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MINUTE
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Minute of
Meeting of 2 September 2004
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 2 September 2004 was approved.
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Minute of
Meeting of HITRANS of 8 October 2004
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2
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The Minute of
Meeting of HITRANS of 8 October 2004 was approved.
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Declaration
of Interest
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3
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Mrs Annie Macdonald declared an interest
and left the Meeting during consideration of item 15.
Mr Calum I Graham declared an interest
and left the Meeting during consideration of item 19.
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FINANCE
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Second Quarter
Revenue Monitoring 2004 – 2004
PR110.08
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4
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The Director
of Finance submitted a Report detailing the Comhairle’s forecast revenue outturn
for 2004/05 at the end of the second quarter. A summary of the financial
performance to the end of September 2004 was appended to the Report.
It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Report be noted; and
(2)
the use of the departmental carry
forward for the Chief Executive’s Office as detailed in Section 7 of the
Report and previously agreed be re-affirmed.
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Second Quarter
Capital Monitoring 2004 – 2005
PR110.03
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5
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The Director of Finance submitted a Report
concerning the progress in the 2004/05 Capital Programme as at 30 September
2004
It was agreed to recommend that the
Forecast Out-turn be approved as the Revised Approved Programme and
specifically approve the following:
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(1) the slippage of £150k on
Stornoway Primary Roofing, £47k on the Schools Accessibility Programme, £64k
on Water Services, and £408k on Schools Capital Renovations;
(2) the slippage of £350k on the
South Uist Care Development;
(3) the slippage of £80k on
Contaminated Land, £50k on the Derelict Building Grant Scheme and £33k on the
ACE Grant Scheme;
(4) the slippage of £2k on the
Mossend Refurbishment;
(5) the transfer of £1,714 for the Spinal Route from the Conditional Programme to the Main Programme;
(6) the slippage of £6k for work on
Pointers not required until 2005/06 to meet the retention and slippage of
£30k for maintenance work at Lews Castle; and
(7) the slippage of £25k on work to
the Council Chamber.
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Repairs
and Maintenance – Quarterly Expenditure
PR110.08
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6
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing expenditure for the repair
and maintenance of properties held under the Transportation account to 30
September 2004.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
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HITRANS
Budget
T01.08.22
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7
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The Director of Technical Services submitted
a Report in relation to the Comhairle's proposed contribution to HITRANS.
The Report detailed HITRANS’ budget for 2005/06 and the funding formula for
partner contributions. The Report proposed that the Comhairle should make
provision of £20k from Rural Transport Funding for HITRANS to cover the
partner contribution and the cost of attendance at Meetings.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree the HITRANS budget for 2005/06
and make provision from the Rural Transport funding of £20k for 2005/06.
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AIR
SERVICES
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Royal
Mail Service from Uist
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8
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted an oral Report detailing the current
situation in relation to the Royal Mail service to Uist. It was stated that
there was currently a problem transporting business mail out of the Uists due
to a lack of capacity on the aircraft.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Comhairle authorise the Director of Technical Services to organise a Meeting
as a matter of urgency between Southern Isles Members, Mr Calum Macdonald MP,
HIAL, Royal Mail and other relevant bodies to discuss the mail service from
the Uists.
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Consultation
on Air Ambulance
T04.02
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9
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the consultation document
on the Proposed Provision of Air Ambulance Services from 1 April 2006. The
consultation document proposed that the service provision would be undertaken
utilising a dedicated pressurised fixed-wing air ambulance based in Glasgow which would do the majority of winter hospital transfers and hospital admissions.
In addition it would be supported by the dedicated air ambulance helicopters
based in Inverness and Glasgow. The Report detailed the concerns which had
been expressed by Community Councils in relation to the proposals.
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It was
agreed to recommend that:
(1)
the Comhairle approve that the concerns
expressed by the Community Councils form the basis of a response to the
consultation document; and
(2)
the Director of Technical Services be
authorised to request a meeting with the Scottish Ambulance Service to
discuss the consultation on Air Ambulance Services.
