20 November 2001

HOUSING COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday, 20 November 2001 at 11.00am

PRESENT

Mr George Lonie (Chairman)

Mr Norman M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr James L Macarthur

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr David Blaney

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Calum Mackay

MINUTES

Housing Committee 2 October 2001

92

The Minute of Meeting of 2 October 2001 was approved.

FINANCE

Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy: 2002/2005

PR110.08

93*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the Budget Strategy for the Housing Revenue Account for the period 2002-2005. The Report gave details of the timetable for the consideration of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2002/2003. The Report referred to ongoing discussions between Officers of the Comhairle and the Scottish Executive, during which the Scottish Executive had indicated that it would consider "writing-off" the £42m housing debt, should the Comhairle submit to a well-funded stock transfer (New Housing Partnership) proposal. It was further intimated that it was anticipated that the Grant Loss Limitation would remain at the 2001/2002 rate which would mean that the reduction in Housing Support Grant would be £210,000.

The Report further referred to the range of issues which tenants had raised at previous budget setting consultation meetings and emphasised that tenant consultation was a key component of the Best Value Regime in relation to housing.

The Report stated that to comply with the statutory notice on rent increases, it would be necessary for the final draft of the Housing Revenue Account 2002/2003, to be considered by the Housing Committee at its meeting scheduled for January 2002, prior to the 2002/2003 Housing Revenue Account Budgets being considered and approved by the Comhairle at its meeting in February 2002.

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the budget setting timetable and consultation process detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Housing concerning the Budget Strategy 2002-2005.

Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2001/2002: Progress PR110.08

94*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the Housing Revenue Account Capital Expenditure Programme for 2001/2002. The Report detailed expenditure on the Programme and summarised details of variations within the Programme.

It was agreed to recommend that

(1) the Housing Capital Programme 2001/2002 be revised, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Housing, to take account of project variations; and

(2) the Comhairle note the expenditure profile shown at Appendix 2 of the Report by the Director of Housing.

Housing Revenue Account: Financial Plan 2002/2003 - 2004/2005 PR110.08

95*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report setting out the Housing Financial Plan 2002/2003 - 2004/2005. Details of the Plan were appended to the Report. It was indicated that the Plan had been prepared on the assumption of no change to the current level of borrowing consent and the basis for the Plan was outlined in the Report. The Report highlighted the decline in the amount that the Comhairle had for Capital Investment in its housing stock, from £5m gross consent in 1990/91 to £1.8m gross consent in 2001/2002. The Report concluded that the likely level of consent available for the period of the Plan would be an inadequate funding base to meet, in full, the spending aspirations laid out in the Comhairle's current Housing Plan 2000-2003.

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the Housing Revenue Account Financial Plan 2002/2003 - 2004/2005, on the basis that the Annual Capital Programme for 2002/2003 would be submitted for approval by the Director of Housing following the issue of the formal notice of consent for that year by the Scottish Executive.

Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002 PR110.08

96*

With reference to Item 85 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 October 2001, the Director of Housing submitted a Report advising Members of the expenditure incurred and committed in respect of the Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002. The Report stated that it was anticipated that expenditure, in respect of Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2001/2002, could exceed the existing budgetary provision in the sum of £19,823. It was emphasised in the Report that every effort would be made by Officers of the Comhairle to contain the expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2001/2002, within the financial limits determined by the Comhairle.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Report by the Director of Housing concerning the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002 be noted; and

(2) the Director of Housing be authorised to implement the proposals identified at Paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 of his Report, in order to check the potential overspend on the Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2001/2002.

It was agreed that in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds of exempt information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services and terms proposed, or to be proposed, by, or to, the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services, would be disclosed.

Housing Revenue Account: Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002: Progress Report HO5.16

97*

With reference to Item 87 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 October 2001, the Director of Housing submitted a Report giving details of progress being made with regard to the Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 for properties held on the Housing Revenue Account. The details of a revised programme for Cyclical Painterwork for 2001/2002 were appended to the Report.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle note the progress made in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002; and

(2) the Comhairle note the revised programme for Cyclical Painterwork for 2001/2002 as submitted to the Committee.

It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, other than the Comhairle and the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property, or the supply of goods or services, would be disclosed.

Balivanich Community Regeneration Project Procurement

HO2 31 35

98*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving details of progress made in respect of the Balivanich Community Regeneration Project.

