Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee will take place in Talla nan Ros, King Street, Kingussie on Thursday 25 September 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/
Director of Corporate Development

Business

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. Recess Powers
    Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2014 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee.

4. Engaging With Police and Fire and Rescue Services at Area Committee
    A’ Com-pàirteachadh le Seirbheisean Poileis agus Smàlaidh is Teasargainn aig Comataidh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No NBS/18/14 dated 10 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform describing the role of Members in engaging with the new national services for Police and Fire and Rescue. It is provided as context for Members in considering the first round of performance reports from the national bodies at Area Committee.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the requirements on the Council for the engagement and scrutiny of Police and Fire and Rescue
    services;
ii.  note the governance arrangements for this purpose through strategic, non-strategic and Area Committees
    as well as partnership arrangements through community planning and district partnerships;
iii. note that local Members have important engagement and scrutiny roles but have no role in specifying
    operational matters or in agreeing resource allocation; and
iv. agree to scrutinise the performance of police and fire and rescue services based on information provide
    separately for the Area Committee and to make use of the good practice guidance for doing this as set out
    in Appendix 2 of the report.

5. Police Scotland – Performance Summary
    Poilis na h-Alba – Geàrr-chunntas Coileanaidh

There is circulated Report No NBS/19/14 dated 5 September 2014 by the Highland South Area Commander for Police which provides a local summary update to Committee Members on progress with reference to the local priorities within the Highland 2014-17 Policing Plan. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and discuss the progress report in relation to the 5 Priorities: Road Safety, Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Misuse, Antisocial Behaviour/Disorder, Crimes of Dishonesty and Protecting People.

6. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Area Committee Plan and Performance Report for 2014-15
    Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba – Plana Comataidh Sgìreil agus Aithisg Choileanaidh airson
    2014/15

There is circulated Report No NBS/20/14 dated 8 September 2014 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue which sets out the key areas of planned activity and performance identified during Ward consultation sessions in 2013.  In this regard, there are also circulated, separately:-

i. Area Committee Plan for Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey for 2014-15 (Booklet A); and
ii. Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee Performance Report (Booklet B).

Activity areas are identified through a range of intervention, prevention and protection activities delivered in partnership to reduce risk to the communities in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey.

The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise both the Area Committee Plan for 2014-15 and Performance Report.

7. Communities Panel Development
     Leasachadh Phanail Choimhearsnachdan

There is circulated Report No NBS/21/14 dated 10 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform which summarises the approach to developing the Council’s new Communities Panel.  Members are asked to note the report and suggest any other groups that should be invited to be part of the Communities Panel.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the approach to developing the Communities Panel outlined at section 2 of the report; and
ii. consider and, if appropriate, suggest additional representative groups to be included in the draft invitation
    list provided at Appendix 1 of the report.

8. Carbon CLEVER
    Càrbon CIALLACH

There is circulated Report No NBS/22/14 dated 15 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform which provides an update on the Carbon CLEVER initiative and asks Members to consider how the initiative can be developed in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree that the Climate Change Team work with local organisations, stakeholders and community groups to
    gain an insight into local opportunities and priorities to inform the Carbon CLEVER Programme Plan, and to
    discuss how this could best be achieved;
ii. discuss how to effectively promote the Carbon CLEVER Declaration to businesses and organisations in Nairn
    and Badenoch and Strathspey; and
iii. discuss the potential benefit of a Carbon CLEVER Community Grants Fund in Nairn and Badenoch and
    Strathspey and how a Highland ideas bank would be best utilised for organisations in the local area.

9. Redesign of Health and Social Care Services in Badenoch and Strathspey: Consultation Response
    Ath-dhealbhadh Seirbheisean Slàinte is Cùraim Shòisealta ann am Bàideanach agus Srath Spè:
    Freagairt Cho-chomhairle

There is circulated Report No NBS/23/14 dated 12 September 2014 by the Ward Manager which asks the Committee to homologate the Council’s response to the NHS Highland Consultation on the Redesign of Health and Social Care Services in Badenoch and Strathspey.

