Agendas, reports and minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Thursday, 30 August 2018 at 10.30am.

Present:    
    
Mr R Balfour, Mr B Boyd, Mr I Brown, Mrs C Caddick, Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mr G Cruickshank, Mrs M Davidson, Mr K Gowans, Mr A Jarvie, Mr R Laird, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr D Macpherson, Mrs B McAllister, Mr R MacWilliam, Mrs T Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr C Smith

Officials in Attendance:

Mr D Haas, Inverness City Area Manager
Ms F MacBain, Committee Administrator
Ms S Murdoch, Common Good Fund Officer
Ms J Murray, Victorian Market Manager
Ms M Murray, Committee Administrator
Mr G Reynolds, Inverness Events Manager
Mr J Taylor, Roads Operations Manager (Inverness)

Also in attendance:

Mr G Ambrose, VILN Chief Executive
Inspector C Gough, Police Scotland 

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

Mrs H Carmichael in the Chair

Preliminaries

The City Area Manager explained that Members had been issued with an amended set of reports, some additional information relevant to Item 4 (Police Area Performance), and the tabled set of minutes for the Events and Festivals Working Group of 30 July 2018. 

The Committee NOTED the additional papers and AGREED that future meetings of the Committee would start at 10am, as previously discussed.

Business

1. Apologies for Absence    
Leisgeulan

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Ms E Knox, Miss J Campbell, Mr A Graham and Mr J Gray.

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

The Committee NOTED the following declarations of interest:-

Item 6 – Ms H Carmichael (non-financial)
Item 8 – Mr K Gowans (financial)
Item 10 – Mrs M Davidson (financial)

3. Recess Powers 
Cumhachdan Fosaidh
    
Members were advised that Recess Powers had not required to be used for this Committee over the Recess period.

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

There had been circulated Report Nos CIA/34/18 and CIA/35/18 (both dated 16 August 2018) by the Chief Inspector, Inverness Area Commander, which provided an update on progress with reference to the objectives outlined within the Highland Policing Plan for the periods covering 1 April 2017-31 March 2018 and 1 April 2018-31 July 2018 respectively.  

Following the presentation, and during discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• the increase in police activity was welcomed and it would be useful if future reports contained more scientific / statistical information to more easily facilitate analysis of links between increased activity and performance statistics;
• increases in police activity were reflected in the crime detection statistics and it was hoped that crime prevention work would continue with other public agencies. In this regard, some health and social care reporting at area level, as happened in other areas and at the Community Planning Partnership, would be useful to identify areas of mutual concern;
• there were different types of shop-lifters: those who were stealing due to poverty and an insufficient funds to purchase food; and those stealing high value items to sell, often related to drug and alcohol addictions, with the latter more frequently coming to the attention of the Police. Often a small number of known individuals were regular offenders and a brief outline of work being undertaken to tackle this was provided. Further information was sought in future on the levels of shoplifting due to poverty, with this information also likely to be of help to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau;
• concern was expressed about the high numbers of missing persons, with a significant number being Looked After Children, and it was hoped that social services were involved in such cases. There was a small cohort of individuals who went missing frequently and preventative work was ongoing; 
• concern was expressed about the increase in hate crimes and information was sought on  whether they were becoming more physical and violent, and on whether acid attacks had taken place in Inverness. It was thought there was significant under-reporting of this and of domestic violence, and work was ongoing with support agencies;
• it was confirmed there were no current plans to permanently locate a police officer in Tornagrain, and those communities would be serviced from Inverness;
• the process behind anti-social behaviour orders was explained. Known young offenders could be reported to the police and this would be passed to beat officers;
• further information on dishonesty crimes could be provided outwith the meeting and a report provided to a future meeting if required; and
• it was clarified that more detailed or specific information on a variety of topics could be provided outwith the meeting.

The Committee NOTED progress as detailed in the reports.  

5.    Annual Area Capital Report                                                                          
Cunntas Bliadhnail Calpa Sgìreil                                                                              

There had been circulated Report No. CIA/36/18 dated 6 August 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Resources.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• concern was expressed that the report did not contain adequate information on the projects to facilitate useful scrutiny, and this was exacerbated by there being no officer present at the meeting to answer questions. Members were urged to contact the relevant service department with queries about individual projects, and some Members expressed disappointment with this situation and suggested that there was no merit in being presented with the report in its current format and only on an annual basis. The capital reporting process used for the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee was preferable and the Provost would discuss this with the Director; and
• a separate capital expenditure listing for schools would be preferred. Concern was expressed that demountable solutions were sought too quickly and when making such decisions the value of the asset after capital works should be compared to cost of installation and maintenance of a demountable unit.

The Committee NOTED the expenditure on each project in this Council area in 2017/18 and the budget for each project in 2018/19 as detailed in the report.

