Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Wednesday, 12 February 2014, 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
Depute Chief Executive

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. Presentation by Highlands and Islands Enterprise on Next Generation Broadband
Taisbeanadh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean mun Ath Ghinealach de Bhann-leathainn

A presentation will be given by Stuart Robertson, Director of Digital Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, on progress with the roll-out of Next Generation Broadband in the Highlands.

4. Revenue Budget Monitoring Statement to 31 December 2013
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach gu 31 An Dubhlachd 2013

There is circulated Report No. Ped-6-14 dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development providing Members with information on the revenue monitoring position for the Planning and Development Service for the period to the end of December 2013 and the projected year end position.  There are also recommendations for 2014/15 following a review of charges for services.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   consider and approve the Planning and Development Service monitoring
     report to the end of December 2013 and agree the management action
     which has been taken to date;
ii.   agree the updated charges for services in 2014/15 as outlined in Section 5
     and Appendix 2 of the report; and
iii.  agree to earmark £0.150m in respect of the underspend from 2013/14 for
     use in 2014/15 for the essential upgrade to the e-planning system as
     outlined in Section 2 of the report. 

5. Capital Expenditure Monitoring 2013/14
Sgrùdadh Chaiteachais Chalpa 2013/14

There is circulated Report No. Ped-7-14 dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the expenditure and income to 31 December 2013 and for the 2013/14 capital programme.  The report also provides an update on the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) programme.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note the contents of the report; and
ii.  agree delegated powers to the Director of Planning and Development, in
   consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee, to agree the
   detail of the 2014/15 VDLF Draft Delivery Plan and submit it to the Scottish
   Government.

6. Planning Performance Framework and Quarter 3 Performance Review 
Frèam Dèanadas Dealbhaidh agus Ath-bhreithneachadh Dèanadais Cairteil 3

There is circulated Report No. Ped-8-14 dated 27 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development advising Members on the delivery of the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plan services for the 3rd Quarter of 2013/14.  The report also updates Committee on feedback received from the Scottish Government on the Council’s Planning Performance Framework.

The Committee is asked to note the performance updates across the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plans teams, as well as the feedback received from the Scottish Government on the Planning Performance Framework.

7. Employee Survey 2012 – Update on Progress
Suirbhidh Luchd-obrach 2012 – Fios as Ùr mu Adhartas

There is circulated for noting Report No. Ped-9-14 dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the progress to date against the action plan 2013/14 for improvements as detailed in Appendix 1.

8. Business Gateway
Slighe Gnothachais

There is circulated Report No. Ped-10-14 dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note performance for the year to date of the operational year 2013/14; and
ii.  approve the Business Support Service Plan for the operational year
    2014/15.

9. Employability Services
Seirbheisean Cosnaidh

There is circulated for noting Report No. Ped-11-14 dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on the Youth Employment Scotland funding received from the Scottish Government and the budget implications for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

10. Social Enterprise Strategy
Ro-innleachd Iomairt Shòisealta

There is circulated Report No. Ped-12-14 dated 21 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining for Members’ consideration a draft consultation report on the Council’s social enterprise strategy. It sets out the Council’s understanding of the sector, the benefits it brings to Highland and the challenges it faces, before outlining its vision for the sector and possible actions that may be pursued to support and grow the sector. Once comments are received, a final Strategy and Action Plan will be produced and presented to Committee.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  offer comment on the draft Social Enterprise Strategy Consultation Report;
    and
ii.  agree to a period of public consultation, after which a final draft Strategy
    will be prepared and reported to Committee.

11. Highlands and Islands Regional Skills Investment Plan
Plana Tasgadh Sgilean Roinneil na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean

There is circulated Report No. Ped-13-14 dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on progress with the development of a Skills Investment Plan for the Highlands and Islands which is being developed by Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council, in conjunction with the region’s Local Authorities.

The Committee is asked to support the development of the Highlands and Islands Skills Investment Plan and of the emerging actions identified at paragraph 2.2 of the report.

12. Highland Science Academy
Acadamaidh Saidheans na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. Ped-14-14 dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining proposals for the establishment of a Highland Science Academy.  This facility will promote careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across the Highlands.  The Academy aims to encourage young people living in the area to consider careers in technology based industries being developed in the region.

The Committee is asked to support the development of the Highland Science Academy and the public-private partnership approach detailed in the report.

13. Development Plan Scheme Update
Fios as Ùr mu Sgeama Plana Leasachaidh

There is circulated Report No. Ped-15-14 dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the content of the Development Plan Scheme (DPS), attached as Appendix 1 to the report, which provides an up to date position on the Council’s timescales for preparing its Development Plan documents.  This includes the steps toward adoption of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan and the initial stages of the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan).  This year the DPS has been updated to illustrate how the Council proposes to incorporate the Scottish Government’s focus on an outcome driven planning system in its emerging Development Plans.

The Committee is asked to agree the content of the 2014 Development Plan Scheme in order that the document be submitted to the Plain English Campaign and subsequently submitted to the Scottish Ministers.

