Committees

A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 14 August 2013 at 10.30am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully,

Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
    Liesgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
    Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.   Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.  Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Recess Powers
    Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 27 June 2013 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee.

4. Presentation by Highlands and Islands Enterprise on Broadband
    Provision in the Highlands
    Taisbeanadh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean mu Sholar
    Bann-leathainn sa Ghàidhealtachd

A presentation will be given by Carol Buxton, Director of Regional Development, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and Andrea Rutherford, Senior Development Manager, Telecoms, HIE, on progress with provision of broadband in the Highlands.

5. Revenue Budget – Final Outturn 2012/13 and Monitoring 2013/14
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach
    2012/13 agus Sgrùdadh 2013/14

There is circulated Report No. PED-44-13 (38kb pdf) dated 29 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development commenting on the final outturn for the Revenue budget for the year to 31 March 2013, and the revenue monitoring position for the period to 30 June 2013.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the Planning and Development Revenue Budget outturn statement for 2012/13; and
ii. agree the monitoring report to the end of June 2013.

6. Capital Expenditure – Final Outturn 2012/13 and Monitoring
    2013/14
    Caiteachas Calpa – Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2012/13 agus
    Sgrùdadh 2013/14

There is circulated Report No. PED-45-13 (144kb pdf) dated 6 August 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the Expenditure and Income to 31 March 2013 for the 2012/13 Capital Programme, and to 30 June 2013 for the 2013/14 Capital Programme.  The report also provides a summary of capital allocated by Highland Council on 27 June 2013 to the Planning and Development Capital Programme for the ten years from 2013/14 to 2022/23.  An update on Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) expenditure is also provided.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the contents of the report,
ii. agree to reallocate £66,000 from the Inverness City Gateways project to the Chief Executive’s River Ness Arts Capital Programme budget, and

iii. Agree to authorise the Director of Planning and Development, in consultation with the Chairman and with the agreement of the Scottish Government, to amend the grant sum offered to individual projects within the overall VDLF programme budget outwith the Committee cycle and to report back accordingly.

7. Planning Performance Framework and Quarter 1 Performance Review
    Frèam Dèanadas Dealbhaidh agus Ath-bhreithneachadh Dèanadais Cairteil 1

There is circulated Report No. PED-46-13 (507kb pdf) dated 5 August 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development advising Members on the delivery of the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plan services for the 1st Quarter of 2013/14.  The report also sets out the proposed Service Improvement Plan, which will be submitted to the Scottish Government.  The report advises that one key piece of work for the year is to speed up the delivery of planning obligations, and approval is sought for action to expedite the conclusion of outstanding legal agreements.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the performance updates across the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plans teams;
ii. agree the Service Improvement Plan for submission to the Scottish Government; and
iii. agree that procedures to speed up the delivery of legal agreements be implemented with immediate effect by writing to applicants setting out a four month timescale for conclusion of all outstanding matters.

8. Building Standards Balanced Scorecard 2013/14
    Cairt Sgòir Cothromaichte Inbhean Togail 2013/14

There is circulated Report No. PED-47-13 (388kb pdf) dated 26 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development advising that the Council is required to submit an annual Balanced Scorecard and a suite of new Key Performance Outcomes (KPOs) (9 in total) quarterly to the Scottish Government.  The scorecard for 2013/14 is attached to this report, and includes a Service Improvement Plan for 2013/14.  Members are asked to approve the scorecard for submission to the Scottish Government.

The Committee is asked to approve the Balanced Scorecard for 2013/14, including the Service Improvement Plan for 2013/14 for submission to the Scottish Government.

9. Business Gateway
    Slighe Gnothachais

There is circulated Report No PED-48-13 (34kb pdf) dated 24 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on Business Gateway performance targets for the first quarter of 2013/14, and the integration of Business Gateway within the wider support activity provided by the Highland Council.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note performance for the 1st Quarter of the operational year 2013/14;
ii. note the Business Gateway core service, its delivery and the wider business support provided; and
iii. agree to the allocation of £51k as match for the ERDF bid and £12k as grant to support businesses to internationalise.

10. Employability Services: Deprived Area Fund Review
      Seirbheisean Cosnaidh

There is circulated Report No. PED-49-13 (64kb pdf) dated 29 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development containing a review of the operation of the Deprived Area Fund and identifying success as well as issues that need to be addressed. It proposes the implementation of a new Priority Area Fund as a successor programme with refreshed purpose and criteria as well as wider geographic benefit. Operating within the strategic direction set, local delivery of the Priority Area Fund will be delegated to the Area Committees.

The Committee is asked to:

i. comment on the operation and assessment of the current Deprived Area Fund;
ii. approve proposals for a revise Priority Area Fund with the purpose, criteria and targeting contained in Appendix 2 to the report; and
iii. approve the delegation of the delivery of the Priority Area Fund to Area Committees, also as set out in Appendix 2.

