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MINUTES
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Minute of
Meeting of 22 June 2004
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 22 June 2004 was approved.
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Minute of
Meeting of Human Resources Sub-Committee of:
(a) 30
June 2004;
(b) 20
August 2004; and
(c) 3
September 2004
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2
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The Minute of
Meeting of the Human Resources Sub-Committee of 30 June 2004 was noted.
The Minute of Meeting of the Human Resources
Sub-Committee of 20 August 2004 was noted and the recommendations contained
in item 6 were approved.
The Minute of Meeting of the Human Resources
Sub-Committee of 3 September 2004 was noted and the recommendations contained
in item 6 were approved.
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Minute of
Meeting of Local Government Employee Joint Consultative Committee of 24 June
2004
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3
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The Minute of
Meeting of the Local Government Employee Joint Consultative Committee of 24
June 2004 was noted and the recommendations contained in items 9, 11 and 12
were approved.
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Minute of
Meeting of Housing Stock Transfer Sub-Committee of 16 August 2004
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4
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The Minute of
Meeting of the Housing Stock Transfer Sub-Committee of 16 August 2004 was approved.
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Minute of
Meeting of ICT Sub-Committee of 2 September 2004
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5
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The Minute of
Meeting of the ICT Sub-Committee of 2 September 2004 was approved.
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CONSTITUTION
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Appointment
of Section 95 Officer
PR90.01
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6
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The Chief Executive submitted a Report
seeking to appoint a Section 95 Officer for the period from 13 September 2004
until the post of Director of Finance was filled. It was indicated in the
Report that there was a legal obligation on the Comhairle to have a Proper
Officer with responsibility for the proper administration of the Comhairle’s
financial affairs and it was proposed in the Report that Mr David Rattray,
the Comhairle’s Depute Director of Finance, be appointed to be the Proper
Officer for the period from 13 September 2004 until the post of Director of
Finance was filled. The Report indicated that a Report had been considered
by Human Resources Sub-Committee on 3 September 2004 which had appointed Mr
Rattray as Acting Director of Finance.
It was
agreed to recommend that Mr David Rattray, Depute Director of Finance, be
appointed as the Proper Officer with responsibility for the proper administration
of the Comhairle’s financial affairs in terms of Section 95 of the Local
Government (Scotland) Act 1973 from 13 September 2004 until such date as a
new Director of Finance takes up post.
It was
further agreed to recommend that the Comhairle continue to use the cheques it
holds bearing Mr Robin Bennie’s lithographed signature on the basis that the
signature itself did not form part of the Comhairle's system of financial
controls.
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FINANCE
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General
Fund Capital Monitoring: 1 April 2004 – 30 June 2004
PR110.01
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7
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The Director
of Finance submitted a Report detailing progress in the Capital Programme for
2004/05 as at 30 June 2004.
It was
agreed to recommend, in so far as the Committee’s interests were concerned,
that the Forecast Out-turn be approved as the Revised Approved Programme and
specifically the following:
(1) the acceleration of £20k for
electrical upgrading work at Lochmaddy School from the Renovation/Composite
Programme for such work;
(2) the acceleration of £84k for the
Schools Accessibility Programme from the Renovation/Composite Programme for
such work;
(3) the acceleration of £103k for
Reroofing work at Daliburgh School from the Renovation/Composite Programme
for such work;
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(4) the slippage of £20k for the
Boiler Plant Replacement in Schools;
(5) the slippage of £914k of
expenditure and £390k of income on the South Uist Care Development project;
(6) the acceleration of £58k for
Capital Repairs to Social Work properties from the Renovation/Composite
Programme for such work;
(7) the slippage of £335k of
expenditure on Roads to Communities to 2005/06 pending the outcome of a HISTP
application for funding for this project;
(8) the overspend of £23k on Pointers;
and
(9) the
overspend of £195k on the Stornoway Sports Centre.
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General
Fund First Quarter Monitoring: 2004/2005
PR110.05
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8
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The Director
of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle’s forecast revenue
outturn for 2004/05 at the end of the first quarter.
It was
agreed to recommend, in so far as the Committee’s interests were concerned,
that the Report be noted.