6. Inverness and Loch Ness Tourism BID – Progress Report                    
Roinn Leasachadh Gnothachais Turasachd Inbhir Nis Loch Nis

Declaration of Interest – Mrs H Carmichael declared a non-financial interest in this item as a Director of the Board of Inverness BID and of Inverness & Loch Ness Tourism BID 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 Joint Report No CIA/37/18 dated 2 August 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager and the Tourism BID Chief Executive.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• Mrs Davidson would speak to the Tourism BID Chief Executive to explore ways of publicising the achievements of the BID and their contribution to the area. Of particular note was the completion of the South Loch Ness Trail which meant a complete off-road circuit could now be made of Loch Ness on foot, bike or horse. Marketing events were planned for Spring 2019 and reference was made to uses to which the funding that had been received from Scottish Government & European funded Improving Public Access Scheme, SSE and the Highland Council Discretionary Capital Fund would be put, including a Loch Ness Ranger and efforts to handle the expected increase in visitor numbers; and
• it was disappointing that work with HIE to launch a Loch Ness Tourism Business Plan had not come to fruition and this should be revisited as a Plan would helpful to attract investment.

The Committee ENDORSED the continuing work and activities of the Tourism BID as detailed in the report.

7. Victorian Market – Action Plan - Use of Unit                                                                                                        
A’ Mhargaidh Bhictòrianach – Cleachdadh Aonaid Fhalaimh

There had been circulated Report No. CIA/38/18 dated 15 August 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• it was clarified that the proposed rental rate for the unit was £20 per hour, not per day, and it was pointed out that this could be prohibitively expensive for certain vendors and that discretion should be used to avoid the unit being empty. Final decisions on pricing were delegated to the City Area Manager in consultation with the Chair of the Victorian Market Stakeholder Management Group;
• the steps taken to improve shop frontages were welcomed; and
• the possibility of a Committee visit to the market would be considered at a meeting of the Stakeholders Management Group.

The Committee:-

(i)    AGREED to Unit 15 in the Market Hall being utilised for the purposes detailed within the report, noting that this Unit would be taken off the market for a period of 2 years;
(ii)    NOTED that during this period the Market rent of £13,000p.a. would not be available to the Inverness Common Good Fund; and
(iii)    AGREED that the benefits to the Inverness Common Good Fund set out in the report outweighed the potential loss of rental income.   

8. Events and Festivals                                                                                 
Tachartasan agus Fèisean

Declaration of Interest - Mr K Gowans declared a financial interest in this item as an employee of Inverness College UHI and having a close family member who was an employee of High Life Highland 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. CIA/39/18 dated 6 August 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• several Members expressed concern at the lack of financial detail on the proposed events and suggested that this prevented adequate scrutiny for them to agree the budget. It was explained that the exact detail on future events was not known at this point in time due to the number of uncertain issues and costs, and that a full break down of costs of previous events was available. Other Members pointed out that the budget was being rolled forward without a proposed increase and with the majority of events being similar to previous years. A significant new event being proposed was the Riverlights events, but approval was not being sought for the event itself but for the suggested format of the event and to obtain more detail for a future proposal. Following considerable discussion it was explained that regular reports on events were scrutinised in detail by the Events and Festivals Working Group and that a detailed breakdown of expenditure in the previous financial year could be reported to a future meeting of the Committee;
• consideration should be given to a future event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first UK Government Cabinet meeting being held outside London in the Inverness Town House in 1921;
• an explanation was sought and received on why the Council had not bid to stage the European Pipe Band Championships, which were to be hosted in Inverness by a private company. Fringe events were a possibility;
• more information on the costs, revenues and benefits from the Highland Games would be beneficial and information was sought and provided on European film crews who had attended the Highland Games;
• the benefits of the events programme to the entire population of the Highlands was pointed out; and
• efforts should be increased to obtain sponsorship for certain events, particularly the Red Hot Highland Fling at Hogmanay.

The Committee:-

(i)    APPROVED the proposed programme;
(ii)    APPROVED the allocation of a budget in the sum of £340,000 from the Inverness Common Good Fund budget for 2019/20;
(iii)    APPROVED the proposed 2019/20 Action Plan;
(iv)    NOTED the progress made on the development of the Signature Events programme under consideration for 2022;  
(v)    APPROVED the suggested format for the Riverlights event; and
(vi)    AUTHORISED the development of an Event Plan and budget for future consideration by this Committee; and
(vii)    AGREED that a detailed breakdown of expenditure in the previous financial year be reported to a future meeting of the Committee.     

9. Winter Maintenance Plan 2018/19 
Plana Obair-glèidhidh Geamhradh 2018/19

There had been circulated Report No. CIA/40/18 dated 16 August 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

Following a presentation of the report, and during discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• the adjustments to the Winter Maintenance Plan were welcomed;
• assurance was sought and received that winter maintenance would continue as planned in the Glenurquhart area despite the imminent retiral of staff in the area;
• Community Councils should be provided with the Plan and route maps for their areas to give them the opportunity to suggest minor tweaks as a result of local knowledge;
• there were many new housing developments and roads in Inverness South ward, the majority on elevated ground, and no increase in the winter maintenance budget, which was challenging;
• given past concerns about pavement clearance, it would be helpful for Members to be provided with maps of those plans and for them to continue to encourage resilience in communities and through Community Councils;
• information was sought on the emergency resilience text messaging service and whether texts could be issued to communities to alert them to bad weather and seek their assistance; and
• it was clarified that some of the maps attached to the report were out of date  but that route plans contained all roads.

