Agendas, reports and minutes

Minute of Meeting of the Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area Committee held in the Chamber, Dingwall, on Wednesday 4 February 2015, at 10.30 am.

Present: 

Dr D Alston, Mrs J Barclay, Mrs B Campbell, Dr I Cockburn, Mr M Finlayson, Mr C Fraser, Hr H Fraser, Mr J Gordon, Mr R Greene, Mr G Mackenzie, Mr A Mackinnon, Mrs A MacLean, Mrs I McCallum, Mr D Millar, Mr M Rattray, Mr A Rhind, Mrs F Robertson, Dr A Sinclair, Mrs M Smith and Mr J Stone.

Officials in Attendance:

Mr D Haas, Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement
Ms D Ferguson, Senior Ward Manager, Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Inspector John Beeston, Police Scotland
Mr S Hay, Local Senior Officer for the Highland Area, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Mr P Green, Group Manager, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Mr M McIntyre, Area Education Manager - Mid, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Ms N Young, Area Education Manager - West, Education, Culture and Sport Service 
Mrs H Ross, Senior Ward Manager, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Ms D Agnew, Ward Manager, Black Isle, Dingwall and Seaforth 
Ms T Luxton, Area Community Services Manager
Mr B Mackinnon, Employability Team Leader, Development and Infrastructure
Mr G Duff, Countryside Manager 
Mr J Phillips, Senior Ranger, Skye, Lochalsh and Ross and Cromarty 
Ms M Melville, Skye and Lochalsh Ranger 
Ms S Tarrant, Public Relations Officer, Chief Executive’s Service
Mrs A MacArthur, Administrative Assistant, Corporate Development Service
Mr S Fyffe, Civic Officer, Finance Service
Mr A Rattanaphithak, Civic Officer – Youth Trainee

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee. 

Mr H Fraser in the Chair 

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mrs M Paterson, Mr I Renwick and Mrs C Wilson.

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

The Committee NOTED the following declarations of interest:

• Item 5 – Angela MacLean (non-financial) 
• Item 12 – Alister Mackinnon (financial)

3. Police – Area Performance Summary
Poilis – Geàrr-chunntas an Dèanadais Sgìreil

There had been circulated Report No SRC/001/15 by the Area Commander for Police which updated Members on progress with reference to the local priorities within the Highland 2014-2017 Policing Plan.

The report summarised road safety, alcohol and drugs abuse/misuse, antisocial behaviour/disorder, crimes of dishonesty and protection of people.

During discussion, the following comments were made by members: 

• pleased to see the wildlife crime entry in the report as requested, this kind of crime had to be clamped down on to protect the wildlife in the area; 
• information was requested on the Farm Watch conference that was to take place in March 2015 and a request was made that members be informed as to the details;
• the police were to be commended for their assistance in the recent high winds affecting the area, where police had assisted locally with a local response; 

In answer to questions from members, the Inspector commented as follows: 

• anti-social behaviour trauma information was shared under protocols set up between the Highland Council and other housing organisations, the police would share their intelligence prior to the allocation of houses; 
• discussions were ongoing to identify emergency reception centres, through the Emergency Liaison Group, that would be fit for purpose and have the relevant internal facilities;

The Committee:

i. NOTED the progress report in relation to the five Priorities in Highland 2014-2017 Policing Plan: Road Safety, Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Misuse, Antisocial Behaviour/Disorder, Crimes of Dishonesty and Protecting People; and

ii. AGREED that the venue, date and time of the conference on wildlife crime be circulated to Committee members

4. Fire and Rescue Service
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn

There had been circulated Report No SRC/002/15 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue which set out, for scrutiny and comment, the Area Committee Plan for Skye, Ross and Cromarty for 2014-15 and also a Performance Report for Skye, Ross and Cromarty for the period June-November 2014, together with an overview of performance figures for years 2010/11-2013/14. A presentation was also made on the Specialist Equipment review of the Fire Service.

Attention was drawn to an error in the figures in relation to Station Availability on the last page of the Report, the figure for Dingwall availability should be 71% and not 31%.