It was
further agreed that:
(1) the Director of Social
Work, in consultation with the Director of Finance, should set out what
required to be done to establish robust budgetary systems (including preparation,
monitoring and control) in the current financial year;
(2) the Director of Social Work, in consultation with the
Director of Finance, should provide an action plan showing key milestones and
responsible officers to achieve (1) above;
(3) progress on the plan
should be reported to the Finance Working Party in the first instance; and
(4) the Director of Social Work should
continue to liaise with the Director of Finance and the Finance Working Party
and then to the Social Work and Policy and Resources Committees with a view
to bringing the Social Work budget within tolerance in the current financial
year.
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Application
of Balances and Budget Strategy 2005/08
PR100.01
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9
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report
concerning the proposed application of free balances and the Comhairle’s
budget strategy for 2005/08. Details of the Comhairle’s Forecast Balances
for 2004/05 and the Budget Strategy were appended to the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1) £500k of balances be provided to
match additional prudential borrowing for road strengthening, subject to the
approval of a full Project Evaluation Report;
(2) the “standstill” budget strategy
outlined in the Report be approved;
(3) the Director of Finance be authorised
to determine Cash Planning Limits for 2005/06 on a “standstill” basis and
that Heads of Service be required to draft budgets which did not exceed these
figures; and
(4) Heads of Service be required to
prepare savings proposals of up to 2% of their controllable budgets, together
with matching growth aspirations, for consideration during the budget setting
process.
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Road
Strengthening Through the Prudential Regime
T08.05
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10
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the possible use of
the prudential regime to instigate a one-off programme of strengthening
improvements to the road infrastructure. The prudential regime governed the
Comhairle's capital budget process and defined overall spending limits for
Local Authorities. As part of the new regime Local Authorities could
undertake capital improvement works where an appropriate revenue stream had
been identified to cover the resultant finance charges.
It was agreed to recommend that £1m be
allocated to road strengthening, with £500k being financed from balances and
£500k being financed through the Prudential regime at a cost of £50k per
annum over a 20 year period, subject to the submission of a full Project
Evaluation Report to the satisfaction of the Comhairle.
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Recommendations
for Write-Offs of Certain Sundry Debts, Council Tax and Non Domestic Rates
Debts
PR100.07
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11
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report
which itemised and recommended that certain debts in excess of £1,000 be
written off in the current financial year 2004/05. It was indicated in the
Report that the Scheme of Delegation allowed the Director of Finance to write
off sums outstanding to the Comhairle of up to £1,000 and that sums in excess
of £1,000 needed Comhairle approval.
It was agreed to recommend that the
debts itemised in Appendix A to the Report be written off.
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Mr Norman L Macdonald, Mr Donald Maclean and
Mr Murdo Macleod declared an interest in the following item and left the
meeting during discussion of the matter.
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Council
Tax on Second and Long Term Empty Homes
PR100.03.01
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12
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report
detailing the effects of the statement made by the Local Government Minister
in relation to Council Tax discounts for second and long term empty homes.
The Report indicated that, on 5 August 2004, the Minister for Finance and
Public Services had announced that Local Authorities were to be given
discretionary powers to vary the discount granted in respect of Council Tax
on second homes and long term empty properties. The Minister had specified that
additional income generated by local authorities exercising the discretionary
powers would be retained locally and be for the provision of new build
affordable social housing in areas determined by the Local Authority.
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It was
agreed to recommend, subject to the proposed legislative changes, that:
(1) in order to maximise income, the
Comhairle agree in principle to levy a 90% Council Tax charge on all domestic
properties which were not the sole or main residence of any person with the
exception of the mandatory exclusions, as set out in Paragraph 5.5 of the
Report by the Director of Finance;
(2) a further Report be submitted,
following publication of the draft legislation;
(3) the Director of
Finance make representation to the Scottish Executive as a matter of urgency
proposing that local authorities be granted more latitude in relation to
their use of the additional revenue accrued, provided that such additional
revenue was utilised in terms of the agreed Local Housing Strategy.
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Mr Angus Campbell,
Mr Norman A Macdonald, Mr Norman L Macdonald and Mr Iain Morrison declared an
interest in the following item and left the meeting during consideration of
the matter.
In the absence of the Chairman and
Vice-Chairman, Mr Archie K Campbell took the chair for the following item.
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Non-Domestic
Rates: 2005 Revaluation – Transitional Arrangements
PR100.03.01
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13
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report
concerning the Scottish Executive’s proposals for a scheme of transitional
arrangements to be implemented as part of the 2005 Non-Domestic Rates
revaluation. The two potential options for a transitional scheme were
detailed in the Report. The questions on which views were sought, together
with the Comhairle’s suggested responses were also detailed in the Report.
