Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee will take place in The Chamber, The Court House, High Street, Nairn on Thursday 4 December 2014 at 9.30 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. Land Reform
    Ath-leasachadh Fearainn

There is circulated Report No NBS/33/14 dated 20 November 2014 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which summarises the recommendations of the Government’s Land Reform Review Group which are most relevant to the Council.  It also presents the Council’s recent involvement in supporting land reform in the Highlands and the Council’s partnership with Community Land Scotland.  Representatives of Community Land Scotland will attend the meeting to discuss the role the Area Committee can play in advancing land reform towards the Government’s 2020 target.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the findings of the Land Reform Review Group published in May 2014;
ii.  note the extent of the Council’s current involvement in supporting land reform in the Highlands; and
iii. agree to promote the cause of land reform within Badenoch and Strathspey.

4. Countryside Ranger Activity
    Gnìomhachd nam Maor-dùthcha

There is circulated Report No NBS/34/14 dated 20 November by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which summarises the events programme delivered by the Council’s Countryside Ranger team in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey during 2014/15 and the resources allocated to the activities.  The report also presents the activities proposed within Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey for financial year 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the content of the report, including highlights of the work of the Countryside Rangers in Nairn and
   Badenoch and Strathspey during 2014/15; and
ii. approve the proposed priorities and activities programme for financial year 2015/16.

5. Housing Performance Report – 1 April to 30 September 2014
    Aithisg Dèanadais Taigheadais – 1 Giblean gu 30 Sultain 2014

There is circulated Report No NBS/35/14 dated 18 November 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 half of 2014/15.

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

6. Landfill Communities Fund
    Maoin Choimhearsnachdan Làraich Sgudail

There is circulated Report No NBS/36/14 dated 13 November 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.

7. Nairn Common Good Fund – Annual Report 2013/14 and Quarter 2 Monitoring Report
    Maoin Math Choitcheann Inbhir Narann – Aithisg Bhliadhnail 2013/14 agus Aithisg-sgrùdaidh Ràithe 2

There is circulated Report No NBS/37/14 dated 20 November 2014 by the Director of Finance and the Inverness City Manager which asks Members to note the Nairn Common Good Fund (NCGF) Annual Report 2013/14 and the position of the NCGF as shown in the Quarter 2 Monitoring Statement.  The report also provides an update on the ongoing review of the NCGF.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the Nairn Common Good Fund Annual Report for 2013/14;
ii.  note the position of the Nairn Common Good Fund and the amended outturn as shown in the Quarter 2
    Monitoring Statement against budget;
iii. note that a draft Investment Strategy for the Nairn Common Good Fund will be brought before the
    Committee in March 2015; and
iv. agree that update reports continue to be brought before the Area Committee.

8. Minutes
    Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee held on 25 September 2014, which were approved by the Council on 30 October 2014.