Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Lochaber Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Lochaber House, High Street, Fort William on Thursday 27 February 2014 at 1.30 pm.

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. Youth Work in Lochaber
    Obair Òigridh ann an Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No. LA-1-14 (30kb pdf) by High Life Highland’s Principal Adult and Youth Services Manager dated 13 February 2014 which updates Members on youth work in the Lochaber area and how this links to the youth work policy. It will be followed by a presentation from young people on their involvement in youth work activities.

The Committee is invited to note the report and comment on the presentation on youth work provision.

4. HIE Overview of Lochaber Economy
    Sealladh Coitcheann HIE air Eaconamaidh Loch Abar

Mr Robert Muir, Area Manager HIE, will make a presentation to the Area Committee.

5. Population Change in Lochaber 2001 to 2011
    Atharrachadh Sluaigh ann an Loch Abar 2001 gu 2011

There is circulated Report No. LA-2-14 (486kb pdf) by dated February 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which presents early results from the 2011 Census, giving local information on the number and ages of people living within Lochaber.

The Committee is asked to note that the last decade has seen population growth in Lochaber of 6.1%, lower than the Highland average, and also that:-

i. the Census results confirm that our population is ageing and that we are
   about to see a significant increase in the number of retired people; and
ii. the strong links between economic growth, new house building and
   population growth.

6. Fort William Town Centre Regeneration – Update on Public Event
    Ath-nuadhachadh Meadhan Baile a’ Ghearasdain – Fios às Ùr mu
    Thachartas Poblach

There is circulated Report No. LA-3-14 (19kb pdf) dated 12 February, 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which updates Members on the Council’s recent successful bid to Scottish Government for grant funding towards undertaking a design workshop (or Charrette) aimed at delivering regeneration in Fort William Town Centre.  This opportunity follows the recent publication of a review of Scotland’s town centres, and a subsequent Town Centre Action Plan published by the Scottish Government.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the successful funding bid and current progress in preparations towards
   the charrette events aimed at delivering regeneration in Fort William Town
   Centre; and
ii. agree to continue assisting officers in promoting and positively engaging
   communities, businesses and local interest groups in the forthcoming
   charrette event.

7. Capital Investment in Schools in the Lochaber Area
    Cosg Calpa Foghlaim ann an Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No. LA-4-14 (48kb pdf) dated 17 February 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an overview of the current and proposed investment in schools and community facilities in the area. The report also provides details of some of the potential benefits to the local economy in terms of employment and apprenticeships.

The Committee is asked to note and welcome the level of investment in schools and community facilities in the Lochaber area along with the considerable education and skills benefits arising from the schools projects.

8. Corran  Ferry – Socio Economic Study of Ferry Fares
    Aiseag a’ Chorrain – Sgrùdadh Sòiseo-eaconamach air Faraidhean
    Aiseige

There is circulated Report No. LA-5-14 (17kb pdf) dated 14 February 2014 by the Director of Community Services which reminds Members that the draft socio-economic study, circulated separately as Booklet A (1227kb pdf), prepared by AECOM consultants, was considered by the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee on 6 February 2014 and has now been issued for consultation.  As part of the consultation, the Lochaber Area Committee are asked to consider the contents of the report and advise on any comments they may have on the study such that these may be presented to the next available Community Services Committee to allow the Council to set a strategy for future fare increases at Corran Ferry.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. comment on the draft socio–economic study; and
ii. note that their comments, along with all other comments received on the
   draft socio-economic study, will be reported back to the next available
   Community Services Committee to allow the Council to set a strategy for
   future fare increases at Corran Ferry.

9. Deprived Area Fund 2014-17
    Maoin Sgìrean Bochda 2014-17

There is circulated Report No. LA-6-14 (63kb pdf) dated 13 February 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which invites Members to consider recommendations for the allocation of the Deprived Area Fund for 2014-15 in the Lochaber Area.

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

i.  Lochaber Hope - £9,519;
ii. Shirlie Project - £4,360; and
iii. West Highland College - £9,970

10. Housing and Property Services Performance Report - 1 April 2013
      to 31 December 2013
      Aithisg Dèanadais Seirbheis an Taigheadais is na Seilbhe – 1
      Giblean 2013    gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2013

There is circulated Report No. LA-7-14 (102kb pdf)  dated 30 January 2014 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how the Housing and Property Service performed in relation to Scottish Social Housing Charter and other 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 2013 to 31 December 2013.

11. Mallaig High School Associated School Group Overview
      Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidhnean Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-
      sgoil Mhalaig

There is circulated Report No. LA-8-14 (179kb pdf) dated 10 February 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Mallaig High School Associated School Group and provides useful updated links of further information in relation to these schools.

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

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

There is circulated Report No. LA-9-14 (21kb pdf) dated 20 January 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 Lochaber area, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Committee is invited to:-

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

13. Provision and Maintenance of Council Owned Playing Fields in
      Lochaber
      Solar agus Cumail Suas Raointean-cluiche fo Sheilbh na Comhairle
      ann an  Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No. LA-10-14 (100kb pdf) dated 12 February 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which lists the playing fields in the Lochaber area which are the responsibility of the Council and High Life Highland and describes the maintenance arrangements currently in place. The report also outlines the provision which will be made as part of the new school building programme for multi-use games areas which will be available for community use and an update on the requests from Fort William FC and Fort William Shinty Club in regard to Claggan Park and An Aird respectively.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the report.

14. Grounds Maintenance Programme
      Prògram Cumail Suas Raointean

There is circulated Report No LA-11-14 (294kb pdf) dated 30 January 2014 by the Director of Community Services which details the arrangements for delivering Grounds Maintenance Services and the resources and budgets available.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the grounds maintenance service for 2014/15 as set out in the
   report; and
ii. note the on-going arrangements for managing the grounds maintenance
   service for the Lochaber Area and future engagement with Ward Members
   in relation to identifying the appropriate standards at specific sites.

15. Lochaber Play Park Development – Naturally Play Project Review
      Solar Cluiche ann an Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No. LA-12-14 (141kb pdf) dated 13 February 2014 by the Director of Community Services which provides an update on the ‘Lochaber Naturally Play’, play park development project highlighting the outcomes achieved to date and the challenges faced.

The Committee is invited to approve the proposals for the final work plan detailed in section 3 of the report.

16. Street Naming – Renaming of Existing Road, Hillside Estate, Fort
      William
      Ainmeachadh Sràide – Ath-ainmeachadh Rathaid a th’ ann mar-
      thà, Oighreachd Taobh a’ Chnuic, An Gearasdan

There is circulated Report No. LA-13-14 (11kb pdf) dated 10 February, 2014 by the Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement which invites Members to homologate the naming of the road between Argyll Road and Loch View as ‘Heathercroft Road’ to standardise the addresses that take access from this road.

The Committee is invited to homologate the naming of the road area between Argyll Road and Loch View as ‘Heathercroft Road’.

17. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated, for noting, Minutes of Meeting of the Lochaber Area Committee held on 25 November 2013, which were approved by the Council on 19 December 2013.