Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Community Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 4 June 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. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

Members are advised that tendering arrangements are now complete and an awareness and education campaign is to be launched to advise householders that they can now add a range of new materials to blue bins, including aerosols, tetrapaks, envelopes and certain tubs and trays. The list of materials included and excluded is being agreed with the contractor at present but the most important aspect of the campaign will be to emphasise the need for the materials to be clean and to the Council’s specification.

4. Community Services Service Plan 2015-2017  
Plana Seirbheis nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No COM/16/15 dated 26 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which introduces the 2015-17 Service Plan for Community Services and details how the Service will contribute to the delivery of the Council’s Programme, “Working Together for the Highlands”.

The Committee is invited to comment on the draft Service Plan for 2015-17, agree any amendments required and approve the Plan.

5. Community Services Performance Reports 
Aithisgean Coileanaidh nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd

i. Local Statutory Performance Indicators      
Comharran Coileanaidh Reachdail Ionadail

Following the report presented at the Highland Council meeting on 12 March 2015 detailing the Local Statutory Performance Indicators 2013/14, there is circulated Report No COM/17/15 dated 14 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides specific information on Community Services performance indicators.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the out-turn of Statutory Performance Indicators for 2013/14 and, where relevant, to their national benchmark position.

ii. Community Services Performance Report - 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015    
Coileanadh Seirbheis

There is circulated Report No COM/18/15 dated 15 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how Community Services performed in relation to performance indicators during 2014/15.

The Committee is invited to

i. note the information provided on Community Services performance from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015; and

ii. approve the targets for 2015/16 as detailed in Appendix 3.

6. Community Services Business Continuity Plan 
Plana Leantainneachd Gnothachais nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No COM/19/15 dated 22 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which introduces the Community Services Business Continuity Plan which identifies key business activities delivered by the Service. This Plan, which has been prepared according to a methodology agreed by the Executive Leadership Team, identifies key activities which must be maintained against a range of timeframes. Once adopted, it becomes an integral part of the Council’s overall General Business Continuity Plan and any identified training for staff in its activation will follow, as will testing and periodic (annual) review.

The Committee is asked to approve the Community Services Business Continuity Plan as circulated.

7. Scottish Landfill Communities Fund 
Maoin Coimhearsnachd Làraich-sgudail na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No COM/20/15 dated 19 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides information in regard to the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund. 

The Committee is asked to note the devolution of landfill tax in 2015 and to approve the distribution of the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund as set out in Section 3.3 of the report.

8. Roads Innovation Fund Action Plan Report 
Maoin Ùr-ghnàthachaidh Rathaidean

There is circulated Report No COM/21/15 dated 26 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides an update in regard to the Roads Innovation Fund Action Plan.

The Committee is invited to:-

(i) note progress against the Action Plan;
(ii) approve the reallocation of the fund between actions as detailed in Appendix A of the report;
(iii) note the intention to enter into a partnership arrangement with Moray Council to secure usage of their ‘Jetpatcher’ and agree options for future collaboration; and
(iv) note that an underspend of £303k has been brought forward into 2015/16 to allow completion of the trials.   

9. Transport Programme              
Prògram Còmhdhalach

There is circulated Report No COM/22/15 dated 21 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which confirms that, as part of the Council’s Transport Programme, tenders have been invited for public bus service and school transport contracts in Sutherland to commence in October 2015. 

The report also informs Members of the consultation and tendering process to date and recommends that delegated authority is given to the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Community Services Committee, to agree the awards of contract within the available budget.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree the delegation of authority to the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Community Services Committee, for the sole purpose of the Sutherland contract award decisions;
ii. agree the notification of agreed decisions to Sutherland Members on 23 July; and
iii. note that a follow-up paper will be presented at the next meeting on 20 August 2015.

10. Road Restraint System Repair Programme                                
Prògram Càraidh airson Siostam Cuingealachaidh Rathaidean

There is circulated Report No COM/23/15 dated 20 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides an update on the Road Restraint System Repair Programme.

The Committee is invited to agree the allocations from the 2015/16 Road Restraint System budget as detailed in the report.

11. Consultation on a Proposed Bill relating to Burial and Cremation and other Related Matters in Scotland                                             
Co-chomhairle mu Bhile a Thathar a’ Moladh a thaobh Tiodhlacadh is Losgadh-cuirp agus Gnothaichean Buntainneach eile ann an Alba

There is circulated Report No COM/24/15 dated 26 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services informing Members of the consultation by the Scottish Government which closed in April 2015.     

The Committee is invited to homologate the response made by Officers to this Scottish Government consultation. 

12. Health and Safety Executive: Improvement Notices                  
Cunntas às Ùr HSE

There is circulated Report No COM/25/15 dated 22 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides an update on the actions taken to address the requirements of the Improvement Notices served on the Highland Council on 30 January 2015 with respect to three contraventions of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

The Committee is invited to note the developments highlighted in Section 3 of the report and the positive feedback from the Health and Safety Executive regarding staff at the Diriebught Depot, Inverness.

