Agendas, reports and minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the Community Planning Board held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 2 December 2015 at 1.30 pm.

Present:

Representing the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA):
Mr M Ferguson

Representing the Highland Council (HC):
Mrs M Davidson
Ms M Smith
Mr S Barron
Mr B Alexander
Mr P Mascarenhas

Representing Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE):
Ms C Wright
Mr R Kirk

Representing the Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI):
Mr J Wilson
Ms M Wylie    

Representing NHS Highland (NHSH):
Dr D Alston
Dr H van Woerden 

Representing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS):
Mr S Hay

Representing Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH):
Mr G Hogg

Representing the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI):
Mr M Devenney
    
In attendance:

Mr A McCann, Economy and Regeneration Manager, Highland Council
Ms J Scotson, Business Change Manager, Highland Council
Mr S Dalgarno, Development Plans Manager, Highland Council
Mr D Cowie, Principal Planner, Highland Council
Miss M Murray, Committee Administrator, Highland Council

Mrs M Davidson in the Chair

Business

Preliminaries

The Chairman referred to the earlier Workshop on the Community Planning Improvement Programme and reminded Members to diarise the Improvement Service facilitated sessions on 26 January and 18 February 2016.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr P Argyle and Mr G Moir (Cairngorms National Park Authority); Mr A Rhind, Mrs I McCallum, Ms M Morris, Mr S Black, Ms C McDiarmid, Ms E Johnston and Ms C Bateson (Highland Council); Mr R Muir (Highlands and Islands Enterprise); Mr D McLachlan and Mr I Murray (High Life Highland); Ms E Mead, Mr G Coutts, Mrs J Baird, Ms C Steer and Mr K Oliver (NHS Highland); Chief Superintendent J Innes (Police Scotland); Dr M Foxley and Mr R Iffla (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service); Mr J Pryce (Scottish Government); Mr I Ross (Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Police Authority); and Professor C Mulholland (University of the Highlands and Islands).

2. Minutes of Meetings

i. Community Planning Board

There had been circulated, and were APPROVED, Minutes of the Community Planning Board held on 11 September 2015.

ii. Chief Officers’ Group

There had been circulated, and was NOTED, Note of the Chief Officers’ Group held on 11 November 2015.

3. Delivering Partnership Outcomes

The following updates had been provided by Responsible Officers on the current delivery plans for the Single Outcome Agreement (SOA), the partnership’s agreed strategic priorities and developing partnership working:-

i. Economic Growth and Regeneration

The circulated report by HIE, as lead partner on this theme, summarised the progress that had been made during the first six months of the financial year.  The forecast increase in turnover by supported businesses was £12.5m, £3.4m of which was international trade.  This had led to 115 jobs being created or retained.  However, the pressure on the oil and gas sector continued and a number of companies had downsized, mainly through releasing contractors although in some cases staff had been made redundant.  In relation to broadband provision, the next generation roll-out continued and was now past the halfway mark.  Community Broadband Scotland continued to engage with communities that were unlikely to form part of the current roll-out to discuss alternative models.  There was a healthy pipeline of projects emerging through the HIE account management approach and the report went on to provide details of other areas of activity including the Inverness Campus; tourism; the food and drink sector; Dornoch; Denchi Power in Thurso; and Beatrice Offshore Wind Ltd.

During discussion, Members asked whether there was a need for a regional plan for dealing with the downturn in the oil and gas industry.  In response, it was explained that the full impact of the downturn had not yet been seen.  A member of staff in HIE’s Energy Team was focussed on oil and gas and a mapping exercise of all the companies in the supply chain had been carried out, particularly to understand whether they were involved in capital or operational expenditure as there were different impacts on both sides of the industry.  In addition, work was underway to establish the effect on the contractor workforce and HIE had a good relationship with Global and Orion, who managed a substantial amount of contract work within the oil and gas sector.  As had been seen in other areas where a significant number of people worked offshore – the Western Isles, for example – job losses had a significant impact on small communities and work was ongoing to fully understand the impact and to see how companies could be resilient and diversify into other areas.  The bigger companies such as Global at Nigg had not yet seen any substantial impact but it was important to carefully monitor the situation.

In relation to broadband, this was a top priority and had been the focus of the last CoHi (Convention of the Highlands and Islands) meeting.  BT had given an assurance that, by the end of the year, there would be a clear picture of the areas they were not going to reach.  There were huge areas of Highland where the quality of broadband and mobile coverage was rudimentary and it was essential to understand where the gaps were so that they could be filled.  This would make a significant difference to fragile communities and the need for continuing political pressure was emphasised.

