Agendas, reports and minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the Ross and Cromarty Committee held in the Chamber, Council Offices, Dingwall on Thursday, 1 November 2018 at 10.30 am.

Present:

Mr G Adam, Mrs J Barclay, Dr I Cockburn, Mr M Finlayson, Mr C Fraser, Mr D Louden, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr A MacKinnon, Mrs A MacLean, Mr D MacLeod, Ms P Munro, Mrs M Paterson, Mr A Rhind, Mrs F Robertson (Chair), Ms M Smith and Mrs C Wilson. 

Officials in Attendance:

Mrs D Manson, Chief Executive Designate
Mr W Gilfillan, Director of Community Services
Mrs A Clark, Acting Head of Policy
Mr J Holden, Housing Manager (North)
Mr I Moncrieff, Roads Operations Manager, Skye, Ross and Cromarty
Mr J Henderson, Housing Investment Officer
Ms H Ross, Senior Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Office
Mr R Bain, Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Office
Ms D Agnew, Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Office
Ms S Tarrant, Public Relations Officer
Mrs A MacArthur, Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office

Also in Attendance:

Mr R Dibble, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Ms M MacDonald, Ross and Cromarty Citizen’s Advice Bureau Manager
Mr M Rattray, Debtor Advisor, Housing and In Court Project, Ross-shire Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Ms A  McRory, Court Worker for Ross-shire Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Mrs M Davidson, Leader of the Council

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

Preliminaries

Prior to the commencement of business Mrs M Paterson read a poem to commemorate Armistice Day.

Good News Items:

Six pupils from St Clements School in Dingwall had completed their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award in 2017 and would now move to the Silver award.  Learners with disabilities faced more challenges than their peers however this was not a barrier to achievement and participation.  The awards had given the pupils confidence and skills for life.  The pupils are an inspiration to other young people who face similar challenges. 

Roseann Christie, Additional Support Needs Officer, had been shortlisted for the Employee of the Year Award in the 2018 Highland Council Quality Awards.

Cromarty Primary School had been awarded a Primary Science Quality Mark which was a significant achievement for a school.  Congratulations to teacher Mrs Milne for all her work with this. 

Fortrose Academy had been awarded Gold Status by Sportscotland for continuous improvement in physical education and school sport offered. 

Business

1.  Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mrs I Campbell and Miss E Leitch, Highland Youth Convener.

2.  Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Item 4 – Mrs Angela MacLean (non-financial).

3.  Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

The Committee NOTED the Minutes of the last meeting which had been held on 15 August 2018 and had been approved by The Highland Council on 6 September 2018.

4.  Ross-shire Citizen’s Advice Bureau Presentation
Taisbeanadh Biùro Comhairleachaidh a’ Phobaill airson Siorrachd Rois

Mrs Angela MacLean, declared a non-financial interest as a Board Member of the Ross-shire Citizen’s Advice Bureau 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.

A presentation was given by Mary Macdonald, Manager from Ross and Cromarty Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) and Martin Rattray, Debt Advisor, Housing and In Court Project, Ross-shire CAB.

The presentation included the following:-

• Highland Council was a very supportive Council and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the CAB workers appreciated the timeous responses received from Housing Services on queries relating to housing and rent matters;
• more volunteers were always wanted and Members should feel free to help or to encourage people in their area to help;
• there are various ways people can help and full training is given with a mentor to shadow you until you are confident to work on your own;
• help could also be given in other ways including filing, website development and general office duties to name a few;
• the Tain office was only open one day a week, although there were specialised appointments also held, this was due to a lack of volunteers in the Tain area;
• there were many ways to get in touch with CAB, including Skype appointments; and
• CAB dealt with a vast range of issues and Members were welcome to make an appointment to come and see some of the work being undertaken.

The Chair and Members thanked Ms Macdonald and Mr Rattray for their informative presentation. 

5.  Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn

There had been circulated Report No RC/036/18 together with the Ross and Cromarty Performance Report by the Local Group Manager for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

During discussion, Members raised several issues including the following:-

• Members were pleased that Home Safety Visits were continuing this was a very valuable service;
• disappointed to see that there were still no female firefighters in Dingwall, although it was explained that this was due to there being no female applicants;
• a request that the Fire and Rescue Service add their support to the call for improvements to junctions and the reduction of speed limits at notorious blackspot areas;
• Members had previously been shown a demonstration of the new fire units that would be rolled out and had been very impressed, five units had been put to both the West and East Coast with four units kept for training purposes;
• in response to a question on whether the SFRS assisted with abandoned vehicles, it was advised that SFRS would only get involved if there was a fire risk associated with the abandoned vehicle, but do liaise with Police Scotland and Highland Council and seek to raise awareness of the risks  ;
• that following an issue in Invergordon when the Police had been unable to send officers, the Fire appliance had been dispatched and  they had rapidly diffused a very difficult situation on the high street; and
• pleased to see that fire crews were receiving training on mental health issues.

The Committee NOTED, following scrutiny, the Ross and Cromarty Performance Report.

6.  Winter Maintenance 2018/19
Obair-gleidhidh Geamhraidh 2018/19

There had been circulated Report No RC/037/18 by the Director of Community Services.