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ROADS
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Roads to
Communities: Priority List
T08.05
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10
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking approval of a prioritised
list of Roads to Communities Scheme for inclusion in the Capital Programme
2004/08. The Report detailed the outcome of the project prioritisation
exercise which was based on the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance, taking
into account environmental, safety, economy, accessibility and integration
factors.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approve the prioritised list of schemes
shown in the Appendix to the Report;
(2)
approve applications being made to the
HISTP programme to seek additional funding for the first four schemes on the
prioritised list in the order most likely to attract HISTP funding; and
(3)
note that further Reports would be
submitted to the Transportation and Policy and Resources Committees seeking
approval for the inclusion of the schemes in the 2004/08 Capital Programme
following the submission of HISTP applications.
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Additional
Unadopted Roads
T08.05
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11
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report proposing the inclusion of
additional roads and the list of Class B Unadopted Roads.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
agree to the addition of the roads
detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report to the existing list of unadopted roads;
and
(2)
agree to include the road to Scarp
Jetty, Hushinish on the list of unadopted roads, subject to confirmation that
it meets Technical Corporate Services.
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Winter
Maintenance Plan 2004 – 2005
T08.05.04
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12
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Winter Maintenance
Plan 2004/05. The Report stated that the sum of £1,327,450 had been
allocated in the Revenue Budget for the current financial year for
implementation of the Winter Maintenance Plan. The Report further indicated
that the winter maintenance service would be delivered by winter maintenance
contractors and sub-contractors together with the COU.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approves the Winter Maintenance Plan
2004/2005;
(2)
authorises the Chairman, Director of
Technical Services and Convener to discuss the inclusion of the Pentland Road in the Winter Maintenance Plan.
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Road
Safety – 20 mph Limits at Schools/Schools Traffic Management
T08.05.06
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13
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With reference
to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 September 2004 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to progress with the
Schools Traffic Management Schemes and introduction of 20mph speed limits at
schools. The Report detailed the funding package available for the
introduction of 20mph speed limits in schools traffic management and detailed
the schools at which 20mph variable speed limits would be implemented. The
Report further indicated that on completion of the list and previously agreed
speed limits a new list of outstanding works will be prepared and the
Comhairle would revisit all schools in order to improve the road safety
implications.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agrees to:
(1)
the implementation of the agreed 20mph
variable speed limits at the fourteen schools described in para 4.1 of the
Report;
(2)
the completion of the outstanding list
of Schools Traffic Management Schemes described in paras 4.2 and 4.3 of the
Report;
(3)
assess the effectiveness of the
variable 20mph schemes prior to a new list being submitted to Committee;
(4)
support schools in the development of
school travel plans to encourage and promote safe and healthy alternatives to
bus and car travel by pupils; and
(5)
prepare a new priority list of Schools
Traffic Management Schemes for year 2005/06 and 2007/08.
(6)
a Report being submitted to the next
Meeting of the Committee detailing a proposed prioritised list of Schools
where it is considered that the introduction of a 20mph would be appropriate
and detailing the priority criteria including the current volume of traffic,
current limits, budgetary provision and detailing the reasons why the
introduction of 20mph limits are not considered appropriate at all Schools
and detailing the proposed use of any balance after these measures had been
implemented and the Report would include consideration of the Nicolson
Institute.
The Chairman declared a material
change in circumstances in respect of the following item, namely, the need to
re-score several bids.
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Revised
Amenity Lighting Programme 2004/08
T08.05.01
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14
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing proposed revisions to the
amenity lighting programme. The Report indicated that the additional costs
of the revisions would be met from general contingency allowances within the
programme.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the revised Amenity Lighting
Programme included at Appendix 1 to the Report.
Arising
from consideration of this Item it was agreed that the Director of Technical
Services would circulate details of the scoring criteria in respect of the
revised amenity and carriageway programmes to all Members.