14. Tourism Development 
Leasachadh Turasachd

There is circulated Report No. Ped-16-14 dated 22 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development summarising the work undertaken by the tourism industry to produce a National Tourism Strategy and subsequently a Highland Tourism Action Plan which details how the national strategy objectives can be delivered in the Highland area.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   consider and approve, for the Council’s interest, the Highland Tourism
    Action Plan as the strategic document that outlines the priorities
    and activities that will be undertaken to grow tourism in the Highland area
    between 2014 and 2020;
ii.  agree to authorise the Director of Planning and Development to conclude a
    Service Delivery Agreement with VisitScotland for 2014/15 that
    incorporates the activities detailed in the report; and
iii.  approve a payment to VisitScotland of up to a maximum £220,000 for the
    financial year 2014-15.

15. Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020:  Stage 2 Consultation
Prògram Leasachadh Dùthchail na h-Alba (SRDP) 2014-2010: Co-chomhairle Ìre 2

There is circulated Report No. Ped-17-14 dated 23 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development introducing the Scottish Government’s Stage 2 consultation on Scotland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The paper summarises the consultation and presents at its Appendix 1 a Highland Council draft response. The full consultation can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/12/7550.

The Committee is invited to:

i.   consider the Government’s Stage 2 SRDP consultation; and
ii.   approve the draft response at Appendix 1 to the report, subject to any
     additional comments Members wish to add.

16. Axis 4, European Fisheries Fund – Highland Flag Progress and Internal Audit Review
Aisil 4, Maoin Iasgaich na h-Eòrpa – Adhartas Bratach na Gàidhealtachd agus Ath-sgrùdadh In-sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No. Ped-18-14 dated 13 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development provides an update on the delivery of the Axis 4 European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in the Highlands.

The Committee is invited to consider the report and to note:

i.  the good progress being made on the delivery of the EFF Axis 4 Fund in
   Highland, the additional funding awarded and the extended timeframe for 
   commitment under the current Programme; and
ii.  that appropriate action is being taken to address the conclusion and
   recommendations of the recent Internal Audit Report.

17. Dounreay Planning Framework
Frèam Dealbhaidh airson Dhùnrath

There is circulated Report No. Ped-19-14 dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development presenting the results of public consultation on the Draft Dounreay Planning Framework 2 (DPF2). The Highland Council approved the existing Dounreay Planning Framework in January 2006, as a land use development brief against which to regulate and control future decommissioning and restoration works proposed at the former nuclear power research site at Dounreay.  The Highland Council, in collaboration with Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), has reviewed the existing framework, prepared DPF2 as a draft to replace the existing framework and invited comments on it from 15 November 2013 to 16 January 2014.

The new draft framework presents an up-to-date overview of the policy context, regulatory regimes, site restoration programme and decommissioning works, providing explanation of the wider context for the component developments that are anticipated to be required. The intention is that DPF2 will be statutorily adopted as Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

Subject to Members’ consideration of any views and recommendations of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee following consideration of DPF2 at its meeting to be held on 11 February 2014, Members are asked to:

i.   consider the issues raised in consultation responses to Draft DPF2 and the 
    draft Council response recommended by officers, including revisions to
    DPF2;
ii.  agree that, subject to any revisions agreed at (i) above and finalisation of
    the Habitats Regulations Appraisal by officers, DPF2 be submitted to
    Scottish Ministers for consideration as per the statutory process for adoption
    of Supplementary Guidance and that it be a material consideration for
    development management purposes with immediate effect; and
iii.  agree to the adoption and issuing of the submitted version of DPF2 as 
    statutory Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local
    Development Plan upon completion of the requisite 28 day period for
    consideration by Scottish Ministers, subject to there being no directions
    from Ministers indicating otherwise.

18. Highland Biodiversity Action Plan: Progress Update
Plana-gnìomh Bith-iomadachd na Gàidhealtachd: Fios as Ùr mu Adhartas

There is circulated Report No. Ped-20-14 dated 30 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development providing a summary of progress made through the Highland Biodiversity Action Plans since 2006. It also informs Members of a change in partnership working from the Highland Biodiversity Partnership to the Highland Environment Forum, and updates Members on the current consultation over the new Highland BAP.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   note progress made by the Highland Biodiversity Partnership towards
     delivering the Highland Biodiversity Action Plan (2010);
ii.   approve the revised structure and reporting procedures associated with
     the Highland Environment Forum; and
iii.  comment on the Highland BAP Review proposals and, if Members wish,
     contribute towards the current Highland Biodiversity Action Plan
     consultation.

19. Highland Council Biodiversity Communication Plan
Plana Conaltraidh Bith-iomadachd Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. Ped-21-14 dated 27 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development presenting a draft Biodiversity Communications Plan that aims to raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity among staff, tenants and Members of the Council.  The draft Plan also proposes that Members consider becoming “Species Champions”, by which means they would agree to becoming advocates for a particular species of importance found in the Highlands.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  consider and approve the attached draft Biodiversity Communication Plan;
    and
ii.  consider their role as species champions and, if they wish to do so, contact
    biodiversity officers for further information and guidance on how they can
    carry out their role most effectively.

20. Caithness Horizons  Annual Report
Aithisg Bhliadhnail aig Fàirean Ghallaibh

There is circulated Report No Ped-22-14 dated 17 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development detailing the activities of Caithness Horizons during the financial year 2012/13 and recommending that Members accept the Financial Statement 31 March 2013 on behalf of the Highland Council.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note the activities of Caithness Horizons Limited; and
ii.  accept the Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2013 of
    Caithness Horizons Limited on behalf of the Highland Council.

21. Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Forum – Minutes
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 3 September 2013.

22. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. North PAC, 19 November 2013
ii. South PAC, 26 November 2013