Agendas, reports and minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 1 February 2018 at 10.30 am.

Present:

Mr G Adam
Mr R Balfour
Miss J Campbell
Dr I Cockburn
Ms K Currie (by video conferencing)
Mr M Finlayson (Substitute)
Mr C Fraser
Mr J Gordon
Mr J Gray
Mr A Henderson
Mr R Laird
Mrs L MacDonald
Mr D MacKay
Mrs I MacKenzie
Ms A MacLean
Mr D MacLeod
Mr D Macpherson (Substitute)
Mr R MacWilliam
Mr H Morrison
Mr A Rhind
Mrs T Robertson
Mr A Sinclair (by video conferencing)
Mr C Smith
Ms M Smith

Non-Members also present:

Mr B Boyd
Mr R Bremner (by video-conferencing)
Mr G MacKenzie
Mr P Saggers

In attendance:

Mr S Black, Director of Development and Infrastructure
Mr W Gilfillan, Director of Community Services 
Ms C Campbell, Head of Performance and Resources, Community Services
Mr D Goldie, Head of Housing and Building Maintenance, Community Services
Mr C Howell, Head of Infrastructure, Development and Infrastructure Service
Mr A Maguire, Head of Development and Regeneration, Development and Infrastructure Service
Mr B Porter, Head of Resources, Care and Learning Services
Mr A Summers, Head of Environmental and Amenity Services, Community Services
Ms T Urry, Head of Roads and Transport, Community Services
Mr S Dalgarno, Development Plans Manager, Development and Infrastructure Service
Mr A McCann, Economy and Regeneration Manager, Development and Infrastructure Service
Mr M Mitchell, Finance Manager (Community Services/Development and Infrastructure), Finance Service
Ms N Wallace, Environment Manager, Development and Infrastructure Service
Ms F Cameron, Programme Manager (LEADER Programme), Development and Infrastructure Service
Mr K MacInnes, Principal Economy Officer, Development and Infrastructure Service
Miss J Mair, Graduate Planner, Development and Infrastructure Service
Miss J Maclennan, Principal Administrator, Corporate Development Service
Mr S Taylor, Administrative Assistant, Corporate Development Service

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.  All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to Committee.

Mr A Henderson in the Chair

Business

Peliminaries

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mrs J Barclay, Mr K Gowans and Mr W MacKay.

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

The Committee NOTED the following declarations of interest:-

Item 7 – Mr A Henderson (non-financial)

Item 20 – Mrs M Smith (non-financial)

3. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

The Committee NOTED the items of Good News.

4. Development and Infrastructure Service Revenue Budget Monitoring to 31 December 2017
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Buidseat Seirbheis an Leasachaidh is a’ Bhun-structair gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2017

There had been circulated Report No. EDI/01/18 dated 19 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• a year on year increase in Planning Fee Income costs was highlighted;
• confirmation was sought, and received, that the annual indexation for Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracts was dealt with by the Finance Service and that this arrangement had not changed following the transfer of PPP to the Development and Infrastructure Service;
• in relation to Catering, Cleaning and Facilities Management, there had been a shortfall in the income generated from school meals and confirmation was sought, and received, that measures would be taken to address this without increasing the cost of school meals; and
• following a suggestion that a decrease in uptake in school meals could be attributed to an increase in prices, a request was made for further information on the uptake of school meals over the previous three to four years.  In response, it was confirmed that school meals were free to pupils up to and including Primary 3 and that there had been a drop-off in uptake from Primary 4.  Therefore, ways of encouraging uptake of school meals from Primary 4 onwards would be pursued.

The Committee APPROVED the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017 and the actions which had been put in place to manage the budget over the remainder of the financial year.