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It was agreed to recommend that a
response to the consultation be prepared in line with the proposals outlined
in paragraph 7.1 of the Report, to the effect that the Comhairle support
transitional arrangements whereby:
(1) increases in rates bills would be
phased in over a two year period;
(2) reductions in rates bills would be
implemented immediately; and
(3) the costs of the Scheme would be met
by an adjustment to the rate poundage.
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following
item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 5 of
Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed,
namely, information relating to the adoption, care, fostering or education of
any particular child or relating to the supervision or residence of any
particular child in accordance with the supervision requirement made in
respect of that child under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.
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Child Protection
Case: Update on Costs
SW02
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14
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The Director
of Corporate Services submitted a Report which gave an update on additional
expenditure in relation to child protection matters as agreed at the December
2003 meeting of the Committee. The forecast outturn to 31 October 2004 was
detailed in the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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CAPITAL
PROGRAMME 2004 – 2008
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Community
Skips Refurbishment Programme
CH03.01
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15
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking approval for the
programme of refurbishment work on community skips. It was stated in the
Report that the proposed refurbishment works would extend the life of
existing skips.
It was agreed to recommend that the
programme of refurbishment work on community skips be included in the Capital
Programme in line with the Project Evaluation Report at Appendix 1 to the
Report.
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Main and Side Road Footway Capital Budget
T12
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16
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a prioritised list of Main and Side Road Footway Schemes for inclusion in the Capital Programme 2004/08. The
schemes had been proposed by Members and had been assessed against the new
scoring criteria approved by the Comhairle in June 2004. The Report further
indicated that the budget was divided into sections covering both footways
and main and side roads as well as street and footpaths in Stornoway. The
allocation for new footways for 2004/08 represented half of the sums
available in previous years and it had been decided to limit individual
schemes to £40k with larger projects being divided into phases.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle approve the inclusion of the project “Main and Side Road Footways”
in the Capital Programme 2004 – 08 in line with the Project Evaluation Report
at Appendix 2 to the Report.
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Amenity
and Carriageway Lighting Programme 2004 – 2008
T08.05.01
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17
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a prioritised programme of
Amenity and Carriageway Public Lighting Schemes for delivery as part of the
2004/08 Capital Programme. Schemes for new amenity and carriageway lighting
had been proposed by Members and had been assessed using the scoring criteria
approved by the Comhairle in June 2004. The Report detailed two separate
priority lists for Amenity Lighting (generally schemes of up to three stand
alone lighting units) and Carriageway Lighting (generally a scheme of more
that three lighting units or the extension of existing carriageway
lighting). The Report further indicated that in order to enable priorities
to be reviewed as the delivery of the programme progressed only 67% of the
allocated programme would be committed at this stage and a further Report
would be submitted in Autumn 2006 seeking approval for the inclusion of any
additional schemes the need for which had arisen since the consideration of
the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the allocation of £75k for amenity
lighting schemes and £225k for carriageway lighting schemes be approved; and
(2)
the prioritised Amenity and Carriageway
Lighting Programme included at Appendices 1 and 2 to the Report be approved
for inclusion in the 2004-08 Capital Programme in line with the Project
Evaluation Report at Appendix 3 to the Report.
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HOUSING
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Housing
Revenue Account: First Quarter Monitoring Report 2004/05
PR110.01
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18
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The Head of
Housing Services submitted a Report concerning the financial performance of
the revenue budgets for the Housing Revenue Account during the period 1 April
– 30 June 2004.
It was
intimated in the Report that, insofar as the expenditure was concerned, it
was anticipated that there would be an overspend of £30,000 approximately in
relation to insurance costs and that, if possible, this projected overspend
would be met by savings and failing such savings being identified provision
would be made to meet any projected overspend from the Housing Revenue
Account Reserves.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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Housing
Revenue Account: Capital Programme 2004/2005: Progress Report
PR110.01
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19
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The Head of
Housing Services submitted a Report regarding the Housing Revenue Account
Capital Programme 2004/05.
The Report
stated that the Programme had been set within the new prudential framework
for borrowing together with 25% of capital receipts from house sales.
The Report
gave details of variations within the Programme.
The Head of
Housing Services stated that the reference in the Report to ‘Sale of Council
Houses (2003/04)’ should read ‘Sale of Council Houses (2004/05)’.