During discussion, Members raised several issues including the following:-

• the Report had stated the A832 rather than A835 Braemore Junction to Gorstan junction;
• in response to a question on how the level of treatment of a road was determined, the Roads Operations Manager would send a copy of the climatic  zones across Highlands to Members, the zones determined the level of treatment;
• the fact that the salt had been delivered by boat this year and had avoided travelling by road was welcomed;
• noted the amount of salt used on the roads, stated as 10 g for 0º with the risk of frost; 20g for 0º and ice; up to 40g for snow forecast;
• a thank you for the replacement of damaged grit bins on the Black Isle;
• concern that in relation to primary routes, the road to the hospital in Dingwall appeared to have been missed, could it be checked and added as a priority route;
• members of the public were prepared to grit the roads but there had to be salt in the salt bins to enable them to do this;
• pleased to hear there had been a trial of new mini gritting machines that would fit on a standard pick up vehicle, these therefore did not require an HG1 driver and would be in addition to the existing gritting, with one for Dingwall and one for Alness and Tain;
• with the changes made to the gritting routes it was important that corporate communications publicised the new schedules;
• Alness is fortunate to have windfarm monies to help with the cost of clearing pavements, clearing school areas, filling grit bins; and
• one of the footpath gritters for Tain was in Dingwall being repaired, it was important to have this back in Tain as soon as possible;
• there appeared to be no gritting outlined for the pavement in Invergordon High Street could this be looked into; and
• a request that a composite map be produced for maps 27 and 30.

The Committee APPROVED the Winter Maintenance Plans for Ross and Cromarty.

7.  Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2019 – 2021
Prògram Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais 2019 – 2021

There had been circulated Report No RC/038/18 by the Director of Community Services.  Briefings had been held at Ward Meetings to take on Members’ views in relation to the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme.  The Ward 5 Business Meeting would be attended shortly.

During discussion, Members raised several issues including the following:-

• a refresh of the 2009 condition survey of every property on the Council’s estate would be helpful at some point in the future to help with identifying priorities;
• there was only a small pot of money available for environmental improvements and a method would have to be found to share the money between the Wards, in response it was advised that the budget was split pro rata in relation to the number of properties in each area;
• the amount of meetings undertaken in the Wards in relation to the programme should be reduced to save resources;
• officials and members of the public in different housing estates had undertaken a walkabout with Members and this was beneficial in identifying problems and often enabling the public to address some of the problems themselves;
• Members were keen to see a comprehensive list of works that had been completed in the Council’s housing estate over the last ten years;
• provision of new heating systems had to be looked at carefully, it was important to get a balance between the cost of the system and its ongoing affordability for the tenant; it is also important that the tenant understands how to best use the system they have; and
• decoration allowances were an issue, in response it was noted that the aim is to quantify the level of disruption anticipated and provide allowances to cover that cost. The potential to include a level of redecoration within the contract was under discussion.

The Committee:

1. NOTED the allocation of resources to Ross and Cromarty Area as set out in Appendix 1;
2. NOTED the investment priorities as set out in section 4.2 of the report;
3. AGREED the proposed two year HRA Capital Programme for Ross and Cromarty 2019-21 as set out in Appendix 2; and
4. NOTED that updates on the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme will continue to be provided through ward briefings and at Local Committees as requested by local Members, in addition to reporting to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee.

8.  Housing Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

There had been circulated Report No RC/039/18 by the Director of Community Services.

During discussion, Members raised several issues including the following:-

• issues had arisen with the contractor failing to turn up on the date specified for works to Council houses;
• it was understood that staff vacancies impacted on rent arrears;
• it was good to see the general trend for completion of emergency repairs, non-emergency repairs and re-lets had improved;
• the CAB had expanded on the reasons people had rent arrears and the struggle many had in managing their rent arrears; and
• rent arrears had increased substantially and it was a major concern.

Garages were in varying conditions, with some let but others in poor condition and empty or being used for other purposes.  Mr Holden indicated that better use could be made of the garages which could also provide the opportunity for increased income.  Mr Holden indicated that the intention was to review an analysis of garages undertaken in 2015 and report back to Members with options/proposals for garages in various locations, which might range from repair to demolition or use for other purposes.  

The re-let time for Council houses had been halved, this was a massive achievement and the Housing Managers and Housing staff were to be congratulated.

The Committee NOTED the information provided on housing performance in the period from 1 April to 30 September 2018.

9.  Street Naming – New Housing Developments
Ainmeachadh Sràide - Leasachaidhean Ùra Taigheadais

There had been circulated Report No RC/040/18 by the Acting Head of Policy.

The Committee APPROVED the following names for new developments:-

1. the name of a new development in Alness as Sandy MacRae Street;
2. the name of a new development in Ullapool as Glenfield Park; and
3. the name of a new development in Kyle of Lochalsh as Duncan MacPherson Court.

10.  Common Good Funds
Maoin Maith Choitchinn

There had been circulated Report Nos RC/041/18 – RC/045/18 by the Depute Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources and Acting Head of Policy which provided information on the following Common Good Funds:-

1. Cromarty Common Good Fund RC/041/18
2. Dingwall Common Good Fund RC/042/18
3. Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund RC/043/18
4. Invergordon Common Good Fund RC/044/18
5. Tain Common Good Fund RC/045/18

The Ward Managers were commended for the amount of work they put into Common Good Funds. 

The Committee:

1. NOTED  the Common Good Fund Annual Reports for 2017/18; and
2. NOTED the position of the Common Good Funds, as shown in the 2018/19 Quarter 2 monitoring statements;
3. AGREED that options for the Invergordon Common Good Fund including disposal of the Town Hall by sale or a long lease be explored within the framework of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

The meeting ended at 12.45 pm.