30 May 2001

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 30 May 2001 at 11.00am.

PRESENT

Mr Norman A Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr Donald Manford (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

CONSTITUTION

Election of Chairman

53

The Director of Corporate Services chaired the meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001.

Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Roderick Morrison, moved the election of Mr Norman A Macdonald.

There being no further nominations the Principal Administrator declared that Mr Norman A Macdonald had been duly elected as Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001.

Election of Vice Chairman

53

The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001.

Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Angus Campbell, moved the election of Mr Donald Manford.

There being no further nominations the Chairman declared that Mr Donald Manford had been duly elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001.

MINUTES

Transportation Committee

T02.01

55

The Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2001 was approved.

Transportation Sub-Committee

T02.01

56

The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 25 April 2001 was noted.

Integrated Transport Forum T01.08.22

57

The Minute of Meeting of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership of 27 April 2001 was noted.

FINANCE

Non-Housing Capital-Monitoring

58*

With reference to item 7 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2001, the Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. It was intimated in the Report that the actual net expenditure for 2000/2001 was £14,722,000, some £933,000 below the December revised approved Programme for 2000/2001, in the sum of £15,715,000. Appended to the Report was a summary of the total expenditure for the 2000/01 financial year and estimated expenditure for 2001/02 to 2002/03. A summary of the variations which had occurred within the Programme of Capital Expenditure for 2000/01 was set out in the Report.

It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned, that:

(1) the Comhairle note the final expenditure to 31 March 2001 and approve the slippage and acceleration to/from the 2001/2002 initial committed Programme and specifically:

(i) £25k be transferred from the External Fabric Repairs project at Stornoway Town Hall to fund the internal repainting of the Town Hall;

(ii) additional expenditure of £6,000, to be funded from estimated future levels of slippage, be allocated to the West Side Slipway Project; and

(iii) capital fees be posted to the financial ledger on a monthly basis, or on at least a quarterly basis.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Corporate Strategy: Consultative Draft

59*

The Chief Executive submitted a Report inviting Services Committees to comment on the consultative draft corporate strategy.

It was agreed that the comments agreed as a response from the Committee are passed to the Chief Executive for inclusion in the finalised Corporate Strategy.

AIR TRANSPORT

Air Conference, Jersey

T04.02

60

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report summarising the issues discussed at the Second Forum on Air Transport in Europe's Remote Regions which took place in Jersey on 4-6 April 2001. The Report summarised the key points made by a number of speakers at the Conference including an examination of the PSO tendering process, the impact of the deregulation of domestic air services and the impact of franchising on air service provision in the Highlands and Islands.

It was agreed to note the Report.

SEA TRANSPORT

Sound of Eriskay Ferry Service

T06.02.03

61

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing carriage and income statistics for the Eriskay vehicular ferry for the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001. The figures indicated that generally, passenger numbers had increased over the period and this was probably due to the contracted passenger service having ceased when the gap in the Eriskay causeway was closed.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Progress and Procurement for the Ardmhor Terminal, Barra

T06.02

62*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Sound of Barra Transport Integration Project. The original project had included a new ferry terminal on Barra at Ardveenish but an alternative site at Ardmhor had been suggested during the tendering exercise. Following detailed evaluation it was clear that Ardmhor presented a better location for the terminal. To date the Barra element of the works had yet to be commenced, though the contractor had agreed to build the slipway and marshalling area either at Ardveenish or Ardmhor for the original tender sum. The Ardmhor location would also require the construction of an access road, together with a breakwater to shelter the slipway, and the total cost for the initial works was estimated at £930k. The funding package for the additional works was being assembled and a decision from the European HISTP was due by the end of June 2001. The Report further indicated that the Scottish Executive had advised that a further round of public transport bids could be lodged in August and it was proposed that a bid be submitted for the necessary improvements to the existing roads to the ferry terminals, together with the provision of overnight berthing structures and the required navigational aids between the two terminals across the Sound of Barra.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Committee notes that R J Macleod had agreed to construct the slipway and marshalling area at Ardmhor for the same costs tendered for Ardveenish and would be commencing the works following the concluding of the land acquisition and harbour orders;