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It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Housing Capital Programme 2004/05
be revised as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report to take account of project
variations; and
(2)
the expenditure profile shown at
Appendix 1 of the Report be noted.
Arising out of consideration of this
matter it was agreed to recommend that it be delegated to the Head of Housing
Services to take any action he may deem appropriate to ensure that the
Chairman of Scottish and Southern Electricity was made aware of the urgency
associated with the provision of an appropriate electrical supply to houses
at Dunmore Crescent, Leverburgh, in order to allow tenants to benefit from
the economy 10 tariff.
It was further agreed to recommend that
the Head of Housing Services be requested to submit a Report giving
information on those Local Authority housing projects where delays were being
experienced in relation to the provision of appropriate electricity supply.
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following
item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of
Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed,
namely, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any
particular person, other than the Comhairle.
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Implementation
of Upgrade to Housing Management System
H01
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20
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The Director
of Corporate Services and the Head of Housing Services submitted a Report
concerning progress with regard to the implementation of the upgrade to the
Housing Management System.
It was stated
in the Report that it was essential to upgrade the current Housing Management
System in order to provide a fully integrated database for all Housing
properties.
Details of the
databases to be used to operate the upgraded system were given in the Report.
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It was agreed to recommend that the
contract for the upgrade of the Housing Management System be not tendered for
in terms of clause 7 (f) of the Comhairle's Contract Regulations for the
reasons set out in the Report, including the specialist nature of the
computer hardware and software involved with the upgrade.
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Initial
Report on Land Suitable for Housing
H02
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21
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The Head of
Housing Services submitted a Report giving information on progress in
relation to the assessment of land suitable for housing. The Report referred
to the request from the Scottish Executive, to the Comhairle, to consider
applying for status as a ‘Rural Housing Body’.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle be included on the list
of Rural Housing Bodies to be held by the Scottish Executive and that it be
delegated to the Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with the Head
of Housing Services, to ensure suitable details were supplied to the Scottish
Executive; and
(2) a further Report be brought to the Committee, by the
Head of Housing Services, in November 2004 identifying land suitable for
housing and guidelines for acquisition of land for housing.
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Stock
Transfer: Guidance for Comhairle Staff
H01.18
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22
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report detailing a draft Policy with regard to Guidance for Comhairle Staff
in relation to any potential Housing Stock Transfer. It was indicated in the
Report that the draft Policy had been considered and agreed by the Local
Government Employee Joint Consultative Committee.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Policy in relation to Stock Transfer: Guidance for Comhairle Staff, as
attached at Appendix 1 to the Report be approved.
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BUILDINGS
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Capital
Works: Programme and Progress
PR33.01.12
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23
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The Director of Technical Services submitted
a Report concerning programme and progress in respect of capital works in
relation to properties held on the Policy and Resources account.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following
item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of
Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed,
namely, 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.
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Proposed Sale of the Haldane Hostel Site, Church Street, Stornoway to Muirneag Housing Association
H08.07.10
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24
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The Head of
Housing Services submitted a Report concerning the proposed sale of the
Haldane Hostel site, Church Street, Stornoway to Muirneag Housing Association.
It was
intimated in the Report that the former Haldane Hostel site had been
identified as a Housing Opportunities Site in the Broadbay Local Plan.
The Head of
Housing Services recommended that the former Haldane Hostel Site, Church
Street, Stornoway be offered to Muirneag Housing Association as a cleared
site on the basis of the price to be paid by Muirneag Housing Association
being determined in accordance with the following formula:
(1) the price will be the lesser of the site
clearance costs plus 50% of the District Valuer’s valuation or the District
Valuer’s valuation, provided that the site clearance costs do not exceed the
District Valuer’s valuation;
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(2) the terms of sale
should include a requirement that the Comhairle was granted 50% nomination
rights to all rented units in the resultant housing development; and
(3) that it delegated to the Head of Housing
Services in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, to complete
the sale of the site including for the avoidance of doubt the obtaining of
necessary consents from the Scottish Ministers.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the former Haldane Hostel site, Church Street , Stornoway be offered to Muirneag Housing Association as a cleared site,
subject to:
(a)
the sale price being the cost of site
clearance works plus 50% of the District Valuer’s valuation;
(b)
the terms of sale including a
requirement that the Comhairle be granted 50% nomination rights to all rented
units in the resultant housing development; and
(2) it be delegated to the Head of
Housing Services, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, to
complete the sale of the site, including for the avoidance of doubt, the
obtaining of any necessary consents from the Scottish Ministers.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as
defined in Paragraphs 6, 8 and 9 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government
(Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely information relating to the
financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the
Comhairle), 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 any terms proposed or to
be proposed by or to the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a
contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods
or services.
