Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 11 May 2016 at 10.30am.

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. Presentation – BT Scotland
Taisbeanadh – BT Alba

A presentation will be given by Mr Brendan Dick, Director, BT Scotland providing an update on the current roll out of superfast broadband across the Highlands.

4. Capital Expenditure Monitoring for Major Projects to 31 March 2016
Sgrùdadh Caiteachais Chalpa airson Phròiseactan Mòra gu 31 Màrt 2016

There is circulated Report No. PDI/21/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which invites Members to approve the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period to 31 March 2016 for all major projects over £1million.

The Committee is invited to approve the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period to 31 March 2016 for all major projects over £1million.

5. Scottish Government Housing Investment Programme
Prògram Airgead-Tasgaidh Taigheadais Riaghaltas na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No. PDI/22/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which updates Members on the Scottish Government’s Housing Investment Programme for 2016/17 and outlines the Highland Council’s funding and development strategy to meet this programme and the Scottish Government’s target of 50,000 new affordable homes over the next five years.

The Committee is invited to note the new affordable housing investment programme and supply targets as set out by the Scottish Government and agree to the new financial parameters for the delivery of new council houses as set out in section 4.2 of the report.

6. Property Revenue Maintenance Budget for 2016/17 – Proposed Budget Allocation
Buidseat Obair-ghlèidhidh Teachd-a-steach Seilbhe airson 2016/17 – Riarachadh Buidseit a Thathar a’ Moladh

There is circulated Report No. PDI/23/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which sets out proposals for the allocation of the 2016/17 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget using the same basis as has been adopted in previous financial years.

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed work categories, budget allocations and project proposals for the 2016/17 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget.

7. Planning Performance Framework and Quarter 4 Performance Review
Frèam Dèanadas Dealbhaidh agus Ath-bhreithneachadh Dèanadais Cairteil 4

There is circulated Report No. PDI/24/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which advises Members on the delivery of the Development Management, Building Standards, and the Development Plan services for the last Quarter of 2015/2016.

The Committee is invited to note the performance updates for the Development Management, Building Standards and the Development Plans teams.

8. Service Structure Review
Ath-sgrùdadh air Structar Seirbheis

There is circulated Report No. PDI/25/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure setting out restructuring of areas of the Service to realise savings following voluntary redundancy requests which have been approved.

The Committee is invited to note the report.

9. Local and National Statutory Performance Indicators 2014/15
Comharran Coileanaidh Reachdail Ionadail agus Nàiseanta 2014/15

There is circulated Report No. PDI/26/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which advises that following the report presented at Highland Council on 10 March 2016 detailing the Local Statutory Performance Indicators 2014/15, this report provides specific information on Development and Infrastructure performance indicators.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the out-turn of SPIs for 2014/15 and where relevant to their national benchmark position.

10. Business Gateway
Slighe Gnothachais

There is circulated Report No. PDI/27/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which updates Members on performance with the Business Gateway contract for Quarter 4, Financial Year 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to note Business Gateway performance for the Operational Year 2015/16.

11. Tourism, Events and Film Update
Leasachadh Turasachd

There is circulated Report No. PDI/28/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which summarises the work undertaken by the Council’s Tourism and Film Unit and proposed changes to its operations including the renewal of a Service Delivery Agreement with VisitScotland for 2016-17.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  authorise the Director of Development and Infrastructure to conclude a Service Delivery Agreement with VisitScotland for 2015/16 that incorporates the activities detailed in the report; and
ii. approve a payment to VisitScotland of up to a maximum of £70k for the financial year 2016-17 including £60k towards marketing activity.

12. Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland – Area Based Scheme
Prògraman Èifeachdais Lùth Dachaigh airson Alba – Sgeama Stèidhichte air Sgìrean

There is circulated Report No. PDI/29/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which confirms the updated position on the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland – Area Based Scheme (HEEPS-ABS) in Highland and the move to Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP).

The Committee is invited to approve the development of a Highland plan for Scottish Energy Efficiency Programme

13. Energy Efficiency Action Plan
Plana-gnìomh Èifeachdais Lùtha

There is circulated Report No. PDI/30/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which sets out the requirement for energy efficiency action in Council buildings and also identifies various improvements and proposals required to reduce annual energy consumption and costs.

The Committee is invited to approve:-

i.  the Energy Efficiency Proposals as set out in Section 3 of the report; and
ii. the Draft Energy Efficiency Action Plan contained in Appendix 1 of the report.

