Western Isles. Any restructuring could have significant implications for the Comhairle, the Health Board and the Community as a whole, as the provision of water and sewerage services had public health and economic implications.
		It was agreed to: (1) note the Report; (2) recommend that the Convener be authorised to invite the Chief Executive of NOSWA to a future Meeting of Policy and Resources Committee; and (3) recommend that the Convener be authorised to make further representations to NOSWA and the Scottish Executive highlighting the Comhairle's concerns regarding the operation of water services.
Sgoil Lionacleit - Coastal Erosion E07	9*	With reference to item 72 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the extent of coastal erosion along the coastline south and east of Sgoil Lionacleit. The ongoing coastal erosion had been monitored over a number of years by Technical Services Department and consultants had visited the area and produced an Interim Report . The Interim Report indicated that there was no economic engineering solution to the problem and that doing nothing was also not an option. The adverse effects of wind and wave action on the dune system could be reduced by the introduction of an effective Shoreline Management Plan in consultation with SNH and other interested parties. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the development of a Shoreline Management Plan be undertaken in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage and that such a plan be monitored on a twice yearly basis; and (2) a further report on the likely financial implications arising from the implementation of a Shoreline Management Plan be prepared for consideration prior to detailed development work being undertaken.
Consultation on Planning and Telecommunications PR31.12	10*	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report in respect of consultation documents issued by the Scottish Executive outlining proposals for increasing planning controls over telecommunications developments. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to respond to the Scottish Executive detailing the comments and concerns summarised in the Report; (2) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to request that all telecommunications code system operators developing in the Western Isles agree to a voluntary protocol with the Comhairle to the effect that they would adhere to the draft proposals during the period pending the implementation of new planning powers; and (3) with regard to Comhairle land and property, applications for telecommunications development be considered on a case by case basis by the Land, Property and Technology Sub-Committee.
Local Countryside Access Officer Post	11*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposals to establish a Local Countryside Access Officer Post. The Post would be established on a joint funding basis with Scottish Natural Heritage and Western Isles Enterprise for a three year period subject to the Comhairle's Establishment of Post Procedure. The location of the post should be determined as part of the Chief Executive's review of Departments.
		It was agreed to recommend, in principle, to the establishment of a Local Countryside Access Officer Post, subject to a joint funding package being concluded with Scottish Natural Heritage and Western Isles Enterprise, together with adequate provision being made in the revenue estimates 2001/04 and the completion of the Comhairle's Establishment of Post Procedure, with the location of the post being determined in the context of the Chief Executive's review of Departments.
		PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Outstanding Reports: Progress PR33.01.12	12	The Director of Corporate Services indicated that there were no Reports outstanding from decisions of the Environmental Services Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.
		ADDITIONAL ITEM
		The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in terms of Standing Order 8A, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency to allow the Committee to take a view on the matter prior to the next Meeting.
Eye Church DS60.01	13*	The Chairman welcomed Mr John Saunders to the Meeting and invited Mr Saunders to address the Committee on the Consultants Report into the condition of Eye Church Cemetery. It was agreed to recommend that the Acting Director of Environmental Services, Director of Technical Services and the Chief Executive identify resources to undertake further investigations into the condition of Eye Church, Point from within existing budgets to the satisfaction of the Director of Finance.