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Stornoway
New Sports Centre (Ionad Spors Leodhais)
AL02.20
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25
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With reference
to item 34 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 April 2004 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report detailing progress to date in respect
of Ionad Spòrs Leodhais.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Report be noted;
(2) the Director of Corporate Services and
the Director of Technical Services be authorised to engage external legal and
other Consultancy advice to ensure that the Comhairle’s interests were
protected; and
(3) the Consulting Architects for the
project, J M Architects, be invited to attend the next meeting of the
Committee.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as
defined in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government
(Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely 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 any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in
the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of
property or the supply of goods or services.
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Lionel School
E02.01
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26
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking permission to enter into
contract negotiations for works at Lionel School. Details of the proposed
works and the reasons for entering into negotiations were outlined in the
Report.
It was agreed to recommend that, in
terms of the Comhairle’s Contract Regulations Paragraph 7(f) the Director of
Technical Services be authorised to enter into negotiations with Alex Murray
(Construction) Ltd for the procurement of works at Lionel School as detailed
in the Report, on the basis that to do so would provide value for money to
the Comhairle and resolve any potential difficulties in relation to shared
use of the site.
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POLICY
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Smoking
in Public Places – Consultation
PR11.07
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27
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report concerning the national consultation on Smoking in Public Places.
Background information and consultation questions and proposed responses were
detailed in the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that it be
delegated to the Director of Corporate Services to compile and submit a
response on the basis of the proposed response detailed at paragraph 5 of the
Report and the views expressed at the Committee no later than 30 September
2004.
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COU –
Recruitment of Operatives and Apprentices Policy
CB011
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28
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report which detailed the draft Commercial Operations Unit Recruitment of
Operatives and Apprentices Policy. An analysis of the number and category of
existing apprentices and their equivalent qualified operatives were provided
in the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that,
subject to the proposals for recruitment of operatives being approved by the
Human Resources Sub-Committee, the COU recruitment of operatives and
apprentices policy for 2004 and 2005 be approved.
Arising out of consideration of this item it was
noted that:
(1) a visit to Lews Castle College, to view the work being done with apprentice joiners, would be arranged for all
interested Members; and
(2) Lews Castle College were now in a
position to provide apprenticeships in plumbing locally at Lews Castle College.
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Management
of Stress – Strategic Plan and Policy
M08.01
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29
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report concerning the proposed Strategic Plan and Policy in relation to
Management of Stress in the Comhairle. It was indicated in the Report that
the Plan and Policy were approved by the Local Government Employee Joint
Consultative Committee on 24 June 2004 and would be submitted to the Local
Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff on 15 September 2004. The proposed
Strategic Plan and Stress Awareness Policy were appended to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Strategic Plan and the Stress Awareness Policy be approved.
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Strategy
and Policy Considerations in Respect of Renewable Energy Developments in the
Western Isles
DS61.19
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30
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report to allow consideration of a
strategy and policy framework to assist the assessment and determination of
applications in relation to proposed renewable energy developments in the
Western Isles. The Report detailed a proposed strategy and policy
considerations document which would assist in bringing some consistency to the
decision making processes on applications for renewable energy developments.
It was indicated that the document would be a material consideration in the
relevant planning decision making process and should be borne in mind in the
preparation of the Western Isles Local Plan. The framework document would be
applicable to any renewable energy development proposal and was not specific
to any particular development.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the document detailed at Appendix 1 of
the Report be approved as the draft guidance that the Comhairle would take
account of in consideration of applications for renewable energy projects in
the Western Isles; and
(2) a finalised version of the
guidance be presented to the November series of meetings.
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ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following
item 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 of, or a particular office holder or former
office holder, or applicant to become an office holder under the Comhairle.
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Consumer
Direct Scotland – Progress Report
CH02.01.12
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31
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report giving information on the
implementation phase of the Consumer Direct Project.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the current progress of the
implementation of the Consumer Direct Scotland be noted; and
(2) the
actions taken under delegation be noted.