5. Capital Expenditure Monitoring to 31 December 2017
Sgrùdadh Caiteachais Chalpa gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2017

There had been circulated Report No. EDI/02/18 dated 23 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• in highlighting the reallocation of Scottish Government funding previously earmarked for the Tain 3-18 Campus, confirmation was sought, and received, that the subsequent reallocation of the funding towards the refurbishment of Inverness High School and the redevelopment of Merkinch Primary School had arisen from the funding criteria to identify projects which could be completed by May 2020;
• disappointment was expressed that improvements to Nairn Academy had not be considered for inclusion as part of Phase 4 of “Scotland’s School for the Future” Programme when reallocating the funding for the Tain 3-18 project.  In response it was confirmed that Nairn was not at a stage where the project could be delivered on time to be eligible for funding from the Programme;
• a request was made for information on the Auldearn Flood Prevention Scheme;
• reassurance was sought, and received, that the White Bridge project would be retained within the capital programme;
• the refurbishment of Inverness High School and the redevelopment of Merkinch Primary School contained many factors other than the condition of the buildings which made the projects appropriate for the reallocated funding;
• in highlighting the condition of both Broadford and Beauly Primaries, disappointment was expressed that of the five projects contained within the capital programme within the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (Ward 5), only three projects were confirmed to proceed and that two were currently on hold pending a review of the capital budget;
• reassurance was sought, and received, that information on the condition surveys undertaken at schools would be reported to a future meeting of Committee as part any consideration of future capital programme spending and that information obtained through community consultation surveys and the school estates review would also be included;
• in highlighting current roll pressures at Ben Wyvis Primary, it was emphasised that the Council should be more ambitious in its school building programme and that there was an opportunity for consultation with communities on what their ambitions were for future school development in the capital programme;
• the importance of providing Members with the outcome of school condition surveys prior to making any decision on future capital programme spend was emphasised; and
• concern was expressed that there was a lack of available funding to address issues surrounding capacity and condition issues within schools and that the opportunity for consultation with communities within an appropriate timescale could be limited due to a lack of resources.

The Committee APPROVED:-

1. the projects listed at paragraph 5.5.3 of the report to address roll pressures in schools in 2018/19, subject to the confirmation of funding available on approval of the revised Council capital programme;
2. the purchase of a modular unit at Kilmuir Primary School; and
3. the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017.

6. Planning Performance Framework and Quarter 3 Performance Review
Frèam Coileanadh Dealbhaidh agus Ath-sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Cairteal 3     

There had been circulated Report No. EDI/03/18 dated 16 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• the performance of the Development Management, Building Standards and the Development Plans teams was commended;
• whilst it was acknowledged that the next Highland-wide Local Development Plan would not be adopted within the required 5 year period, this had been attributed to the preparation of a new Planning Bill  and the prior completion of Caithness and Sutherland, and West Highland and Islands Area Local Development Plans for which, it was emphasised, Members in these areas had welcomed the opportunity to provide input to;
• there was an opportunity from Members to e-mail the service with their comments prior to the deadline for submission of a response;
• imposing fines on individuals who breached planning regulations could help to recover the cost to the service of investigating cases of planning violations in relation to new builds;
• earlier engagement with Members could help to reduce the average timescales for decision making in all development categories;
• in seeking funding to support development, the Council should try to identify what the optimum level of contribution should be from developers for infrastructure;
• a greater understanding was required of the unique issues encountered in the Highlands in relation to the sparse population and the geographical land mass in the context of the agreements arising from the Inverness and Highland City-Region deal;
• in highlighting the complexities of regional and local issues, it was emphasised that there was a need for a national strategy for planning;
• the Council’s response to the Scottish Government should include comment on the concerns raised by communities regarding the planning process, in particular, the process for determining applications submitted to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA);
• the involvement of community councils during the submission of an application was highlighted.  In particular, it was commented that community councils found it frustrating that an application could be refused by the Council and subsequently granted on appeal by the DPEA but that it was not possible to appeal a decision to approve an application;
• encouraging developers to look at the issues arising in relation to infrastructure and contributing towards improvements through the introduction of an infrastructure levy was highlighted;
• concern was expressed regarding applicants seeking retrospective planning permission and the additional work this created for the planning service; and
• concern was expressed that the speed of delivery in which some housing developments were being constructed could outstrip the infrastructure and that there should be a point in which the processing of applications was halted in order to address issues.

