mlpt0102

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

LAND PROPERTY AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 20 February 2001 at 9.00 am

PRESENT Mr Norman L Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr George Lonie

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Archie Campbell

Mr Donald Manford

MINUTES

Land, Property and Technology Sub-Committee

PR03.18.12

1

The Minute of Meeting of 30 October 2000 was approved.

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 in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26(a) would be disclosed, namely, information relating to particular employees or particular office holders of the Comhairle.

Risk Management Group

LB38.16

2

The Minutes of Meetings of the Risk Management Group of 9 November 2000 and 25 January 2001 were noted.

PROPERTY

Programme and Progress

PR110.05.17

3

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in relation to the Capital Programme for administrative buildings.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Lewis War Memorial

LB45.01

4*

With reference to item 14 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report examining proposals for the renovation of the Lewis War Memorial. The Comhairle had previously agreed that no further work should be undertaken to maintain the Memorial in a weatherproof condition and that a scheme should be developed to create a commemorative area adjacent to the carpark and which would be progressed subject to the availability of materials and funding.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Report be noted;

(2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to proceed with the development of the Memorial Garden at the Lewis War Memorial on a piecemeal basis funded from the Lewis War Memorial Maintenance Budget;

(3) £10K from the unallocated balances for Policy and Resources Committee be used to allow the development of the Memorial Garden works to proceed in 2001/2002;

(4) until the completion of the Memorial Gardens, the memorial plaques be located at the Drill Hall, Stornoway to allow improved security and public access; and

(5) the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to make representations to Unilever seeking financial assistance towards the maintenance of the Lewis War Memorial.

Lewis War Memorial - Request for Financial Assistance

LB45.01

5*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining a request for financial assistance which had been received from the Royal British Legion Scotland (Lewis Branch) in respect of electricity charges for floodlighting at the Lewis War Memorial.

It was agreed to recommend that the request for financial assistance with the electricity supply costs for floodlighting at the Lewis War Memorial by the Lewis Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland be not acceded to.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Local Government Secure Internet

PR31.12

6*

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning negotiations between COSLA and Cable and Wireless to allow Scottish Local Authorities to be part of a Local Government Secure Internet (LGSI). The proposed system was essentially a private network allowing organisations to pass confidential information electronically to other organisations within the same network. The Report detailed the costs involved in participating in the project.

It was agreed to recommend that, as there did not appear to be a requirement to participate in the information sharing activities envisaged by the LGSI, the Comhairle:

(1) does not take up the option from COSLA to be in the first wave of Councils introducing the LGSI; and

(2) continues to monitor progress with the LGSI Project and the Director of Corporate Services would bring further reports before the Sub-Committee where appropriate.

Consultation of Planning and Telecommunications

PR31.12

7*

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

It was agreed to recommend that:

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

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

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

___

		MINUTES
Land, Property and Technology Sub-Committee PR03.18.12	1	The Minute of Meeting of 30 October 2000 was approved.
		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 in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26(a) would be disclosed, namely, information relating to particular employees or particular office holders of the Comhairle.
Risk Management Group LB38.16	2	The Minutes of Meetings of the Risk Management Group of 9 November 2000 and 25 January 2001 were noted.
		PROPERTY
Programme and Progress PR110.05.17	3	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in relation to the Capital Programme for administrative buildings. It was agreed to note the Report.
Lewis War Memorial LB45.01	4*	With reference to item 14 of the Minute of Meeting of 22 March 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report examining proposals for the renovation of the Lewis War Memorial. The Comhairle had previously agreed that no further work should be undertaken to maintain the Memorial in a weatherproof condition and that a scheme should be developed to create a commemorative area adjacent to the carpark and which would be progressed subject to the availability of materials and funding.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report be noted; (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to proceed with the development of the Memorial Garden at the Lewis War Memorial on a piecemeal basis funded from the Lewis War Memorial Maintenance Budget; (3) £10K from the unallocated balances for Policy and Resources Committee be used to allow the development of the Memorial Garden works to proceed in 2001/2002; (4) until the completion of the Memorial Gardens, the memorial plaques be located at the Drill Hall, Stornoway to allow improved security and public access; and (5) the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to make representations to Unilever seeking financial assistance towards the maintenance of the Lewis War Memorial.
Lewis War Memorial - Request for Financial Assistance LB45.01	5*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining a request for financial assistance which had been received from the Royal British Legion Scotland (Lewis Branch) in respect of electricity charges for floodlighting at the Lewis War Memorial.
		It was agreed to recommend that the request for financial assistance with the electricity supply costs for floodlighting at the Lewis War Memorial by the Lewis Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland be not acceded to.
		INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Local Government Secure Internet PR31.12	6*	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning negotiations between COSLA and Cable and Wireless to allow Scottish Local Authorities to be part of a Local Government Secure Internet (LGSI). The proposed system was essentially a private network allowing organisations to pass confidential information electronically to other organisations within the same network. The Report detailed the costs involved in participating in the project.
		It was agreed to recommend that, as there did not appear to be a requirement to participate in the information sharing activities envisaged by the LGSI, the Comhairle: (1) does not take up the option from COSLA to be in the first wave of Councils introducing the LGSI; and (2) continues to monitor progress with the LGSI Project and the Director of Corporate Services would bring further reports before the Sub-Committee where appropriate.
Consultation of Planning and Telecommunications PR31.12	7*	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a Report in respect of consultation from the Scottish Executive on proposals for increasing planning controls over telecommunications developments.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to respond to the Scottish Executive detailing the comments and concerns summarised in the Report; (2) the Acting Director of Environmental Services be authorised to request that all telecommunications code system operators developing in the Western Isles agree to a voluntary protocol with the Comhairle to the effect that they would adhere to the draft proposals during the period pending the implementation of new planning powers; and (3) with regard to Comhairle land and property, applications for telecommunications development be considered on a case by case basis by the Sub-Committee.