(2) subject to the confirmation of the required funding, the contact for the additional works, access road and breakwater, be awarded to R J Macleod, as an addition to the existing £8.65 million contract, subject to the agreement of the Directors of Technical Services and Corporate Services on the contract cost; and

(3) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to submit a Public Transport Fund bid to the Scottish Executive for improvement to the existing roads on Barra and Eriskay, fixed navigational aids in the Sound of Barra and overnight berthing structures at both new ferry terminals.

Sound of Barra Vehicular Ferry Services

T06.02

63*

With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 31 January 2001 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the operation of the Comhairle's vehicular ferries for the provision of an interim service across the Sound of Barra. It had been proposed that the vehicular ferries be used on the basis of one ferry in the Winter and both ferries operating in the Summer subject to the estimated £50k shortfall being provided in 2002/03 and 2003/04. The Report indicated that the three year budget had not included such provision and it was proposed that one vessel would operate on the service with the other vessel being retained for standby and relief.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to operate one of the Comhairle's vehicular ferries on a one vessel basis over the Sound of Barra with the other vessel being retained for standby and relief.

Eriskay Causeway - Temporary Slipway

T06.02.03

64*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning an expression of interest by Kilbride Shellfish Ltd to develop a live shellfish storage and packing station at the Eriskay Causeway temporary slipway. The Eriskay Causeway contract included for the removal of those temporary works and reinstatement of the land but following the expression of interest the contractor had indicated a willingness to carry out additional works at no cost to the Comhairle to increase the design life of the slipway to twenty five years.

It was agreed to recommend that the temporary works and temporary ferry slipway at the Eriskay Causeway be retained subject to;

(1) the agreement of South Uist Estates Ltd and Scottish Natural Heritage; and

(2) adequate arrangements being in place to ensure that the development of the slipway and marshalling area was compatible with the causeway and that adequate rights were maintained to ensure that the causeway could be properly maintained to the satisfaction of the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Director of Technical Services.

ROAD TRANSPORT

Rural Transport Fund - Revisions to Bus Services

T05.01

65*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining options for the use of £357k allocated to the Comhairle from the Scottish Executive's Rural Transport Fund. Tenders had been invited earlier in the year for contracts to continue early morning and evening bus services with the Comhairle retaining a right to terminate those contracts after six months. The proposed split of the allocation of the Rural Transport Fund would allow those services to operate for the full year (subject to checks on passenger loads) improvements to be made in public transport infrastructure and continued development of local and national publicity of the Western Isles Public Transport Network.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to use the Comhairle's allocation from the Scottish Executive Rural Transport Fund 2001/2002 as detailed below.

Contribution to maintain key network £110K

Additional services (primarily evening services) £126k

Service Enhancements (shopping services etc) £15k

Service Enhancements (Uist and Barra Hospital, Scalpay Fish Factory etc) £17k

Local Community Transport Schemes £26k

Local Publicity/Infrastructure £15k

Ongoing PTI Costs £8k

Additional Staffing Costs - Transport Section £20k

Additional Staffing Costs - Harbours and Ferries £20k

ROADS

Programme and Progress

T08.01

66

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in respect of Road Schemes.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing Contract

T08.05.04

67

The Director of Corporate Services sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.

A888 Slochd, Barra - Minor Improvement

T08.01

68*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the final costs of the A888 Slochd Minor improvement. The Report indicated that the final measurement was £203,276 compared to a tender price of £185,006. This amounted to an increase of 9.9% on the tender costs and was attributable to an increase in the earthworks section of the Bill of Quantities and an increase in the amount of rockfill deposited.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Lionel Improvements - Accommodation Works

T08.01

69*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning accommodation works at Lionel. Following on from previous works there was a requirement to provide alternative parking to the rear of 23b Lionel which was adjacent to a property occupied by the son of the elected Member for the Port of Ness Ward and which would also provide a narrow tapered strip of bitmac at the frontage of a property belonging to the father of an employee within the Housing Department.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to undertake the accommodation works at 23b Lionel and 21 Lionel as detailed in the Report.

