Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Places Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Wednesday 16 August 2017 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. Petition for Pedestrian Crossing at Strathpeffer Primary School
Athchuinge airson Àite Coise aig Bun-Sgoil Shrath Pheofhair

The Committee is asked to agree that officers visit Strathpeffer School Road to assess the health and safety of the two current crossings (speed bumps with markings) and give consideration to alternative crossings at the two locations.

4. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 29 June 2017 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Committee.

5. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

6. Highland (LEADER) 2014-2020 Programme
Prògram (LEADER) 2014-2020 na Gàidhealtachd

The Committee is invited to nominate one substitute member to take a place on the Highland Strategic Local Action Group (LAG).

7. Development and Infrastructure Service Revenue Budget Monitoring to 30 June 2017
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Buidseat Seirbheis an Leasachaidh is a’ Bhun-structair gu 30 Ògmhios 2017

There is circulated Report No. PLA/22/17 dated 7 August 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to approve the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017, and the actions which have been put in place to manage the budget over the remainder of the financial year.

8. Capital Expenditure Monitoring to 30 June 2017
Sgrùdadh Caiteachais Chalpa gu 30 Ògmhios 2017

There is circulated joint Report No. PLA/23/17 dated 7 August 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve:-

1. the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017;
2. the allocation of £0.100m from the Town & Countryside Regeneration budget to allow a community group to improve visitor management at Fairy Pools (Glen Brittle); and
3. an increase of £1.4m for the Uig Ferry Terminal Upgrade to be recovered through increased ferry dues from CalMac, as agreed with Transport Scotland.

9. Planning Performance Framework and Quarter 1 Performance Review
Frèam-Coileanaidh Dealbhaidh agus Ath-sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Ràith 1

There is circulated Report No. PDI/24/17 dated 26 July 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. note the performance updates for the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plans teams; and
2. approve the Planning Performance Framework (PPF) as set out in Appendix 1 to the report for submission to Scottish Government.

10. Developer Contributions for Education Infrastructure
Tabhartasan Luchd-leasachaidh airson Foghlaim

There is circulated Report No PLA/25/17 dated 1 August 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to:-

1. agree that developer contributions within the Inverness associated schools groups’ catchment areas will be subject to new build equivalent rates as set out in paragraph 3.48 of the adopted Developer Contributions Supplementary Guidance; and
2. note that the full methodology for developer contributions for all infrastructure types will be set out in the forthcoming draft Supplementary Guidance to be presented to the 8 November Places Committee.

11. Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance – Landscape Sensitivity Appraisals
Eaconamaidh agus Ath-nuadhachadh

There is circulated Report No PLA/26/17 dated 3 August 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to:-

1. consider the comments received on the Draft Landscape Sensitivity Appraisals and agree the Council’s responses as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
2. agree to adopt the Appraisals and associated Strategic Capacity Conclusions as an addition to the Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance, being statutory Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan (2012), as set out in Appendix 2 (circulated separately in Booklet A) of the report, subject to any feedback from Scottish Ministers during the statutory process for adoption;
3. agree for the Appraisals to be used as a material consideration for planning decisions and advice with immediate effect; and
4. note the progress on further landscape sensitivity and strategic capacity work as set out in section 6 of the report.

12. Economy and Regeneration
Eaconamaidh agus Ath-nuadhachadh

There is circulated Report No. PLA/27/17 dated 2 August 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to:-

1. note the contents of report and proposal to produce an Economy and Regeneration e-Newsletter;
2. agree to continue to prioritise employability activity to those areas currently benefiting from the Deprived Area Fund; and
3. agree proposals to expand the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal funded free open public Wi-Fi system to Alness, Aviemore, Dingwall, Dornoch, Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus, Fort William, Invergordon, Nairn, Portree, Tain, Thurso, Ullapool and Wick.