The Report identified the need for specific Projects, within the overall Balivanich Community Regeneration Project, to be completed with a view to ensuring that the previously agreed programme of expenditure was met.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle note the progress with respect to the Balivanich Community Regeneration Project, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Housing; and

(2) the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, be authorised to implement the procurement methods as detailed in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Report and as allowed by Clause 7(f) of the Contract Regulations, in light of the tight timescales resulting from the delay in acquiring the former Ministry of Defences houses at Balivanich.

Housing Scotland Act 2001 - Implementation of Homelessness Proposals: Appointment of Consultants

99*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning proposals to appoint a Specialist Consultant to assist in the implementation of Part 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, relating to homelessness strategies and the establishment of the post of Homeless Persons Officer. It was stated in the Report that the Scottish Executive had allocated additional funding to the Comhairle, in the sum of £50,000 for 2001/2002, to assist the Comhairle in implementing the Housing Scotland Act 2001, as it related to homelessness services. It was further intimated in the Report that in light of the limited staff resources available to the Comhairle and with a view to ensuring that the Comhairle could meet the requirement of the conditions associated with the allocation of the additional funds from the Scottish Executive within the timescale determined by the Executive, that it was proposed to consider the undernoted Consultants to undertake the necessary work:

DTZ Pieda

Scottish Churches Housing Agency

The Housing Quality Network

Chartered Institute of Housing

on the basis that a detailed Brief would be drawn up by the Director of Housing in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services.

The Report further identified the need for an additional post of Homeless Persons Officer to be established to ensure that the Comhairle could meet the new obligations placed on it by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 in relation to homelessness.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle approve the appointment of a specialist consultant to assist with meeting the requirements of Section 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001;

(2) it be delegated to the Director of Housing, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, to develop a Brief for the required work and appoint a suitably experienced Consultant to undertake the study; and

(3) the Comhairle approve the establishment of the Post of Homeless Persons Officer, in principle, subject to the Comhairle's establishment of post procedure.

Best Value Review of the Housing Grants Service H10.01.01

100*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted an Interim Service Improvement Plan which had been prepared in the context of a Best Value Service Review of the Housing Grants Service. Full details of the Interim Plan were appended to the Report. It was stated in the Report that whilst some measures could be easily implemented and put in place in advance of the approval of the draft Service Improvement Plan, it was proposed to analyse comments submitted by stakeholders, prior to preparing the finalised Service Improvement Plan for the Housing Grants Service, which it was envisaged would be submitted to the Committee at its meeting in March 2002.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle approve the Interim Service Improvement plan for Housing Grants;

(2) the Director for Sustainable Communities be requested to submit a further Report to the Committee concerning the detail of the Scottish Executive's Central Heating Grant Scheme; and

(3) the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to prepare a letter for the Chairman for onward transmission to the appropriate Scottish Executive Minister, making representations on the inappropriateness of the current Scheme in the context of the Western Isles.

Reports Outstanding: Progress Report

PR33.01.12

101

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports Outstanding arising from the decisions of the Committee since 1 May 1994.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Rural Sewerage Schemes: Progress Report DS65.01

102*

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing progress with the delivery of Rural Sewerage Schemes in the Western Isles. Following reorganisation of the water industry, the North of Scotland Water Authority was unable to continue with the delivery of the Comhairle's 1992 priority list for the provision of Rural Sewerage Schemes but an alternative approach involving a joint venture with the North of Scotland Water Authority, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Comhairle had been agreed. The alternative approach, outlined in the Report, had involved carrying out a pilot scheme at Seilebost.

The Report further stated that the Project had been successful in attracting grant assistance from the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme 2001-2006. The Report identified the need to reassess the original priority list previously agreed by the Comhairle for rural sewerage improvements and gave details of the estimated costs involved in a proposed North of Scotland Water Authority and Comhairle priority list for Rural Sewerage Schemes.

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the progress with the Seilebost sewerage scheme and approve the suggested future programme for future rural schemes as detailed in Appendix 4 of the Report, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.

Preventing Domestic Abuse in the Western Isles: The Community Perspective

SW09

103*

With reference to Item 22 of the Minute of meeting of 30 March 2000 the Director of Social Work submitted a Report concerning the recommendations contained in the research Report on domestic abuse in the Western Isles and seeking approval for a subsequent bid to the 2002/2003 round of the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report and it was further stated that additional funding would go towards assisting the Western Isles Domestic Abuse Forum and address the findings of the Research Report. In particular, the Report highlighted the proposal to establish a "virtual one-stop shop" which would provide comprehensive information on accessing relevant services within the Western Isles and at national level.

