Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Highland Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 6 September 2018 at 10.35am.

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. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
A’ Gairm a’ Chlàir agus 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
 
Members are asked to note that the recess powers granted at the meeting on 28 June 2018 did not require to be used in relation to the full Council.

4. Confirmation of Minutes 
Daingneachadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There are submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the Council held on 28 June as contained in the Volume which has been circulated separately.

5. Minutes of Meetings of Committees

Pensions Committee, 9 August
Ross & Cromarty Committee, 15 August
Environment, Development & Infrastructure Committee, 16 August
Badenoch & Strathspey Area Committee, 21 August -

Starred Items as follows –

Strathspey Railway Charitable Trust – Agreed to Recommend that the Council continue to provide non-financial support to the Strathspey Railway Project; and

Active Aviemore Study Update – Agreed to Recommend that the Council provide non-financial support to the CNPA to take forward a non-motorised users route connecting Aviemore, Carrbridge and Boat of Garten.

Care, Learning & Housing Committee, 22 August
Sutherland County Committee, 23 August
Caithness Committee, 28 August
Corporate Resources Committee, 29 August
City of Inverness Area Committee, 30 August
Lochaber Area Committee, 30 August
Isle of Skye & Raasay Committee, 3 September

6. Membership of Committees, etc
Ballarachd Chomataidhean, msaa

Chair of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee

The Council is advised that Mr R Laird has tendered his resignation as Chair of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee with effect from 5 September 2018.

On that basis, nominations will be sought at the meeting for this position.

Members are also asked to agree the following –

Pensions Board – Mr D Rixson to replace Ms L Munro
South Planning Applications Committee (Sub – Ward 17) – Mrs T Robertson
South Planning Applications Committee (Sub – Ward 19) – Mr D Macpherson

7. Health and Social Care Working Group                        
Buidheann-obrach Slàinte agus Cùraim Shòisealta

There are circulated for approval Minutes of Meeting of the Health and Social Care Working Group held on 26 June 2018.                                                                  

Items 8 and 9 (below) will be considered at 2.00pm.

8. Question Time  
Am Ceiste

The following Questions have been received by the Head of Corporate Governance in terms of Standing Order 42 –

(i) Mr A Jarvie

To the Leader of the Council

“What are the details of the engagements your Administration have had with Her Majesty’s Government and the Devolved Scottish Administration since the last full Council?”

The response is circulated

Mr Jarvie will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader.

(ii) Mr R Bremner

To the Leader of the Council

“What steps have you taken to fully consult with the public and manage their expectations in respect of your upcoming budget for 2019/2020?”

The response is circulated

Mr Bremner will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader.

(iii) Mr A Jarvie

To the Chair of the Care, Learning & Housing Committee

“How does the Highland Council named person scheme operate and how does this differ from what was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court in July 2016?”

The response is circulated

Mr Jarvie will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Chair of the Care, Learning & Housing Committee.

(iv) Mr R MacWilliam

To the Chair of the Environment, Development & Infrastructure Committee

“What measures does the Administration intend to take to improve the condition of Highland roads?”

The response is circulated

Mr MacWilliam will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Chair of the Environment, Development & Infrastructure Committee.

(v) Mr A Graham

To the Leader of the Council

"In view of the considerable difficulties with infrastructure and services to support our important tourism sector, what does the Council view as the priorities to improve visitor experience in the Highlands, and how might these be delivered?”

The response is circulated

Mr Graham will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader.         

9. Notices of Motion 
Brathan Gluasaid

The following Notices of Motion have been received in accordance with Standing Order 10.1 –

(i) ‘Highland Council review their policy on abandoned and parked nuisance vehicles and, working with partners, establish a clear Highland-wide policy to deal with these’.

Signed: Mr R Bremner, Ms M Smith

(ii) ‘Council notes with concern the recent reports surrounding the adverse health effects from long term exposure to glysophate, the chemical in weedkiller.

Council agrees to fully review their policy on weedkilling in Highland with regard to prevention options, as well as exploring affordable and safe alternatives to the ingredient glysophate, with a view to introducing this as soon as possible’.

Signed:Mr N McLean, Mr C Fraser, Ms M Smith 

(iii) ‘Highland Council notes the concern from communities, businesses and the third sector regarding the enforced closure of public conveniences across Highland in order to provide savings as dictated by the Revenue Budget earlier this year.

Council commits to address the changes needed to protect Highland public toilets in a proactive and engaging way, with officers providing a range of accurate, detailed reports, fuelled by their experience, when consulting with communities throughout the summer. These should not be dependent upon the budget cuts agreed in February, before consultation, but look for viable alternatives to retain the public conveniences, as well as seeking a commercial aspect to this, in order to provide future income to the Council but also to make toilets sustainable financially going forward. Council may wish to present this report to a future meeting of the EDI Committee for discussion’.