The Committee:-

1. NOTED the performance updates for the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plans teams; and
2. AGREED that a response be made to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee by the Director of Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chairs, taking into consideration comments made by Members during discussion, and any subsequent comments provided by E-mail prior to the deadline for submission.

7. Development Plans Newsletter
Cuairt-litir Plana Leasachaidh

Declaration of Interest

Mr A Henderson declared a non-financial interest in this item as Chair of Isle of Rum Community Trust Board but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude him from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No EDI/04/18 dated 18 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee:-

1. APPROVED the 2018 Development Plans Newsletter at Appendix 1 of the report for publication and submission to Scottish Ministers as the Council’s 2018 Development Plan Scheme; and
2. NOTED the timescales for Member and community input to documents that might be relevant or of interest to the communities and areas that they cover.

8. Biodiversity Duty Report 2015-2017
Dleastanas Bith-iomadachd

There had been circulated Report No EDI/05/18 dated 12 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• in response to concern raised regarding the significant impact road verge maintenance could have on bees due to the pesticides used and whether the Council could inform bee keepers associations prior to undertaking any maintenance, it was suggested that Community Services could provide the relevant contacts details for the various associations to the species champions concerned;
• the report highlighted a need for the Council to collate data on the natural environment and provide a thorough analysis of its biodiversity duty and it was suggested that this could potentially be in the form of update reports to the Committee;
• a request was made for confirmation as to how the Council’s biodiversity actions had contributed positively to the following targets contained within “2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity”:-
  • 1.2 Use assessments of ecosystem health at a catchment level to determine what needs to be done;
  • 5.3 Support ‘High Nature Value’ farming and forestry; and
  • 4.3 Integrate protected areas policy with action for wider habitats to combat fragmentation and restore key habitats.
• confirmation was sought as to whether the Council was still represented on the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere.  In response, the Committee was advised that, whilst it was unclear whether the position had been filled, if there was an opportunity to fill this post Members would be informed;
• in welcoming the Council’s successful coordinated control of giant hogweed along the Wick River, River Nairn and on the Black Isle, it was highlighted that there were a number of other invasive species along the River Nairn, including Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam weed, which required further work to eradicate.  It was suggested that the involvement of community groups such as Green Hive could assist in clearing these;
• in emphasising the importance of managing climate change and protecting the environment, further training on bio-diversity could help better inform Members of the potential negative impacts on the environment that could occur when taking decisions in relation to planning; and
• in highlighting the work undertaken in relation to creating wildflower friendly road verges, it was emphasised that biodiversity was integral aspect of the Highlands and it was important to raise awareness of this.

The Committee HOMOLOGATED the Council Biodiversity Duty Report 2015-17.

9. Update on the Highland LEADER 2014-2020 Programme, including European Marine Fisheries Fund
Cunntas às Ùr mu Phrògram LEADER 2014-2020, a’ gabhail a-steach Maoin Iasgach Mara na h-Eòrpa                                                                                                                 

There had been circulated Report No EDI/06/18 dated 15 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• Members were encouraged to promote this fund in their communities;
• with money yet to be spent it was important that the Environmental and Economy teams were retained; and
• the Programme supported initiatives outwith the city of Inverness and reference was made to a recent award to The Shieling Project in Struy, an off-grid learning centre.

The Committee otherwise NOTED the report.

10. Nairn Business Improvement District
Roinn Leasachadh Gnothachais Inbhir Narann

There had been circulated Report No EDI/07/18 dated 16 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

Whilst welcoming the initiative and the benefits it could bring, there remained an outstanding issue regarding the three schools within the Business Improvement District (BID).  It had not been demonstrated that any of the activities contained within the BID business plan would impact or benefit the schools and ideally the Council would prefer that they were removed.

The Committee APPROVED the assessment made in Appendix 1, relative to the Nairn BID Proposal and AGREED not to exercise the Council’s right of veto, subject to the final BID Proposal not materially affecting the assessment made.