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:

(1) endorse the findings of the research Report on Domestic Abuse in the Western Isles;

(2) approve the submission of a subsequent bid to the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund for the purpose of implementing the key recommendations contained in the Research Report; and

(3) agree to the sum of £15,000 being included in the Revenue Estimates for 2000-2003 to be put forward as match funding for the above-mentioned bid.

Mr Calum Mackay declared an interest in the following Item and left the meeting during consideration of the matter.

Cearns Housing Estate - Polytunnels

104*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the use of an area of ground in the Cearns Housing Estate to site two polytunnels which would be operated by the Cearns Community Association for a "Grow for Sale" horticultural project.

Details of the area on which it was proposed to site two 6m x 18m polytunnels with associated windbreaks and storage facilities were given in the Report and it was further intimated that the Cearns Community Association intended to use the polytunnels initially to grow herbs and salad crops for sale in their Community Shop. It was further stated in the Report that it was envisaged that the horticultural project, as detailed in the Report, would initially create one, and potentially two, full time jobs. Details of the funding for the Project were given and it was intimated that the following organisations had agreed to contribute to the Horticultural Project:

Western Isles Enterprise

Western Isles Health Board

New Deal

Sustainable Scotland

New Opportunities Fund.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Cearns Community Association be offered an area of land in the Cearns Housing Estate to be designated by the Director of Housing to site two polytunnels and associated facilities for a "Crops for Sale" enterprise;

(2) the area of land so designated be made available at a token rental to the Cearns Community Association, subject to the Director of Corporate Services obtaining the necessary approvals from Scottish Ministers;

(3) it be delegated to the Director of Housing to identify and agree other areas of ground within the Cearns Housing Estate for horticultural use by the Cearns Community Association and to arrange for of such ground at a level and on conditions to be determined by him, subject to the Director of Corporate Services obtaining the necessary approvals from Scottish Ministers; and

(4) a further Report be submitted by the Director of Housing to update members on the progress of the horticultural projects operated by the Cearns Community Association.

PRESENT	Mr George Lonie (Chairman)
	Mr Norman M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Angus Nicolson
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Murdo Macleod
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Norman L Macdonald
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mr Angus Campbell
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr James L Macarthur
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Calum Mackay


