26 August 2002

POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Monday 26 August at 4.00 p.m.

PRESENT

Mr Roderick J Murray (Chairman)

Mr Norman L Macdonald (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr George Lonie

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Angus Campbell

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Donald Maclean

APOLOGIES

Mrs Mary Bremner

Mr Donald Manford

MINUTES

Policy and Finance

1

The Minute of Meeting of 18 June 2002 was approved.

Minutes of Meetings of Commercial Operations Board.

2

(a) The Minute of 30 May 2002 was noted;

(b) The Minute of 17 June 2002 was noted and it was agreed to approve the recommendations at Item 2 relating to school staffing levels;

(c) The Minute of 27 June 2002 was noted and it was agreed to approve the recommendation at Item 5 relating to Building Maintenance Term Contract rates;

(d) The Minute of 25 July 2002 was noted.

Gaelic Development Joint Liaison Committee

3

The Minute 12 June 2002 was noted.

Conditions of Service Sub Committee

4

The minute of 18 June 2002 was noted.

FINANCE

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April - 30 June 2002.

PR110.01

5

The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress on the Capital Programme and seeking decisions on changes. It was stated that total resources to fund gross capital expenditure in 2002/03 are £17,312,000 which consists of £14,799,000 Capital Consent and £2,473,000 Useable Capital Receipts and £40,000 for Revenue.

If all the projects on the Comhairle's conditional list are successful in attracting funding the programme is over committed by £175,000 or 1.01%.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the Forecast Out-turn as the Revised Approved Programme and specifically;

a) Any overspend on the Lochs School will be met from slippage in the Education Capital Programme.

b) Any additional expenditure for emergency repairs at Castlebay School be funded from within the Education Capital Programme.

c) The grant to the voluntary sector for improved day care facilities at the Lewis Retirement Centre currently in the conditional programme for 2002/03 be slipped to the conditional programme 2003/04.

d) The commencement of the planning and design work on the South Uist Care Centre development. This requires the acceleration of £200,000 of expenditure programmed for 2003/04.

e) In order to start work on the Spinal Route (North), up to £50,000 to be funded from slippage within the Transportation Capital Programme.

f) £1,050,000 is transferred from the conditional programme for the Spinal Route (North) to the main Capital Programme 2003/04 on receipt of confirmation from the Scottish Executive that additional consent will be made available. This will also require the acceleration of £550,000 from 2004/05 to 2003/04.

g) Work on the South Beach Railings be funded from the provision for Lorry Parking included in the Transportation Capital Programme.

h) £12,000 of the work on the Ard na Ruibh Waiting Room be funded from the Alternative Energy project in the Sustainable Development Capital Programme.

i) Car Loans are included in the Capital Programme at a cost of £250,000 with estimated receipts of £250,000.

j) The new sound system required for the Council Chamber be included in the Capital Programme at a cost of £40,000 to be funded from Revenue.

k) The acceleration of expenditure on the Pontoons and Fishery Piers Improvements Programme. The Pontoons expenditure in the current year to increase from £37,000 to £67,000 and the Fishery Piers to increase from £8,000 to £40,000. This is a total acceleration of £62,000 reducing the programme for 2003/04 from £84,000 to £22,000.

l) Reinstate the £400,000 for the Business Development Parks project in the Conditional Programme.

m) Remove the provision in the Conditional Programme for the Boat Maintenance Facility at Ludaig.

n) Slippage of £72,000 expenditure on Contaminated Land from 2002/03 to 2003/04.

o) The Director of Sustainable Communities be authorised to use part of the Public Convenience Grants budget for work at Bayhead, Stornoway.

Fourth Quarter Revenue Outturn 2001/02

PR110.05

6

The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the financial performance of the Comhairle for 2001/02 and seeking approval for the carry forward of budgets and allocation of balances.

It was agreed to note the Report and to agree to:

(a) carry forward the net £522,000 of departmental underspends and overspends as detailed in Appendix B of the Report;

(b) the proposed used of carry forwards by Corporate Services, Ionmhas, Sustainable Communities and the Chief Executive's Office as detailed in Appendix B of the Report, and

(c) use £570,000 to reinstate the carry forward buffer for 2002/03.