It was highlighted that the Cairngorms National Park Authority had been working with Community Broadband Scotland on an aggregated project that would result in investment of £1.2m in the hardest to reach communities in the National Park.  It was necessary to find a suitable community body to deliver the funding through but, assuming all went well and the project was approved, there would be some associated publicity and progress during the next nine months.  Members commented that communities would take on broadband delivery if necessary but they would rather have an internet provider.  Reference was made to a project in Argyll where a large rural area had come together to provide a sufficient number of customers and it was suggested that this was the way forward in parts of Highland.

At this stage the Chief Executive, Highland Council, provided an update on the City/Region Deal, during which it was explained that the Director of Development and Infrastructure was meeting regularly with representatives of the UK and Scottish Governments.  However, there were issues to be addressed in terms of the particular elements of Highland’s bid in comparison with others.  Highland’s bid was largely about infrastructure funding, as was Glasgow’s, whereas the other two Scottish bids (Aberdeen City/Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders) were significantly different and focussed more on powers.  Further negotiation was required and a deal was still some way from being signed off.

Thereafter, the Board NOTED the update.

ii. Employability

The circulated report by the Council, as lead partner on this theme, explained that the Employability strand of the SOA had two long term outcomes, namely, to widen participation in the labour market across all client groups and across all Highland geographies; and to enable the region’s young people to have the opportunity to flourish and to contribute to the sustainable economic growth of the Highland economy.  As previously reported, the introduction of Universal Credit meant that statistical analysis of progress towards these outcomes had been difficult.  However, during November 2015 the UK Government had started to release, at local level, information on not in work Universal Credit claimants.  Statistics were provided which demonstrated that while total unemployment was low, long-term and youth unemployment remained challenging and there were still pockets of high unemployment.  Increasingly, the client groups that were unemployed were those that needed high levels of support to overcome barriers to entering and remaining in the workforce.  The report went on to provide an update on the ESF Programme 2014-2020, Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy and the Skills Investment Plan.  

The Board NOTED the unemployment situation across Highland and the progress and activity underway in response to the ESF Programme 2014-2020, Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy and the Skills Investment Plan.

iii. Early Years/Children

The tabled report by the Council, as lead partner on this theme, explained that the Council and NHS Highland had agreed a performance framework for children’s services, as outlined in For Highland’s Children 4 (FHC4), and set out the current situation in relation to those measures relating specifically to the early years.  Although significant progress had been made, a number of baselines and targets were yet to be established.  In addition, some processes required to be put in place for collecting data for new outcome targets.  Work within the Early Years Collaborative continued to develop a method and culture for delivering improvement and frontline staff and managers across a range of services were using the Model for Improvement to accelerate change.  This model was consistent with the improvement framework outlined in FHC4 and was increasingly being used within improvement groups and across Family Teams.

During discussion, the following comments were made:-

• in relation to the Family Nurse Partnership, the Director of Public Health, NHS Highland, highlighted that some new research evidence was available which could be circulated to interested parties;
• Members emphasised the importance of the improvement work that was taking place and welcomed the bottom-up approach; and
• outcomes had to be meaningful to people and the attempt to simplify them was welcomed. 

Thereafter, having commended the work being undertaken by children and family teams, the Board NOTED the update.

iv. Safer and Stronger Communities 

In the absence of Chief Superintendent Innes, the Area Manager – Service Delivery, SFRS, provided a verbal update during which it was explained that a Safer Highland meeting had taken place on 1 December 2015.  In relation to the relevant indicators in the SOA, the direction of travel was positive.  Crime had reduced overall and where levels had gone up it was as a result of focus on specific areas and increased reporting.  Particular reference was made to the Inverness Response Team, a report on which would be presented to the next meeting of the Communities and Partnerships Committee.  The success of the partnership approach was emphasised and it was highlighted that the Team had received an award at the Highland Quality Awards.

In response to a question regarding preparedness for the arrival of Syrian Refugees in the new year, it was explained that this would be picked up in the coming months but that, working closely with partners, support and assistance would be provided wherever possible.

The Board otherwise NOTED the update.

v. Health Inequalities and Physical Inactivity

The circulated report by NHS Highland, as lead partner on this theme, explained that, since the last update in June 2015, the Group had completed work on developing a joint understanding of deprivation and inequalities in rural areas of Highland; gained additional funding of £70k through the Legacy 2014 Fund to promote physical activity in Highland; and delivered a multi-agency seminar on inequalities and older people.  Progress had also been made on the specific priorities of Health, Housing and Homelessness; developing a joint approach to ESF funding; physical activity; self-assessment; and organising an anti-poverty event.  Emerging themes for further action included development of an anti-poverty strategy; fuel poverty; and development of a shared calendar of training/events on inequalities.