In answer to questions from members, the Group Manager commented as follows: 

• the figures for availability of an appliance in Dingwall were distorted due to the fact that Dingwall had two appliances giving an average figure of 71%, when in fact the first appliance had been available for 98% of the time;
• should an appliance be called out from Dingwall another appliance would be sent from a neighbouring area to provide cover in Dingwall; 
• presentations on fire crime had been given to schools in the surrounding area; 
• education was important and attendance at Deer Management Groups was being driven by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and approaches would be made, any forthcoming information on dates and times of meetings would be welcomed;

Members were then given a presentation by the Local Senior Officer for the Highland Area on a briefing note from the Highland Council’s Chief Executive on the specialist equipment review paper. The draft report had been presented to the Fire Board on the 29 January 2015, this Board in their governance had provided scrutiny and detail of the fire service in the application of its resources across Scotland. This review had been driven to improve national equity to the specialised equipment held and the related skills associated with the equipment to address imbalances. In Inverness Fire Station sixteen different types of specialised equipment were held, this was a burden in terms of the specialist skills and resources required.

Following discussion, members requested the following: 

• details of the investments made into each locality with regard to capital projects and investment in fire stations;
• a breakdown of the fire stations with two appliances to show the cover availability figures for each appliance;
• a copy of the report on the Specialist Equipment review of the Fire Service that had gone to the Fire Board.

The Committee: 

NOTED: 

i. the Area Committee Plan for Skye, Ross and Cromarty for 2014-15 and the circulated performance information; and

AGREED: 

ii. a request for details of the investments made into each locality within the Area; with regard to capital projects and investment in stations to be brought to the next appropriate Committee;

iii. a request that figures for local fire engine availability be broken down for the fire stations with 2 engines to give a clearer figure for the next appropriate committee; and

iv. that the report on the Specialist Equipment review of the Fire Service that had gone to the Fire Board be circulated to members of the Committee.

5. Associated School Group Overviews
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte 

Declaration of Interest: Mrs A MacLean declared a non-financial interest in this item as her sister was Head Teacher at a Primary School within the Associated School Group but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that her interest did not preclude her involvement in the discussion.

a) Invergordon Academy Associated School Group Overview

There had been circulated Report No SRC/003/15 by the Director of Care and Learning which provided an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Invergordon Academy Associated School Group (ASG) and provided useful links to further information in relation to these schools. 

The Area Education Manager – Mid, outlined the new area structure effective from Monday 2 February 2015 including four new Area Education Managers.

The Committee NOTED the content of the report.

b) Plockton High School Associated School Group Overview 

There had been circulated Report No SRC/004/15 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Plockton High School Associated School Group (ASG) and provided useful links to further information in relation to these schools. 

The Committee NOTED the content of the report.

6. Common Good Funds
Maoin Maith Choitchinn

There had been circulated Reports Nos SRC/005/15 – SRC/009/15 by the Head of Policy and Reform which provided information on each of the five Common Good Funds: Cromarty, Dingwall, Fortrose and Rosemarkie, Invergordon and Tain.

Attention was drawn to an error in the figures in relation to the monitoring statement in Appendix One of the Report, the figure for Mussel Boat Equipment should be “0” and not “8,604”.

Members asked that the style and presentation of the common good reports be given consideration to maintain good governance. 

The Committee NOTED:

i. the updated information provided in relation to each Fund; and

ii. the presentation of common good reports would be given consideration so as to ensure they are presented as required to maintain good governance.

7. Youth Work Funding and Ward Discretionary Funding
Maoineachadh Obair-òigridh agus Maoineachadh fo Ùghdarras Uàird

There had been circulated Report No SRC/010/15 by the Head of Policy and Reform which had invited Members to approve awards of £9,500 youth work funding and £7,165 Ward Discretionary Funding to support the cost of the Tain and District Youth Café YMCA’s Youth and Community Worker, subject to the youth café’s match funding applications also being successful.  Committee approval had been sought as the total funding requested was above £10,000. The report also provided detail about the activities of the Tain and District Youth Café and the Youth and Community Worker post which delivers much of the program.

The Committee AGREED to approve £9,500 Youth Work and £7,165 Ward Discretionary Funding to support the cost of the Tain and District Youth Café YMCA’s Youth and Community Worker.

