Agendas, reports and minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the Ross and Cromarty Committee held in the Chamber, Council Offices, Dingwall on Wednesday, 14 August 2019 at 10.30 am.

Present:

Mr G Adam, Mrs J Barclay, Dr I Cockburn, Mr C Fraser, Mr D Louden, Mr A MacInnes, Mr G MacKenzie, Mrs A MacLean, Mr D MacLeod, Ms P Munro, Mrs M Paterson, Mr A Rhind, Mrs F Robertson, Ms M Smith

Officials in Attendance:

Mrs C McDiarmid, Interim Chief Officer (Community Services)
Mr C Howell, Head of Infrastructure (by tele-conference)
Ms B Couston, Additional Supports Needs Manager (Mid Area)
Mr J Holden, Housing Manager (North)
Mr B Cameron, Housing Policy & Investment Manager
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
Mr S Taylor, Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office

Also in Attendance:

Inspector Kevin MacLeod, Police Scotland (Item 4)

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

Mrs F Robertson in the Chair

Preliminaries

The Chair welcomed Mrs Joanie Whiteford, Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty to the meeting as an observer.

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr M Finlayson and Mrs C Wilson.

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

None.

3. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There had been circulated and were NOTED Minutes of Meeting of the Ross and Cromarty Committee held on 1 May 2019, which had been approved by the Council on 9 May 2019.

In terms of Standing Order 9, the Committee AGREED to take items 5 and 8 on the agenda at this point in the meeting.

5. Annual Area Capital Report
Aithisg Chalpa Sgìreil Bhliadhnail

There had been circulated Report No RC/024/19 dated 6 August 2019 by the Head of Corporate Finance and Commercialism.

Arising from discussion, updates were provided in relation to the following:-

• progress with the ongoing improvement works at Crask Junction;
• the release of the housing moratorium in Dingwall following identification of traffic remodelling, during which it was suggested that a ward briefing be provided to members on the preparation of a coordinated plan and the requirements for mitigation associated with specific developments;
• a request was made for further information regarding current year spend in relation to site investigation works at Tain 3 – 18 School Campus;
• issues in relation to damaged bridges and how money was allocated for repairs could be raised directly with the Head of Infrastructure;
• it was confirmed that a report had been submitted to EDI Committee proposing a risk-based approach to assessing bridge conditions and structures inspections;
• in relation to Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF), a request was made for further information regarding Evanton Industrial Estate and why Seabank Tank Farm, Invergordon had not been included in the VDLF;
• the contractor’s obligations regarding landscaping at Muir of Ord Railway Bridge; and
• Sustrans funding of green and active travel.

The Committee NOTED:-

1. the expenditure on each project in this Council area in 2018/19;
2. the budget for each project in this Council area in 2019/20; and
3. the cumulative spend for each project in this Council area for 2018/19 and 2019/20 to end of June.

8. Dingwall Flooding Incident
Tuil Inbhir Pheofharain

There had been circulated Joint Report No RC/027/19 dated 9 August 2019 by Corporate Communications and Resilience Manager, Interim Chief Officer (Resources for Community Services) and the Head of Infrastructure.

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

• Members welcomed the organisation of a further drop-in session to be held on 16 September and commended the quick response and efforts by the Highland Council and partner agency staff;
• Reassurance was sought that local knowledge would be captured in relation to future housing developments and that people who were unable to attend the drop-in session on 16 September would be given the opportunity to contact the Council to raise any matters;
• Concern had been expressed locally that flooding had occurred in areas which had never previously experienced this and there had been a suggestion that flooding had arisen due to new housing developments in Dingwall;
• Reassurance was sought that appropriate flood mitigation measures would be included in applications for future housing developments;
• It was important to reassure residents that new housing developments were not necessarily the reason for flooding;
• It had been a distressing time for those affected by the flooding and the public response to the incident was commended;
• In highlighting that other towns and areas within Ross and Cromarty were also severely affected by the heavy rainfall, the impact of climate change was emphasised;
• Within the capital programme concern regarding flood risk developments was raised regularly, and it was suggested that the way in which the Council dealt with flood risk developments should be explored in co-operation with the Scottish Government and other partner agencies;
• A request was made that a meeting be organised between Strathpeffer Community Council and the Flood Risk Management Team to identify housing within the town which could potentially be affected by flooding in the future;
• Whilst the Council had a duty to respond to flood incidents, it was emphasised that ultimately every householder was responsible for flood protection of their own properties; and
• In highlighting the differing car parking surfaces at Tain Health Centre, it was suggested that mitigation measures were required to address the problem of water running off tarred surfaces at high levels and subsequently flooding areas at a lower level.

