Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Lochaber Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Lochaber House, High Street, Fort William on Tuesday, 25 August 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

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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 25 June 2015 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Lochaber Area Committee.

4. Police – Performance Summary           
Poilis - Geàrr-chunntas an Dèanadais

There is circulated Report No LA/18/15 dated 30 July 2015 by the Highland South Area Commander for Police providing 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 and updates in relation to the 5 Priorities: Road Safety, Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Misuse, Antisocial Behaviour/Disorder, Crimes of Dishonesty and Protecting People.

5. Scottish Fire and Rescue Area Committee Performace Report for 2015-16                                                        
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn 2015-16

There is circulated Report No LA/19/15  dated 12 August 2015 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue, together with the accompanying Lochaber Area Performance Report (Booklet A), providing an update on progress against the priorities outlined in the Area Committee Plan for Lochaber 2015-2016.  Priority areas are identified through a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities delivered in partnership to reduce risk to the communities in Lochaber.  The report also contains previously agreed information and performance as requested by Members

The Committee is invited to comment and scrutinise the Area Performance Report.

6. Capital Projects – Investing in the Lochaber Area     
Pròiseactan Calpa – A’ Tasgabh ann an Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No LA/20/15 dated 17 July 2015 by the Director of Finance listing the capital projects included in the Council’s capital programme being delivered in the Lochaber area in financial year 2015/16 and the in-year budgets for these projects.

The Committee is invited to note the budgeted capital projects being delivered in the Lochaber area in 2015/16.

7. Planning Guidance for Rum and Land Adjoining Aonach Mor Access Road
Stiùireadh Dealbhaidh airson Rùm agus Talamh Ri Taobh Rathad Cothruim an Aonaich Mhòir

There is circulated Report No. LA/21/15 dated 10 August 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure outlining the context for, and content of, detailed planning guidance produced for the Isle of Rum Community Trust (IRCT) for Kinloch on Rum, and Forestry Enterprise Scotland (FES), an agency of Forestry Commission Scotland for land either side of the Aonach Mor base station access road.

The Committee is asked to:-

i. note the thorough plan formulation and consultation processes used by IRCT and FES to produce the guidance;
ii. approve the Isle of Rum Community Land Use Plan as Interim Supplementary Guidance pending its incorporation within the West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan; and
iii. approve the Nevis Forest and Mountain Resort Masterplan as Interim Supplementary Guidance pending its incorporation within the West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan.

8. Draft Fort William Town Centre Action Plan
Dreachd Phlana-gnìomh Meadhan Baile a’ Ghearasdain

There is circulated Report No. LA/22/15 dated 11 August 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure outlining responses to the public consultation on the Draft Fort William Town Centre Action Plan and presenting a finalised version for Members’ approval.  The purpose of the Action Plan is to highlight projects that could be delivered should funding opportunities arise, or where planning applications might help to make these a reality.  The Plan will also place the town in a strong position to compete for funding opportunities that may come forward. The finalised Action Plan is contained in Appendix A of the report and a summary of comments received and recommended responses are set out in Appendix B.  Following approval by the Committee, the Action Plan will become non-statutory planning guidance, which will be a material consideration in development management decision-making and a useful tool in supporting funding applications.

The Committee is asked to:-

i. approve the Fort William Town Centre Action Plan at Appendix A of the report as non-statutory planning guidance;
ii. agree to the Action Plan being treated as a material planning consideration for development management purposes; and
iii. note the comments received during the For William Town Centre Action Plan consultation and agree to the recommended Council responses contained in Appendix B of the report.

9. Kinlochleven High School Associated School Group Overview         
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-sgoil Cheann Loch Lìobhann

There is circulated Report No LA/23/15 dated 10 August 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning providing an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Kinlochleven High School Associated School Group and providing useful updated links to further information in relation to these schools.

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

10. Winter Maintenance Priority Network - 2015/16     
Plana Obair-càraidh Geamhraidh -  2015/16

There is circulated Report No LA/24/15 dated 7 August 2015 by the Director of Community Services providing information on winter maintenance service provision and invites Members to agree the network of Primary and Secondary Priority routes within Lochaber.

