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 23 September 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. 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 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee.

4. Presentation: Cairngorms Business Partnership
    Taisbeanadh: Com-pàirteachas Gnìomhachais a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh

There will be a presentation by Mark Tate, Chief Executive, Cairngorm Business Partnership (CBP), on the role of the CBP with a focus on the delivery of the Cairngorms Economic Strategy.

5. Police Scotland – Area Performance Summary
    Poileas Alba – Geàrr-chunntas Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated joint Report No NBS/14/15 dated 7 September 2015 by the South Highland Area Commander which provides a local summary update on progress with reference to the local priorities within the Highland 2014-2017 Policing Plan.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and discuss the progress report and updates in relation to the five priorities, namely, Road Safety; Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Misuse; Antisocial Behaviour/Disorder; Crimes of Dishonesty; and Protecting People.

6. Scottish Fire and Rescue Area Committee Performance Report for 2015-16
    Aithisg Coileanaidh Comataidh Sgìreil Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba airson 2015-16

There is circulated Report No NBS/15/15 dated 7 September 2015 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland which provides an update on the progress against the priorities outlined in the Area Committee Plan for Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey 2015-2016.  Priority areas are identified through a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities delivered in partnership to reduce risk to the communities of Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey.  The report also contains previously agreed information and performance as requested by Committee Members.

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

7. Development Planning for Nairn/Nairn South Masterplan
    Dealbhadh Leasachail airson Prìomh Phlana Inbhir Narann/Inbhir Narann a Deas

There is circulated Report No NBS/16/15 dated 11 September 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which sets out the actions required to deliver a new Nairn South Masterplan. The need for a new Nairn South Masterplan follows the recommendations of the Examination Report to the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree for the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan Action Programme to include an action to prepare a
    delivery strategy for sites in Nairn;
ii. agree to the preparation of a Transport Appraisal (as scoped in Appendix 2 of the report) to guide the revision of a
    draft Nairn South Masterplan for consultation; and
iii. agree that Council officials work with the community, landowners and developer interests to prepare a draft Nairn
    South Masterplan for approval at the next appropriate Committee.

8. Nairn Community Town Centre Plan
    Plana Meadhan Baile Coimhearsnachd Inbhir Narann

There is circulated Report No NBS/17/15 dated 10 September 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which outlines responses to the public consultation on the Draft Nairn Town Centre Action Plan and presents a finalised version for Members’ approval.  In response to the consultation, the Plan title has been changed to Nairn Community Town Centre Plan.  The purpose of the 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 reflects shared priorities for the future of the town centre and will place the town in a strong position to compete for funding awards.

The finalised Plan is contained in Appendix A and a summary of comments received and recommended responses are set out in Appendices B and C.  Following approval by the Committee, the 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 invited to:-

i.  note that the Nairn Community Town Centre Action Plan at Appendix A reflects shared priorities for the future of
    the town centre, in particular projects that could be delivered should funding opportunities arise;
ii. agree that the Plan becomes non-statutory planning guidance and is treated as a material consideration in
    determining planning applications; and
iii. note the comments received during the Nairn Town Centre Action Plan consultation and agree to the
    recommended Council responses presented in Appendices B and C.

9. Advice and Information Services: End of Year Monitoring
    Seirbheisean Comhairle agus Fiosrachaidh: Sgrùdadh Deireadh Bliadhna

There is circulated Report No NBS/18/15 dated 31 August 2015 by the Director of Finance which explains that advice and information services are recognised as a critical approach in alleviating poverty in the Council’s Programme and Single Outcome Agreement.  The report provides Members with the end of year monitoring of advice and information services in Highland for 2014/15.

The Committee is invited to consider:-

i.  the level of support provided to customers across Highland in 2014/15; the continued increase in demand for
    these services; and the pressures associated in delivering the intensive resource required to resolve complex
    cases;
ii. the positive impact of the Mental Health Project in addressing issues presented by vulnerable clients which has
    current funding until end of March 2016;
iii. the positive impact of the Reaching the Unreached service in preventing households being evicted and avoiding
    additional pressures on the Council’s homeless services.  This service has Scottish Legal Aid Board funding until
    end of September 2016;
iv. the potential of the Midwifery project to support new and expectant mothers in the Highlands to maximise their
    incomes which has funding until end of May 2016; and
v. the outcomes being achieved in supporting Highland residents to mitigate the effects of poverty.

10. Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund 2015/16
      Maoin Tabhartais Coimhearsnachd Càrboin CIALLAICH 2015/16

There is circulated Report No NBS/19/15 dated 8 September 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which sets out the applications received for the Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund in Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey for 2015/16.  It details the background to the fund, together with a summary of applications, assessments and funding recommendations.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the funding recommendations from the Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund as follows:-

Ref.      Applicant Organisation                          Recommended Award

11570   Grantown Museum and Heritage Trust       £7,190

             Total                                                     £7,190

ii. agree to defer a funding decision on the application by Lovat Lodge Hotel Ltd so that guidance can be provided to
    the applicant in respect of the fund’s key assessment criteria; and
iii. discuss and agree whether to a) promote another round of funding this financial year (2015/16) with a closing
    date of 4 November 2015; or b) carry the potential underspend of £12,810 forward to 2016/17.

11. Winter Maintenance Priority Network - 2015/16
      Lìonra Prìomhachais Obair-gleidhidh Geamhraidh – 2015/16

There is circulated Report No NBS/20/15 dated 21 August 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides Members with information on winter maintenance service provision and invites the Committee to agree the priority network of Primary and Secondary routes within Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey.

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

12. Grounds Maintenance Performance Monitoring Report
      Aithisg Sgrùdaidh mu Choileanadh Obair-gleidhidh Raointean

There is circulated Report No NBS/21/15 dated 2 September 2015 by the Director of Community Services which details performance management information for the Grounds Maintenance Service from April to August 2015.

The Committee is invited to:-

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

13. Housing Performance Report
      Aithisg Coileanaidh a thaobh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No NBS/22/15 dated 4 September 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to the 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. Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme Update
      Cunntas às Ùr mu Phrògram Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No NBS/23/15 dated 4 September 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on the status of the Housing Revenue Account Capital Projects within the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area and the survey of Tenant satisfaction with HRA Capital Programme works in 2014/15.

The Committee is invited to note the status of current capital projects contained in the report and the results from the survey of Tenant satisfaction with HRA Capital Programme works 2014/15.

15. Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Update
      Cunntas às Ùr mu Rothaireachd, Coiseachd agus Sràidean nas Sàbhailte

There is circulated Report No NBS/24/15 dated 7 September 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which invites Members to approve the projects delivered through the Scottish Government funding for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets for the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the projects 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 Routes to School Projects
    for future years.

16. Capital Projects – Investing in the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area
      Pròiseactan Calpa – A’ Tasgadh ann an Sgìre Inbhir Narann agus Bhàideanach agus Shrath Spè

There is circulated Report No NBS/25/15 dated 24 August 2015 by the Director of Finance which lists the capital projects included in the Council’s capital programme being delivered in the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey area in financial year 2015/16 and the in-year budgets for these projects.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the budgeted capital projects being delivered in the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey area in 2015/16.

17. Nairn Common Good Fund – Update Report
      Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Narann – Aithisg Ùrachaidh

There is circulated joint Report No NBS/26/15 dated 10 September 2015 by the Director of Finance and the Inverness City Manager which asks Members to note the position of the Nairn Common Good Fund (NCGF) as shown in the Quarter 1 Monitoring Statement.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the position of the Nairn Common Good Fund as shown in the Quarter 1 Revenue Monitoring Statement
    against Budget; and
ii. consider the progress being made on the provision of both the Asset Register and an Investment Strategy for the
    Nairn Common Good Fund.

18. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee held on 10 June 2015, which were approved by the Council on 25 June 2015.

19. 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.

20. Request for Sale of Land at Balmakeith Industrial Estate, Nairn
      Iarrtas airson Fearann a Reic aig Àrainn Gnìomhachais Bhaile Mac Càidh, Inbhir Narann

There is circulated to Members only Report No NBS/27/15 dated 9 September 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure in relation to a request for sale of land at Balmakeith Industrial Estate, Nairn.

The Committee is invited to consider the request and recommendation as set out in the report.

21. Urgent Additional Item:
      Nairn Common Good Ground: Parkdean Holiday Parks Limited – Lease Variation

There is circulated to Members only Report No NBS/28/15 dated 16 September 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure in relation to a proposal to vary the lease in respect of Parkdean Holiday Park, Nairn.

The Committee is invited to consider the recommendations as set out in the report.