Contribution to Surfacing of Forecourt of Galson Motors, Barvas

T08.01

70*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report indicating that the operator of the Galson Motors Garage had been allowing his forecourt to be used on an informal basis for the transfer of school children from various services which meet at Barvas. Galson Motors had requested a contribution from the Comhairle towards the Bitmacing of the forecourt and, as the elected Member for Barvas was a Director of Galson Motors, the request had been submitted to the Committee for approval.

It was agreed to recommend that the Committee approves a contribution of £1500 for part surfacing of the forecourt at Galson Motors on the basis that the forecourt was used to transfer school children from the various bus services which meet at Barvas and that the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with Director of Technical Services, be authorised to enter into an agreement ensuring the availability of the forecourt for future bus contracts in exchange for carrying out the works.

Unadopted Road - 5A Steinish

T08.01

71*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for the surfacing of an unadopted road at 5A Steinish. The works had required the occupiers to undertake preparatory work and inform the maintenance engineer once the road was ready for surfacing. These works were not completed until the middle of March 2001 and it had not been possible to undertake the surfacing works before the end of that financial year. The allocations in the current financial year related to Harris and Uist with only a modest patching allowance being allocated to Lewis.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to consider the unadopted road at 5A Steinish for surfacing during 2002/03 when it was envisaged that there would be an Unadopted Roads Budget for Lewis and Barra wards.

Road Works at Springside, Tong

T08.01

72*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning works requiring to be carried out to properties at number 1 and 2 Springside, Tong. The Report indicated that one of the properties was owned by a member of the Technical Services Department.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to carry out road works at numbers 1 and 2 Springside, Tong.

Castle Street Traffic Management

T08.01

73*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the final cost of the Castle Street Traffic Management Scheme. The final measurement was £140,694 compared to a tender price of £121,400 which represented a 15.6% increase to the tender cost. The increase was attributable to an increase in the footways section of the Bill of Quantities for additional paving in the western section of Point Street and to an amendment to the design to include a heel kerb adjacent to those buildings together with resultant increased drainage costs.

It was agreed to note the Report.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Reports Outstanding PR33.01.02

74

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

ADDITIONAL ITEM

The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50b(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as defined in terms of Standing Order 8A, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow representation from the Social Work Committee on the Joint Education and Transportation Sub-Committee.

Special Needs Transport Integration

T05.01

75*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report asking Members to consider extending the scope of the Joint Education and Transportation Sub-Committee to cover special needs transport by including representatives from Social Work Committee.

It was agreed to recommend that membership of the existing Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee be extended to include two representatives from Social Work Committee prior to considering the future of the integration of the special needs transport.

The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow representation from Social Work Committee on the Joint Education and Transportation Sub-Committee to have immediate effect and on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.

The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50b(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as defined in terms of Standing Order 8A, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow a response to be made to the Scottish Executive in respect of allocations of additional capital consent.

Additional Capital Consent

76*

The Director of Technical Services reported that the Scottish Executive had written to the Comhairle informing them that there would be additional capital consent in the current financial year for cycling, walking and safer streets initiatives. The Executive had requested a response from authorities by 6 August 2001.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman be authorised to respond to the Scottish Executive in respect of the additional capital consent for cycling, walking and safer streets allocations detailing the Comhairle's local transport strategy and previously agreed priorities.

The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow a response to be made prior to the deadline and on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.

