Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Monday, 19 June 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.

3. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 9 March 2017 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the City of Inverness Area Committee.

4. Appointment of Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area 
Cur an Dreuchd Pròbhaist agus Ceannard Inbhir Nis agus a Sgìre

Nominations will be sought at the meeting for the position of Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area.

5. New Post of Depute Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area
Dreuchd Ùr Iar-Phròbhaist agus Ceannard Inbhir Nis agus a Sgìre

The Committee is invited to consider the creation of a new post of Depute Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area.

In this regard, a job description will be tabled at the meeting.

6. Appointment of Depute Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area
Cur an Dreuchd Iar-Phròbhaistean agus Ceannard Inbhir Nis agus a Sgìre 

Nominations will be sought at the meeting for the position of Depute Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area.

7. Appointment of Depute Provost
Cur an Dreuchd Iar-Phròbhaist

Nominations will be sought at the meeting for the position of Depute Provost.

8. Presentation of Civic Medals
Toirt Seachad nam Bonn Catharra 

There will be a presentation of the Inverness Medal to two members of staff who acted in the highest sprit of service to administer CPR to a colleague who had suffered a heart attack whilst at work, on the morning of 3 February 2017.

9. Appointments to Sub-Committee, Working Groups etc
Cur an Dreuchd gu Fo-Chomataidhean, Buidhnean-obrach is eile

The Committee is invited to approve the membership of the following Sub-Committees, Working Groups etc –

(i) Inverness City Arts Working Group (ICArts) – 5 Members

(ii) Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee – 11 Members

(iii) Events and Festivals Working Group – 5 Members

The Groups have been asked for their nominations for all of the above which will be tabled at the meeting.

(iv) Inverness Partnership (Chair) – 1 Member

10. Appointments to Outside Bodies
Cur an Dreuchd gu Buidhnean on Taobh A-muigh

The Committee is invited to approve the appointments to the following Outside Bodies –

(i) Addictions Counselling Inverness – 2 Members

(ii) Cameron Youth Centre Management Committee – 1 Member

(iii) Charleston Community Complex Management Committee – 3 Members

(iv) Dr Forbes Trust – Provost and 4 other Members

(v) Highland Disability Sport – 1 Member

(vi) Highland Military Tattoo at Fort George Management Board – 1 Member

(vii) Highlanders’ Museum – Provost and 2 other Members

(viii) Hilton Community Centre Management Committee – 3 Members

(ix) Inverness and Nairn Local Access Forum – 2 Members

(x) Inverness Area Sports Council – 4 Members

(xi) Inverness BID – 1 Member

(xii) Inverness City Heritage Trust – 3 Members

(xiii) Inverness Civic Trust – 2 Members

(xiv) Inverness Community Safety Partnership – 1 Member

(xv) Inverness Festival Association – Provost and 4 other Members

(xvi) Inverness Tourism BID – 1 Member

(xvii) Inverness Town Twinning Committee – Provost and 4 other Members

(xviii) Inverness Women’s Aid – 1 Members

(xix) Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens’ Advice Bureau – 1 Member

(xx) James Cameron Community Centre Service Review Group – 3 Members

(xxi) Merkinch Enterprise – 3 Members

(xxii) Merkinch Partnership – 2 Members

(xxiii) Ness District Salmon Fisheries Board – 1 Member

(xxiv) Spectrum Board of Management – 3 Members

(xxv) Victorian Market Stakeholder Group – Provost and 5 other Members

Any nominations received will be tabled at the meeting.

11. Developing Economic Links with Augsburg, Bavaria
Baile-cèile – Cunntas às Ùr mu Cheangalan le Augsburg

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/15/17 dated 23 May 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the contents of this report;
ii. support the continued development of economic links with Augsburg;
iii. approve the commitment of a maximum of £10,000 from the Inverness Common Good Fund to support economic development related twinning opportunities.  This financial support will require to be matched by funding from partners as detailed in Section 5 of this report, subject to ensuring compliance with Council Procurement Processes.  Funds would be drawn from the City Promotions Budget; and
iv. note that a progress report on the objectives set out below will be made to the City of Inverness Area Committee no later than June 2018.

12. A9/A96 Inshes to Smithton Road Project – Update Report
Moladh Ceangal an Ear Chòmhdhail na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No CIA/16/17 dated 7 June 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

(a) note the implications of Transport Scotland’s “East Link” road route options as detailed in this report;
(b) Agree that the Council attends Transport Scotland’s Value for Money Workshop on a no prejudice basis but adopts the following initial stance and objectives:
(i) an additional “running” lane on the southbound A9 as an early priority;
(ii) further discussions on how East Link’s detailed design specification can better contribute to Inverness East as a future place;
(iii) a Council preference for variant B and a request that its junction(s) at or close to Ashton Farm include a stub link to aid future road development;
(iv) The avoidance of the woodland that lines Caulfield Road North should be a design parameter at the next detailed design stage;
(v) no Council objection to Route Options 1 and 2 provided that suitable mitigation (including a like for like replacement of Inshes overbridge if it is demolished) is provided for whichever route is progressed;
(vi) seek further information and reassurance on the traffic implications of Option 3 as detailed in section 6 of this report noting that if the further work being undertaken by Transport Scotland mitigates the concerns identified in this report then consideration to adopting Option 3 should remain, in recognition of the reduced environmental impacts that this Option offers; and
(vii) a report will be brought to a future meeting of this Committee for a decision on the formal position of the Council.

13. Victorian Market – Action Plan
Margadh Bhictòrianach – Plana Gnìomha

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/17/17 dated 29 May 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. homologate the allocation of £8.5k for the provision of a Marketing Campaign;
ii. homologate the allocation of £9.5k for the provision of extended opening hours for the Market for a trial period;
iii. approve the Action Plan attached within Appendix 2;
iv. approve the proposed Management Arrangements described in Appendix 3;
v. approve the Lettings Framework detailed in Appendix 7;
vi. agree to the Inverness City Area Manager taking necessary steps to provide for the Council to engage a Market Manager as detailed within Appendix 5;
vii. approve the establishment of a new Victorian Market Stakeholder Management Group as set out within the report;
viii. note that further update reports will be taken to Committee as required with an annual report being presented to the City of Inverness Area Committee to include the setting of an Annual Budget for the Victorian Market for the forthcoming Financial Year;
ix. note that Minutes of the new Victorian Market Stakeholder Group will be presented to the City of Inverness Area Committee for approval; and
x. agree to the costs for the implementation of the report to be drawn from the Victorian Market Budget held within the Inverness Common Good Fund Budget for 2017/18.

14. Ness Islands Additional Bridge Work
Margadh Bhictòrianach – Plana Gnìomha

There is circulated Report No CIA/18/17 dated 22 May 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the progress being made with the various improvement works; and
ii. agree the additional funds in order to complete all the bridge works required.

15. Community Links Plus 2017
Obair a Bharrachd air Drochaidean Eileanan Nis 2017

There is circulated Report No CIA/19/17 dated 2 June 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

In this connection, the Engagement Report (appendix 3 to the report) can be accessed on the Council’s website.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the previous support by the City of Inverness Area Committee for the overall aim to double the level of cycling across inverness by 2020;
ii. agree the content of the Engagement Report  and the design changes arising from the engagement process being made; and
iii. agree and confirm support for the Inverness City Active Travel Network Project funding bid to the CL PLUS 2017 competition, to be submitted by 14 July 2017.

16. Area Maintenance Programme for Roads and Bridges
Prògram Cumail Suas Sgìreil airson Rathaidean is Dhrochaidean

There is circulated Report No CIA/20/17 dated 24 May 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the Maintenance Programmes for Roads and Bridges for the City of Inverness Area for 2017/18.

