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, 31 May 2018 at 10.00am.

(Please note the earlier start time for this meeting).

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

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

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. Presentation – Inverness College UHI
Taisbeanadh – UHI

The Committee is advised that Mr Chris O’Neill, Principal of Inverness College UHI, will give a presentation on the work being undertaken by Inverness College UHI to deliver on the vision and the objectives of the College, with a focus on how these tie in with those for the City and Area.

4. Developing Economic Links with Augsburg - Update     
A’ Leasachadh Cheangalan Eaconamach le Augsburg – Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/15/18 dated 15 May 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure and the Inverness Area City Manager.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report, support the continued development of economic links with Augsburg and work with partners to ensure that the initial activity undertaken by the Council is developed and built upon.

The Committee is also invited to agree to the commitment of additional resources to a maximum of £10,000 from the Inverness Common Good Fund to compliment the Development & Infrastructure Service and Highland & Islands Enterprise financial input.  

5. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Area Performance Summary    
Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba – Geàrr-chunntas Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No CIA/16/18 dated 9 May 2018 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland. 

The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise the City of Inverness Performance Report for Q3 and Q4 of 2017-18 as circulated. 

5a. Inverness Community Safety Partnership (ICSP)          

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/16a/18 dated 16 May 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager and the Area Commander (Highland and Islands Division, Police Scotland, Inverness).

The Committee is invited to note the work of ICSP for 2017 and endorse the work of the Operation Respect Daytime Group.

The Committee is also invited to note that with the formation of the local community partnership, the governance, tasking delivery and accountability will be enhanced if aligned to the Inverness Community Partnership. Whilst a formal approach to the Chair of the said Partnership will be required, early indications are that this approach will be well received. Members will continue to receive an annual update on the work of the Partnership in addition to any updates as part of regular Police and Fire scrutiny reports. 

6. Inverness East Development Brief
Brath Leasachaidh Inbhir Nis an Ear

There is circulated Report No CIA/17/18 dated 21 May 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to consider the summary of comments received on the Brief and agree the Council responses as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Committee is also invited to agree to adopt the Inverness East Development Brief (at Appendix 2 circulated separately) as part of the Development Plan (subject to any non-factual amendments or formatting changes and clearance by Scottish Ministers) and that the Brief be used as a material consideration for planning decisions and advice with immediate effect.

7. West Link Stage 2 
An Ceangal an Iar Ceum 2 – Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Report No CIA/18/18 dated 16 May 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note progress with the delivery of the Phase 2 West Link Road project and the intention to submit further information through the planning process required under the conditions attached to the existing planning permission.

The Committee is also asked to agree in principle that the detail of the proposed Jacobite Cruises building be deferred to allow further discussion with Jacobite Cruises in conjunction with Scottish Canals, subject to formal consideration under the planning process.

The Committee is further asked to agree that a new planning application be submitted to enable the provision of an additional leg on the proposed Torvean Roundabout to allow vehicular access to the Canal towpath south of the new swing bridge and to provide temporary overflow parking off this additional leg, the proposal to deliver a recreational/fitness network on the area covered by holes 5-8 as an early project (subject to securing appropriate funding) with progress being reported back at the appropriate time and the proposals to consult on a possible amendment to the Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief in the coming months on the future use of land soon to be vacated by Torvean Golf Club. 

8. Inverness City Centre Trade Waste Policy - Update     
Sgudal Malairt – Aithisg Ùrachaidh Pìleatach

There is circulated Report No CIA/19/18 dated 11 May 2018 by the Director of Community Services.  

The Committee is invited to note progress with the implementation of the trade waste policy as provided and that a formal review of the policy will be undertaken and presented to the meeting on 22 November 2018. 

9. Victorian Market Annual Report/Action Plan 
Aithisg Bhliadhnail/Plana-gnìomh na Margaidh Bhictòrianaich
 
There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/20/18 dated 15 May 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure and the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to agree to the continued development of the ‘branding’ of the Victoria Market as described in the report and the development of a business case for the remodelling of the Market Hall.

The Committee is also invited to note the draft project programme attached as Appendix 3 to the report on the basis that further reports will be submitted to progress to the project programme as required.

10. Town House Works Programme Phase 3     
Ath-leasachadh Taigh a’ Bhaile Ceum 3

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/21/18 dated 31 May 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure and the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to agree in principle – and subject to full Council agreement – to proceed to tender for Phase 3 (with a total estimated project cost of £3,304,083.58 for all the remaining sections of the Town House) and with a further third party funding application to Historic Environment Scotland. 

11. Inverness Townscape Heritage Project   
Pròiseact Dualchas Sealladh-baile Sràid na h-Acadamaidh

There is circulated Report No CIA/22/18 dated 21 May 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure. 

The Committee is invited to note progress being made in delivering the Inverness Townscape Heritage project as detailed in the report.

12. Inverness City Arts - Annual Report  
Ath-sgrùdadh Bliadhnail/Plana-gnìomh Ealain Baile Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/23/18 dated 16 May 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to note the terms of the report as circulated. 