PRESENT	Mr Norman A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Donald Manford (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Angus Campbell
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Angus Nicolson	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

		CONSTITUTION
Election of Chairman	53	The Director of Corporate Services chaired the meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001. Mr Angus Nicolson, seconded by Mr Roderick Morrison, moved the election of Mr Norman A Macdonald. There being no further nominations the Principal Administrator declared that Mr Norman A Macdonald had been duly elected as Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001.
Election of Vice Chairman	53	The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001. Mr Roderick J Murray, seconded by Mr Angus Campbell, moved the election of Mr Donald Manford. There being no further nominations the Chairman declared that Mr Donald Manford had been duly elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee until 27 August 2001.
		MINUTES
Transportation Committee T02.01	55	The Minute of Meeting of 28 March 2001 was approved.
Transportation Sub-Committee T02.01	56	The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 25 April 2001 was noted.
Integrated Transport Forum T01.08.22	57	The Minute of Meeting of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership of 27 April 2001 was noted.
		FINANCE
Non-Housing Capital-Monitoring	58*	With reference to item 7 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2001, the Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the Comhairle for the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. It was intimated in the Report that the actual net expenditure for 2000/2001 was £14,722,000, some £933,000 below the December revised approved Programme for 2000/2001, in the sum of £15,715,000. Appended to the Report was a summary of the total expenditure for the 2000/01 financial year and estimated expenditure for 2001/02 to 2002/03. A summary of the variations which had occurred within the Programme of Capital Expenditure for 2000/01 was set out in the Report. It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committee's interest was concerned, that: (1) the Comhairle note the final expenditure to 31 March 2001 and approve the slippage and acceleration to/from the 2001/2002 initial committed Programme and specifically: (i) £25k be transferred from the External Fabric Repairs project at Stornoway Town Hall to fund the internal repainting of the Town Hall; (ii) additional expenditure of £6,000, to be funded from estimated future levels of slippage, be allocated to the West Side Slipway Project; and (iii) capital fees be posted to the financial ledger on a monthly basis, or on at least a quarterly basis.
		BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Corporate Strategy: Consultative Draft	59*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report inviting Services Committees to comment on the consultative draft corporate strategy. It was agreed that the comments agreed as a response from the Committee are passed to the Chief Executive for inclusion in the finalised Corporate Strategy.
		AIR TRANSPORT
Air Conference, Jersey T04.02	60	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report summarising the issues discussed at the Second Forum on Air Transport in Europe's Remote Regions which took place in Jersey on 4-6 April 2001. The Report summarised the key points made by a number of speakers at the Conference including an examination of the PSO tendering process, the impact of the deregulation of domestic air services and the impact of franchising on air service provision in the Highlands and Islands. It was agreed to note the Report.
		SEA TRANSPORT
Sound of Eriskay Ferry Service T06.02.03	61	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing carriage and income statistics for the Eriskay vehicular ferry for the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001. The figures indicated that generally, passenger numbers had increased over the period and this was probably due to the contracted passenger service having ceased when the gap in the Eriskay causeway was closed. It was agreed to note the Report.
Progress and Procurement for the Ardmhor Terminal, Barra T06.02	62*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Sound of Barra Transport Integration Project. The original project had included a new ferry terminal on Barra at Ardveenish but an alternative site at Ardmhor had been suggested during the tendering exercise. Following detailed evaluation it was clear that Ardmhor presented a better location for the terminal. To date the Barra element of the works had yet to be commenced, though the contractor had agreed to build the slipway and marshalling area either at Ardveenish or Ardmhor for the original tender sum. The Ardmhor location would also require the construction of an access road, together with a breakwater to shelter the slipway, and the total cost for the initial works was estimated at £930k. The funding package for the additional works was being assembled and a decision from the European HISTP was due by the end of June 2001. The Report further indicated that the Scottish Executive had advised that a further round of public transport bids could be lodged in August and it was proposed that a bid be submitted for the necessary improvements to the existing roads to the ferry terminals, together with the provision of overnight berthing structures and the required navigational aids between the two terminals across the Sound of Barra. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Committee notes that R J Macleod had agreed to construct the slipway and marshalling area at Ardmhor for the same costs tendered for Ardveenish and would be commencing the works following the concluding of the land acquisition and harbour orders; (2) subject to the confirmation of the required funding, the contact for the additional works, access road and breakwater, be awarded to R J Macleod, as an addition to the existing £8.65 million contract, subject to the agreement of the Directors of Technical Services and Corporate Services on the contract cost; and (3) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to submit a Public Transport Fund bid to the Scottish Executive for improvement to the existing roads on Barra and Eriskay, fixed navigational aids in the Sound of Barra and overnight berthing structures at both new ferry terminals.
Sound of Barra Vehicular Ferry Services T06.02	63*	With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 31 January 2001 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the operation of the Comhairle's vehicular ferries for the provision of an interim service across the Sound of Barra. It had been proposed that the vehicular ferries be used on the basis of one ferry in the Winter and both ferries operating in the Summer subject to the estimated £50k shortfall being provided in 2002/03 and 2003/04. The Report indicated that the three year budget had not included such provision and it was proposed that one vessel would operate on the service with the other vessel being retained for standby and relief. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to operate one of the Comhairle's vehicular ferries on a one vessel basis over the Sound of Barra with the other vessel being retained for standby and relief.
Eriskay Causeway - Temporary Slipway T06.02.03	64*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning an expression of interest by Kilbride Shellfish Ltd to develop a live shellfish storage and packing station at the Eriskay Causeway temporary slipway. The Eriskay Causeway contract included for the removal of those temporary works and reinstatement of the land but following the expression of interest the contractor had indicated a willingness to carry out additional works at no cost to the Comhairle to increase the design life of the slipway to twenty five years. It was agreed to recommend that the temporary works and temporary ferry slipway at the Eriskay Causeway be retained subject to; (1) the agreement of South Uist Estates Ltd and Scottish Natural Heritage; and
		(2) adequate arrangements being in place to ensure that the development of the slipway and marshalling area was compatible with the causeway and that adequate rights were maintained to ensure that the causeway could be properly maintained to the satisfaction of the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Director of Technical Services.
		ROAD TRANSPORT
Rural Transport Fund - Revisions to Bus Services T05.01	65*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining options for the use of £357k allocated to the Comhairle from the Scottish Executive's Rural Transport Fund. Tenders had been invited earlier in the year for contracts to continue early morning and evening bus services with the Comhairle retaining a right to terminate those contracts after six months. The proposed split of the allocation of the Rural Transport Fund would allow those services to operate for the full year (subject to checks on passenger loads) improvements to be made in public transport infrastructure and continued development of local and national publicity of the Western Isles Public Transport Network. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to use the Comhairle's allocation from the Scottish Executive Rural Transport Fund 2001/2002 as detailed below. Contribution to maintain key network £110K Additional services (primarily evening services) £126k Service Enhancements (shopping services etc) £15k Service Enhancements (Uist and Barra Hospital, Scalpay Fish Factory etc) £17k Local Community Transport Schemes £26k Local Publicity/Infrastructure £15k Ongoing PTI Costs £8k Additional Staffing Costs - Transport Section £20k Additional Staffing Costs - Harbours and Ferries £20k
		ROADS
Programme and Progress T08.01	66	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in respect of Road Schemes. It was agreed to note the Report.
Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing Contract T08.05.04	67	The Director of Corporate Services sought and obtained the Chairman's permission to withdraw this item.
A888 Slochd, Barra - Minor Improvement T08.01	68*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the final costs of the A888 Slochd Minor improvement. The Report indicated that the final measurement was £203,276 compared to a tender price of £185,006. This amounted to an increase of 9.9% on the tender costs and was attributable to an increase in the earthworks section of the Bill of Quantities and an increase in the amount of rockfill deposited. It was agreed to note the Report.
Lionel Improvements - Accommodation Works T08.01	69*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning accommodation works at Lionel. Following on from previous works there was a requirement to provide alternative parking to the rear of 23b Lionel which was adjacent to a property occupied by the son of the elected Member for the Port of Ness Ward and which would also provide a narrow tapered strip of bitmac at the frontage of a property belonging to the father of an employee within the Housing Department. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to undertake the accommodation works at 23b Lionel and 21 Lionel as detailed in the Report.