		MINUTES
Housing Committee 2 October 2001	92	The Minute of Meeting of 2 October 2001 was approved.
		FINANCE
Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy: 2002/2005 PR110.08	93*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the Budget Strategy for the Housing Revenue Account for the period 2002-2005. The Report gave details of the timetable for the consideration of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2002/2003. The Report referred to ongoing discussions between Officers of the Comhairle and the Scottish Executive, during which the Scottish Executive had indicated that it would consider "writing-off" the £42m housing debt, should the Comhairle submit to a well-funded stock transfer (New Housing Partnership) proposal. It was further intimated that it was anticipated that the Grant Loss Limitation would remain at the 2001/2002 rate which would mean that the reduction in Housing Support Grant would be £210,000.
		The Report further referred to the range of issues which tenants had raised at previous budget setting consultation meetings and emphasised that tenant consultation was a key component of the Best Value Regime in relation to housing.
		The Report stated that to comply with the statutory notice on rent increases, it would be necessary for the final draft of the Housing Revenue Account 2002/2003, to be considered by the Housing Committee at its meeting scheduled for January 2002, prior to the 2002/2003 Housing Revenue Account Budgets being considered and approved by the Comhairle at its meeting in February 2002.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the budget setting timetable and consultation process detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Housing concerning the Budget Strategy 2002-2005.
Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2001/2002: Progress PR110.08	94*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the Housing Revenue Account Capital Expenditure Programme for 2001/2002. The Report detailed expenditure on the Programme and summarised details of variations within the Programme. It was agreed to recommend that
		(1) the Housing Capital Programme 2001/2002 be revised, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Housing, to take account of project variations; and (2) the Comhairle note the expenditure profile shown at Appendix 2 of the Report by the Director of Housing.
Housing Revenue Account: Financial Plan 2002/2003 - 2004/2005 PR110.08	95*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report setting out the Housing Financial Plan 2002/2003 - 2004/2005. Details of the Plan were appended to the Report. It was indicated that the Plan had been prepared on the assumption of no change to the current level of borrowing consent and the basis for the Plan was outlined in the Report. The Report highlighted the decline in the amount that the Comhairle had for Capital Investment in its housing stock, from £5m gross consent in 1990/91 to £1.8m gross consent in 2001/2002. The Report concluded that the likely level of consent available for the period of the Plan would be an inadequate funding base to meet, in full, the spending aspirations laid out in the Comhairle's current Housing Plan 2000-2003. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the Housing Revenue Account Financial Plan 2002/2003 - 2004/2005, on the basis that the Annual Capital Programme for 2002/2003 would be submitted for approval by the Director of Housing following the issue of the formal notice of consent for that year by the Scottish Executive.
Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002 PR110.08	96*	With reference to Item 85 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 October 2001, the Director of Housing submitted a Report advising Members of the expenditure incurred and committed in respect of the Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002. The Report stated that it was anticipated that expenditure, in respect of Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2001/2002, could exceed the existing budgetary provision in the sum of £19,823. It was emphasised in the Report that every effort would be made by Officers of the Comhairle to contain the expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2001/2002, within the financial limits determined by the Comhairle. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report by the Director of Housing concerning the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002 be noted; and (2) the Director of Housing be authorised to implement the proposals identified at Paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 of his Report, in order to check the potential overspend on the Housing Revenue Account: Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2001/2002. It was agreed that in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds of exempt information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services and terms proposed, or to be proposed, by, or to, the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services, would be disclosed.
Housing Revenue Account: Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002: Progress Report HO5.16	97*	With reference to Item 87 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 October 2001, the Director of Housing submitted a Report giving details of progress being made with regard to the Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 for properties held on the Housing Revenue Account. The details of a revised programme for Cyclical Painterwork for 2001/2002 were appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle note the progress made in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002; and (2) the Comhairle note the revised programme for Cyclical Painterwork for 2001/2002 as submitted to the Committee.
		It was agreed that in accordance with the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, other than the Comhairle and the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property, or the supply of goods or services, would be disclosed.
Balivanich Community Regeneration Project Procurement HO2 31 35	98*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving details of progress made in respect of the Balivanich Community Regeneration Project. The Report identified the need for specific Projects, within the overall Balivanich Community Regeneration Project, to be completed with a view to ensuring that the previously agreed programme of expenditure was met. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle note the progress with respect to the Balivanich Community Regeneration Project, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Housing; and (2) the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, be authorised to implement the procurement methods as detailed in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Report and as allowed by Clause 7(f) of the Contract Regulations, in light of the tight timescales resulting from the delay in acquiring the former Ministry of Defences houses at Balivanich.