14. Housing in the Countryside
Taigheadas air an Dùthaich

There is circulated Report No. PDI/31/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which presents current issues being experienced in relation to housing in the countryside within pressurised development areas (Hinterland areas). The Council’s current policy approach has undergone scrutiny through two recent planning appeals which concluded that the use of legal agreements to tie a new house to the operational land that justifies the house conflicts with national policy. The report outlines a number of options and a recommended way forward for handling planning applications for housing in the countryside in Hinterland areas.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the recent appeal decisions, advice from the Scottish Government and analysis of the Council’s current approach in Section 2;
ii. review the options presented in Section 3 of the report;
iii. agree the recommended way forward in Section 4 that Officers undertake the task of reviewing the Housing in the Countryside and Siting and Design SG; and
iv. agree to remove the use of legal agreements, which tie the house to the working of the land, when determining planning applications from this point onwards.

15. National Roads Development Guide 
Iùl Leasachaidh nan Rathaidean Nàiseanta

There is circulated Report No. PDI/32/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which invites the Committee to note the ‘National Roads Development Guide’ and approve its use for guidance in the design of new developments.

Members are invited to note the ‘National Roads Development Guide’ and to approve its use subject to local variations as guidance in the design of new developments in conjunction with the Council’s existing ‘Roads and Transport Guidelines for New Developments’.

16. Approval of Local Flood Risk Management Plans
Aonta airson Planaichean Riaghladh Cunnart Thuiltean Ionadail

There is circulated Report No. PDI/33/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which asks Members to approve the content of both “Findhorn, Nairn & Speyside Local Flood Risk Management Plan” (to be published by Moray Council) and the “Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan” and recognise that The Highland Council as lead local authority for the latter, has the statutory duty to publish before 22 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree the content of the Highland & Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan allowing publication by The Highland Council to take place in June 2016; and
ii. agree the content of the Findhorn, Nairn & Speyside Local Flood Risk Management Plan allowing publication by Moray Council to take place in June, 2016.

17. Highland LEADER Programme Update and Internal Audit Report
Cunntas às Ùr agus Aithisg In-Sgrùdaidh Prògram LEADER na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. PDI/34/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides an update on the 2014/15 Internal Audit report on the Highland LEADER 2007-13 Programme and on the new LEADER Programme 2014-2020.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the findings of the 2014 Internal Audit report into the Highland LEADER Programme 2007-13; and
ii. progress with preparation for the 2014-20 Highland LEADER Programme.

18. European Fisheries Fund Axis 4 Programme Update and Internal Audit Report
Cunntas às Ùr agus Aithisg In-Sgrùdaidh Prògram Maoin Iasgach Aiseal 4 na h-Eòrpa

There is circulated Report No. PDI/35/16 dated 13 April 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides a brief update on the closure of the Axis 4 European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in Highland and the outcome of a recent Internal Audit report and an update on the launch of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the funding delivered under the EFF Axis 4 Fund in Highland and programme closure;
ii. the findings and conclusions of the Internal Audit Report; and
iii. the progress on forthcoming European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

19. Transition of Highland Opportunity Loan Fund Activity to the Highland Council
Eadar-ghluasad Gnìomhachd Maoin Iasaid Cothrom na Gàidhealtachd gu Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. PDI/36/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which invites the Committee to nominate Members to the Board of Highland Opportunity Investments Ltd (HOIL) and to agree the tiered loan approvals process proposed for the approval of business loans, and Business Loans Scotland loans by the Highland Council.

The Committee is invited to consider the report and to:

i. agree the extension of HOIL board membership as suggested meantime; and
ii. approve the two tier loan approvals process proposed at section 2 of the report.

20. Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Forum – Minutes
Fòram Ath-bheothachaidh Ghallaibh agus Chataibh a Tuath – Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated, for noting, minutes of meeting of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Forum held on 4 December 2015.

21. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated separately in Booklet A, for noting, Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for:-

i. North PAC – 15 December 2015
ii. North PAC – 12 January 2016
iii. South PAC – 19 January 2016
iv. North PAC – 16 February 2016
v. South PAC – 1 March 2016
vi. North PAC – 22 March 2016

24. Proposed Inner Hebrides and the Minches Special Area of Conservation for Harbour Porpoise

There is circulated Report No. PDI/38/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which outlines the proposed consultation response to be sent to Scottish Natural Heritage regarding the proposed designation of a large section of the west Highland coast as a Special Area of Conservation for harbour porpoise interests.

The Committee is invited to approve the response.

22. 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 for 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.

23. Property Transactions Monitoring Report 
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. PDI/37/16 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides Members with details of the General Fund and Property Account transactions approved by the Head of Property Partnerships and Corporate Property Asset Manager under delegated authority.

The report also advises Members on sales concluded in 2015/16 and 2016/17, sales targeted for completion within the financial year 2016/17 and future years.

The Committee is invited to approve the monitoring statements for the General Fund and Property Account transactions approved by the Head of Property Partnerships and Corporate Property Asset Manager under delegated authority, Budgeted Sales for 2016/17 and Future Years Sales.