Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Thursday, 23 February 2017 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.

New Years’ Honours
Urraman na Bliadhn’ Ùire

3. Police – Area Performance Summary
Poileas – Geàrr-chunntas air Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/01/17 dated 9 February 2017 by the Inverness Area Commander which provide a local summary update to Committee Members 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 5 Priorities; Road Safety, Drug/Alcohol Misuse, Antisocial Behaviour, Dishonesty and Public Protection.

4. Inverness Community Safety Partnership
Com-pàirteachas Sàbhailteachd Coimhearsnachd Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/02/17 dated 6 February 2017 by the Inverness City Area Manager and Inverness Area Commander (Highland and Islands Division, Police Scotland) which summarises the activities of the Inverness Community Safety Partnership (ICSP) since it last reported on 2015 activity to Committee in June 2016.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the work of ICSP for 2016;
ii. endorse the work of the Operation Respect Daytime Group; and
iii. endorse progress being made on linking to work of Third Sector and Social Enterprises across the City in support finding positive pathways for people in need, specifically, setting out preliminary planning around an initiative for a 3rd Sector coordination and action Hub that seeks to best coordinate 3rd sector interventions with vulnerable people, some of whom feature in the work of statutory agencies including Highland Council services, the police, NHS Highland and criminal justice services.

5. Inverness Community Safety Partnership – Operation Respect City Centre 2016/17 Winter Festival Period Evaluation Report
Com-pàirteachas Sàbhailteachd Coimhearsnachd Inbhir Nis – Aithisg Mheasaidh 2015/16 airson ‘Operation Respect’ Meadhan a’ Bhaile

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/03/17 dated 9 February 2017 by the Inverness City Area Manager and Inverness Area Commander (Highland and Islands Division, Police Scotland) which report provides Members with an overview of resources, actions, and evaluation of the multi-agency Operation Respect – City Centre, for the Winter Festival 2016/17.

The Committee is invited to note the evaluation available to date on the effectiveness of Operation Respect- City Centre for Winter 2016/17.

6. Inverness Castle Viewpoint and Environmental Improvement Works Update
Fios às Ùr mu Àite-seallaidh agus Obraichean Leasachaidh Àrainneachd Caisteal Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/04/17 dated 24 January 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides an update on the progress of the current works to the North Tower and grounds of Inverness Castle.  It also highlights that this is the first phase of turning the Castle into a major visitor attraction.

The Committee is invited to progress of the current works to the North Tower and grounds of Inverness Castle and that future reports on progress with the wider Castle project will be brought to Committee.

7. Inverness East Development Brief – Update
Brath-leasachaidh Inbhir Nis an Ear

There is circulated Report No CIA/05/17 dated 6 February 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which updates the Committee on work to date regarding the preparation of an Inverness East Development Brief. Members are invited to consider the outcome of consultation undertaken so far and agree the suggested strategy to address issues raised through the preparation of the Draft Development Brief.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the results of consultation to date as explained in sections 2 and 3 of the report;
ii. agree the scope of developer contributions proposed in section 4 of the report;
iii. discuss and agree the guiding principles for the Brief set out below and described in detail in Section 5 of the report:

• Principle A: Identify a central location for community, commercial and leisure facilities as illustrated in Appendix 5;
• Principle B: Identify a central district park that connects with the wider green network  as illustrated in Appendix 5;
• Principle C: Support the delivery of sports facilities in the east of the city as illustrated in Appendix 5;
• Principle D: Ensure a high level of pedestrian, cycle and road connectivity in the area as illustrated in Appendix 4;
• Principle E: Set out a strategy for design, travel and layout that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport usage and promotes diverse neighbourhoods as illustrated in Appendices 4 and 5; and
• Principle F: Ensure a framework to deliver a viable high-quality city expansion;

iv. note the intention for a draft Brief to be brought to Committee in June or September 2017 for its approval;
v. support the additional ‘running’ lane on the southbound A9 as an early priority within the context of the East Link project; and
vi. agree that the Council should progress the design and contract for the construction of an additional westbound lane across the B9006 Culloden A9 overbridge as an early priority.

8. Ness Islands Management Works
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Eileanan Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/06/17 dated 16 January 2017 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. Minor Amendments to Traffic Regulation Orders
Mion-atharrachaidhean do Òrdughan Riaghailtean Trafaig

There is circulated Report No CIA/07/17 dated 24 January 2017 by the Director of Community Services which invites Members to consider minor amendments to the Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) Traffic Regulation Order for Inverness and the review of Disabled Bay time limits. It also provides an update on Permit scheme issues.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree the changes listed in item 2.2 and the amendment of the existing Traffic Regulation Order subject to standard Traffic Regulation Order Procedures;
ii. as per item 3 members agree the investigation and implementation of time limited Disabled Bays in Inverness City Centre subject to agreement with stakeholder’s and representatives. The changes would also be subject to standard Traffic Regulation Order Procedures;
iii. note item 4; and
iv. agree the changes in item 5 by amendment of the existing Traffic Regulation Order subject to standard Traffic Regulation Order Procedures.

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

There is circulated Report No CIA/08/17 dated 20 December 2017 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.

11. Millburn Academy Associated School Group Overview
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Acadamaidh Allt a’ Mhuilinn

There is circulated Report No CIA/09/17 dated 13 February 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Millburn Academy 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.

12. Housing Performance Report – 1 April to 31 December 2016
Aithisg Dèanadais Taigheadais – 1 Giblean gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2016

There is circulated Report No CIA/10/17 dated 30 January 2017 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 31 December 2016.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

13. Inverness Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

(a) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No CIA/11/17 dated 10 February 2017 by the Inverness City Area Manager which presents the expenditure monitoring position for the Inverness Common Good Fund as at 31 January 2017 and the projected year end position.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial monitoring report.

(b) Budget Setting for 2017/18 and Capital Programme
Suidheachadh Buidseat airson 2017/18 agus Prògram Calpa

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/12/17 dated 9 February 2017 by the Director of Finance and the Inverness City Manager which invites Members to set the revenue budget for the Inverness Common Good Fund (ICGF) for the financial year 2017/18. It clarifies: governance arrangements; anticipated income (primarily from tenancy rentals); the proposed expenditure, split into essentials (for the maintenance of buildings and the provision of basic services) and a number of additional items; action on the future investment of any projected surplus funds; and the structure of payments made to the Council for services rendered in support of the fund and how these services should be supported in the coming financial year and thereafter.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree the Common Good Fund budget for 2017/18 detailed within the report and appendices;
ii. agree to maintain a general reserve of £2m and reallocate the remaining uncommitted sum of £1.6m to a Property Investment Fund; and
iii. note that officers will continue to monitor projected cash flow for the Common Good Fund, in particular through the Capital Projects Monitoring Report, with an emphasis on the utilisation of surplus revenue either within projects or as an opportunity for investment.

(c) Grants and Capital Projects
Pròiseactan Tabhartais agus Calpa

There is circulated Report No CIA/13/17 dated 7 February 2017 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:-

i. consider the applications for funding;
ii. scrutinise the current status of capital projects; and#
iii. agree to allocate £15,000 from the Inverness Common Good Fund Other Properties Budget to the Merkinch Community Centre Windows Replacement Project.

14. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. City of Inverness Area Committee held on 1 December 2016 for noting;
ii. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 30 January 2017 for approval; and
iii. Events and Festivals Working Group held on 13 February 2017 for approval.