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Mrs Annie
Macdonald declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of
the following item.
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Traffic
Regulation Order: Stornoway Town Centre
T09.05
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15
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing progress with the
Stornoway Town Centre Traffic Regulation Order. The Report stated that a
number of objections had been received to the proposed Order and detailed
discussions had been held in an attempt to have the objections withdrawn.
All but two objections had been withdrawn and, as they related only to the
proposal to prohibit entry to the Point Street area, it was agreed to promote
the short term parking at Perceval Square. A Hearing had been held before a
Reporter to the Scottish Executive in relation to the objections to the town
centre prohibition and the Report detailed the Reporter's findings.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
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Grass
Cutting on Approaches to Stornoway
T08.05
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16
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to a request for the
extension of the Comhairle's grass cutting scheme. It had been requested
that the section of roadway verge from the Melbost Junction of the A866 to
the airport entrance be added to the Comhairle's grass cutting scheme on the
approaches to Stornoway.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Approaches to Stornoway Grass Cutting Scheme
include the section of roadway from the Melbost Junction of the A866 to the
airport entrance.
Arising from consideration of this item
it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report
to a future Meeting in relation to the Comhairle’s verge cutting policy.
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It was agreed that the public, including the
press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 17 below, 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 then the Comhairle.
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Cattle
Grid – Kyles Road, Leverburgh
T08.05
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17
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the provision of a
sub standard cattle grid at Kyles Road, Leverburgh. Approval for the
installation of the cattle grid had been given on the condition that the
location and specification would meet the Comhairle's specifications for such
works. The Report further indicated that the applicant had installed a
cattle grid to another specification and location of his choosing. Both the
specification and location were of concern to the Comhairle’s offices and the
general public who use the road
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle authorise the Director of Technical
Services:
(1)
to request that a new cattle grid be
installed to the Comhairle's specification at a location agreed with
Technical Services staff together with reinstating the site of the existing
grid and that Mr Jourdan be given three months from the date to carry of the
request be given out these works; and
(2)
to remove the existing cattle grid and
reinstate the road to its previous condition and the Comhairle would seek to
recover all costs associated with these works from the party concerned,
should he fail to carry out the works detailed in recommendation (1) above in
accordance with the Comhairle’s specification.
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ROAD
TRANSPORT
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Minibus
Co-ordination and Charging
AL06.06
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18
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The Director
of Technical Service submitted a Report in relation to the Minibuses owned by
the Comhairle which were currently hired out to schools, voluntary groups and
organisations. The Report indicated that two minibuses were based in
Stornoway, one was based in Tarbert and one was based in Balivanich. The
Report further detailed the costs of operating each vehicle together with a
proposed level of charges. It was proposed that a feasibility study would be
carried out to determine the viability of basing a further minibus at
Ullapool to be used principally by voluntary groups, schools and other
organisations in order to minimise the costs of trips to the mainland.
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It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree that:
(1)
the cost of hiring out a Comhairle
minibus be £20 per half say and £35 per full day of use; and
(2)
on completion of the feasibility study,
a further Report would be submitted outlining the proposals for and viability
of basing a minibus at Ullapool.
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Mr Calum I Graham declared an interest and
left the meeting during consideration of the following item.
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Fares in
Respect of Taxi Licensing and Private Hire Car Licensing
CH04
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19
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The Director
of Corporate Services submitted a Report reviewing the current level of fares
for taxi and private hire car licensing in the Western Isles. The Report
detailed options on the proposed review of fares and indicated that the
Comhairle would consult with persons or organisations representative of
operators of taxis and would advertise its intentions with regard to the
review giving persons one month to make representations.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
approve Option 2 in the Report as a
proposal in terms of Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982;
(2)
approve ongoing consultation with the
Western Isles Taxi and Private Hire Association as the representative body of
the local taxi and private hire car licensing community and the placing of an
advertisement in the Stornoway Gazette giving details of the Comhairle's
proposal to review its maximum rates of fares in respect of taxi and private
hire car licensing (when the private hire cars are fixed with taxi meters);
and
(3)
approve that the matter would only be
referred back to Transportation Committee should adverse comments to the
consultation be received.