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Gederi
Interreg iic Project
PR41
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32
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report which provided an update on the INTERREG III Gederi (CPMR
Islands Conference) project. The background to the matter and arrangements
for hosting the Seminar were outlined in the Report. Themes and sub-themes
and venues and dates of the various seminars were outlined in the Report.
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It was agreed to recommend that the
Chief Executive be authorised to organise the Western Isles ‘Gederi’ Seminar
as detailed in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.3 of the Report by the Director for
Sustainable Communities.
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Creating
Communities of the Future: Final Draft
DS40.01.02
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33
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With reference
to item 2 of the Minute of Meeting of the Sustainable Development Committee
of 21 April 2004 the Chief Executive and Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a joint Report detailing the revised Creating Communities of the
Future document. The Report stated that the document provided a shared
vision for the regeneration of the Western Isles based on six inter-related
economic drivers. The Report also indicated that the strategy provided a
long terms regeneration vision for the Western Isles and would be supported
by a detailed action and lobbying plan.
It was agreed to recommend that the
final draft of the revised Creating Communities of the Future strategy be
approved.
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Review of
the Crofter Builder Grant and Loan Scheme: Scottish Executive Announcement
DS40.02.11
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34
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report indicating that the Crofters
Building Grants and Loans Scheme would be replaced by a Croft House Grant
Scheme. Appended to the Report was a copy of the Scottish Executive
announcement giving information on changes to the Crofters Building Grants
and Loans Scheme. The Report identified a number of key concerns in relation
to the proposed changes to the Scheme, including the maximum available grant
in high-priority areas, the lack of additional allocation to the CBGLS budget
and the absence of any commitment to decentralisation of Scottish Executive
staffing of the Scheme's policy and administration.
It was recommended in the Report that:
(1)
the views of the
Comhairle on the proposed Croft House Grant Scheme be submitted to the
Scottish Executive; and
(2) the
Scottish Executive be invited to include representation from the Comhairle to
assist its deliberations on decentralisation of Scottish Executive staffing
of the Scheme's policy and administration and the determination of the
priority areas.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Director for
Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Chairmen of Policy and
Resources, Housing and Sustainable Development Committees, be authorised to
prepare representations to the Scottish Executive for the approval and
signature by the Convener in relation to the Croft House Grant Scheme on the
basis outlined in the Report and in the supplementary Report circulated on 9
September 2004 and in particular stating that:
(a) within the Scottish Executive’s
current financial envelope, £2.7m per annum should be allocated at two levels
of assistance – one at £22k, the other at £30k and that 75% of the funding
should go to the higher priority area, 25% to the lower priority area and
that the remaining £500k should be spent on repairs/improvement grants on a
similar basis;
(b) the Comhairle should make
representations, in the strongest possible terms, to the Scottish Executive
for a substantial increase in the total financial provision made by the
Executive for the proposed Croft House Grant Scheme;
(c) loss
of support for access and water/sewerage connections should be opposed; and
(d) the
Scottish Executive should enable a loan guarantee scheme that should offer
security to private sector lenders.
(2) the Director of
Corporate Services be authorised to seek a meeting with the appropriate
Scottish Executive Minister to discuss the Comhairle’s concerns;
(3) the Comhairle seek the support of and
liaise and work with any other Agencies and Groups that have an interest in
the welfare of crofting and crofting communities; and
(4) the Comhairle make representations to the Scottish
Executive to finalise the details of the new Scheme as soon as possible as
the delay was causing hardship to potential applicants.
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RELATED
MATTERS
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as
defined in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government
(Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely 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 any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in
the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of
property or the supply of goods or services.
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Schools
PPP Update
E01
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35
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With reference
to item 16 of the Minute of Meeting of 29 April 2004 the Director of
Education submitted a Report which gave details of an indicative letter of
award for the PPP bid from the Scottish Executive. The main points contained
in the letter were detailed in the Report. It was indicated in the Report
that, in order to meet the requirements stated by the Scottish Executive, the
staff necessary for the PPP project implementation would require to be appointed
on a phased basis as the project developed.
It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Report be noted; and
(2) it be noted, in so far as the
Committee’s interests were concerned, that the appointment of the necessary
staff for the implementation phase of PPP would be the subject of detailed
consideration of the establishment of the appropriate posts by the Human
Resources Sub-Committee.
