Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 8 November 2018 at 10.30am.

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

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. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

4. Presentation - Landfill Tax Fund
Taisbeanadh – Maoin Cìse Làraich Sgudail          

A presentation will be given by William Beatie of EB Scotland Limited on the Scottish Landfill Community Fund. He will describe what the fund is, the process to access funds and the criteria to be considered when applying.  He will give some examples of Highland projects benefiting from funding.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the presentation.

5. Development and Infrastructure Service Revenue Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Seirbheis an Leasachaidh agus a’ Bhun-structair       

There is circulated Report No. EDI/66/18 dated 29 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 September 2018 and the actions which have been put in place to manage the budget over the remainder of the financial year.

6. Capital Expenditure Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Caiteachais Chalpa    

There is circulated Report No. EDI/67/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. approve the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018; and
2. homologate an additional allocation of £0.9m to Alness Academy project from the School Estate Improvement Programme.

7. Planning Performance Framework and Quarter 2 Performance Review
Frèam Coileanadh Dealbhaidh agus Ath-sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Cairteal 2            

There is circulated Report No. EDI/68/18 dated 31 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note the performance updates for the Development Management, Building Standards, Development Plans, Transport Planning, Performance and Environment teams.

8. Economy and Regeneration
Eaconamaidh agus Ath-ùrachadh

There is circulated Report No. EDI/69/18 dated 26 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. note the report and the key developments highlighted during quarter 1 and emerging activity;
2. note the transfer of the Family Firm function to the Development and Infrastructure Service.

9. Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2019/2021
Plana Tasgaidh Taigheadais Ro-innleachdail 2019/2021

There is circulated Report No EDI/70/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. approve the Strategic Housing Investment Plan as submitted to the Scottish Government in draft form, as included within Appendix 1; and;
2. note the planned investment programme as included within Appendix 2.

10. Annual Report under Public Bodies Climate Change Duties 2017/18
Aithisg Bhliadhnail fo Dhleastanasan Atharrachadh Gnàth-shìde Bhuidhnean Poblach 2017/18                                                         

There is circulated Report No EDI/71/18 dated 18 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to agree that the Council’s completed submission for the 2017/18 reporting year is submitted to the Sustainable Scotland Network in compliance with statutory climate change duties.

11. Single Use Plastic Strategy and Action Plan
Ro-innleachd air Plastaig Aon Chleachdadh

There is circulated Report No EDI/72/18 dated 22 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the adoption of the Single Use Plastic Strategy and Action Plan.

12. Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy
Ro-innleachd Mòr-Choille agus Coille na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDI/73/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. consider the summary of comments received on the HFWS and agree the Council responses as set out in Appendix 1; and
2. agree to adopt the Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy (at Appendix 2) as part of the Development Plan, subject to any non-factual amendments or formatting changes, and clearance by Scottish Ministers.

13. Visit Inverness Loch Ness Tourism Business Improvement District
Sgìre Leasachadh Gnothachais Loch Nis Visit Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No EDI/74/18 dated 13 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.approve the assessment made in Appendix 1 relative to the Visit Inverness Loch Ness Tourism Business Improvement District draft final Proposal and agree not to exercise the Council’s right of veto; and      

ii. if, upon receipt of the final BID Business Plan, it is considered that changes have been made which affect the assessment made in Appendix 1, agree to delegate authority to the Director of Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Chair of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee to seek the necessary amendments to the final BID proposal, failing which, a further report will be brought to Council on 13 December 2018.

14. A9 Dualling: Draft Orders Dalraddy to Slochd and Crubenmore to Kincraig
Dreachd Òrdughan Dùblachadh an A9

There is circulated Report No EDI/75/18 dated 25 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. note the contents of this report, in particular the need to enter new side roads in the list of public roads;
2. homologate the responses submitted to Transport Scotland and provide any comments or additions;
3. note the update about the matters discussed at the two meetings with Transport Scotland and additional clarification received subsequent to the preparation of this report; and
4. consider reviewing/updating the response already submitted to Transport Scotland based on the new information that has been received from Transport Scotland and clarifying if there remains a desire to sustain an objection to the Draft Orders.  

15. Section 37 Interim Report on Flood Risk Management Plan Actions
Aithisg Eadar-amail Earrainn 37 mu Ghnìomhan Plana Rianachd a thaobh Cunnart Thuiltean                                                                            

There is circulated Report No EDI/76/18 dated 20 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the contents of the Section 37 Report and progress made on the measures within the current Highland and Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan;            

ii. agree to make the Section 37 Report for the Highland and Argyll Local Plan District available to the public on the Council’s website; and

iii. note that Moray Council will approve and publish the Section 37 Interim Report for the Findhorn, Nairn and Speyside Local Plan District.

16. Community Asset Transfer – Review
Gluasad So-mhaoin Choimhearsnachd – Ath-sgrùdadh

There is circulated Report No EDI/77/18 dated 24 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. consider the issues identified through the community asset transfer review;
2. note the work undertaken and the work underway way to address the issues raised through the review;
3. agree both community asset transfer requests recommended for approval, and those recommended for refusal are considered by Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee; and
4. note the proposal to increase the Members’ Review Panel membership from 5 Members to 9 Members.

17. Nevis Landscape Partnership
Com-pàirteachas Cruth-tìre Nibheis

Following reports to the former Planning Development & Infrastructure Committee meetings on 5 November 2014, 4 November 2015 and 17 February 2016 the Council provided a Guarantee to the Clydesdale Bank (the ‘Bank’) for a maximum sum of £150,000 to underwrite an overdraft facility made available to the Nevis Partnership by the Bank.