The Committee is invited to homologate the consultation response attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

10. EU Regional Programmes and Funding Opportunities for Highland
      Prògraman Roinneil an Aonaidh Eòrpaich agus Cothroman Maoineachaidh airson na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No NBS/24/14 dated 9 September 2014 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides a summary update of the development of the 2014-20 European funding programmes as they impact on the Highland Council area.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report and to contribute ideas for local development in the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey area for further development with the Council’s European Team with a view to seeking European funding.

11. Update on Nairn Town Centre Action Plan
       Fios às Ùr mu Phlana-gnìomh Meadhan Baile Inbhir Narann

There is circulated Report No NBS/25/14 dated 15 September 2014 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which updates Members on the feedback from a consultation event aimed at addressing Town Centre Regeneration in Nairn, and subsequent progress on the preparation of a Nairn Town Centre Action Plan.  This will set out a portfolio of preferred projects to increase footfall in the town centre and is intended to assist in applications for funding towards delivering such improvements.

A draft version of the Nairn Town Centre Action Plan is now being prepared reflecting the outcomes of the event.  This report seeks approval for a draft version of the Town Centre Action Plan to be finalised and published for consultation.  The consultation will enable officers to consider any comments when progressing the Action Plan towards adoption as non-statutory Supplementary Guidance.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the shared priorities identified by participants at the Town Centre event;
ii. agree that a draft version of the Nairn Town Centre Action Plan be finalised and published for consultation,
    based on the structure and format presented at Committee; and
iii. agree that Members and officers work in collaboration with community representatives in delivering the
    outcomes identified.

12. Grounds Maintenance Performance Monitoring Report
       Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Dèanadais a thaobh Gleidheadh Raointean

There is circulated Report No NBS/26/14 dated 8 September 2014 by the Director of Community Services which details performance management information for the Grounds Maintenance Services to end of August 2014.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. scrutinise the performance management and remedial action information provided on the grounds
   maintenance service set out in the report;
ii. note the management actions taken to address the performance issues identified; and
iii. agree to review required service standards at future Ward Business Meetings.

13. Winter Maintenance Plan for 2014/15
       Plana Cumail Suas a’ Gheamhraidh airson 2014/15

There is circulated Report No NBS/27/14 dated 8 September 2014 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on winter maintenance preparations and arrangements for the 2014/15 winter period and invites the Committee to approve the Winter Maintenance Plans for the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area.

The Committee is invited to approve the Winter Maintenance Plans for Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area for 2014/15, which includes the priority road maps presented in Appendix B of the report.

14. Housing Performance Report – 1 April to 30 June 2014
       Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean gu 30 Ògmhios 2014

There is circulated Report No NBS/28/14 dated 2 September 2014 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during the first quarter of 2014/15.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April to 30 June 2014.

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

There is circulated Report No NBS/29/14 dated 8 September 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 Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey area, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee is invited to:-

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

16. Landfill Communities Fund
      Maoin Làraich Sgudail Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No NBS/30/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Community Services which invites Members to approve applications to the Highland Council Landfill Communities funding.

The Committee is invited to approve the applications.

17. Capital Projects – Investing in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey
       Pròiseactan Calpa – A’ Tasgadh ann an Inbhir Narann agus Bàideanach agus Srath Spè

There is circulated Report No NBS/31/14 dated 20 August 2014 by the Director of Finance which lists the capital projects included in the Council’s capital programme being delivered in the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey area in financial year 2014/15 and the in-year budgets for these projects.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the budgeted capital projects being delivered in the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey area in 2014/15.

18. Nairn Common Good Fund
       Maoin Math Coimhearsnachd Inbhir Narann

There is circulated Report No NBS/32/14 dated 12 September 2014 by the Director of Finance and the Inverness City Manager which asks Members to note the position of the Nairn Common Good Fund (NCGF) as shown in the Quarter 1 Monitoring Statement and provides an update on the ongoing review of the NCGF which is on target for completion by the end of this financial year.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the position of the Nairn Common Good Fund as shown in the Quarter 1 Revenue Monitoring Statement
   against budget;
ii. the ongoing progress in the implementation of the management plan for the NCGF with a completion date of
   1 April 2015; and
iii. the progress being made on the provision of an Investment Strategy for the Nairn Common Good Fund.

19. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee held on 11 June 2014, which were approved by the Council on 26 June 2014.