First Quarter Forecast Revenue Outturn 2002/03

PR110.05

7

The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast outturn of 2002/03 following the first quarter monitoring.

It was agreed to note the Report and to require the Director of Social Work to present proposals to bring the Social Work budget back within tolerances by the half year monitoring.

HISTP Western Isles Projects: September 2002 Round.

PR110.08

8

The Director for Sustainable Communitites submitted a Report apprising Members of the prospective Western Isles applications to the September 2002 Round of Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme (HISTP) in which the Comhairle has an interest.

It was agreed to approve financial support for the following Western Isles projects for Round 5 of the HISTP as detailed in the Report:

(i) Western Isles OFTTI

(ii) Western Isles Recycling Phase 3

(iii) Western Isles Community Composting

(iv) Stornoway Sports Centre: Variable Floor

(v) Castlebay Development Area

(vi) Western Isles Community Funding Resource

(vii) Western Isles Cultural Heritage Initiative.

Reallocation of Scottish Budget Resources

PR110.01

9

The Director of Finance submitted a Report advising Members of additional funding from the Scottish Executive and to seek approval for its allocation.

It was agreed to:

(a) approve the allocation of £166,000 from balances to increase the resources available to £1,000,000;

(b) approve the allocation of the resources given in the appendix of the Report;

(c) instruct officers to draw up detailed plans for relevant Committees, within the criteria given in paragraph 2.2 of the Report, for approval.

Department of Work and Pensions - Performance Standards for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

PR33.01.09

10

The Director of Housing submitted a Report apprising Members of the new Performance Standards introduced by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for benefit administration and counter-fraud activity.

It was agreed:

(a) to note the introduction of the DWP's Performance Standards Package; and

(b) that a progress report be made to Members in 12 months time on the application of the Performance Standards in the local context.

Inter-Committee Virement.

Western Isles Women's Aid

PR110.06

11

The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking members' approval to transfer the budget allocated for the annual grant to Western Isles Women's Aid from the Policy and Finance Committee to the Social Work Committee.

It was agreed to transfer £40,580 from the Policy and Finance Committee to the Social Work Committee in respect of the annual grant to Western Isles Women's Aid.

Recommendations for Write-offs on Certain Council Tax Debts.

PR100.07.01

12

The Director of Finance submitted a Report itemising and recommending that certain debts in excess of £1,000 be written off in the current financial year 2002/03.

It was agreed to authorise the Director of Finance to write off the debts itemised in Appendix A of the Report.

Treasury Consultancy Services

PR120.06

13

The Director of Finance submitted a Report seeking Members' approval to extend the existing contract with Sector Treasury Services Ltd. for a period of one year from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004.

It was agreed that:

(a) the contract should be extended for a period of one year and competitive tenders should not be sought in terms of contract regulation 7f; and

(b) the Acting Depute Director of Finance be given authority to extend the contract with Sector Treasury Services Ltd. until 31 March 2004

Signatories for Banking Purposes

PR120.04

14

The Director of Finance submitted a Report seeking Members' approval to amend the approved signatory list for banking purposes on a temporary basis.

It was agreed that Martin Jones, Assistant Director of Finance (Revenues & Exchequer), be added to the Comhairle signatory list with the signing authority equal to that of the Depute Director of Finance.

LAND AND BUILDINGS

Programme and Progress

PR110.03

15

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report advising Members of progress on the Boiler Replacement for the Council Offices, Stornoway.

It was agreed to note the Report.

POLICY PLANNING

Money Advice in the Western Isles

PR11.33

16

The Chief Executive and the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a joint Report seeking homologation of the proposals submitted to the Scottish Executive for the provision of a Money Advice Service in the Western Isles by the Western Isles Citizen's Advice Bureau. It was stated that a letter had been received from the Scottish Executive on 26 August 2002, accepting the Comhairle's proposals.

It was agreed to homologate the decision of the Chief Executive and the Director for Sustainable Communities to submit to the Scottish Executive the proposal from WICAS to provide a Money Advice Service in the Western Isles.

Letting Council Premises: Criminal Convictions Disclosure

PR11.33

17

The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking Members' approval of a policy that provides safeguards for children where Comhairle premises are let to outside groups.