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PIERS
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Leverburgh
Pier Amended Proposals
T07.02.16
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20
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing revised proposals for the
Leverburgh Pier Project which would provide overnight berthing facilities for
the Sound of Harris Vehicular Ferry. The scope of the Project included
extending an existing rock breakwater to the South East of the pier,
improving marshalling and parking arrangements and carrying out works to the
existing harbour basin to provide compensating berthing for other pier users.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1) approve the revised project scope
and funding package for the Leverburgh Pier Project; and
(2) approve the submission of
applications for funding assistance for the provision of pontoon berthing
from the FIFG and WIE;
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Lochmaddy
Pier – Structural and Feasibility Studies
T07.02
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21
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report proposing the engagement of
consultants to undertake a structural feasibility study of Lochmaddy Pier for
guidance on structural improvements and expansion facilities. The Report stated
that structural examination of the pier would afford an opportunity to bring
together an holistic view of Lochmaddy Harbour and the opportunities that
could be offered in terms of short and long term development to meet the
community’s aspirations in a sustainable manner.
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It was
agreed to recommend, subject to a PER being approved, that the Comhairle
agree:
(1)
to engage consultants to Report on the
structural integrity of Lochmaddy Pier and to provide the methodology and
costs to undertake the descaling and painterwork of the Linkspan; and
(2)
to a further study by consultants to
determine the economic case for future expansion within Lochmaddy Harbour to meet the aspirations of the North Uist community.
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Lochmaddy
Pier – Request for Fuel Bunkering Facilities
T07.02
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22
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to a request to
Caledonian MacBrayne Limited to relocate its fuel bunkering operations from
Tarbert Pier to Lochmaddy Pier. The Report indicated that the proposal may
impinge on the Comhairle's pier operations in terms of the Explosive licence
held by the Comhairle. The Report proposed that the Comhairle agree to the
request subject to planning consent being granted and with the proviso that
any affect on the explosive licence was within acceptable limits.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle grant permission in principle to
Caledonian MacBrayne Limited to site 2 x
100,000 litre fuel tans at Lochmaddy Pier, subject to planning consent being
obtained and subject to the Director of Technical Services being satisfied
that the proposal would not have an adverse effect on the Ports Explosive
Licence.
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Ceann a
Gharaidh Ferry Terminal – Transfer of Land
T07.02
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23
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report proposing the transfer of a small
plot of land at Ceann a Gharaidh Ferry terminal at Eriskay to Comann Each nan
Eilean. The Report stated that the land would be used to establish a
heritage and interpretation centre on Eriskay.
It was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve that:
(1)
the plot of land extending to 252m2
at Ceann a’ Gharraidh, Eriskay as shown on the drawing appended to the
Report, is sold to Comann Each nan Eilean Ltd at ‘nil cost’, subject to the
approval of the Scottish Ministers; and
(2)
the transfer is made subject to Comann
Each nan Eilean Ltd agreeing to the conditions of sale as determined by the
Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Director of Technical
Services.
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PERFORMANCE
MONITORING
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Reports
Outstanding
PR33.01.12
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24
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The Director
of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports outstanding
arising from the decisions of the Committee.
It was agreed to recommend that the
Report be noted.
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ADDITIONAL
ITEM
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Stornoway Town Centre Permit Sub-Committee
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25
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The Director
of Corporate Services submitted a Report indicating that Mr Neil Campbell had
tendered his resignation from the Stornoway Town Centre Permit
Sub-Committee. The Committee was invited to appoint a member to sit on the
Sub-Committee in place of Mr Campbell.
It was agreed to appoint Mr Alex
Mackintosh to serve on the Stornoway Town Centre Permit Sub-Committee.
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