Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Tuesday 4 March 2014 at 10.30 am.

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
Leisgeulan

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.  Drummond School Overview
Sealladh Coitcheann air Sgoil Dhruimein

There is circulated Report No. CIA-01-14 (493kb pdf) dated 18 February 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an update of key information in relation to Drummond School.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

4.  Carbon CLEVER City
Cathair-bhaile Càrbon CIALLACH

There is circulated Report No. CIA-02-14 (656kb pdf) dated 19 February 2014 by the Head of Policy and Performance which proposes a vision of a Carbon CLEVER City. It further updates Members on a number of current projects in the Inverness area, and outlines a number of prospective projects for the city. Two applications to the Inverness Common Good Fund are attached to this report for consideration by this committee.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider and agree the vision of Inverness as a Carbon CLEVER City, based
    on the description provided at paragraph 2.1;
ii.  approve the applications to the Inverness Common Good Fund for:-
a. a contribution of £5,000 towards the Carbon CLEVER Cycles
    Scheme as outlined at paragraphs 3.2-3.3 and Appendix 1; and
b. a contribution of £5,000 towards the sponsorship of the Etape Loch
    Ness as outlined at 3.4-3.5 and Appendix 2.
and:-

iii. discuss and agree the suitability of the prospective projects outlined in
    section 4 of the report; and
iv. consider and agree the potential strategic role of the Inverness Common
    Good Fund and Carbon CLEVER working together to bring benefits to the
    city.

5.  Population Change in the City of Inverness Area 2001 to 2011
Atharrachadh Sluaigh ann an Sgìre Cathair-bhaile Inbhir Nis 2001 gu 2011

There is circulated Report No. CIA-03-14 (531kb pdf) dated 14 February 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which is provided for information and summarises some early results from the 2011 Census, giving local information on the number and ages of people living within the Inverness City Area. It compares these figures with those from 2001 to show that the population of the Inverness City Area has grown by 17.8% (compared to the Highland average of 11.1%) with an increase in five out of seven Wards, and at a local level in 52 out of 90 data zones. Local population growth is strongly linked to the building of new homes. The City Area shares some features of an ageing population with the rest of Highland, but the workforce is younger than both the Highland and Scotland averages.

The Committee is asked to note that the last decade has seen strong population growth of 18%, higher than the Highland average, and also that:

i. the population has tended to fall slightly in areas that have seen limited new
    house building, and in these areas there is evidence of population “cycles”;
ii. the Census results show that the City Area has a comparatively young work
    force although it does share some features of an ageing population with
    the rest of Highland; and
iii. the strong links between economic growth, new house building and
    population growth.

6.  Deprived Area Fund 2014/15
Maoin Sgìre Bhochd 2014/15

There is circulated Report No. CIA-04-14 (602kb pdf) dated 18 February 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which describes the 5 applications received for the Deprived Area Fund for 2014-15 and invites Members to approve recommendations for the allocations. The recommendations have been approved by the City of Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee. It is also recommended that decisions regarding the balance of the Funds in 2014-15 be delegated to the Common Good Sub-Committee for consideration.

The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations for the Deprived Area Fund 2014-15 as shown below:

Ref. No.	Applicant Organisation	Recommend 2014-15
3517	Merkinch Partnership	£ 59,000
3518	Merkinch Enterprise	£ 18,750
3536	Inverness Blitz (Highland Wildcats)	£ 9,500
3537	Arts in Merkinch	£ 30,000
3560	The Conservation Volunteers Scotland	£ 18,480
	Total	£ 137,730

The Committee is also asked to agree that decisions on the use of the balance of funds for 2014-15 should be delegated to the City of Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.

7.  Grounds Maintenance Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Gleidheadh Raointean

There is circulated Report No. CIA-05-14 (541kb pdf) dated 24 February 2014 by the Director of Community Services which details the arrangements for monitoring performance of the Grounds Maintenance Service in the City of Inverness and Area.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on grounds maintenance performance for 2013 for Inverness City and Area.

8.  Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2013
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2013 gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2013

There is circulated Report No. CIA-06-14 (548kb pdf) dated 21 February 2014 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on housing performance indicators during the first three quarters of 2013/2014.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April to 31 December 2013.

9.  Inverness Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a) Review of Investment Strategy and Capital Planning
Ath-sgrùdadh air Ro-innleachd Tasgaidh agus Dealbhadh Calpa

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA-07-14 (500kb pdf) dated 19 February 2014 by the Director of Finance and the Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement which confirms the existing investment strategy for the City of Inverness Common Good Fund (ICGF), sets out the current governance arrangements, provides an update on the review of the investment strategy, and confirms existing and potential financial commitments.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the progress to date on the review of the Strategy applied to the
    administration of the Inverness Common Good Fund;
ii. agree that the Investment Property Portfolio should be retained; and
iii. note existing and potential financial commitments.

b) Town House Works Programme, High Street, Inverness
Prògram Obraichean Talla a’ Bhaile, An Àrd-Shràid, Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA-08-14 (167kb pdf) dated 19 February 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development and the Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement which seeks approval to proceed to tender to carry out comprehensive fabric works to the Town House, following frequent emergency repairs and a detailed condition survey. The works will include: full stone repairs and replacement, mortar re-pointing, roof repairs, rainwater goods renewal, window repairs and replacements. Approval is also sought to investigate further third party funding.