11. National Planning Framework 3 Main Issues Report and Draft
      Scottish Planning Policy
      Frèam Dealbhadh Nàiseanta 3 agus Poileasaidh Dealbhadh
      Nàiseanta – Freagairt Cho-chomhairle

There is circulated Report No. PED-50-13 (786kb pdf) dated 26 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development informing the Committee of the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s Main Issues Report for the Third National Planning Framework and Draft Scottish Planning Policy.

The Committee is asked to homologate the Council’s response to the Draft Scottish Planning Policy and National Planning Framework 3 Main Issues Report contained in Appendix A to the report.

12. Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Pilot Marine Spatial Plan –
      Progress Update and Consultation Response
      Plana Pìolait Sgaoileadh Mara a’ Chaoil Arcaich is Uisgeachan
      Arcaibh – Cunntas Adhartais agus Freagairt Cho-chomhairle

There is circulated Report No. PED-51-13 (84kb pdf) dated 26 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development updating the Committee on ongoing work with Marine Scotland and Orkney Islands Council to develop marine spatial planning in the north Highlands and in the Pentland Firth specifically.  A Planning Issues and Options Consultation Paper and accompanying Environmental Report have been produced as the next stage in developing a pilot marine spatial plan for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters.

The paper sets out the cross-cutting themes and sectoral policy options proposed.  At this stage in the process, stakeholder and public input has been secured via well attended workshops and public drop-in sessions held in Orkney and Thurso during July.  Feedback received during these sessions will help develop the next stage: namely a draft marine spatial plan for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters.  Whilst the Council is part of the Working Group developing the Plan, we have also submitted a response to the Issues and Options consultation.

The Committee is invited to:

i. note the publication of the Planning Issues and Options Consultation Paper and Environmental Report as part of the development of the pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan process;
ii. homologate the full response submitted by the due date of 26 July 2013; and
iii. agree any additional comments on the Planning issues and Options or Environmental report, which will be fed into the next stage in the plan process.

13. Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020:
      Stage 1 Consultation
      Co-chomhairle Riaghaltas na h-Alba mu Phrògram Leasachadh
      Dùthchail na h-Alba – Molaidhean Tùsail Ìre 1

There is circulated Report No. PED-52-13 (87kb pdf) dated 22 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development introducing the Scottish Government’s ‘Stage 1 consultation on Scotland’s Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014–2020.’  The Stage 1 consultation was published in May 2013 for a short period, when responses were sought by 30th June.  A Planning, Environment and Development Committee workshop run on 24th June provided Members attending the opportunity to contribute to the draft response before submission.

The Committee is invited to:

i. consider the Stage 1 consultation and homologate the Highland Council response previously submitted on the Council’s behalf; and
ii. note that a more detailed Stage 2 consultation is anticipated in the autumn of 2013, when the Committee will have an opportunity to contribute further on the shaping of the 2014-2020 SRDP.

14. Academy Street, Inverness – Resubmission for Townscape
      Heritage funding
      Sràid na h-Acadamaidh, Inbhir Nis – Ath-thagradh airson maoin
      Dualchais Baile

Members will recall that the Council was unsuccessful in its applications to Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding for townscape works in Academy Street, Inverness.  However, in light of the positive feedback received, the Council will be resubmitting an application for Heritage Lottery Funding before the end of August 2013.  Work is ongoing with Inverness City Heritage Trust and Historic Scotland regarding additional partner funding.

The Committee is asked to note the position.

15. Highland Economic Forum – Minutes of Meeting of 27 February 2013 
      Fòram Eaconamach na Gàidhealtachd – Geàrr-chunntas Coinneamh
      27 An Gearran 2013

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Highland Economic Forum held on 27 February 2013 (24kb pdf).

16. Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership –
      Minutes of Meeting of 18 March 2013

      Fòram Ath-bheothachaidh Ghallaibh agus Chataibh a Tuath –
      Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Forum held on 18 March 2013 (121kb pdf).

17. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated separately in Booklet A for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PACs) for:-

i. North PAC, 16 April 2013
ii. South PAC, 23 April 2013
iii. North PAC, 13 and 21 May 2013
iv. South PAC, 28 May 2013

18. New Start Highland Transitional Funding

At its meeting held on 15 May 2013, the Committee approved £29,500 transitional support to New Start Highland, comprising a three month extension (April-June 2013) to the transitional funding of £9,833 per month agreed in financial year 2012/13.  (A copy of the report is available by clicking here.)  The transitional funding provided has allowed the organisation to continue to develop and to grow its services for homeless people and to provide quality training / work experience for people seeking work.  As an illustration of this, 30 of the clients of the organisation have obtained employment over the first quarter of the current year. 

The organisation is currently finalising an Agreement for Lottery funding but has advised that these arrangements are not yet completed, with a meeting date scheduled for mid-August.  It is likely therefore that Lottery funding will not now be received until October.

The Committee is asked to agree to extend the transitional funding of £9,833 per month for a second quarter, July to Sept 2013, to enable the organisation to continue its activities.  This sum can be contained within the Employability Service budget.