17. Inverness Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

(a) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No CIA/21/17 dated 7 June 2017 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial monitoring report to April 2017 and approve the request for further funding from Inverness Common Good Fund.

(b) Grants and Capital Projects
Pròiseactan Tabhartais agus Calpa

There is circulated Report No CIA/22/17 dated 29 May 2017 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

In this connection, the supporting documentation as contained in Booklet A can be accessed on the Council’s website.

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

(c) Town House Works Programme Phase 3, High Street, Inverness
Ceum 3 Leasachadh Taigh a’ Bhaile

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/23/17 dated 30 May 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to agree in principle, subject to full council agreement, to:

i. agree that phase 3 will include the remaining part of Building One and all remaining sections of the Town House;
ii. proceed to tender for phase 3 in 2017 with a total estimated project cost of £2,300,000 for the all remaining sections of the Town House; and
iii. proceed with a further third party funding application to Historic Environment Scotland.

The Committee is also invited to note that a further report will be made to Committee to report on Tenders received and recommendation as appropriate.

(d) Town House Works Programme External Lighting and Internal Lighting and Re-decoration
Soillseachadh A-muigh is A-staigh agus Ath-sgeadachadh Prògram Obrach Thaigh a’ Bhaile

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/24/17 dated 7 June 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed with the:-

i. external lighting at a cost of £150k under the current works programme at the Town House; and
ii. internal re-decoration, refurbishment of chandeliers and internal lighting to main hall at a cost of £195k under the current works programme at the Town House .

(e) Scheme for Winter Payments 2017/18
Pàighidhean Geamhraidh

There is circulated Report No CIA/25/17 dated 1 June 2017 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to agree the following recommendations for the 2016/17 Winter Payments Scheme:-

i. an increase in a single tier payment from £79 to £81 to be made to those applicants that satisfy the eligibility criteria for the 2017/18 scheme.  This recommendation is based on the 2% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI);
ii. an increase in budget from £85,000 to £105,000 to take into account the proposed increase in payment to £81.00 and the increase in demand for the Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grants;
iii. that the criteria utilised for the 2016/17 scheme as set out in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.11 shall be used as the basis for the 2017/18 scheme; and
iv. the scheme is to be made available to residents in the City of Inverness and the Landward areas of the seven City Wards.

18. Street Naming – New Housing Development, Slackbuie
Ainmeachadh Sràide – Leasachadh Ùr, Slackbuie

The Committee is invited to homologate new street names which were chosen by Ward 19, Inverness South Members to reflect a continued crofting theme.  Inverness South Community Council supported the theme but subsequently expressed a preference to using one of the three names put forward - ‘Aignish’ as a stem name for the three required streets.  Although this is contrary to Council guidance the approach was accepted by Ward Members and the Gazetteer team due to the urgency of the naming request.

1. Aignish Drive
2. Aignish Gardens
3. Aignish Brae

19.Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. City of Inverness Area Committee held on 23 February 2017 for noting;
ii. Inverness City Arts Working Group held on 20 December 2016 and 7 March 2017 for approval; and
iii. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 27 March 2017 for approval.

20. 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.

21. Investments – Leasing Update
Airgead an Seilbh – Cunntas às Ùr mu Ghabhail air Màl

There is circulated to Members only Joint Report No CIA/26/17 dated 1 June 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree to approve the preferred option and instruct officers to arrange to the construction of a Starter Unit on a vacant site at Lotland Street at a capital cost of £0.175m; and
ii. note the rents detailed on the schedule attached Appendix 2.

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

There is circulated to Members only Joint Report No CIA/27/17 dated 18 May 2017 by the Head of Development and Regeneration and Property Manager (Estates).

The Committee is invited to note Inverness Common Good transactions approved by the Head of Development and Regeneration, under delegated powers, during the period from 30 November 2016 and 18 May 2017, and the position regarding the tenant rent roll as of 19 May 2017.