12 February 2003 (2.15)

POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 12 February 2003 at 2.15 p.m.

PRESENT

Mr Roderick J Murray (Chairman)

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr George Lonie

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mrs Mary Bremner

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of the European Structural Funds MOWG of 6 February 2003

1

The Minute of Meeting of the European Structural Funds Member Officer Working Group of 6 February 2003 was noted and it was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the five projects, relating to Leverburgh Waterfront, Energy Solutions, Western Isles Recycling, Western Isles Composting and Comunn Eachdraidh Research and Development receive support from the Comhairle;

(2) the new Research and Development posts to support the Comunn Eachdraidh should be filled by Gaelic speakers and based within the local community; and

(3) where appropriate, funding should be from the Capital Programme.

SPECIFIC ISSUES

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002

PR11.35

2

The Chief Executive submitted a Report advising Members of the requirements of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and seeking views on the interim report produced by the independent advisory committee chaired by Sir Bernard Crick.

It was stated that under the provisions of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act, residents seeking British citizenship would have to be tested to show a `sufficient understanding' of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, and `UK society and civic structures'. There is also a requirement for such residents to take a citizenship oath and pledge at a civic ceremony and Registrars in the Western Isles have already indicated their willingness to officiate at this type of new ceremony.

It was agreed to:

(1) note the Report; and

(2) welcome the acknowledgement of Gaelic as a British Language.

It was agreed that in accordance with the terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle would be disclosed.

North Harris Trust

3

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking grant funding to the North Harris Trust to assist it in developing the North Harris Estate via a community land buy-out.

It was stated that a trust had been established in North Harris to effect a community buy-out of the North Harris Estate. The Trust has had considerable financial support from the Scottish Land Fund and the Community Land Unit of HIE, on the basis of a feasibility study which showed that the estate could be managed for the good of the community, and would create job opportunities. The Trust requires to raise a total of £200,000 and is asking the Comhairle and others for financial assistance towards this sum.

It was agreed to recommend:

(1) that the Comhairle grant £25,000 to the North Harris Trust for the purpose of developing the North Harris Estate and creating job opportunities on the estate;

(2) in the event that the Directors of Duthaich Leodhais agus Na Hearadh confirm the return to the Comhairle of funds held by that company, £13,000 of those funds be allocated to support the North Harris Community buy-out; and

(3) the above recommendations be subject to the Trust completing the land purchase deal.

Public Holidays in Uist

PR31

4

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report relating to a proposal to change the dates of certain public holidays in the Uists in the light of changes in local arrangements.

It was agreed to recommend that 23, 24 and 25 July 2003 be designated as local holidays in Uist and that the Comhairle's offices in Uist remain open on 18 July and 4 August 2003.

Structure of the Commercial Operations Unit

5

The Democratic Services Manager sought, and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

COMMITTEES

Committee Decision Reports

6

The Decision Reports from the Services Committees were submitted for consideration.

It as agreed to note the Committee Decision Reports and to recommend approval of the recommendation in item 9 of the Arts and Leisure Committee Decision Report (Tender Report for New Sports Centre).

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		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of the European Structural Funds MOWG of 6 February 2003	1	The Minute of Meeting of the European Structural Funds Member Officer Working Group of 6 February 2003 was noted and it was agreed to recommend that: (1) the five projects, relating to Leverburgh Waterfront, Energy Solutions, Western Isles Recycling, Western Isles Composting and Comunn Eachdraidh Research and Development receive support from the Comhairle; (2) the new Research and Development posts to support the Comunn Eachdraidh should be filled by Gaelic speakers and based within the local community; and (3) where appropriate, funding should be from the Capital Programme.
		SPECIFIC ISSUES
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 PR11.35	2	The Chief Executive submitted a Report advising Members of the requirements of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and seeking views on the interim report produced by the independent advisory committee chaired by Sir Bernard Crick. It was stated that under the provisions of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act, residents seeking British citizenship would have to be tested to show a `sufficient understanding' of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, and `UK society and civic structures'. There is also a requirement for such residents to take a citizenship oath and pledge at a civic ceremony and Registrars in the Western Isles have already indicated their willingness to officiate at this type of new ceremony. It was agreed to: (1) note the Report; and (2) welcome the acknowledgement of Gaelic as a British Language.
		It was agreed that in accordance with the terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person other than the Comhairle would be disclosed.
North Harris Trust	3	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking grant funding to the North Harris Trust to assist it in developing the North Harris Estate via a community land buy-out. It was stated that a trust had been established in North Harris to effect a community buy-out of the North Harris Estate. The Trust has had considerable financial support from the Scottish Land Fund and the Community Land Unit of HIE, on the basis of a feasibility study which showed that the estate could be managed for the good of the community, and would create job opportunities. The Trust requires to raise a total of £200,000 and is asking the Comhairle and others for financial assistance towards this sum. It was agreed to recommend: (1) that the Comhairle grant £25,000 to the North Harris Trust for the purpose of developing the North Harris Estate and creating job opportunities on the estate; (2) in the event that the Directors of Duthaich Leodhais agus Na Hearadh confirm the return to the Comhairle of funds held by that company, £13,000 of those funds be allocated to support the North Harris Community buy-out; and (3) the above recommendations be subject to the Trust completing the land purchase deal.
Public Holidays in Uist PR31	4	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report relating to a proposal to change the dates of certain public holidays in the Uists in the light of changes in local arrangements. It was agreed to recommend that 23, 24 and 25 July 2003 be designated as local holidays in Uist and that the Comhairle's offices in Uist remain open on 18 July and 4 August 2003.
Structure of the Commercial Operations Unit	5	The Democratic Services Manager sought, and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
		COMMITTEES
Committee Decision Reports	6	The Decision Reports from the Services Committees were submitted for consideration. It as agreed to note the Committee Decision Reports and to recommend approval of the recommendation in item 9 of the Arts and Leisure Committee Decision Report (Tender Report for New Sports Centre).
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