Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Highland Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 25 October 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. Membership of the Council
 Ballrachd na Comhairle

Members are advised that Ms Kate Stephen has confirmed her resignation as a Member of the Council with effect from 1 October 2018.

On that basis, a By-Election for Ward 5 (Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh) has now been arranged and will be held on Thursday, 6 December 2018.

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 6 September 2018 as contained in the Volume which has been circulated separately.

5. Minutes of Meetings of Committees
 Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan Chomataidhean

There are submitted for confirmation as correct records, for information as regards delegated business and for approval as appropriate, the Minutes of Meetings of Committees contained in Volume circulated separately as undernoted:-

Nairnshire Committee, 12 September 
Audit and Scrutiny Committee, 20 September 
Care, Learning and Housing Committee, 18 October 

6. Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board               
 Co-Bhòrd Luachaidh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean Siar

There are circulated for information Minutes of Meeting of the Valuation Joint Board held on 21 June 2018 (approved by the Board on 13 September 2018).

7. Community Planning Board
Bòrd Dealbhadh Coimhearsnachd

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Community Planning Board held on 21 June 2018 (approved by the Board on 4 October 2018).

8. Recruitment Panel
Pannal Fastaidh

There are circulated for information Minutes of Meeting of the Recruitment Panel held on 14 September 2018.

9. 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 19 September 2018.                                                                   

10. Membership of Committees, etc
Ballarachd Chomataidhean, msaa

The Council is advised that, following the resignation of Ms K Stephen, nominations will be sought at the meeting for the position as Vice Chair of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee.

On that basis, the Administration will move that Ms L Munro should now be appointed as Vice Chair of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee.

Members are asked to agree the following –

Audit and Scrutiny Committee - a nomination will be tabled for approval to replace Ms K Stephen

Care, Learning and Housing Committee - a nomination will be tabled for approval to replace Ms K Stephen

Redesign Board – Mrs H Carmichael to replace Mr M Reiss

Items 11 and 12 (below) will be considered at 2.00pm.

11. Question Time
Am Ceiste

The following Questions have been received by the Head of Corporate Governance.

1. Mr A Jarvie

To the Leader of the Council

‘Was any information forthcoming on the support available from the Scottish Government for the provision of toilet facilities on your 20 August meeting with Kevin Stewart MSP?’

The response is circulated

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

2. Mr J Bruce

To the Leader of the Council

‘Given that HIE awarded an £8.5m funding package to Macdonald Hotels to develop the Aviemore Resort, including the construction of the leisure arena in the early 2000s, should Macdonald Hotels not allow Highlife card members to use the swimming pool facility in view of the public funds they enjoyed and has this point been raised in negotiations?’

The response is circulated

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

3. Mrs M Cockburn

To the Leader of the Council

‘What progress has been made in the review process that the Administration were undertaking with regard to NHS integrated health care partnership?’

The response is circulated

Mrs M Cockburn will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader.

4. Ms M Smith

To the Budget Leader

‘Would you provide a detailed list of all expenses incurred in the financial year 2017-18 by Officers and Members with regard to attendance at conferences and seminars outwith Highland, giving the conference title?’

The response is circulated

Ms M Smith will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader.

5. Dr I Cockburn

To the Leader of the Council

‘What information did the Brexit meeting you attended in Edinburgh with other Council Leaders on 28 September 2018 provide you with?’

The response is circulated

Dr I Cockburn will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader.

12. Notices of Motion 
Brathan Gluasaid

The following Notices of Motion have been received in accordance with Standing Order 12:-

1. ‘Council believes that although good quality pupil assessment is an essential component of the drive to raise educational standards in Scotland’s schools it is simply not necessary in Primary 1 and places additional workload on to teachers with no real improvement in educational outcomes for these children.

Larry Flanagan, General Secretary of the EIS said in August this year, “We are sceptical about the worth of standardised assessments generally, but we’re particularly opposed to their introduction for P1 pupils.  They bring a rigid formality to assessment at a stage where the judgements of teachers, based on observation of child centred learning, are all that’s needed”.