Signed: Ms K Currie, Mr B Boyd

(iv) ‘Highland Council recognises the indisputable link between Adverse Childhood Experiences and poor health outcomes in later life; commends Care and Learning officers, NHS Highland and the academic community for stimulating awareness and discussion about ACEs; urges all Members to attend a screening of the film 'Resilience' and commits Highland Council to becoming an 'ACE-Aware' Council’.

Signed:Mr R MacWilliam, Ms K Currie

(v) ‘Tha a' Chomhairle a' cur meal-a-naidheachd air a' chòmhlan-chiùil roc Gàidhealach Runrig às dèidh 45 bliadhna de shoirbheachas, a' brosnachadh cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig is na Gàidhealtachd air feadh na h-Alba agus an t-saoghail. Thathar ag aithneachadh an tabhartais a tha iad air a dhèanamh do cheòl, a' toirt dualchas òran is sgeulachdan Gàidhlig gu luchd-èisteachd eadar-ghinealaich is eadar-nàiseanta. Thathar a' cur luach air na tha an còmhlan air cur ri beatha chultarail na Gàidhealtachd, a' toirt taing dhaibh airson iomadh neach-ciùil òg às a' Ghàidhealtachd a bhrosnachadh,  a' toirt fa-near gu bheil an còmhlan a-nis air an dreuchd a leigeil dhiubh a thaobh a bhith a' cluiche beò agus a' guidhe gach soirbheachais dhaibh anns na nì iad san àm ri teachd. 

That the Council congratulates Highland rock band Runrig on 45 years of success, promoting Gaelic and Highland language and culture throughout Scotland and the world, recognises the contribution that they have made to music, bringing the tradition of Gaelic songs and stories to an inter-generational and international audience, values the contribution the band has made to the cultural life of the Highlands, thanks them for the inspiration that they have provided to many young Highland musicians, notes that the band have now retired from live performing and wishes them every success in their future endeavours’.

Signed: Ms K Currie, Mr R Bremner
                                                        
10. Multi-year Revenue Budget Planning 2019/20 to 2021/22 – Update Report
            
There is circulated Report No. HC/27/18 dated 27 August 2018 by the Director of Corporate Resources / Depute Chief Executive.

Members are asked to:

(i) note the working assumption for the budget gap of £66.7m over the next three years;
(ii) consider the extent to which any increase in Council Tax might meet this gap; and
(iii) note the progress to date in addressing the budget gap.

11. Redesign of Highland Council – Update from the Board  
Ath-dhealbhadh Chomhairle na Gaidhealtachd – Aithisg Adhartais

There is circulated Report No. HC/28/18 dated 28 August 2018 by the Chief Executive.

Members are asked to discuss and note:

(i) The peer review into commissioned preventative services for children will conclude soon and the Board’s recommendations are planned to be made to the Care, Learning and Housing Committee in October 2018.  The building trades peer review is well underway and is expected to conclude in the autumn. Four new peer reviews are being tasked.
(ii) After the first full year of Lean practice, staff have identified the positive impact of reviews as well as the support required to see them implemented well. This provides important organisational learning and will be reported fully to the Board along with a plan to unblock any Lean review implementation, especially where savings or income potential are being delayed.
(iii) An up-date report on redesign and workforce implications was viewed positively at the Staff Partnership Forum with Trade Unions.
(iv) An up-date of the range of redesign reviews and their budget impact, as set out in Appendix 1.
(v) That peer expenditure reviews were agreed by the Board as a way of focusing on identifying further savings in 2018/19.
(vi) That considerable pace and priority will be given to redesign work in order to deliver the necessary results and savings.

12. Local Governance Review

There is circulated Report No. HC/29/18 dated 29 August 2018 by the Chief Executive.

Members are asked to note:

1. the launch of the Local Governance Review, its intention to enable further community empowerment and the two strands of engagement underway to inform the review;
2. Cosla’s active role in developing a local authority position on the review;
3. that the Council is supporting Strand 1 and the engagement of community bodies in the review by offering to host any regional events planned and raising the engagement questions (Appendix 1) with our Community Councils;
4. that the Council can respond to Strand 2 by 14th December and has provided feedback on issues and ideas identified so far to Cosla (Appendix 2);
5. that there will be other opportunities to align and reinforce the Council’s position on the Local Governance Review including supporting Cosla’s work with the Government on the Open Government Partnership.

Members are asked to:

6. discuss the ideas raised so far as set out in paragraphs 4.7, 4.8 and Appendix 2;
7. agree any further ideas to explore;
8. agree the process for finalising the Council’s proposals to be submitted by 14th December 2018 as set out in paragraph 4.13.  This will enable further discussion for Members in their groups, in a Member seminar, at Council and with partners and take into account any feedback from Community Councils and any regional events hosted by the Council as well as ideas developed through Cosla.
9. agree to support Cosla’s position (Appendix 3) on the consultation response to a proposed Members’ Bill to enshrine the European Charter of Local Self Government in Scots Law.