The Committee:-

1. NOTED the exceptional weather conditions which resulted in this flood event;
2. AGREED to commend the quick response and efforts by the Highland Council and partner agency staff who worked throughout the night to minimise and contain threat to life and property;
3. NOTED the work done following a previous flooding incident and the response to the recent incident noting that further technical information would be made available to a future Committee by the Flood Risk Management Team; and
4. NOTED that, following a Multi-Agency Drop in Session for the public, the Highland Council was committed to respond to the questions raised and provide further information opportunities, including site visits. Updates would be brought to a future Committee.

4. Police – Area Performance Summary
Poilis – Geàrr-chunntas Dèanadais Sgìreil

There had been circulated Report No RC/023/19 dated 7 August 2019 by the Area Commander (North).

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

• Further information was provided in relation to Operation CEDAR (Challenge, Educate, Detect and Reduce);
• The close working relationship with police officers in the area was commended;
• Concern was expressed regarding the high number of drinking and drug driving related offences and that it was important that everyone took responsibility to report any offences to the police as soon as possible;
• A request was made for Inspector MacLeod’s Email address to be provided to Councillor Smith for her concerns regarding repeat anti-social behaviour at the same location in Tain to be addressed at the earliest opportunity;
• A request was made for a breakdown on the age profile of vulnerable people;
• In relation to an increase in victims of telephone scams, it was emphasised that it was not just the elderly who were vulnerable to these types of scams;
• Planning was ongoing in relation to tailoring Operation CEDAR to address specific issues within Tain, Alness and Dingwall;
• Information was provided on the pro-active steps being taken by the force in relation to road safety on the North Coast 500 which included an increased visible police presence on the route; and
• It was suggested that increased media promotion of the 1572 call blocking number would make it easier for the public to block nuisance or scam phone calls.

The Committee NOTED progress made against the objectives set within the Highland and Islands Local Policing Plan 2017-2020 Year 2 and first quarter of Year 3, attached as Annex A to this report, for the period covering 1 April 2018- 30 June 2019.

6. Housing Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

There had been circulated Report No RC/025/19 dated 14 August 2019 by the Interim Chief Officer Resources (Community Services).

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

• In highlighting the significant increase in re-let times within Ward 5 (Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh), a request was made for further information on which Ward 5 properties contributed most significantly to the increased void times;
• Whilst welcoming the wall repairs undertaken at Brown Square, Dingwall, it was highlighted that work on roofing at Fingal Road and Mill Street in Dingwall had been delayed;
• Staff were commended in their efforts to help a young homelessness individual find accommodation at short notice;
• A request was made for information to be provided as to the reasons for people going into arrears, including whether a delay in the start date for universal credit had been a factor;
• In welcoming the opportunity for Members to participate in the Rate Your Estate walkabouts, a request was made that invitations to attend these be sent to all Ward members; it was confirmed that the issue of tenant communication was being considered as part of the Trades Review;
• In response to concern regarding instances of council housing being re-let by tenants as Airbnbs and whether this was considered an appropriate use of a council house, it was confirmed that the Council had provided a response to a Scottish Government Short Term Lets consultation and that this would reported to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee;
• Some tenants had not received enough information regarding timescales for reported repairs to be undertaken or when staff/contractors would call to carry out repairs;
• The Committee had previously agreed that a pilot study on housing inspections be undertaken and a request was made that a formal report be brought back on the outcome of the study;
• Further information was provided on the installation of new heating systems and the circumstances as to why some tenants did not want to have new systems installed;
• A request was made for further information on how homelessness figures/presentations were managed and that this be brought to a future Ward 8 Business Meeting;
• A request was made for information on the differing circumstances between ward re-let times and the higher percentage increase in comparison with other wards;
• A request was made that dialogue take place with appropriate parties regarding the cost of capital works in listed buildings and the duty of care expected of tenants in listed buildings and that feedback be provided to a Ward 9 Business Meeting;
• Renovation works undertaken by the Community payback scheme at Balintore Estate and Mansfield Estate were highlighted as a good example of partnership working that could be rolled out into other areas; and
• The consultation which had been undertaken by the Council with tenants at Mansfield Estate regarding the proposed installation of a new heating system was commended.