13. Participatory Budgeting toward Mainstreaming     
Tachartasan Buidseataidh Com-pàirteach a’ Bhaile

There is circulated Report No CIA/24/18 dated 17 May 2018 by the Acting Head of Policy. 

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the events held in the area in 2018 and consider how participatory budgeting might be applied to mainstream service areas. 

14. Castle Wynd, Eastgate and Bridge Street – Proposed Alterations to Taxi  Ranks – Consideration of Objections                                               
Lùb a’ Chaisteil/An Àrd-Shràid agus Sràid na Drochaide – Atharrachaidhean gam Moladh ri Raointean Tagsaidh – Beachdachadh air Gearanan

There will follow Joint Report No CIA/25/18 by the Inverness City Area Manager and the Head of Roads & Transport.

15. Burial Ground Commutation Fund: Work Programme 2018/19       
Maoin Co-iomlaid Chladhan: Prògram Obrach 2018/19

There is circulated Report No CIA/26/18 dated 15 May 2018 by the Bereavement Services Manager.

The Committee is invited to increase annual maintenance costs from £25,000 to £30,000 and approve the work programme for 2018/19 as detailed in Appendix A to the report. 

16. Centenary Fields   
Raointean nan Ceud Bliadhna

There is circulated Report No CIA/27/18 dated 10 May 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is asked to approve the nomination of Cavell Gardens as a Centenary Field.        

17. Inverness Common Good Fund: Discretionary Scheme for Winter Payments 2018/19                                Maoin Mathas Coitcheann Inbhir Nis: Sgeama fo Ùghdarras airson Phàighidhean Geamhraidh 2018/19

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/28/18 dated 10 May 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Resources and the Inverness City Area Manager. 

The Committee is invited to agree the following recommendations for the 2018/19 Inverness Winter Payments Discretionary Scheme - 

(i)   an increase in a single tier payment from £81 to £82 to be made to those applicants that satisfy the eligibility criteria for the 2018/19 scheme. This recommendation is based on the 0.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

(ii)  an increase in budget from £105,000 to £132,000 to take into account the proposed increase in payment to £82.00 for 2018/19 and the anticipated increase in demand during 2018/19 arising from ongoing welfare reforms and energy costs.  

(iii) that the criteria utilised for the 2017/18 scheme as set out in Paragraphs 4.1 to 4.4 shall be used as the basis for the 2018/19 scheme.  

(iv)  this discretionary scheme is to be made available to residents in the City of Inverness and the Landward areas of the seven City Wards.  

(v)   to promote payment by BACS for this discretionary scheme as this is the most secure method of payment for recipients of the payment and the Council alike.

18. Homologation of new Street Names    
Aontachadh Ainmean-sràide ùra

There is circulated Report No CIA/29/18 dated 11 May 2018 by the Head of Policy & Reform.

The Committee is invited to homologate the naming of streets as follows:-

(i)   one new street name at Westercraigs as Ruighard Place;
(ii)  two new streets for application2, Tornagrain housing development as Laggnagere, Laggnagere Court and Hares Loan;
(iii) one street for the former Poultry unit, Loch Flemington as Souters View; and
(iv)  three streets in Culduthel as Kilfinan Way, Bracara Road and Banavie Gardens. 

19.Town House Tours       

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/30/18 dated 11 May 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager and the Principal Cultural Manager, High Life Highland.

The Committee is invited to agree to the Programme of Town House Tours commencing for 2018 as detailed in the report and Appendix 1.

The Committee is also invited to note the collaborative work done in preparation between the Council and High Life Highland, that the tours will be promoted through High Life Highland and all reasonable opportunity used to seek promotion elsewhere and that an evaluation report will be provided late in 2018 or early 2019 with proposals for the 2019 tourist season.   

20. Inverness Common Good Fund    
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

(a) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No CIA/31/18 dated 17 May 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial monitoring report to 30 April 2018 and note that overall expenditure is within agreed budgets.

(b) Grants and Capital Projects
Pròiseactan Tabhartais agus Calpa

There is circulated Report No CIA/32/18 dated 17 May 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

The Committee is invited to consider the application for funding, scrutinise the current status of capital projects and agree not to proceed with the proposed New Starter Unit at Lotland Street. 

(c) Whin Park Improvement Works
Obair-leasachaidh Pàirc a’ Chonaisg

There is circulated Report No CIA/33/18 dated 17 April 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to note the details of work already completed and the proposed programme of improvement works proposed for Whin Park.

The Committee is also invited to approve the funding to complete the added value works over the next two years.

21. Minutes     
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.    City of Inverness Area Committee held on 22 February 2018 for noting; 
ii.   Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 9 April and 14 May 2018 for approval; 
iii.  Events & Festivals Working Group held on 27 February and 16 April 2018 for approval 
iv.   Inverness City Arts Working Group held on 1 March, 22 March and 3 May 2018 for approval 
v.    Victorian Market Stakeholder Management Group held on 20 March and 5 May 2018 for noting.