The Committee further AGREED, if upon receipt of the final BID proposal, it was considered that changes had been made which affected the assessment made in Appendix 1, to delegate authority to the Director of Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Chair of Environment, Development and Infrastructure, to seek the necessary amendments to the final BID Proposal, failing which a further report would be brought back to the Council meeting on 8 March 2018.

11. Economy and Regeneration
Eaconamaidh agus Ath-ùrachadh

There had been circulated Report No EDI/08/18 dated 17 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• a Smart Waste project was underway to use route optimisation software to create a better and more efficient approach to waste collection routes and it was hoped that this could be rolled out to other areas of the Service such as gritting.  In this regard, it was asked if some route optimisation could be used on the NC500 to achieve better collection of rubbish;
• the scope of generating income by reasonable charging for some of the business development activities detailed in the report would enable the Council to continue to provide and develop them in the future;
• it was important to be clear as to what monies could be applied for, what match funding would be available and that opportunities were maximised to ensure not only European funding but other transition funding for projects was maximised;
• a list of projects funded from European monies would be useful as this  could help identify projects in Members’ Wards which might be eligible.  However, in response, it was explained that LEADER funding might be more appropriate for smaller community scale projects; and
• disappointment was expressed that the village of Seater had not received landfill monies despite taking refuse from other Highland areas.

The Committee:-

1. NOTED the confirmed availability of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) until at least until March 2021;
2. AGREED, subject to annual budget availability, to secure ESIF to provide additional services and investment within the Highland Council area; and
3. NOTED the report and the key developments highlighted during quarter 3 and emerging activity.

12. Community Services Revenue Budget 2017/18 – Monitoring to 31 December 2017
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd 2017/18 – Sgrùdadh gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2017

There had been circulated Report No EDI/09/18 dated 22 January 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• an update of the ongoing review of public conveniences, which had the aim of achieving a budget saving by either closing them or making them self sufficient, was requested;
• closing public conveniences in rural areas would have a negative impact, given the lack of alternative facilities;
• clarification was sought, and received, as to the anomaly that had arisen regarding information transferred from the previous service provider of cleaning services, VPS, relating to employees’ working hours.  This had generated a pressure of £463,000 and it was questioned how additional surplus hours would be addressed;
• clarification was sought, and received, as to which budget heading had been used to pay a recent compensation claim;
• an explanation was sought as to why the planned replacement of sodium lanterns with LED lanterns was contributing to a pressure of £200,000.  In response, Members were reminded of the planned capital investment of £16m, which would have generated £512,000 of revenue savings.  However, not all of the capital investment would be required and consequently the projected revenue saving would not be achieved;
• due to workload pressures, it had been necessary to employ and external contractor to install the new LED lighting in Maryburgh;
• the Community Services staff in Ross and Cromarty were commended for the work they had carried out, in some cases over and above their role;
• although the expectation was that the £2m overspend would be met from underspends elsewhere in the Service, it was suggested that it should be met from reserves instead so that other aspects of the Service would not be detrimentally affected.  In this connection, the Chair informed Members that he had written to the Transport Minister stating the Council’s case for any additional monies made available to assist local authorities with the costs incurred as a result of this winter’s weather conditions;
• a timeframe was requested as to when the income from decriminalised parking enforcement would be included in the monitoring statement;
• given the pressures on budgets, an alternative way of working should be considered.  For example, there was merit in examining how other countries treated their roads for snow and ice.  Whilst the solutions used might be more expensive, they were effective at lower temperatures and instances of potholes were reduced; and
• a more proactive approach needed to be adopted for collecting fines for fly tipping, dog fouling etc.

The Committee:-

1. APPROVED the revenue budget monitoring position for 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017; and
2. AGREED that the detail of the Car Parks budget heading, including income generated from car parking fines, would be circulated to all Committee Members.