13. Corporate Performance Report
Aithisg Choileanaidh Chorporra

There is circulated Report No. HC/30/18 dated 27 August 2018 by the Chief Executive.

Members are asked to:-

(i) note the good progress being made with delivery of the Council’s Programme for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018;
(ii) note that the annual review of the Programme is underway and any amendments required (followed by an updated Corporate Plan) will be submitted to the Council by the end of December 2018; and
(iii) await a further report on Statutory Performance Indicators and the Local Government Benchmarking Framework no later than March 2019.   

14. Annual Performance Report for 2017-18 against the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Highland
Coileanadh mu Choinneamh Plana Seirbheis Ionadail Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na Gàidhealtachd 2017-18  

There is circulated Report No. HC/31/18 dated 27 August 2018 by the Local Senior Officer – Highland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The Council is asked to scrutinise and comment on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service delivery and performance as contained within the Annual Report.
 
15. Regional and Rural Development Policies post Brexit         
Poileasaidhean Leasachaidh Roinneil agus Dùthchail às dèidh Brexit   

There is circulated Report No. HC/32/18 dated 27 August 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure.

Members are asked to consider and approve Appendices 1-4 within the report as policy statements to inform Council lobbying post Brexit. 

16. Highland Health & Social Care Annual Performance
Coileanadh Bliadhnail Slàinte & Cùram Sòisealta na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. HC/33/18 dated 22 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Council is asked to scrutinise and comment on the Annual Performance Report as circulated. 

17.Consultation on the Review of the Structure of the Scottish Local Government Pension Fund 
Sgeama Peinnsein – Co-chomhairle

There is circulated Report No. HC/34/18 dated 27 August 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Resources.

Members are asked to discuss the consultation and note the Highland Council Pension Fund’s proposed response.

Members are also asked to decide whether the Highland Council, as a participating employer, wishes to provide a separate response. 

18. Senior Staff Recruitment Panel  
Pannal Fastaidh Àrd-Luchd-obrach

It is proposed that in future the recently appointed Senior Staff Recruitment Panel should be responsible for future appointments at Director level and above.

This Panel comprises the Convener, Leader, Depute Leader, Chair of the Corporate Resources Committee, Chair of the Care, Learning & Housing Committee, Chair of the Environment, Development & Infrastructure Committee, Leader of the Labour Group, Leader of the Opposition, Mr A Jarvie and Mr R Laird. 

The Council is asked to agree this proposal as detailed.

19. Review of Standing Orders Relating to the Conduct of Meetings
Ath-sgrùdadh air Òrdughan Seasmhach a’ Buntainn ri Stiùireadh Choinneamhan                     

There is circulated Report No. HC/35/18 dated 28 August 2018 by the Head of Corporate Governance.

The Council is asked to agree the proposed amendments to Standing Orders as detailed in the report.

20. Review of the Scheme of Delegation and Administration to Committees and Sub Committees and to Officers
Ath-sgrùdadh air an Sgeama Thiomnaidh agus Rianachd do Chomataidhean agus Fo-Chomataidhean agus do dh’Oifigearan

There is circulated Report No. HC/36/18 dated 21 August 2018 by the Head of Corporate Governance.

The Council is asked to agree the proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegation as detailed in the report.

21.Review of Webcasting and Videoconferencing Protocols
Ath-sgrùdadh air Pròtacalan Craoladh-lìn agus Cho-labhairtean Bhidio

There is circulated Report No. HC/37/18 dated 21 August 2018 by the Head of Corporate Governance.

The Council is asked to agree the proposed amendments to the Videoconferencing Protocol as detailed in the report.

The Council is also asked to agree that there is no requirement for any further change to the Webcasting Protocol at this time.

22. Timetable of Meetings for 2019
Clàr-ama Choinneamhan airson 2019

There is circulated Proposed Timetable of Meetings for 2019 for approval.

23. National Scale Planning Application – Auchteraw Substation
Iarrtas Dealbhaidh Sgèile Nàiseanta – Fo-stèisean Uachdarath

Members are advised of the following and forthcoming National Scale Planning Application which will required to be determined by the full Council –

Application Ref/Applicant: 18/00760/FUL/Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks;

Description: Extend Substation, creation of two platforms in phases, for gas insulated substation buildings, plant, access tracks, associated landscaping and other ancillary equipment;

Location: Land 325M SW of Whitebridge Cottage, Auchteraw, Fort Augustus;

Ward 12 – Aird and Loch Ness.

In this regard, Members are asked to consider whether they wish a Site Visit to be held in advance of determination of the above application by the full Council.  

24. Deeds Executed
Sgrìobhainnean Lagha a Bhuilicheadh

Members are asked to note that a list of deeds and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 28 June 2018 is available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.