With so many frontline teaching staff opposed to these tests, this Council calls on the Scottish Government to respect the Parliamentary vote to scrap these tests and for the Leader to write to John Swinney to represent this Council’s view’.

Signed: Mrs I MacKenzie     Mr A Christie

2. ‘The Highland Council welcomes the interest taken by Scottish Ministers in the Council’s extensive school estate, as demonstrated during recent visits, but is disappointed that this is for political purposes.

The Council has a significant number of schools with condition, suitability and capacity issues.  Regrettably, the Scottish Government continues to ignore our strong case for a different approach to capital investment in our schools.  It fails to recognise the unique challenges of having responsibility for over 200 schools spread across a vast area.

The Council is disappointed that the Scottish Government has delayed any announcement of further schools programme funding, through the Scottish Future Trust, or a successor programme.  This continues to hinder the improvement of our school network.  The Council urges the Scottish Government to work in partnership with the Council to provide a better future for our pupils and staff’.’

Signed: Mr A Baxter Mr J Finlayson Ms A MacLean Ms L Munro Mr A Christie 

3. ‘That Highland Council believes that the interests of the people of the Highlands would be best served by a referendum on the terms of leaving the European Union with the option of remaining in the European Union.

We wish to formally add our voice to those calling for a People’s Vote.

We agree to write to our MPs and MSPs expressing our view and asking them to support a People’s Vote and ask Highland Council to make representations to this effect.’

Signed:  Mrs D Mackay     Mr A Christie       Mr J Finlayson

4. ‘This Council recognises the improvement in road safety and reduction in harmful emissions that the 50mph HGV trial has delivered on the A9 between Perth and Inverness and nationwide in England and Wales since 2015.  By reducing speed differences between vehicles, the number of serious injuries from HGV incidents has decreased by 67%.  HGVs travelling at 50mph also produce up to 15% less CO2 than at 40mph.

This Council calls on the Scottish Government to reflect on the success of this trial and make the A9 trial permanent.  But also to further rollout the 50mph limit to other appropriate single carriageway roads.’

Signed:  Mr A Jarvie      Mr M Reiss

5. ‘Council resolves to invite Wipro representatives to a future committee to give information on what processes they have put in place to prevent the serious and severely hampering faults with the remote direct access, which resulted in Council employees and Councillors being unable to access emails for days on end, as well as schools having to cancel in service training days due to having no web access to their materials.’

Signed: Ms M Smith     Ms G Campbell Sinclair    Dr I Cockburn

13. Redesign of Highland Council  
Ath-dhealbhadh Chomhairle na Gaidhealtachd

a) Progress Report  
Aithisg Adhartais

There is circulated Report No. HC/39/18 dated 12 October 2018 by the Chief Executive.

In this regard, there are also circulated (pp.39-40) Minutes of Meeting of the Redesign Board held on 25 September 2018.

The Council is asked to discuss and note:-

1. the peer review into commissioned preventative services for children is now complete and is considered elsewhere on this agenda.  The building trades peer review is now substantially complete and will be presented to the Redesign Board for approval on 13 November 2018.  A number of new peer reviews are being tasked;
2. an officer level Lean Project team has been established to closely monitor and support the Lean review implementation, especially where savings or income potential are being delayed and to prioritise future Lean reviews, in discussion with the Redesign Board;
3. an up-date of the range of redesign reviews and their budget impact, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and
4. there will be greater focus on implementation of completed Peer and Lean Reviews, with progress reported back through the Redesign Board.

b) Council Redesign – Final Report on Commissioned Children’s Services
Ath-dhealbhadh Comhairle – Aithisg Dheireannach mu Sheirbheisean Chloinne Coimiseanaichte

There is circulated Report No. HC/40/18 by the Redesign Team – Children’s Commissioned Services.

The Council is asked to agree:-

1. to take forward the proposals presented in section 11.3 of the report and to integrate the proposed in-house hub for Placement and Support Services for Children into the overall agreed approach to the review of Children’s Services delivery;
2. to continue to have dialogue with the Highland Third Sector Interface and other stakeholders to ensure that proposed savings can be made with minimum impact to individual clients and families; and
3. a savings target of £779k over 2019/20 and 2020/21 with contract lead officers delegated the responsibility to develop proposals as outlined above to achieve the overall targets indicated.  It is recognised that these targets and timescales may need to be reviewed in the context of the Council’s future budget considerations.