The Committee NOTED the information provided on housing performance in the period from 1 April 2019 to 30 June 2019.

7. Dingwall Business Improvement District
Sgìre Leasachadh Gnothachais Inbhir Pheofharain

There had been circulated Report No RC/026/19 dated 5 August 2019 by the Acting Head of Policy.

In speaking to the report, the Ward Manager confirmed that the ballot would take place on 28 November 2019, subject to Scottish Government approval.

In discussion, Members commended the work undertaken by Dingwall BID staff and emphasised the importance of ensuring public aspirations would be observed.  Members also emphasised the importance of marketing and promotion of Dingwall BID.

The Committee NOTED:-

1. the proposals for the establishment of a Dingwall Business Improvement District;
2. that, as per agreement of the EDI Committee in May 2019, the Director of Development and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Chair of EDI, had determined that there was no reason for the Council to exercise its power of veto on the proposals; and
3. the next steps for the establishment of the Dingwall Business Improvement District.

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

There had been circulated Report No RC/028/19 dated 5 August 2019 by the Acting Head of Policy.

The Committee AGREED to HOMOLGATE the name of Fowlers Croft for a new housing development within Culbokie.

10. Educational Trusts
Urrasan Foghlaim

There had been circulated Report No RC/029/19 dated 24 July 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning. 

The Committee NOTED the report.

11. Education Scotland Reports
Sgrùdaidhean le Foghlam Alba

There had been circulated Report No RC/30/19 dated 19 July 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee NOTED the detail provided within the report regarding Education Scotland’s inspection in Coulhill Primary School during the period March 2019.

12. Common Good Funds
Maoin Maith Choitchinn

There had been circulated Reports Nos RC/031/19 – RC/035/19 dated 23 and 25 July, and 2 and 5 August 2019 by the Acting Head of Policy and the Head of Corporate and Commercialism which provide information on the following Common Good Funds:-

a.           Cromarty Common Good Fund RC/031/19;
b.           Dingwall Common Good Fund RC/032/19;
c.            Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund RC/033/19;
d.           Invergordon Common Good Fund RC/034/19; and
e.           Tain Common Good Fund RC/035/19.

Following a suggestion that the reports should include the balance remaining on each fund, it was confirmed that the accounts were currently being audited and that this could be reflected within the report.

In relation to Invergordon Common Good Fund, it was confirmed that the Invergordon Development Trust had been success in its bid for Stage 1 funding from the Scotland Land Fund.  The Chair congratulated the Trust on their successful application.

The Committee:-

1. NOTED the updated information provided in relation to each Fund; and
2. AGREED that, in relation to Dingwall Common Good Fund, a contribution of £15,000 towards the costs of a wheelchair accessible toilet, which would be available to all users of the Dingwall Town Hall, in addition to children and young people visiting the Newton Room.

13. Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good - Lease Extension
Math Coitcheann na Cananaich agus Ros Maircnidh – Leudachadh Aonta Màil

There had been circulated Report No RC/036/19 dated 5 August 2019 by the Acting Head of Policy. 

The Committee:-

1. NOTED the background to the proposal for the disposal by way of new lease of Fortrose Caravan Park to the existing tenants;
2. NOTED the steps that would be necessary for the public consultation under section 104 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015;
3. NOTED the requirement to seek Sheriff Court approval in the event of a question arising as to the inalienability of the land upon which the caravan park was located; and
4. AGREED to open the public consultation on the proposal disposal.

The meeting concluded at 12.30 pm.