Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 1 December 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

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. Annual Report on Inverness Business Improvement District
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Sgìre Leasachadh Gnothachais Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/46/16 dated 18 November 2016 by the Inverness City Area Manager which provides a summary of the activities of the Inverness BID Ltd, operating as Inverness City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), for the period December 2015 to November 2016

The Committee is invited to endorse the work detailed in this report and note the presentation provided by Inverness BID representatives and the on-going development of partnership working.

4. 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 CIA/47/16 dated 18 November 2016 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland which provides an update progress against the priorities outlined in the Area Plan for The City of Inverness 2015/16. Priority areas are identified through a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities delivered in partnership to reduce risk to the communities of the City of Inverness. The report also contains previously agreed information and performance as requested by Committee Members.
 
The Committee is invited to comment and scrutinise the attached Area Performance Report.

5. Inverness City Centre Development Brief
Mion-teagasg Leasachaidh airson Meadhan Cathair-bhaile Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/48/16 dated 17 November 2016 by the Inverness City Area Manager which presents a draft of the updated Inverness City Centre Development Brief for Members’ approval. The purpose of this Brief is to promote and guide opportunities, through planning policy, for regeneration, development and enhancement of Inverness city centre. Its preparation has been informed by public and stakeholder feedback on city centre priorities and how best these should be addressed.  After public consultation and further Committee approval the updated Brief will be adopted as a statutory part of the Council’s Development Plan.

In this connection, the draft Brief (appendix A to the report) is circulated separately. A colour copy will be made available in the Members’ Library at HQ and can be accessed on the Council’s website using the following link:- http://www.highland.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/71249/item_5_inverness_city_centre_development_brief_appendix_a

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i. the draft Inverness City Centre Development Brief, as set out in Appendix A to the report, for a six week public consultation commencing at the end of January 2017; and
ii. note the timescale for adoption of the updated Brief set out in para 6.3.

6. Approaching Inverness Strategy
Ro-innleachd Tighinn gu Inbhir Nis

Public consultation on the draft Approaching Inverness Strategy has completed.  Only one response which was broadly supportive was received and no changes are proposed as a result of this consultation. 

The Committee is therefore invited to agree the recommendation that the draft Strategy, as provided to the City of Inverness Area Committee on 2 June 2016, is now adopted as non-statutory supplementary guidance.

7. Inverness City Arts – Annual Report
Ealain Bhaile Inbhir Nis –  Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No CIA/49/16 dated 10 November 2016 by the Inverness City Area Manager which presents the Annual Report of the Inverness City Arts Working Group (ICArts) and provides an update on progress made by ICArts in meeting the criteria set by the City of Inverness Area Committee (the Committee) at the meetings held on 8 October 2012, 3 December 2012 and 15 April 2013. Update reports have been given since on funding and Project progress; however this report formally updates on the Action Plan.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the report.

8. Ness Islands Management Works
Pròiseact Eileanan Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/50/16 dated 15 November 2016 by the Director of Community Services which details the allocation of work required on the Ness Islands in accordance with the current Ness Islands Management Plan and a report by Crudens Consulting Engineers dated April 2015.

The Committee is invited to note that the improvement plan is in progress and that a further report will be available once works are underway and there is more progress to report.  

9. Consideration of Objections to Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Order Car Club Bays 
Beachdachadh air Cur an Aghaidh Bhàghannan Club Chàraichean

There is circulated Report No CIA/51/16 dated 3 November 2016 by the Director of Community Services which advises that subject to The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, unresolved objections made to a Traffic Regulation Order must be considered by the appropriate committee and in making the order in part, as per section 18 of the act the unresolved objections may be heard without delaying the bulk of the order.

In this regard, the Inverness Car Club Feasibility Study 2014 (appendix 3 to the report) is circulated separately.

The Committee is invited to support the view of the service that these Car Club Bays are agreed in the locations as advertised and the objections are not upheld.

10. Winter Maintenance Plan 2016/17 
Plana Obair-gleidhidh Geamhraidh Rathaidean 2016/17

There is circulated Report No CIA/52/16 dated 14 November 2016 by the Director of Community Services which provides Members with information on winter maintenance preparations and arrangements for the 2016/17 winter period and invites the Committee to approve the Winter Maintenance Plans for Inverness.

The Committee is invited to approve the Winter Maintenance Plan for the Inverness Area, which includes the priority roads presented in Appendices B and C to the report.

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

There is circulated Report No CIA/53/16 dated 16 November 2016 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 City of Inverness Area Committee, as set out in Appendix 1.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the Cycling Walking and Safer Streets/Safer Routes to School (CWSS/SRTS) Project detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and 
ii. note that the Road Safety Unit will continue to work with schools to develop further SRTS Projects for future years.

12. Kilchuimen Academy Associated School Group Overview
Sealladh air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Acadamaidh Chille Chuimein

There is circulated Report No. CIA/54/15 dated 10 November 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Kilchuimen Associated School Group (ASG), and provides useful updated links to further information in relation to these schools.