Contribution to Surfacing of Forecourt of Galson Motors, Barvas T08.01	70*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report indicating that the operator of the Galson Motors Garage had been allowing his forecourt to be used on an informal basis for the transfer of school children from various services which meet at Barvas. Galson Motors had requested a contribution from the Comhairle towards the Bitmacing of the forecourt and, as the elected Member for Barvas was a Director of Galson Motors, the request had been submitted to the Committee for approval. It was agreed to recommend that the Committee approves a contribution of £1500 for part surfacing of the forecourt at Galson Motors on the basis that the forecourt was used to transfer school children from the various bus services which meet at Barvas and that the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with Director of Technical Services, be authorised to enter into an agreement ensuring the availability of the forecourt for future bus contracts in exchange for carrying out the works.
Unadopted Road - 5A Steinish T08.01	71*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for the surfacing of an unadopted road at 5A Steinish. The works had required the occupiers to undertake preparatory work and inform the maintenance engineer once the road was ready for surfacing. These works were not completed until the middle of March 2001 and it had not been possible to undertake the surfacing works before the end of that financial year. The allocations in the current financial year related to Harris and Uist with only a modest patching allowance being allocated to Lewis. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to consider the unadopted road at 5A Steinish for surfacing during 2002/03 when it was envisaged that there would be an Unadopted Roads Budget for Lewis and Barra wards.
Road Works at Springside, Tong T08.01	72*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning works requiring to be carried out to properties at number 1 and 2 Springside, Tong. The Report indicated that one of the properties was owned by a member of the Technical Services Department. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to carry out road works at numbers 1 and 2 Springside, Tong.
Castle Street Traffic Management T08.01	73*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the final cost of the Castle Street Traffic Management Scheme. The final measurement was £140,694 compared to a tender price of £121,400 which represented a 15.6% increase to the tender cost. The increase was attributable to an increase in the footways section of the Bill of Quantities for additional paving in the western section of Point Street and to an amendment to the design to include a heel kerb adjacent to those buildings together with resultant increased drainage costs. It was agreed to note the Report.
		PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Reports Outstanding PR33.01.02	74	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.
		ADDITIONAL ITEM
		The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50b(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as defined in terms of Standing Order 8A, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow representation from the Social Work Committee on the Joint Education and Transportation Sub-Committee.
Special Needs Transport Integration T05.01	75*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report asking Members to consider extending the scope of the Joint Education and Transportation Sub-Committee to cover special needs transport by including representatives from Social Work Committee. It was agreed to recommend that membership of the existing Education and Transportation Joint Sub-Committee be extended to include two representatives from Social Work Committee prior to considering the future of the integration of the special needs transport. The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow representation from Social Work Committee on the Joint Education and Transportation Sub-Committee to have immediate effect and on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
		The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50b(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as defined in terms of Standing Order 8A, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order to allow a response to be made to the Scottish Executive in respect of allocations of additional capital consent.
Additional Capital Consent	76*	The Director of Technical Services reported that the Scottish Executive had written to the Comhairle informing them that there would be additional capital consent in the current financial year for cycling, walking and safer streets initiatives. The Executive had requested a response from authorities by 6 August 2001. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman be authorised to respond to the Scottish Executive in respect of the additional capital consent for cycling, walking and safer streets allocations detailing the Comhairle's local transport strategy and previously agreed priorities. The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow a response to be made prior to the deadline and on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.