14. Results from the Citizens’ Panel 2017/18 Performance and Attitudes Survey
Toraidhean bho Shuirbhidh Coileanaidh agus Bheachdan Phannal nan Saoranach 2017/18   

There is circulated Report No. HC/41/18 dated 24 September 2018 by the Chief Executive.

The Council is asked to:-

1. consider the key findings of the feedback from the Citizens’ Panel from this year’s survey;
2. approve the follow up action to communicate the results set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report; and
3. await further analysis and reports as outlined in paragraph 5.3 of the report.

15. Towards a Sustainable Financial Future – Revenue Budget Update 2018 – 2022
Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuidseat

There is circulated Report No. HC/42/18 dated 15 October 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Resources.

The Council is asked to consider the: -

1. work to date in addressing the budget gap;
2. proposals for engagement and consultation; and
3. current risks and uncertainties.

16. Review of Public Conveniences in the Highlands
Ath-sgrùdadh air Taighean-beaga Poblach 

There is circulated Report No. HC/43/18 dated 8 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Council is asked to:-

1. note that:-
   1. There is currently a total of 201 facilities throughout the Highlands that are available for public use;
   2. 90% of the Highlands’ population are within a 15 minute drive of a publicly accessible toilet; and
   3. There are considerable opportunities for the Council, through working in partnership with communities and other alternative service providers, to deliver strategic facilities that would support tourism across the Highlands and address the increase in visitor numbers on smaller local facilities.
2. note the progress on implementation of the savings agreed at the Council meeting on 15 February 2018;
3. note the outcome of the Strategic Review of Public Conveniences in the Highlands;
4. agree that officers continue to work with third parties regarding transfer of facilities where this will deliver best value to the Council; and
5. agree that, due to the lack of expressions of interest from alternative service providers, and the availability of alternative service provision nearby, the facilities identified in Appendix 2d of the report should close at the earliest opportunity after 31 October 2018 and that the Service continues to work with Elected Members and communities over the winter to seek alternative non Council-run provision at these locations.  No full-time facility will close where negotiations are ongoing with communities regarding alternative provision. Overall, this will result in 191 Public Convenience facilities being available to the public across the Highlands.

17. Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund
Cuairt 1 de Phròiseactan Maoin Bun-structair Turasachd Dùthchail – Geàrr-chunntas na Gàidhealtachd 2018

There is circulated Report No. HC/44/18 dated 10 October 2018 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure.

The Council is asked to: -

1. note the range of projects that were submitted to and those that were successful in attracting £1.4m of funding from the £3m available in the first round of the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund; and
2. agree that details of projects being submitted to the second round of the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund be shared with the Council’s Tourism Working Group prior to submission.

18. Commission on Highland Democracy
Coimisean air Deamocrasaidh Ionadail

There is circulated Report No. HC/45/18 dated 14 October 2018 by the Chief Executive.

The Council is asked to consider and discuss the final report from the Commission on Highland Democracy.

19. Highland Armed Forces Community Covenant Update
Cùmhnant Coimhearsnachd Feachdan Armaichte na Gàidhealtachd – Cunntas Bliadhnail

There is circulated Report No HC/46/18 dated 12 October 2018 by the Acting Head of Policy.

The Council is asked to:-

1. note the considerable progress made with partners over the past 18 months across a range of activities which support the Armed Forces Community Covenant;
2. agree to The Highland Council reconfirming its own commitment by signing the Armed Forces Covenant; and
3. agree to apply to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for a Gold Award.

20. Scheme of Delegation and Administration to Strategic Committees and Sub Committees and to Officers
Raòn Ùghdarrais agus Rianachd gu Comataidhean Ro-innleachdail agus Fo-chomataidhean agus gu Oifigearan    

There is circulated Report No. HC/47/18 dated 15 October 2018 by the Head of Corporate Governance.

The Council is invited to agree the proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation as detailed in the report.

21. 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 6 September 2018 is available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.