During discussion regarding the additional funding of £70k, whilst it was understood that a rapid response had been required, the Highland Third Sector Interface had continued to receive queries from third sector organisations as to why the process had not been more transparent and how they could have been more involved.  It was suggested that consideration be given to how to improve transparency and enable third sector participation when funding became available at short notice.

In relation to the Health, Housing and Homelessness Group, it was suggested that consideration be given to including organisations such as Barnardo’s and the Highland Homeless Trust as they dealt specifically with homelessness which related to issues such as drug and alcohol addiction.

Thereafter, the Board:-

i. NOTED the update;
ii. AGREED, in relation to short term funds such as the Legacy 2014 fund, that consideration be given to how to improve transparency and enable third sector participation at short notice; and
iii. AGREED, in relation to the Health, Housing and Homelessness Group, that consideration be given to including organisations such as Barnardo’s and the Highland Homeless Trust.

vi. Outcomes for Older People

The circulated report by NHS Highland, as lead partner on this theme, provided updates on a number of areas of activity including Technology Enabled Care; Quality in Care Homes and Care at Home; Carers; Vision Support Service; Strategic Plan; Development of Commissioning Priorities; and Health Board Development Session.

Having emphasised the need to outline the difficulties as well as the areas where progress was being made, the Board NOTED the update.

vii. Environmental Outcomes

The circulated Report by SNH, as lead partner on this theme, detailed a number of areas of activity.  In particular, information was provided on the action being taken to tackle wildlife crime, including new powers available to SNH to withhold General Licences; the appointment of a Golden Eagle Officer in the Monadhliaths as part of a long term project funded by SSE; and the provision of six new Green Gyms by The Conservation Volunteers with a particular focus on deprived areas.  In relation to the Consultation on the Highland-wide Local Development Plan Main Issues Report and draft Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance, it was highlighted that the deadline had been extended to 29 January 2016.

In addition to the report, information was provided on the Scottish Rural Development Programme which, it was explained, provided resources for rural businesses.  Highland had approximately a third of the land mass of Scotland and rural land management was an important part of the economy.  The overall Programme budget was approximately £500-£600m, 20% of which was expected to be allocated to Highland.  The first round of the Programme was underway and updates would be provided at future meetings.

During discussion regarding the appointment of a Golden Eagle Officer, it was emphasised that people were interested in and protective of local wildlife and it was important that Project Officers made links with communities by working with schools, holding events etc.  As a result of diminishing resources, land management staff had less time to go out and engage with communities and Project Officers were going to be increasingly important in that regard.

At this stage, the Director of Planning and Rural Development, CNPA, informed Members that the Consultation on the Cairngorm and Glenmore Strategy had launched on 1 December 2015 and would last for 12 weeks.  In relation to volunteering, a paper would be presented to the next Park Authority Board on a proposal to develop a comprehensive volunteering initiative for the whole of the Park.  Finally, with regard to feeding back to communities, the CNPA had recently completed a comprehensive visitor survey.  2500 visitors had been interviewed at 30 locations and a summary of the results had been posted to 1200 residents.  The results were extremely positive in terms of the quality of the environment, with feedback scores of approximately 8.8 out of 10.  However, poor broadband, wifi and mobile phone coverage were highlighted as being detrimental to the visitor experience.  Copies of the survey results could be shared with Members if they so wished.

Thereafter, the Board NOTED:-

i. the update; and
ii. that the Consultation on the Highland-wide Local Development Plan Main Issues Report and draft Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance had been extended to 29 January 2016.

viii. Community Learning and Development

The Director of Care and Learning, Highland Council, provided a verbal update during which it was explained that the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Plan had been submitted to Education Scotland.  NHS Highland had yet to name representatives for Inverness East and Inverness West but otherwise a lead officer had been identified for each District and thanks were expressed to partners in that regard.  It was highlighted that a lead had been identified for both Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey as, based on the new area arrangements within the Council, it was assumed that the District Partnership would also split into two.  It was intended to hold a seminar on local CLD plans early in 2016 but this could not be progressed until further decisions had been made in relation to the localism agenda.