The overdraft facility was required by Nevis Partnership to undertake a programme of works (along with Partner organisations) called the Nevis Landscape Partnership.

The Council has been notified by Nevis Partnership that they are in the process of cancelling their overdraft facility with the Bank and, when the cancellation of the overdraft has been completed by Nevis Partnership, the Council’s Guarantee to the Bank will no longer required and can also be cancelled.

The Committee is asked to agree to formally cancel the Council Guarantee and formally close the legal guarantee documentation between the Council and the Bank (after the cancellation of the overdraft facility has been completed).

18. Community Services Revenue Budget Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd              

There is circulated Report No EDI/78/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the revenue budget monitoring position for the period from 1 April to 30 September 2018.

19. Community Services Performance Report – 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018
Aithisg Choileanaidh nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd – 1 April 2018 gu 30 September 2018

There is circulated Report No EDI/79/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to note and scrutinise the information provided on Community Services performance from 1 April to 30 September 2018.

Item 20 (below) will be considered at 2.00pm

20. Corran Ferry Options Appraisal – Presentation
Measadh Roghainnean Aiseag a’ Chorrain – Taisbeanadh

There is circulated Report No EDI/80/18 dated 16 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. note the strategic business case options presented in the Corran Ferry Service Options Appraisal;
2. approve the appointment of a Project Manager to undertake further exploration of options, in more detail in order to develop a preferred outline business case, including essential consultation with Members and appropriate stakeholders;
3. approve discussion with Transport Scotland in order to explore options in more detail; and
4. approve that the Governance arrangements for the project will be through the Harbours Board.

21. Road Structures – Annual Report
Structaran Rathaid – Aithisg Bhliadhnail              

There is circulated Report No EDI/81/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. note the position of the Bridge Stock Condition Indicators in Highland;
2. note the current position in Highland in relation to the number of structures inspections undertaken; and
3. approve the 2 year rolling programme for 2019-21 for the “Bridges, Retaining Walls and Culverts” allocation of the Community Services Capital Programme.

22. Progress Update on Implementation of the Council’s preferred option for managing its Biodegradable Municipal Waste
Cunntas às Ùr mu Adhartas le bhith a’ Buileachadh na roghainn as fheàrr leis a’ Chomhairle airson rian a chumail air a Sgudal Bailteil Bith-chnàmhach

There is circulated Report No EDI/82/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the progress made in delivering a Materials Recovery Facility at the former Longman Landfill Site; and;

ii. approve the Waste Communications Strategy detailed in Appendix 1.

23. Environmental Health Operational Plan 2018/19
Plana Obrachail Slàinte Àrainneachd 2018/19

There is circulated Report No EDI/83/18 dated 8 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the Environmental Health Operational Plan 2018/19 as detailed in Appendix 1.

24. Consultation – Licensing of Dog, Cat and Rabbit Breeding Activities in Scotland
Co-chomhairle – Ceadachd Briodaidh airson Chon, Chat is Choineanach ann an Alba

There is circulated Report No EDI/84/18 dated 8 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on licensing of dog, cat and rabbit breeding activities in Scotland as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

25. Electric Vehicles Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Charbadan Dealain    

There is circulated Report No EDI/85/18 dated 29 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. note the progress in delivery of charging infrastructure made to date and the programme for future delivery in 2018/19 and 2019/20;
2. note that the Council has been delayed by Transport Scotland in the previously agreed intention to introduce charges for consumption of electricity, and that usage charges can and will be introduced from January 2019;
3. note that fixed term funding has been secured to manage the delivery of charging infrastructure and promotion;
4. agree that Transport Scotland should include grant funding for project management in the annual grant offers; and
5. note that Highland Council is developing a planning policy for the provision of charging infrastructure in new development

26. Community Transport Grants
Tabhartasan Còmhdhail Coimhearsnachd           

There is circulated Report No EDI/86/18 dated 19 October 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

1. approve a continuation of funding to Community Transport organisations for 2019/20 within the existing budget, and in line with discussions held with each individual group; and
2. note that a future report will be presented once criteria for longer-term awards of grant have been prepared, in line with the Council’s Redesign recommendations.

27. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas               

There is circulated:-

(a) Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for noting:-

1. North PAC – 1 August 2018 (pp.353 - 358)
2. South PAC – 8 August 2018 (pp.359 - 369)
3. North PAC –  11 September 2018 (pp.370 - 375)
4. South PAC – 18 September 2018 (pp.376 - 394)

and for approval:-

(b) Tourism Working Group of 14 August 2018 (pp.395 - 397) and 26 September 2018 (pp.398 - 401)

(c) Waste Strategy Working Group of 19 September 2018 (pp.402 - 405)

(d) BREXIT Working Group of 28 September 2018 (pp.406 - 408)

28. Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill  

The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act, the relevant paragraphs being shown.

29. Property & Facilities Management Team Proposed Restructure
Ath-structaradh ga Mholadh airson Sgioba Stiùiridh Cuid-seilbh & Ghoireasan

Paragraph 1

There is circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/87/18 dated 19 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations as detailed in the report.

30. Land and Property
Fearann is Cuid-seilbhe

Paragraphs 6 and 9

There is circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/88/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations contained within the report.

31. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

Paragraphs 6 and 9

There is circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/89/18 dated 23 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note the monitoring statements for General Fund and Property Account transactions as approved by the Head of Development and Regeneration under delegated authority as well the Budgeted Sales for 2018/19 and beyond.

32. Housing Development Initiatives
Iomairtean Leasachadh Taigheadais

Paragraphs 6 & 9

There is circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/90/18 dated 30 October 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations contained within the report.