The Committee broke for lunch from 1.20pm until 2.00pm

13. Community Services Performance Report – 1 April to 31 December 2017 
Aithisg Coileanaidh nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd

There had been circulated Report No EDI/10/18 dated 1 February 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• assurances were sought, and received, that joint working arrangements were in place with Bear Scotland to maximise limited resources;
• it would be useful to know how big an issue potholes were in Highland as a whole;
• water overflowing from ditches exacerbated potholes;
• many of the potholes filled by the jetpatcher the previous year had reappeared.  However, these issues had now been resolved and there was greater confidence with the jetpatcher’s performance;
• the response from staff when potholes were reported had been excellent but there needed to be a public understanding that, given the numbers involved, potholes had to be prioritised and that patching at this time of year could only be temporary.  Furthermore, potholes would not be filled individually but, to ensure greater efficiency, a stretch of road would be done.  However, it was important that this information was reported to Area Committees given that Members were held accountable locally;
• many issues about the condition of the roads were a result of poor reinstatement, following works by public utility service providers.  Frequently, it was the Council who had to undertake remedial work and it was important when this happened that costs were recovered.  Reference was made to working arrangements on the continent where, with new developments, cabling, pipework etc were laid under slabbed footpaths instead of roads;
• Seafield Road, Inverness was in a particularly poor state and this could be arrtibuted to the many heavy vehicles using this road.  Ideally, this would be addressed by imposing some type of levy;
• the regime for claiming for damages to vehicles as a result of potholes needed to be clarified as, to the public, there appeared to be inconsistencies;
• the trial of the system for dealing with potholes and keeping the customer informed was welcomed.  However, the link for reporting potholes on the Council’s website was difficult to find.  Also, it was questioned if a report was made in person, for instance at a Service Point, if that customer too would be kept informed, in addition to Local Members who also reported potholes;
• there had been difficulties using the Council’s CRM system for reporting defects but a meeting was scheduled to look at possible solutions and it was hoped this could be fed back to Committee Members;
• significant progress had been made in reducing staff absences in 2016/17 but it was disappointing that this had risen again;
• it was important to be efficient in utilising resources and this included the use of vehicles and plant, together with proper maintenance of them;
• a request was made that the level of the workforce in Thurso and Wick be re-examined.  In this connection, it was pointed out that a technician and inspector post had been held vacant and it was questioned how these posts would be filled;
• clarification was sought as to who had the responsibility for cycle paths.  In response, it was confirmed that although cycle paths might have been provided by Transport Scotland, the responsibility for ensuring that they were kept clear of detritus was with the local authority; and
• in response to a question, it was confirmed that traffic bollards at trunk road junctions were not the responsibility of the local authority.

The Committee NOTED the information provided on Community Services performance from 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017.

14.Traffic Regulation Orders and Charging Policy for Events and Processions on the Public Road 
Rianachd Thachartasan air an Rathad Phoblach/Òrdughan Rianachd Trafaig agus Poileasaidh Seàrsaidh airson Thachartasan is Siubhail-dhaoine

There had been circulated Report No EDI/11/18 dated 22 January 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• Community Services staff were commended for providing invaluable help and support to communities when road closures at events were required;
• the exemption from charges of Armed forces and Armistice Day events was welcomed;
• the introduction of charges was giving concern to event organisers at a time when budgets were reducing and the Council was asking communities to take more on board.  The proposed charges could have a cumulative effect, arising in considerable expense and this would be further exasperated with the anticipated removal of Ward Discretionary budgets, one of the few sources of funding for such events.  Consequently, prior to the charges being introduced, it was important that cognisance was taken of all the implications and for community consultation to take place;
• there was no information on the potential consequences of introducing charges and which type of events/processions would be expected to pay i.e. football victory parades, Christmas light switch-ons etc;
• the online form needed to be simplified;
• street events benefitted the local community and there was often an alternative route for vehicles;
• it was questioned if the charges would apply to developers who closed off roads when working on buildings;
• in contrast, it was argued that the public wanted to see the Council taking a more business-like approach and to seek full cost recovery.  Furthermore, a review of the policy would take place after 12 months;
• there might be occasions were parades would take place against the will of Elected Members but which nevertheless complied with legislation.  In the past the costs involved would have been incurred by the Council but these would now be the responsibility of the organisers; and
• discussions should take place with Police Scotland to establish if they could help mitigate some of the issues.