The Board NOTED the update.

ix. SOA Development Plan 

The circulated report by the Council provided an update on progress in relation to the SOA Development Plan 2014 to 2018.  Speaking to the report, the Community and Democratic Engagement Manager highlighted a number of areas of activity including the new Local Outcomes Improvement Plans; the provision of evidence to Audit Scotland to demonstrate how the CPP had considered the implications of the Community Empowerment Act; consideration of a new approach to local community planning and the need for partners to adapt their structures accordingly; Participatory Budgeting events carried out by the Council; the CPP approach to Asset Transfers and Participation Requests; the Prevent duty; the use of both the SEP (Socio-Economic Performance) Index and the SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) to identify areas of deprivation; and a proposed CPP conference on poverty reduction/reducing inequalities.

The Board NOTED the update.

4. Partnership Approach to Digital Inclusion

There had been circulated Report No CPB/18/15 by the Depute Chief Executive, Highland Council, which explained that as more and more information, processes and services were going online, the benefits and opportunities for internet users were growing.  The level of digital exclusion was also growing for those who were unable to go online.  The report provided an update on the work that was currently ongoing to address issues surrounding digital inclusion in the Highlands.

The Business Change Manager gave a presentation on Digital Highland which, it was explained, was a partnership approach to digital inclusion in the Highlands.  She referred to the benefits of being online in terms of the financial, social, educational and employability value and the ability to access public and health services.  She also provided a profile of digital use in the Highlands including the areas where and reasons why residents were likely to be digitally excluded, which related mainly to rurality, skills and inclination.  In conclusion, she provided details of the Digital Resilience Project, which had been designed to build a resilient partnership across a local authority area, and outlined the next steps which included undertaking research into barriers to digital inclusion; facilitating a local partnership; recruiting digital champions; providing signposting to support; and promoting and delivering digital skills training.

Following the presentation, the Chair emphasised the importance of this area of work and drew particular attention to the financial benefit of being online.

Thereafter, the Board NOTED:-

i. the progress made on digital inclusion; and
ii. the continuing involvement of partner organisations in the establishment of the Digital Highland partnership.

5. Action Programmes for Inner Moray Firth and Caithness & Sutherland Local Development Plans

There had been circulated Report No CPB/19/15 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which presented two documents known as Action Programmes for consideration and final endorsement by the CPP Board - the final Action Programme for the adopted Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan (IMFLDP) and a proposed Action Programme for the Caithness & Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan which followed consideration by the Chief Officers Group at their most recent meeting.  These documents outlined the actions for public sector partners and developers in working together to coordinate the delivery of infrastructure and services along with new growth and regeneration to improve Highland communities.

During discussion, the following comments were made:-

• Members welcomed the new clearer Action Programme layout; the actions in relation to Invergordon; and the significant amount of investment in the various projects and actions;
• communities had been much more involved and what they wanted was honestly reflected even if it was not deliverable in the short term;
• with regard to the Invergordon section, it was suggested that the Policy Actions marked as having “No capital cost” be amended to “Not known at this stage”;
• in relation to Whiteness, Port of Ardersier Ltd was in administration;
• without prejudice to its more detailed statutory role in relation to Strategic Environmental Assessments, Habitat Regulation Assessments etc, SNH was supportive of the Action Programmes, the direction of travel and the revised approach to signing off Local Development Plans (LDPs);
• communities put huge amounts of effort into responding to LDPs and it was necessary to make the most of that energy.  There were things that could be done simultaneously that would make LDPs even more relevant to people and improve buy-in – for example, reflecting on land management and community aspirations in terms of registering an interest.  Communities needed to think strategically as well as about immediate needs such as affordable housing;
• cross-cutting themes such as tourism needed to be given greater emphasis.  Tourism was the biggest industry in Highland and it was necessary to make some overarching statements in that regard; and
• it was important to liaise with national agencies such as Scottish Water in terms of forward planning.

Thereafter, the Board:-

i. AGREED to provide final endorsement of the Action Programmes for the adopted Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan and the Caithness & Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan, subject to the points raised during discussion; and
ii. NOTED and AGREED the revised approach to signing-off the Caithness & Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan document and all future Local Development Plans.

6. Presentation: Child Sexual Exploitation (3.00 pm)

It was AGREED to defer the presentation to the next meeting of the Board.

7. Future Meeting Dates

The Board AGREED the following dates in 2016 and that the meetings would commence at 10.00 am:-

Friday 18 March 2016
Thursday 30 June 2016
Friday 7 October 2016
Friday 16 December 2016

The meeting ended at 2.25 pm.