It was agreed to adopt the following policy with effect from 24 October 2002.

"When Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is about to grant a let of premises to a group (or individual) who is likely to have a significant amount of contact with young people, the officer responsible for the let should ensure that the group has carried out a criminal convictions check to find out if the adults involved in the group are suitable for work with children and/or young people. If no evidence or check can be produced, the let will not be granted."

It was also agreed that the Comhairle would issue guidance to the voluntary sector to assist in the development of suitable policies, and that the Comhairle would keep the policy under review for its own interest.

South Uist Care Development

SW04

18

The Director of Social Work submitted a Report advising Members on progress made towards securing the capital requirements for South Uist Care Development and making recommendations on the progression of the project. It was stated that this `state of the art' facility to replace Uist House, enhance community supports to people remaining at home and provice some health-related services would allow a high standard of care for the elderly of the Uists. The Chairman thanked all those who had been involved in developing the project.

It was agreed the approve that the project proceed to the final stages of planning and costing, in advance of it being brought to Committee for approval to go to tender, with provision of £200,000 within the Comhairle Capital Programme for 2003 - 2004 being accelerated to 2002-2003 to meet costs of this phase of the development.

Bid for Mod nan Eilean Siar 2005.

PR90.28

19

The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking members' views on a proposal from Comunn Gaidhealach Leòdhais to put forward a bid to attract the Royal National Mod to the Western Isles in 2005.

It was agreed to:

(a) support Comunn Gaidhealach Leòdhais in their bid to attract the Royal National Mod to the Western Isles for 2005 on the basis outlined in the Report; and

(b) consider as part of the Revenue Estimates process allocating the annual sum of £50,000 commencing in the financial year 2003/2004, on the basis that the Mod will be held in the Western Isles on a five-year rotational cycle.

E-Government Progress: Modernising Government Fund 2

PR11.09

20

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report informing Members of progress with the MGF2 e-government bids for government funding to assist in meeting agreed e-government targets.

It was agreed to note the progress of the MGF2 bids and to allocate £137,380 for MGF2 programmes from capital slippage during the 2002-03 financial year.

Update of Fisheries & Business Loan Schemes

21

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

PERSONNEL

Establishment of Post - Classroom Assistants

M02.02.06

22

The Director of Education submitted a Report relating to the establishment of two posts of Classroom Assistant.

It was agreed to homologate the decision to establish the posts of Classroom Assistants at Balivanich and Sir E Scott Schools Gaelic Medium Units.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Items 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 below on the grounds that exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely information relating to a particular employee, former employee, or applicant to become an employee or a particular office-holder or former office holder or applicant to become an office-holder under the Comhairle would be disclosed.

Housing Benefit Officer - Increase of Hours

M02.02.08

23

The Director of Housing submitted a Report relating to an increase in the hours of the post of part-time Housing Benefit Officer.

It was agreed that the post of Part-time Benefit Officer be extended from 17.5 to 25 hours per week.

Closure of Dunskellar School - Staffing Implications

M05.12.01

24

The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking Members' approval to grant Early Retirement and Redundancy to the Dining Attendant and Cleaner, following the closure of Dunskellar School.

It was agreed that Early Retirement and Redundancy be granted to employee JMM on the basis of the benefits outlined in Appendix A of the Report.

Staff Development

M06.02

25

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report recommending that the Comhairle supports AM, Environmental Health Officer in undertaking the MA Health and Safety Law and Environmental Law.

It was agreed that the Comhairle should support AM, Environmental Health Officer, in studying for the MA in Health and Safety Law and Environmental Law.

Regional Technician (Assistant): Temporary Contract.

M03.02.04

26

The Director of Education submitted a Report in relation to the post of Assistant Regional Service Technician.

It was agreed that the post of Assistant Regional Service Technician (Tech 1) be filled on a temporary basis by employee AM until such time as the IT review has been completed.

2 Clerical Posts - Increase of Hours

M03.02.07

27

The Director of Housing submitted a Report seeking an increase in the hours worked by two part-time Clerical Officers.

It was agreed that the two posts of Part-time Clerical Officers be extended from 29.5 hours to 35 hours per week.