The Committee:

(i)    APPROVED the Winter Maintenance Plan for the Inverness Area which included the priority road lists and maps presented in Appendices B & C, subject to the amendments detailed in the report;
(ii)    AGREED that the amended Winter Service Policy be circulated to Community Councils;
(iii)    AGREED that further information be sought and provided to Members of the Committee on the emergency resilience text messaging service; and
(iv)    AGREED that a map of the footways to be treated be provided to Members of the Committee.

10. Burial Ground Commutation Fund
Maoin Cho-iomlaid

Declaration of Interest – Mrs M Davidson declared a financial interest in this item as a close family member worked for the burial team 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 Report No. CIA/41/18 dated 15 August 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services and the Inverness City Area Manager.

During discussion, concern was expressed at the lack of progress with planned works by Community Services since approval of the 2018-19 budget in May 2018 and at the proposed three year moratorium on further capital works being funded, the reasons for which were detailed in the report. It was clarified that the Commutation Fund was being used to supplement the programme of works being undertaken by Community Services and further clarity on this would be sought.

The Committee:-

(i)    NOTED the position in relation to the Inverness Burial Commutation Fund;
(ii)    NOTED the analysis of the fund’s financial performance; and
(iii)    APPROVED the recommendation that for three years from 2019/20 the annual value of works undertaken by Community Services should be capped at the level of the Fund’s annual income earned and a moratorium on any additional capital works should be applied with a review in three years; and
(iv)    AGREED that clarity be sought from Community Services regarding progress with the Commutation Fund programme of works and the funds available in the Council’s budget for Inverness Burial Grounds.

11. Homologation of new Street Names     
Aontachadh Ainmean Sràide ùra

There had been circulated Report No. CIA/42/18 dated 2 August 2018 by the Head of Policy & Reform.

The Committee HOMOLOGATED the naming of new streets as follows:

(i)    New housing development at Kirkhill as: Williamson Way
(ii)    New flatted development at Westercraigs as: Great Glen Place
(iii)    New housing development at Ness Castle, Inverness as: Mingary Crescent
(iv)    New flatted development at Tornagrain as; Johnstone House and 1 street as Mid Coul Court
(v)    New housing development at Wester Inshes (phase 3) requiring 4 street names  as:  Broomhall Court; Inshes Grove; Wester Elm Drive; West Park Avenue
(vi)    Creation of an additional street name serving 2 existing residential properties and 2 plots off Culloden Road, Inverness as: Tower Lane East.

12. Inverness Common Good Fund    
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There had been circulated Report No. CIA/43/18 dated 16 August 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager which presented the expenditure monitoring position for the Inverness Common Good Fund as at 31 July 2018 and the projected year end position.

The Committee considered the financial monitoring report to 31 July 2018 and NOTED that overall expenditure was within agreed budgets.

b) Grants and Capital Projects
Pròiseactan Tabhartais agus Calpa

There had been circulated Report No. CIA/44/18 dated 8 August 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager which set out the current applications for funding to be determined and the current status of capital projects.

In this connection, there had been circulated separately a copy of supporting documentation as Booklet A.

During discussion it was clarified that The Ledge project was not a commercial venture. 

The Committee NOTED the current status of capital projects and AGREED TO APPROVE the following applications:-

• Camanachd Association - £5,250, noting that approval of this application brought the Camanachd Association’s grant to over £10,000 for the financial year 2018/19.
• The Ledge - £50,000 
• Mikeysline - £25,000.
• Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, High Life Highland - £15,500

and AGREED TO REJECT the following applications:-

• ActivNess Ltd - £25,821 
• Workers’ Educational Association - £69,590

c) Inverness Common Good Fund Sub Committee – Annual Report 2017/18
Fo-Chomataidh Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis – Aithisg Bhliadhnail 2017/18

There had been circulated Report No. CIA/45/18 dated 2 July 2018 by the Inverness City Area Manager.

During discussion it was clarified that the £11,043 underspend for 2016-17 had been carried forward to the following financial year and had been spent appropriately by the Grants Sub-Committee.

The Committee NOTED and he work of the Sub Committee as detailed.

13. Minutes     
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.    City of Inverness Area Committee held on 31 May  - NOTED;
ii.    Inverness City Arts Working Group held on 7 August - APPROVED;
iii.    Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 6 August  and  14 August - APPROVED;
iv.    Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 12 June and 30 July - APPROVED;  and
v.    Victorian Market Stakeholder Group held on 19 June - NOTED.

14. 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 item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

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

There had been circulated to Members only Joint Report No CIA/46/18 dated 28 August 2018 by the Head of Development and Regeneration and the Property Manager (Estates).

Following discussion, the Committee NOTED the contents of the report as detailed.

The meeting ended at 1.10 pm.