13. Environmental Health Operational Plan 2015/16                         
Plana Gnìomhach Slàinte Àrainneachd 2015/16

There is circulated Report No COM/26/15 dated 22 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides an update on the Environmental Health Operational Plan for 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to approve the Environmental Health Operational Plan for 2015/16 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

14. Tenant and Customer Engagement Strategy 2015-2020           
Ro-innleachd Conaltraidh Luchd-màil agus Luchd-ceannach

There is circulated Report No COM/27/15 dated 21 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides details of the regulatory requirements to develop and publish a Tenant and Customer Engagement Strategy.

The report also summarises the impact of the Scottish Social Housing Charter in relation to tenant participation and self-assessment arrangements, sets out the process followed to co-produce the strategy with tenant involvement and includes the draft strategy entitled ‘Getting Involved’. An Action Plan designed to support delivery of the strategy outcomes over the period 2015–2018 is also included.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the Tenant and Customer Engagement Strategy and Action Plan for  2015-2020;
ii. approve the Council’s participation in the Scottish Government’s national ‘Stepping up to Scrutiny’ programme as set out in the Action Plan;
iii. note that a comprehensive survey of tenant satisfaction will be undertaken this year;
iv. note that resource implications will be reported through future HRA Revenue Monitoring reports; and
v. consider identifying an Elected Member ‘Champion’ for Tenant and Customer Engagement.

15. Individual House Purchases                                                       
Ceannach Thaighean Fa Leth

There is circulated Report No COM/28/15 dated 26 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which seeks approval to purchase two existing properties as additional houses for affordable rent and homologation of actions taken which have resulted in purchase of a further property for affordable rent.

The report also seeks approval to dispose of a property held on the Housing Revenue Account.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i. that the former Police House, Glencoe, be purchased at the agreed settlement price of £160,000;
ii. that the property at Balmoral Terrace, Inverness, be purchased at the agreed settlement price of £215,000;
iii. the sale of 39, Wells Street, Inverness, subject to the consent of Scottish Ministers and on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Development and Infrastructure; and
iv. to homologate the decision taken to purchase the former Police House at 9a, Viewfield Road, Inverness.     

16. Highland Housing Need and Demand Assessment                    
Measadh air Feum agus Iarrtas airson Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No COM/29/15 dated 21 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides background information on the requirements to produce a Housing Need and Demand Assessment to support the Council’s Local Housing Strategy and Development Plan.

The report also provides information on the key findings of the Housing Need and Demand Assessment for Highland.

The Committee is invited to:-

(i) approve the key issues identified in the Highland Housing Need and Demand Assessment; and
(ii) agree to submit the Housing Need and Demand Assessment to the Scottish Government, seeking confirmation that the analysis is ‘robust and credible’ in terms of guidance, subject to any final comments received on the consultation draft.    

17. Out of Hours Call Handling                                                        
Ath-sgrùdadh air Làimhseachadh Ghairmean Taobh A-muigh Uairean

There is circulated Report No COM/30/15 dated 25 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which confirms that the Highland Council continually pursues opportunities to work in partnership with other public bodies, particularly where there is a financial benefit. In this regard, Out of Hours emergency calls for housing and former Transport, Environmental and Community Services matters have been handled by Police Scotland at the Force Operation Command Centre in Inverness since April 2012 and this arrangement has recently undergone a review, with an alternative option to provide call handling for out of hour calls being identified.  

The Committee is invited to note the benefits and costs involved with each delivery option highlighted within the report and approve the move to a Partnership Agreement with Aberdeen City Council with the implementation date to be agreed between both parties.

18. Annual Monitoring Report – Housing Allocations Policy           
Clàr Taigheadais na Gàidhealtachd – Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No COM/31/15 dated 21 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides annual monitoring information on the operation of the Highland Housing Register allocations policy for 2014/15 and highlights key issues in relation to the supply and demand for social rented housing in Highland.

The Committee is invited to:-

(i) note the information contained in the Annual Monitoring Report on housing allocations;
(ii) agree that to be awarded Need to Reside points for living in the community, applicants must have been resident for at least 12 months prior to the date of offer;
(iii) agree to change the mutual exchange policy so that an exchange would not normally be agreed where there were outstanding tenancy debts; and
(iv) note the ongoing work on an online Highland Housing Register application form and Housing Options website and that further updates will be given at a later date. 

19. Minutes                                                                                        
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for approval Minutes of Meeting of the Harbours Management Board on 24 April 2015.

20. Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

21. Roads and Transport Structure
Structar Rathaidean agus Còmhdhalach

There will follow to Members only Report No COM/32/15 by the Director of Community Services.

22. Changes to Homelessness Services                                          
Atharrachaidhean do Sheirbheisean Cion-dachaigheachd

There is circulated to Members only Report No COM/33/15 dated 22 May 2015 by the Director of Community Services which presents proposals in regard to changes to Homelessness Services.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations as detailed in the report.