The Committee is invited to agree the Winter Maintenance priority network of Primary and Secondary roads, as presented in the report, for the 2015/16 winter service period.

11. Grounds Maintenance Performance Monitoring Report                      
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh a thaobh Cumail Suas Raointean

There is circulated Report No LA/25/15 dated 11 August 2015 by the Director of Community Services detailing performance management information of the Grounds Maintenance Services from April to June 2015.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. scrutinise the performance management and remedial action information provided on the grounds maintenance service as set out in the report;
ii. note the management action taken to address the performance issues identified; and
iii. agree to review required service standards at future Ward Business Meetings.

12. Transport Programme     
Ath-sgrùdadh air Seirbheisean Bus

There is circulated Report No. LA/26/15 dated 13 August 2015 by the Director of Community Services informing Members of the consultation process which is planned for autumn 2015, in advance of the retendering of bus service contracts across Highland in 2016. The process will include a Member briefing and a public consultation event in Lochaber.

The Committee is asked to note the planned consultation programme, and the outline timetable and key steps for the forthcoming tender process which are being recommended to the Community Services Committee on 20 August 2015.

13. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2015-30 June 2015    
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2015 – 30 Ògmhios 2015

There is circulated Report No. LA/27/15 dated 6 August 2015 by the Director of Community Services providing information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during the first quarter of 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on Housing Performance in the period 1 April to 30 June 2015.

14. HRA Capital Programme Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Phrògram Calpa HRA

There is circulated Report No. LA/28/15 dated 11 August 2015 by the Director of Community Services providing information on the status of the Housing Revenue Account Capital Projects within the Lochaber Area.

The Committee is asked to note:-

i.  the status of current capital projects contained in this report; and
ii. that further work is needed to explore possible external funding for Phase 2 of the external insulation work at Plantation.

15. Highland Council Scottish Housing Quality Standards Energy Upgrading Process Briefing Report 
Aithisg Brath-ullachaidh mu Phròiseas Leasachaidh Lùtha Inbhean Càileachd Taigheadais na h-Alba aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. LA/29/15 dated 7 August 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure providing an outline of how the Council have assessed the requirements for upgrading of Council houses to comply with the Scottish Housing Quality Standards for energy efficiency.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

16. Carbon Clever Community Grant Fund 
Maoin Thabhartasan Coimhearsnachd Càrboin Chiallaich

There is circulated Report No. LA/30/15 dated 11 August 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform setting out the applications received for the Carbon CLEVER community grant fund in Lochaber for 2015-16.  It also details the background to the fund, together with a summary of applications, the assessments and funding recommendations.

The Committee is asked to agree:-

i. agree the funding recommendations, totaling £10,734.38, as follows:-
• Knoydart Foundation -£6,934.38 with conditions
• Spean Bridge Community Hall – Defer
• Mallaig & District Swimming Pool - £3,800
ii. to defer a funding decision on Spean Bridge Community Hall’s application until the next Lochaber Area Committee and, at that time if funding remains available, Members can decide whether to promote another round of funding this year or to carry it forward into 2016/17; and
iii. that the revenue costs of £1,620 detailed in Knoydart Foundation’s  application should be considered under the Ward 12 Discretionary Budget at the next Ward Business Meeting.

17. Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Programme  
Prògram Rothaireachd, Coiseachd agus Sràidean nas Sàbhailte

There is circulated Report No. LA/31/15 dated 30 June 2015 by the Director of Community Services inviting Members to approve the projects delivered through the Scottish Government funding for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets (CWSS) for the Lochaber area, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the CWSS/Safer Route to Schools Project detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. note that the Road Safety Unit will continue to work with schools to develop further Safer Route to Schools Projects for future years.

18. An Aird Trust – Appointment of Trustees 
Urras na h-Àirde – Cur Urrasairean an Dreuchd

There is circulated Report No. LA/3215 dated 10 August 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform seeking homologation of Councillor Thomas MacLennan and Councillor Brian Murphy to the An Aird Trust.

The Committee is asked to homologate the appointment of Councillor Thomas MacLennan and Councillor Brian Murphy to the An Aird Trust.

19. Minutes                                                                                                   
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Lochaber Area Committee held on 21 May 2015 which were approved by the Council on 25 June 2015.