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

13. Housing Performance Report – 1 April to 30 September 2016
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean to 30 Sultain 2016

There is circulated Report No CIA/55/16 dated 16 November 2016 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators up to 30 September 2016.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016.

14. Inverness Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

(a) Annual Report 2015/2016
Cunntasan airson 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No CIA/56/16 dated 18 November 2016 by the Inverness City Area Manager which presents the audited accounts for financial year 2015/16. Expenditure is within budget, with income higher than expected due to a refund of grant from Creative Scotland, and an unanticipated compensatory payment. Fewer reserves than anticipated had to be realised to fund major projects which included important ongoing work to major Inverness assets including the Town House and 1-5 Church Street.

The Committee is invited to note the final monitoring report and balance sheet for the Inverness Common Good Fund at 31 March 2016.

(b) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No CIA/57/16 dated 18 November 2016  by the Inverness City Area Manager which presents the expenditure monitoring position for the Inverness Common Good Fund as at 31 October 2016 and the projected year end position.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial monitoring report.

(c) Grants and Capital Projects
Pròiseactan Tabhartais agus Calpa

There is circulated Report No CIA/58/16 dated 11 November 2016 by the Inverness City Area Manager which sets out the current applications for grant funding to be determined and the current status of capital projects.

In this connection, there is circulated separately a copy of supporting documentation as Booklet A.

The Committee is invited to consider the applications for funding and scrutinise the current status of capital projects. 

15. Inverness City Heritage Trust – Reporting of Company Activity to Council 
Urras Dualchais Baile Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/59/16 dated 22 August 2016 by the Inverness City Area Manager and City Heritage Trust Officer which informs Members on the work of Inverness City Heritage Trust (ICHT) during the financial year 2015/16.  Particular attention is given to the total grant allocation to project in Inverness Riverside Conservation Areas to date and during 2015-16. Members are asked to note the work of the Trust in partnership with Inverness College (UHI) and Historic Environment Scotland with regard to raising awareness of traditional building skills and materials amongst professionals, practitioners, local contractors and property owners.  Members are also asked to note the work of the Trust with The Highland Council with regards to the Academy Street Townscape Heritage (TH) Project.

The Committee is invited to comment and note:-

i. the contributions made by the Inverness City Heritage Trust in delivering a programme of conservation work funded by grant assistance in Inverness since 2005;
ii. the work carried out in partnership with Inverness College, Historic Environment Scotland and others to deliver conferences for building professionals/ practitioners.  Also the work with CITB Scotland and other building professionals to try and find realistic options for retention and repair of important city buildings and features;
iii. the current situation with regard to future funding from Historic Environment Scotland for Inverness City Heritage Trust.

16. Street Naming – New Housing Development at Tornagrain    
Ainmeachadh Sràide – Leasachadh Ùr aig Tornagrain

Members are invited to homologate the new street names which were agreed at Culloden & Ardersier Ward Business Meeting for the first phase of the Tornagrain development.  The names were agreed between the developer and the Croy Community Council and are of local significance.  Future phases of the development will continue to use local names, including names taken from the local War Memorials.

1. Croy Road 
2. Mid Coul Road
3. Hillhead Road
4. St Columba’s Way
5. Malvina Lane
6. Malvina Court
7. Lochandinty Lane
8. Lochandinty Road
9. Lochandinty Court
10. South Coul Way
11. Douglas Court 
12. Bishop’s Hill Road
13. Bishop’s Hill Court

17. Inverness Local Holidays 2017/18
Saor-làithean Ionadail Inbhir Nis 2017/18

2017
Monday 2 January
Tuesday 3 January
Monday 6 February
Monday 6 March
Monday 17 April (Easter Monday)
Monday 1 May (May Day)
Monday 3 July
Monday 2 October
Monday 6 November
Monday 25 December
Tuesday 26 December

2018
Monday 1 January
Tuesday 2 January
Monday 5 February
Monday 5 March
Monday 2 April (Easter Monday)
Monday 7 May (May Day)
Monday 2 July
Monday 1 October
Monday 5 November
Tuesday 25 December
Wednesday 26 December

The Committee is invited to agree the above dates as Local Holidays for the City of Inverness for years 2017 and 2018.

18. Minutes 
Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate:-

i. City of Inverness Area Committee held on 1 September 2016 for noting; 
ii. Events and Festivals Working Group held on 19 September and 7 November 2016 for approval; 
iii. Inverness City Arts Working Group held on 19 October 2016 for approval; and
iv. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 7 November 2016 for approval.

19. 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 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. Inverness Common Good Account Sites and Premises Transaction Report
Aithisg Gnothachais Làraich agus Togalaichean Chunntasan Maoin Math Choitcheann Inbhir Nis 

There is circulated to Members only Report No. CIA/60/16 dated 10 November 2016 by the Head of Property Partnerships which summarises the property transactions between 11 November 2015 to 14 November 2016 as approved by the Head of Development and Regeneration, under the Highland Council’s Scheme of Delegation, after consultation with local Members as appropriate and in accordance with policy, together with a statement on the current position in respect on Inverness Common Good fund rents.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report.