PRESENT	Mr Roderick J Murray (Chairman)
	Mr Norman L Macdonald (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Alasdair G Macrae
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald Mr Norman A Macdonald Mr George Lonie Mr Angus Nicolson	Mr Angus Campbell Mrs Morag Munro Mr Donald Maclean

APOLOGIES	Mrs Mary Bremner
	Mr Donald Manford

		MINUTES
Policy and Finance	1	The Minute of Meeting of 18 June 2002 was approved.
Minutes of Meetings of Commercial Operations Board.	2	(a) The Minute of 30 May 2002 was noted; (b) The Minute of 17 June 2002 was noted and it was agreed to approve the recommendations at Item 2 relating to school staffing levels; (c) The Minute of 27 June 2002 was noted and it was agreed to approve the recommendation at Item 5 relating to Building Maintenance Term Contract rates; (d) The Minute of 25 July 2002 was noted.
Gaelic Development Joint Liaison Committee	3	The Minute 12 June 2002 was noted.
Conditions of Service Sub Committee	4	The minute of 18 June 2002 was noted.
		FINANCE
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April - 30 June 2002. PR110.01	5	The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress on the Capital Programme and seeking decisions on changes. It was stated that total resources to fund gross capital expenditure in 2002/03 are £17,312,000 which consists of £14,799,000 Capital Consent and £2,473,000 Useable Capital Receipts and £40,000 for Revenue. If all the projects on the Comhairle's conditional list are successful in attracting funding the programme is over committed by £175,000 or 1.01%.
		It was agreed to recommend approval of the Forecast Out-turn as the Revised Approved Programme and specifically; a) Any overspend on the Lochs School will be met from slippage in the Education Capital Programme. b) Any additional expenditure for emergency repairs at Castlebay School be funded from within the Education Capital Programme. c) The grant to the voluntary sector for improved day care facilities at the Lewis Retirement Centre currently in the conditional programme for 2002/03 be slipped to the conditional programme 2003/04. d) The commencement of the planning and design work on the South Uist Care Centre development. This requires the acceleration of £200,000 of expenditure programmed for 2003/04. e) In order to start work on the Spinal Route (North), up to £50,000 to be funded from slippage within the Transportation Capital Programme. f) £1,050,000 is transferred from the conditional programme for the Spinal Route (North) to the main Capital Programme 2003/04 on receipt of confirmation from the Scottish Executive that additional consent will be made available. This will also require the acceleration of £550,000 from 2004/05 to 2003/04. g) Work on the South Beach Railings be funded from the provision for Lorry Parking included in the Transportation Capital Programme. h) £12,000 of the work on the Ard na Ruibh Waiting Room be funded from the Alternative Energy project in the Sustainable Development Capital Programme. i) Car Loans are included in the Capital Programme at a cost of £250,000 with estimated receipts of £250,000. j) The new sound system required for the Council Chamber be included in the Capital Programme at a cost of £40,000 to be funded from Revenue. k) The acceleration of expenditure on the Pontoons and Fishery Piers Improvements Programme. The Pontoons expenditure in the current year to increase from £37,000 to £67,000 and the Fishery Piers to increase from £8,000 to £40,000. This is a total acceleration of £62,000 reducing the programme for 2003/04 from £84,000 to £22,000. l) Reinstate the £400,000 for the Business Development Parks project in the Conditional Programme.
		m) Remove the provision in the Conditional Programme for the Boat Maintenance Facility at Ludaig. n) Slippage of £72,000 expenditure on Contaminated Land from 2002/03 to 2003/04. o) The Director of Sustainable Communities be authorised to use part of the Public Convenience Grants budget for work at Bayhead, Stornoway.
Fourth Quarter Revenue Outturn 2001/02 PR110.05	6	The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the financial performance of the Comhairle for 2001/02 and seeking approval for the carry forward of budgets and allocation of balances. It was agreed to note the Report and to agree to: (a) carry forward the net £522,000 of departmental underspends and overspends as detailed in Appendix B of the Report; (b) the proposed used of carry forwards by Corporate Services, Ionmhas, Sustainable Communities and the Chief Executive's Office as detailed in Appendix B of the Report, and (c) use £570,000 to reinstate the carry forward buffer for 2002/03.
First Quarter Forecast Revenue Outturn 2002/03 PR110.05	7	The Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast outturn of 2002/03 following the first quarter monitoring. It was agreed to note the Report and to require the Director of Social Work to present proposals to bring the Social Work budget back within tolerances by the half year monitoring.