The Committee is invited to agree that work is done to process to tender for the repairs outlined in this report at a total estimated project cost of £7,250,000 over five phases and carry out further investigation into third party funding.

c) City Events and Festivals – Review of 2013 Events and Proposals for 2014
Tachartasan agus Fèisean a’ Bhaile – Ath-sgrùdadh air Tachartasan 2013 agus Molaidhean airson 2014

There is circulated Report No. CIA-09-14 (770kb pdf) dated 20 February 2014 by the Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement which provides an update on the 2013 Events and Festivals Programme; and previews the 2014 Events and Festivals Programme, and the additional events that will be staged as part of Homecoming Scotland 2014 celebrations.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the activities staged in the second half of 2013;
ii. endorse the activities of the Events and Festivals Working Group and
    confirm that the activity meets with the aims and objectives of the
    Inverness Events and Festivals Action Plan;
iii. agree the Events and Festivals proposed programme and budget of
    £340,000 for 2014/15; and
iv. agree that the Highland Homecoming events for 2014 be funded by an
   additional budget of £50,000 (the Highland Homecoming budget) to be
   administered under the governance of the Inverness Events and Festivals
   Working Group. Funds to be drawn from the Inverness Common Good Fund.

d) Budget Setting for 2014/15 and Capital Programme
Suidheachadh Buidseat airson 2014/15 agus Prògram Calpa

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA-10-14 (528kb pdf) dated 19 February 2014 by the Director of Finance and the Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement which invites Members to set the revenue budget for the Inverness Common Good Fund (ICGF) for the financial year 2014/15.  It clarifies: the current governance arrangements; anticipated income (primarily from tenancy rentals); the proposed expenditure, split into essentials (for the maintenance of buildings and the provision of basic services) and a number of additional items; action on the future investment of any projected surplus funds; and the structure of payments made to the Council for services rendered in support of the fund and how these services should be supported in the coming financial year and thereafter.

The Committee invited to:-

i. agree the Common Good Fund budget for 2014/15 detailed within the
   report;
ii. agree to develop detailed cash flow forecasts for major project expenditure
   to permit the most appropriate investment exit strategy to be agreed with
   the Fund Manager; and
iii. note that officers will continue to monitor projected cash flow for the
   Common Good Fund, in particular through the Capital Projects Monitoring
   Report, with an emphasis on the utilisation of surplus revenue either within
   projects or as an opportunity for investment.

e) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No. CIA-11-14 (483kb pdf) dated 17 February 2014 by the Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement which presents the expenditure monitoring position for the Common Good Fund as of 31 January 2014 and the projected year end position.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the financial monitoring report.

f) Grant and Capital Projects
Pròiseactan Tabhartais agus Calpa

There is circulated Report No. CIA-12-14 (554kb pdf) dated 17 February 2014 by the Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement which sets out the current applications for funding to be determined and the current status of capital projects.

In this connection, there is circulated separately a copy of supporting documentation as Booklet A (1657kb pdf) and Booklet B (2863kb pdf).

The Committee is invited consider the applications for funding and scrutinise the current status of capital projects.

10.  Inverness Public Space CCTV System
Siostam CCTV Àrainn Phoblaich Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No. CIA-13-14 (578kb pdf) dated 13 February 2014 by the Depute Chief Executive which provides an update on the recent investments made to the Inverness CCTV System and on the outcomes achieved by the Inverness cameras.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree that the CCTV System, including the investments made in 2012/13 as
   per section 2.1 and Table 15 and 16 in Appendix 3 continue to provide an
   effective contribution to Community Safety within the City;
ii. note the outcomes achieved by the Inverness CCTV System as per section
   4 and Appendix 1;
iii. homologate the decision to fund and install an additional camera at Castle
    Wynd, Inverness as per section 3.

11.  Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated Minutes of the Meetings as follows:-

i. City of Inverness Area Committee held on 9 December 2013 for noting;
ii. Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 6 December 2013 (476kb pdf) for approval;
iii. Inverness City Arts Working Group held on 24 January 2014 (953kb pdf) for approval; and
iv. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 10 February 2014 (560kb pdf) for approval.

12.  Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Programme
Prògram Rothaireachd, Coiseachd agus Sràidean nas Sàbhailte

There is circulated Report CIA-14-14 (484kb pdf) dated 27 February 2014 by the Director of Community Services which invites Members to approve the projects delivered through the Scottish Government funding for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets for the City of Inverness, as set out in Appendix 1.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the Safer Routes to School Project listed in Appendix 1;
ii. note that the Road Safety Unit will continue to work with schools to
    develop further Safer Routes to School Projects for future years