Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Easter Ross Area Committee will take place remotely on Wednesday, 17 February 2021 at 10.00am.

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. Police – Area Performance Summary Report                                                             
Poileas – Geàrr Aithisg Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No ERA/01/21 dated 3 February 2021 by Chief Inspector Jamie Wilson, Area Commander (North Highland Area Command).

The Committee is invited to note progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2020-2023 Year 1 for the period covering 1 April 2020 – 30 November 2020.

4. School Estate Improvements Update
Fios às Ùr mu Leasachaidhean Oighreachd Sgoile

An update will be provided on School Estate Improvements, which the Committee is invited to note.

5. Area Roads Capital Programme for 2021-22   
Prògram Calpa Rathaidean na Sgìre 2020-21

There is circulated Report No ERA/02/21 dated 28 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed 2021/22 Roads Maintenance Programme for Easter Ross.

6. Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2021-22 
Prògram Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais 2021–22

There is circulated Report No ERA/03/21 dated 2 February 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the allocation of resources to Easter Ross Area as set out at 5.5;
ii. note the guideline investment priorities as set out in sections 5.2 of the report;
iii. agree the proposed one-year HRA Capital Programme for Easter Ross Area 2021-22 as set out in Appendix 1;
iv. note the position relating the current year HRA Capital Programme; and
v. note that updates on the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme will continue to be provided through ward briefings and at future Local Committees as requested by local Members, in addition to reporting to Housing and Property Committee. 

7. Housing Performance Report     
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

 There is circulated Report No ERA/04/21 dated 1 February 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to consider the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020.

8. Housing Revenue Account: Garage Rents 2021/2022
Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Màil Gharaidsean 2021/2022
 
There is circulated Report No ERA/05/21 dated 2 February 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to is invited to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Tain & Easter Ross and Cromarty Firth Garages.

9. Use of Cromarty Firth Covid Response Funds 
Cleachdadh Maoin Freagairt Covid Linne Chrombaidh

There is circulated Report No ERA/06/21 dated 4 February 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Community and Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. consider the proposal to allocate £15,000 from the remaining Cromarty Firth Covid-19 Ward Discretionary funds to support the provision of play equipment in the Cromarty Firth Ward in consultation with amenities staff and local communities; and
ii. note that next steps to progress this work will include confirmation of any match funding available, the type of equipment to be installed based on the budget available and consideration of ongoing maintenance associated with any equipment installed.  This will involve the amenities team and communities.

10. Invergordon Common Good Fund    
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ghòrdain  

                                                                      
There is circulated Report No ERA/07/21 dated 4 February 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Resources and Finance and Executive Chief Officer, Community and Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. note the Invergordon Common Good Fund Annual Report for 2019/20;
ii. note the position of the Invergordon Common Good Fund, as shown in the 2020 Quarter 3 monitoring statement;
iii. approve the proposed budget for 2021/22; and
iv. consider whether or not disposal of the Invergordon Town Hall by lease or sale on the open market should be explored, noting this will require a new public consultation under the terms of the Community Empowerment legislation.

11. Tain Common Good Fund         
Maoin Math Coitcheann Bhaile Dhubhthaich

There is circulated Report No ERA/08/21 dated 4 February 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Resources and Finance and Executive Chief Officer, Community and Place.

The Committee is invited to:
 
i. consider the Tain Common Good Fund Annual Report for 2019/20;
ii. consider the position of the Tain Common Good Fund, as shown in the 2020 Quarter 3 monitoring statement; and
iii. approve the proposed budget for 2021/22.

12. Tain Common Good – Disposal consultation, Wild Life Pond Kiosk, Tain Links                                                                                             
Math Coitcheann Bhaile Dhubhthaich – Co-chomhairle Chuidhteachaidh, Bothag Lochan Fiadh-bheatha, Machair Bhaile Dhubhthaich

There is circulated Report No ERA/09/21 dated 2 February 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Resources and Finance and Executive Chief Officer, Community and Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. note the outcome of the consultation process undertaken as contained in the analysis at Appendix 1;
ii. agree the proposal to change the use of the Wildlife Pond Kiosk to a café outlet subject to the consent of the Sheriff Court being obtained; and
iii. note that other permissions may be required relating to planning and environmental health in connection with the operation of the business however, these are separate processes and procedures to that required under Community Empowerment legislation.

13. Minutes  
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Easter Ross Area Committee held on 5 November 2020.