Housing Scotland Act 2001 - Implementation of Homelessness Proposals: Appointment of Consultants	99*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning proposals to appoint a Specialist Consultant to assist in the implementation of Part 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, relating to homelessness strategies and the establishment of the post of Homeless Persons Officer. It was stated in the Report that the Scottish Executive had allocated additional funding to the Comhairle, in the sum of £50,000 for 2001/2002, to assist the Comhairle in implementing the Housing Scotland Act 2001, as it related to homelessness services. It was further intimated in the Report that in light of the limited staff resources available to the Comhairle and with a view to ensuring that the Comhairle could meet the requirement of the conditions associated with the allocation of the additional funds from the Scottish Executive within the timescale determined by the Executive, that it was proposed to consider the undernoted Consultants to undertake the necessary work: DTZ Pieda Scottish Churches Housing Agency The Housing Quality Network Chartered Institute of Housing on the basis that a detailed Brief would be drawn up by the Director of Housing in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services. The Report further identified the need for an additional post of Homeless Persons Officer to be established to ensure that the Comhairle could meet the new obligations placed on it by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 in relation to homelessness.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle approve the appointment of a specialist consultant to assist with meeting the requirements of Section 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001; (2) it be delegated to the Director of Housing, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, to develop a Brief for the required work and appoint a suitably experienced Consultant to undertake the study; and (3) the Comhairle approve the establishment of the Post of Homeless Persons Officer, in principle, subject to the Comhairle's establishment of post procedure.
Best Value Review of the Housing Grants Service H10.01.01	100*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted an Interim Service Improvement Plan which had been prepared in the context of a Best Value Service Review of the Housing Grants Service. Full details of the Interim Plan were appended to the Report. It was stated in the Report that whilst some measures could be easily implemented and put in place in advance of the approval of the draft Service Improvement Plan, it was proposed to analyse comments submitted by stakeholders, prior to preparing the finalised Service Improvement Plan for the Housing Grants Service, which it was envisaged would be submitted to the Committee at its meeting in March 2002. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle approve the Interim Service Improvement plan for Housing Grants; (2) the Director for Sustainable Communities be requested to submit a further Report to the Committee concerning the detail of the Scottish Executive's Central Heating Grant Scheme; and (3) the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to prepare a letter for the Chairman for onward transmission to the appropriate Scottish Executive Minister, making representations on the inappropriateness of the current Scheme in the context of the Western Isles.
Reports Outstanding: Progress Report PR33.01.12	101	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports Outstanding arising from the decisions of the Committee since 1 May 1994. It was agreed to note the Report.
Rural Sewerage Schemes: Progress Report DS65.01	102*	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report detailing progress with the delivery of Rural Sewerage Schemes in the Western Isles. Following reorganisation of the water industry, the North of Scotland Water Authority was unable to continue with the delivery of the Comhairle's 1992 priority list for the provision of Rural Sewerage Schemes but an alternative approach involving a joint venture with the North of Scotland Water Authority, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Comhairle had been agreed. The alternative approach, outlined in the Report, had involved carrying out a pilot scheme at Seilebost. The Report further stated that the Project had been successful in attracting grant assistance from the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme 2001-2006. The Report identified the need to reassess the original priority list previously agreed by the Comhairle for rural sewerage improvements and gave details of the estimated costs involved in a proposed North of Scotland Water Authority and Comhairle priority list for Rural Sewerage Schemes. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the progress with the Seilebost sewerage scheme and approve the suggested future programme for future rural schemes as detailed in Appendix 4 of the Report, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned.
Preventing Domestic Abuse in the Western Isles: The Community Perspective SW09	103*	With reference to Item 22 of the Minute of meeting of 30 March 2000 the Director of Social Work submitted a Report concerning the recommendations contained in the research Report on domestic abuse in the Western Isles and seeking approval for a subsequent bid to the 2002/2003 round of the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund. The background to the matter was outlined in the Report and it was further stated that additional funding would go towards assisting the Western Isles Domestic Abuse Forum and address the findings of the Research Report. In particular, the Report highlighted the proposal to establish a "virtual one-stop shop" which would provide comprehensive information on accessing relevant services within the Western Isles and at national level. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle: (1) endorse the findings of the research Report on Domestic Abuse in the Western Isles; (2) approve the submission of a subsequent bid to the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund for the purpose of implementing the key recommendations contained in the Research Report; and (3) agree to the sum of £15,000 being included in the Revenue Estimates for 2000-2003 to be put forward as match funding for the above-mentioned bid.
		Mr Calum Mackay declared an interest in the following Item and left the meeting during consideration of the matter.
Cearns Housing Estate - Polytunnels	104*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the use of an area of ground in the Cearns Housing Estate to site two polytunnels which would be operated by the Cearns Community Association for a "Grow for Sale" horticultural project. Details of the area on which it was proposed to site two 6m x 18m polytunnels with associated windbreaks and storage facilities were given in the Report and it was further intimated that the Cearns Community Association intended to use the polytunnels initially to grow herbs and salad crops for sale in their Community Shop. It was further stated in the Report that it was envisaged that the horticultural project, as detailed in the Report, would initially create one, and potentially two, full time jobs. Details of the funding for the Project were given and it was intimated that the following organisations had agreed to contribute to the Horticultural Project: Western Isles Enterprise Western Isles Health Board New Deal Sustainable Scotland New Opportunities Fund. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Cearns Community Association be offered an area of land in the Cearns Housing Estate to be designated by the Director of Housing to site two polytunnels and associated facilities for a "Crops for Sale" enterprise; (2) the area of land so designated be made available at a token rental to the Cearns Community Association, subject to the Director of Corporate Services obtaining the necessary approvals from Scottish Ministers; (3) it be delegated to the Director of Housing to identify and agree other areas of ground within the Cearns Housing Estate for horticultural use by the Cearns Community Association and to arrange for of such ground at a level and on conditions to be determined by him, subject to the Director of Corporate Services obtaining the necessary approvals from Scottish Ministers; and (4) a further Report be submitted by the Director of Housing to update members on the progress of the horticultural projects operated by the Cearns Community Association.