HISTP Western Isles Projects: September 2002 Round. PR110.08	8	The Director for Sustainable Communitites submitted a Report apprising Members of the prospective Western Isles applications to the September 2002 Round of Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme (HISTP) in which the Comhairle has an interest. It was agreed to approve financial support for the following Western Isles projects for Round 5 of the HISTP as detailed in the Report: (i) Western Isles OFTTI (ii) Western Isles Recycling Phase 3 (iii) Western Isles Community Composting (iv) Stornoway Sports Centre: Variable Floor (v) Castlebay Development Area (vi) Western Isles Community Funding Resource (vii) Western Isles Cultural Heritage Initiative.
Reallocation of Scottish Budget Resources PR110.01	9	The Director of Finance submitted a Report advising Members of additional funding from the Scottish Executive and to seek approval for its allocation. It was agreed to: (a) approve the allocation of £166,000 from balances to increase the resources available to £1,000,000; (b) approve the allocation of the resources given in the appendix of the Report; (c) instruct officers to draw up detailed plans for relevant Committees, within the criteria given in paragraph 2.2 of the Report, for approval.
Department of Work and Pensions - Performance Standards for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit PR33.01.09	10	The Director of Housing submitted a Report apprising Members of the new Performance Standards introduced by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for benefit administration and counter-fraud activity. It was agreed: (a) to note the introduction of the DWP's Performance Standards Package; and (b) that a progress report be made to Members in 12 months time on the application of the Performance Standards in the local context.
Inter-Committee Virement. Western Isles Women's Aid PR110.06	11	The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking members' approval to transfer the budget allocated for the annual grant to Western Isles Women's Aid from the Policy and Finance Committee to the Social Work Committee. It was agreed to transfer £40,580 from the Policy and Finance Committee to the Social Work Committee in respect of the annual grant to Western Isles Women's Aid.
Recommendations for Write-offs on Certain Council Tax Debts. PR100.07.01	12	The Director of Finance submitted a Report itemising and recommending that certain debts in excess of £1,000 be written off in the current financial year 2002/03. It was agreed to authorise the Director of Finance to write off the debts itemised in Appendix A of the Report.
Treasury Consultancy Services PR120.06	13	The Director of Finance submitted a Report seeking Members' approval to extend the existing contract with Sector Treasury Services Ltd. for a period of one year from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. It was agreed that: (a) the contract should be extended for a period of one year and competitive tenders should not be sought in terms of contract regulation 7f; and (b) the Acting Depute Director of Finance be given authority to extend the contract with Sector Treasury Services Ltd. until 31 March 2004
Signatories for Banking Purposes PR120.04	14	The Director of Finance submitted a Report seeking Members' approval to amend the approved signatory list for banking purposes on a temporary basis. It was agreed that Martin Jones, Assistant Director of Finance (Revenues & Exchequer), be added to the Comhairle signatory list with the signing authority equal to that of the Depute Director of Finance.
		LAND AND BUILDINGS
Programme and Progress PR110.03	15	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report advising Members of progress on the Boiler Replacement for the Council Offices, Stornoway. It was agreed to note the Report.
		POLICY PLANNING
Money Advice in the Western Isles PR11.33	16	The Chief Executive and the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a joint Report seeking homologation of the proposals submitted to the Scottish Executive for the provision of a Money Advice Service in the Western Isles by the Western Isles Citizen's Advice Bureau. It was stated that a letter had been received from the Scottish Executive on 26 August 2002, accepting the Comhairle's proposals. It was agreed to homologate the decision of the Chief Executive and the Director for Sustainable Communities to submit to the Scottish Executive the proposal from WICAS to provide a Money Advice Service in the Western Isles.
Letting Council Premises: Criminal Convictions Disclosure PR11.33	17	The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking Members' approval of a policy that provides safeguards for children where Comhairle premises are let to outside groups. It was agreed to adopt the following policy with effect from 24 October 2002. "When Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is about to grant a let of premises to a group (or individual) who is likely to have a significant amount of contact with young people, the officer responsible for the let should ensure that the group has carried out a criminal convictions check to find out if the adults involved in the group are suitable for work with children and/or young people. If no evidence or check can be produced, the let will not be granted." It was also agreed that the Comhairle would issue guidance to the voluntary sector to assist in the development of suitable policies, and that the Comhairle would keep the policy under review for its own interest.