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Application
for Inclusion in Standing Lists of Approved Contractors
PR31.07
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36
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The Director of Technical Services submitted
a Report concerning applications for inclusion in the various standing lists
of approved contractors. A detailed list of the applications received and
the details of the various lists were appended to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Contractors detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report be included in the various
lists as shown detailed in said Appendix 1.
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Anti-Social
Behaviour – Second Round Funding
PR11.42.01
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37
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The Director for Sustainable Communities
submitted a Report seeking approval for the Comhairle’s bid to the second
round of the Scottish Executive’s ‘Building Stronger, Safer and More
Attractive Communities’ (BSSAC) funding programme. It was indicated in the
Report that following the Comhairle’s successful bid to the Scottish
Executive’s BSSAC funding programme, three Community Wardens had been
appointed for the Westside area and unexpectedly the Executive had announced
a second round of BSSAC funding which could be used for additional Community
Warden schemes. The interim agreement 2004/05 was appended to the Report.
It was agreed to recommend that the
‘Interim Agreement 2004/05’ attached as Appendix 1 to the Report be approved
as the Comhairle’s submission to the second round of the Scottish Executive’s
‘Building Stronger, Safer and More Attractive Communities’ Funding Programme.
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Request
for Use of Comhairle Flag
C40.04
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38
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking approval for the
Western Isles Games Association to adopt the use of the Comhairle flag for
use at sports venues and ceremonies during the week of the Games. The Report
stated that it was intended that the flag would also be displayed in
marketing material.
It was agreed to recommend that the use
of the Comhairle flag by the Western Isles Island Games Association be
approved.
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Investing
in Water Services 2006-2014: Scottish Executive Consultation Paper
DS65
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39
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The Director
for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report indicating that the Scottish
Executive had requested the Comhairle's views on the “Investing in Water
Services 2006 – 2014” consultation paper.
A proposed
response from the Comhairle was appended to the Report.
It was
emphasised that public infrastructure provision was important to sustaining
communities in the Western Isles and enabling future development demands to
be met and that future investment in water services must address local
priority needs to:
(1)
increase capacity of existing public
wastewater area systems;
(2)
extend the network of first time public
wastewater provision;
(3)
resolve potential low water pressure
constraints on large scale developments; and
(4)
replace older water mains pipes.
It was
emphasised in the Report that specific public funding was required to carry
out the abovementioned works.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the comments set out in the Report be
submitted as the basis of its response to the Scottish Executive;
(2) investment
issues with relevant bodies to ensure the Scottish Water Investment programme
met the special needs and priorities of the Western Isles be urgently
discussed.
It was further agreed to recommend that:
(1) Officers of the Comhairle be
instructed to include the most up to date figures in any submission made to
the Scottish Executive ;
(2) the Director for Sustainable
Communities be authorised to make representations to the Scottish Executive,
on the basis that the savings which had accrued, as the result of the
amalgamation of the North of Scotland Water Authority, the West of Scotland
Water Authority and the East of Scotland Water Authority, be used by Scottish
Water to provide, as a matter of urgency, water and sewerage infrastructure
in rural areas;
(3) when the figures in (1) above become available,
strong representations be made, highlighting any differences and consequent
difficulties.
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Consultation
on Paying for Water Services 2006-2010
DS65
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40
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The Director of Finance and the Director for
Sustainable Communities submitted a Joint Report concerning the Scottish
Executive’s Consultation Document on the principles of charging for water
services entitled “Paying for Water Services 2006-2010. The questions raised
by the consultation, together with the recommended responses, were listed in
the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that the comments set out in paragraph 5.1 to the Report
be approved as the basis for the Comhairle’s response to the consultation.
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The
Gershon Report – Procurement
PR33.01.13
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41
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted
a Report outlining developments on the Government’s Efficiency drive and
seeking approval for a change to procurement systems. The recent
developments on the Gershon Report and its implications for Local Government
were outlined in the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Scottish e-procurement options be
adopted by the Comhairle, provided that an appropriate funding stream could
be identified;
(2) the Director of Corporate Services be
authorised to prepare and submit a bid to the new Efficient Government Fund
to support the implementation of the project; and
(3) the Chief Executive and the Director
of Corporate Services be authorised, in consultation with the Chairman and
the Chairmen of any other relevant Committee, to make representations in the
strongest terms to the Scottish Executive by 29 October 2004 outlining the
Comhairle’s concerns and expressing an interest in respect of any project
considered appropriate.
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Health
and Safety – Defibrillator at Sandwick Road
M08.01
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42
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