8. Housing Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

There had been circulated Report No SRC/011/15 by the Director of Community Services which provides Members with information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to the Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during the first nine months of 2014/15.

Following questions from members on the Homeless Prevention Team, the Area Community Services Manager responded as follows: 

• this was not directly managed by the Area Community Services Manager but the response time would depend on available resources, individual circumstances and the information taken at the point of contact; and
• the officers in the Homeless Prevention Team should be travelling to meet the homeless person.

The Committee NOTED the information provided on housing performance in the period from 1 April to 30 June 2014.

9. Council Emergency Response to recent Storms and Electricity Outage
Freagairt Èiginn na Comhairle ri linn Stoirmean is Cion Dealain o Chionn Ghoirid

There had been circulated Report No SRC/012/15 by the Head of Policy and Reform which provided information on the Council’s involvement and reaction to the recent storm and power outages affecting large areas across Skye, Ross and Cromarty.

Members made the following comments:

• buildings with generators required to be identified and become the focal point in villages when they were without power;
• points of contact should be identified within each village; 
• a risk register would be invaluable in every village to identify vulnerable people; 
• it was for local members and community councils to form resilience groups in their areas;
• a poor reaction by the mobile phone companies where some people had no cover for up to a week, this having been impacted by the loss of public telephone boxes;
• thanks went out to the people who had checked on their neighbours, the Emergency Liaison Groups, Scottish Water and also to staff who had all worked tirelessly;

A pilot had been running for two to three years in Lochaber where the community identified their own risks. Three key outcomes had emerged:

• communities now identified their own risks;
• identification of a contact pyramid where each person in the pyramid contacted 2 people; and
• a household resilience kit including a battery torch, candles and warm blankets.

There is a lot of advice on readyscotland.org for communities who are interested. This pilot had been tested twice in real situations and the results would now be spread throughout the Highlands through the ward managers.

Members NOTED the report. 

10. Deprived Area Funds
Maoin Sgìre Bhochd

There had been circulated Report No SRC/013/15 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which made recommendations on the distribution of the Deprived Area Funds to the Area Committee. The Deprived Area Fund Application closing date was 9 January 2015.

The Committee: 

i. NOTED the use of the Deprived Area Fund in 2014-15 as shown in Appendix 1;

ii. APPROVED the 2015-16 grant awards as listed in the Report; and

iii. AGREED that decisions on the remainder of the Funds in 2015-16 be delegated to the Director of Development and Infrastructure following consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee and appropriate Ward Members.

11. Countryside Ranger Role
Dreuchd agus Taisbeanadh nam Maor-dùthcha

There had been circulated Report No SRC/014/15 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which summarises the events programme delivered by the Council’s Countryside Rangers during 2014/15 and the resources allocated to the activities. The report also presents the activities proposed within Skye, Ross and Cromarty for the financial year 2015/16.

The Countryside Manager responded to questions from members stating that the maintenance responsibility for paths depended on the path, some paths were owned by the Council or under a management agreement. Core paths were still the responsibility of the landowner but the Council could help in a number of ways. Funding was also available from Leader for the maintenance of paths.

Members asked if there was a link on the Council website to the various activities, and if not, could this be arranged.

The Committee:

i. NOTED the content of the report, including highlights of the work of the Countryside Rangers in Skye, Ross and Cromarty during 2014/15, and;

ii. APPROVED the proposed priorities and activities programme for the 2015-16 financial year.

iii. NOTED that a link be made available on the website in relation to the Activities Programme for the 2015-16 financial year;

12. Minutes 
Geàrr-chunntas 

Declaration of Interest: Mr A MacKinnon declared a financial interest in this item as his wife was an employee of the Council working in the Dingwall Council Offices but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement.

There had been circulated and were NOTED Minutes of the Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area Committee held on 19 November 2014, which had been approved by the Highland Council at its meeting on 18 December 2014.

Following discussion, Members unanimously AGREED that a request should be made to David O’Neill to invite him to give a presentation to the next Committee on the initial paper that had gone to the Highland Council on ‘broadening and strengthening local democracy’ in order to gather information on the review which was to take place.

Members NOTED that the staff survey in relation to the office refurbishment in Dingwall had been completed.

The meeting ended at 1.45 pm.