South Uist Care Development SW04	18	The Director of Social Work submitted a Report advising Members on progress made towards securing the capital requirements for South Uist Care Development and making recommendations on the progression of the project. It was stated that this `state of the art' facility to replace Uist House, enhance community supports to people remaining at home and provice some health-related services would allow a high standard of care for the elderly of the Uists. The Chairman thanked all those who had been involved in developing the project. It was agreed the approve that the project proceed to the final stages of planning and costing, in advance of it being brought to Committee for approval to go to tender, with provision of £200,000 within the Comhairle Capital Programme for 2003 - 2004 being accelerated to 2002-2003 to meet costs of this phase of the development.
Bid for Mod nan Eilean Siar 2005. PR90.28	19	The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking members' views on a proposal from Comunn Gaidhealach Leòdhais to put forward a bid to attract the Royal National Mod to the Western Isles in 2005. It was agreed to: (a) support Comunn Gaidhealach Leòdhais in their bid to attract the Royal National Mod to the Western Isles for 2005 on the basis outlined in the Report; and (b) consider as part of the Revenue Estimates process allocating the annual sum of £50,000 commencing in the financial year 2003/2004, on the basis that the Mod will be held in the Western Isles on a five-year rotational cycle.
E-Government Progress: Modernising Government Fund 2 PR11.09	20	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report informing Members of progress with the MGF2 e-government bids for government funding to assist in meeting agreed e-government targets. It was agreed to note the progress of the MGF2 bids and to allocate £137,380 for MGF2 programmes from capital slippage during the 2002-03 financial year.
Update of Fisheries & Business Loan Schemes	21	The Democratic Services Manager sought, and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
		PERSONNEL
Establishment of Post - Classroom Assistants M02.02.06	22	The Director of Education submitted a Report relating to the establishment of two posts of Classroom Assistant. It was agreed to homologate the decision to establish the posts of Classroom Assistants at Balivanich and Sir E Scott Schools Gaelic Medium Units.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Items 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 below on the grounds that exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely information relating to a particular employee, former employee, or applicant to become an employee or a particular office-holder or former office holder or applicant to become an office-holder under the Comhairle would be disclosed.
Housing Benefit Officer - Increase of Hours M02.02.08	23	The Director of Housing submitted a Report relating to an increase in the hours of the post of part-time Housing Benefit Officer. It was agreed that the post of Part-time Benefit Officer be extended from 17.5 to 25 hours per week.
Closure of Dunskellar School - Staffing Implications M05.12.01	24	The Director of Education submitted a Report seeking Members' approval to grant Early Retirement and Redundancy to the Dining Attendant and Cleaner, following the closure of Dunskellar School. It was agreed that Early Retirement and Redundancy be granted to employee JMM on the basis of the benefits outlined in Appendix A of the Report.
Staff Development M06.02	25	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report recommending that the Comhairle supports AM, Environmental Health Officer in undertaking the MA Health and Safety Law and Environmental Law. It was agreed that the Comhairle should support AM, Environmental Health Officer, in studying for the MA in Health and Safety Law and Environmental Law.
Regional Technician (Assistant): Temporary Contract. M03.02.04	26	The Director of Education submitted a Report in relation to the post of Assistant Regional Service Technician. It was agreed that the post of Assistant Regional Service Technician (Tech 1) be filled on a temporary basis by employee AM until such time as the IT review has been completed.
2 Clerical Posts - Increase of Hours M03.02.07	27	The Director of Housing submitted a Report seeking an increase in the hours worked by two part-time Clerical Officers. It was agreed that the two posts of Part-time Clerical Officers be extended from 29.5 hours to 35 hours per week.