13. Highland Opportunity Limited
Cothrom na Gàidhealtachd Eta

There is circulated Report No PLA/28/17 dated 5 July 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to:-

1. note the new arrangements for Highland Opportunity Limited and its subsidiary company, Highland Opportunity (Investment) Limited;
2. agree to assume responsibility for the Highland Opportunity Limited Pension Fund net liability and to undertake repayments as detailed in Table 1 at paragraph 4.2 of the report; and
3. agree to appoint the Chair of Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited as the sole Director of Highland Opportunity Limited.

14. Housing Development Investment
Tasgadh Leasachadh Thaighean

There is circulated Report No PLA/29/17 dated 3 August 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to approve:-

1. the use of £13,000 of Landbank Funding to provide a loan to Cromarty Community Council to assist in the purchase of the Townlands Barn, Cromarty on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Director of Finance; and
2. the use of £20,000 of Landbank Funding to provide a grant to Albyn Housing Society to assist in the development of affordable housing in Ardgay on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Director of Finance.

15. HITRANS Regional Transport Strategy – Response to Consultation
HITTRANS Ro-innleachd Còmhdhail Roinneil

There is circulated Report No PLA/30/17 dated 7 August 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to agree the response to the HITRANS Regional Transport Strategy as set out in Section 4 of this report.

16. Scottish Government Consultation on new Climate Change Bill
Co-chomhairle Riaghaltas na h-Alba air Bile ùr Atharrachadh Gnàth-shìde

There is circulated Report No PLA/31/17 dated 21 July 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to consider the consultation document, and approve the draft response as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

17. Planning Enforcement Charter
Cairt Cur an Gnìomh Dealbhaidh

There is circulated Report No PLA/32/17 dated 19 July 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is asked to agree to adopt the Charter as set out in Appendix 1 to the report as the Council’s statement of planning enforcement policy and procedure.

18. Community Services Revenue Budget 2017/18 - Monitoring to 30 June 2017
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd 2017/18 – Sgrùdadh gu 30 Ògmhios 2017

There is circulated Report No PLA/33/17 dated 17 July 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the revenue budget monitoring position for the period from 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.

19. Community Services Performance Report – 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017
Aithisg Coileanaidh nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No PLA/34/17 dated 2 August 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to note and scrutinise the information provided on Community Services performance from 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.

20. Environmental Health Operational Plan 2017/18
Plana Seirbheis Slàinte Àrainneachd

There is circulated Report No PLA/35/17 dated 28 July 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the Environmental Health Operational Plan 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

21. Scottish Timber Transport Scheme - Status of Projects and Bids
Sgeama Còmhdhail Fiodh na h-Alba – Inbhe Phròiseactan is Thagraidhean

There is circulated Report No PLA/36/17 dated 7 August 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. approve the proposals for future bids to the Strategic Timber Transport Fund;
2. agree that up to £0.5m be allocated under the road structural (capital) funding as match funding; and
3. agree that, should STTF match funding bids be unsuccessful, any residual match funding will be reallocated across the Areas using the Road Condition Survey parameters, with scheme selection being decided by Members at local Area level.

22. Consultation on Improving Road Works in Scotland
Co-chomhairle air Leasachadh Obraichean Rathaid ann an Alba

There is circulated Report No PLA/37/17 dated 4 August 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the responses to Transport Scotland’s consultation “Improving the Quality of Road Works”, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

23. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

1. North PAC – 4 April 2017
2. South PAC – 11 April 2017
3. North PAC – 13 June 2017
4. South PAC – 20 June 2017

And for approval the Harbours Management Board Minutes of 26 June 2017.

24. 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 items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act, the relevant paragraphs being shown.

25. Land and Property Transactions Report
Aithisg Ghnothachasan Fearainn is Seilbhe

Paragraphs 6 and 9 

There is circulated to Members only Report No. PLA/38/17 dated 21 July 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations as detailed in the report.

26. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

Paragraphs 6 and 9

There is circulated to Members only Report No. PLA/39/17 dated 27 July 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note the report.