The Committee AGREED to defer the decision to charge for road closures to ascertain a full understanding of the implications of the proposal.

15. Winter Maintenance
Aimsir Gheamhraidh

There had been circulated Report No EDI/12/18 dated 17 January 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

Prior to debate, the Chairman, on behalf of Members, commended the winter maintenance staff for their hard work.  This winter had proved challenging and staff had worked non-stop to treat roads in accordance with Council policy.  He also referred to the volunteers willing to assist with gritting locally but highlighted the need for co-ordinators who could direct assistance as and when required.  He encouraged Members to identify such individuals in their communities who would also take a role in informing the Service when grit bins needed refilled.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:-

• community resilience would be the most cost effective and practical solution and there was equipment available to individuals and community groups wanting to take part.  However, there were difficulties in getting this message across.  In the current climate communities needed to appreciate that they too had a responsibility;
• measures to address this might include having a centralised register of volunteers and leaving small stock piles of grit at road ends;
• reference was made to the poor condition of roads in the Assynt peninsula;
• it was argued, given the length of roads in the Wester Ross, that this area was poorly served.  For example, out of a total of 42 footpath tractors, this area had only 1;
• there was general consensus that a review of the Winter Maintenance Policy should be undertaken, both at a strategic and local level.  Among the factors that should be taken into consideration included the treatment of roads at weekends, if car parks should be included and the gritting of social housing areas (with costs being reclaimed).  Furthermore, if the budget allocation for winter maintenance was insufficient to deal with weather conditions experienced since November, then this questioned how overspends should be dealt with.  In summary, given the challenges to the budget, there was merit for this issue to be considered as part of the Council’s redesign process;
• although the salt store in Inverness was covered, many other salt stores were not.  Moisture content was critical and, as a result, there was a reduction in the effectiveness of grit which had been stored in the open;
• the treatment of footpaths by tractors was not always effective.  In addition, it appeared that footpaths classed as “other”, including those in residential housing estates, were missed all together and, of all the concerns raised, the condition of pavements had caused most concern;
• the reduction in resources had resulted in a lack of capacity to deal with this year’s winter maintenance adequately.  It was therefore essential that limited resources were used as efficiently as possible and, while details had been provided of the Council’s gritting fleet, this had not included the hours of operation as time would have been lost as a result of mechanical breakdowns to gritters and tractors.  This information should be provided to Members at an Area level; and
• it would be interesting to see if Accident and Emergency admissions for fall injuries had risen.

The Committee:-

1. NOTED the challenges faced by the service in delivering the winter maintenance service this year and the pressure on the budget due to increased requirement for staff overtime and salt;
2. NOTED the outcomes of the meeting with community representatives and the proposed ‘lessons learned’ meeting with staff; and
3. AGREED that a review of the Winter Maintenance Policy be undertaken by summer 2018.

16.Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

The Committee NOTED the Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC), which had been circulated separately, for:-

1. North PAC – 17 October 2017;
2. South PAC – 24 October 2017;

And APPROVED:-

3. the Harbours Management Board Minutes of 8 December 2017; and
4. the Education, Transport Review Sub-Committee of 19 December 2017.

17. Exclusion of The Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

18. Land and Property
Aithisg Ghnothachasan Fearainn is Cuid-seilbhe

There had been circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/13/18 dated 23 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee APPROVED the recommendations contained within the report.

19. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There had been circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/14/18 dated 12 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee APPROVED the monitoring statements for General Fund and Property Account transactions as approved by the Head of Development & Regeneration under delegated authority as well the Budgeted Sales for 2017/18 and Future Years Sales.

20. Housing Development Initiatives
Iomairtean Leasachaidh Taigheadais    

Declaration of Interest

Ms M Smith declared a non-financial interest in this item as Company Secretary and a Board Member of Albyn Housing Society but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that her interest did not preclude her from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/15/18 dated 23 January 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

Having recognised the benefit of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal monies to communities outwith Inverness, the Committee otherwise AGREED the recommendations as detailed in the report.

 

The meeting ended at 3.50 pm.