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 Wednesday 18 March 2015 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. Police Scotland – Area Performance Summary
    Poilis na h-Alba – Geàrr-chunntas Coileanaidh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No NBS/01/15 dated 5 March 2015 by the Highland South Area Commander, Police Scotland, 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.

4. Scottish Fire and Rescue Area Committee Performance Report for 2014-15 
    Aithisg Coileanaidh Comataidh Sgìreil Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba airson 2014-15

There is circulated Report No NBS/02/15 dated 3 March 2015 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue which details fire and rescue service performance against the key areas of planned activity identified during the Ward consultation sessions. Activity areas were 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 report also includes a briefing paper in relation to the review of specialist equipment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  comment on and scrutinise the Area Performance Report; and
ii. note the briefing paper on the review of specialist equipment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

5. Deprived Area Fund 2015-16 
    Maoin Sgìre Bhochd 2015-16

There is circulated Report No NBS/03/15 dated 4 March 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which invites Members to consider recommendations for the allocation of the Deprived Area Fund for 2015-16 in the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area.  The Deprived Area Fund directly supports the Council’s Programme by assisting organisations working in defined disadvantaged communities to develop and implement activities aimed at improving quality of life and regenerating communities. Priority is given to projects which directly deliver employability outcomes for individuals who live within the targeted area and who are furthest removed from the labour market. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the recommendations as follows:-

  Ref No.   Applicant                                   Amount

   10856      Nairn River Community Council    Defer

   10801      Nairn Citizens Advice Bureau       £9,318

ii. agree to delegate decisions on the balance of the Funds in 2015-16 to the Director of Development and
    Infrastructure in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee and Ward Members.

6. Nairn Academy Associated School Group Overview 
    Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Acadamaidh Inbhir Narann

There is circulated Report No NBS/04/15 dated 5 March 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Nairn Academy Associated School Group (ASG) and provides useful updated links to further information in relation to these schools.

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

7. Housing Performance Report – 1 April to 31 December 2014 
    Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No NBS/05/15 dated 24 February 2015 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 nine months of 2014/15.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April to 31 December 2014.

8. Landfill Community Fund 
    Maoin Coimhearsnachd Làraich-Sgudail

There is circulated Report No NBS/06/15 dated 20 February 2015 by the Director of Community Services which invites Members to approve an application to the Highland Council Landfill Communities Fund.

The Committee is invited to approve the application.

9. Nairn Common Good Fund: 2015/16 Budget Setting and Quarter 3 Monitoring Report for
    2014/15
    Maoin Math Choitcheann Inbhir Narann: Suidheachadh Buidseit 2015/16 agus Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ràithe
    3 airson 2014/15

There is circulated joint Report No NBS/07/15 dated 3 March 2015 by the Director of Finance and the Inverness City Manager which invites Members to set the revenue budget for the Nairn Common Good Fund (NCGF) for the financial year 2015/16. It clarifies:-

• Current governance arrangements
• Anticipated income (primarily from tenancy rentals)
• Proposed expenditure 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

It also asks Members to note the position of the NCGF as shown in the Quarter 3 Monitoring Statement and that progress is being made towards developing an investment strategy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the Nairn Common Good Fund Revenue Budget for 2015/16 as detailed within the report;
ii. note the position of the Nairn Common Good Fund as shown in the Quarter 3 Revenue Monitoring Statement
    against Budget;
iii. note that the draft investment strategy for the Nairn Common Good Fund will now be brought before the June
    Area Committee; and
iv. agree that update reports continue to be brought before Area Committee.

10. Minutes                                                                                                         
      Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee held on 4 December 2014, which were approved by the Council on 18 December 2014.

11. Exclusion of Public
      Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Committee is invited to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

12. Nairn Common Good – Former Marine Road Public Conveniences, Nairn 
      Maoin Math Choitcheann Inbhir Narann – Goireasan Poblach Seann Rathad na Mara, Inbhir Narann

There is circulated to Members only joint Report No NBS/08/15 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and Inverness City Manager in connection with the former Marine Road toilet block, Nairn.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations.