Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Easter Ross Area Committee will take place remotely on Thursday, 18 November 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. Fire – Area Performance Summary Report
Smàladh – Geàrr Aithisg Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No ERA/21/21 dated 1 November 2021 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.

The Committee is asked to comment on and scrutinise the Area Performance Report.

4. Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan 2
Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail 2 ga Mholadh airson Linne Mhoireibh A-staigh

There is circulated Report No ERA/22/21 dated 14 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the issues raised by respondents to the consultation on local/City committee-specific matters and agree the recommended responses to these issues both as detailed at Appendix 1;
ii. note the issues raised by respondents to the consultation on strategic matters and officer recommended responses both as detailed at Appendix 2 and recommend to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee the local/City committee’s view on these strategic matters;
iii. note that additional supporting documents will accompany the publication of the Proposed Plan, including those outlined in section 3;
iv. note that minor presentational, typographical and other factual updates and changes will be made by officers, with any material changes to be agreed in consultation and agreement with the chair of the relevant committee(s) prior to publication;
v. in line with government guidance, to agree for the published Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan to be treated as a material planning consideration in making planning decisions and providing advice; and
vi. agree the approach to consultation outlined in section 7 of the report.

5. Housing Performance Report   
Aithisg Coileanadh Taigheadais 

There is circulated Report No ERA/23/21 dated 5 November 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 2021 to 30 September 2021.

6. Ross and Cromarty Educational Trust  
Urras Foghlaim Rois is Chromba

There is circulated Report No ERA/24/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Area Education and Learning Manager.

The Committee is invited to note the report.

7. Proposed Award of Cromarty Firth Repurposed Covid Response Funds
Moladh Maointean Freagairt Covid Ath-stiùirichte Linne Chromba a Thoirt Seachad   

There is circulated Report No ERA/25/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the proposal to allocate £14,750 from the Cromarty Firth reallocated Covid-19 Ward Discretionary funds to purchase a play multi-unit and associated surfacing selected by Saltburn & Westwood Community Council representatives in consultation with amenities staff.  The unit will be installed and maintained by the amenities service subject to ongoing maintenance budget being available

8. Tain & Easter Ross Place Based Funds – Proposed Funding Allocation
Maointean Stèidhichte air Àite airson Bhaile Dhubhthaich is Rois an Ear – Riarachadh Maoin ga Mholadh 

There is circulated Report No ERA/026/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the proposed allocation £5,000 of Easter Ross Place Based Funds to Seaboard Memorial Hall to allow the harbour toilet refurbishment to be completed despite increased costs.

9. Use of Tain & Easter Ross Covid Response Funds
Cleachdadh Mhaointean Freagairt Covid Bhaile Dhubhthaich is Rois an Ear

There is circulated Report No ERA/27/21 dated 14 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. consider and agree the proposal to allocate £10,000 from the remaining Tain & Easter Ross Covid-19 Ward Discretionary funds to support investment in play in the Tain & Easter Ross Ward in consultation with amenities staff and local communities; and
ii. note that next steps to progress this work will follow on from upcoming play equipment inspection reports and local communities will require to be involved in discussions around future provision along with amenities staff.  

10. Invergordon Common Good Fund – Consultation on the proposal to dispose, by sale or lease, of Invergordon Town Hall 
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ghòrdain – Co-chomhairle mun mholadh faighinn cuidhteas, tro reic no aonta-màil, de Thalla Bhaile Inbhir Ghòrdain

There is circulated Report No ERA/28/21 dated 27 October 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 detailed in paragraph 6 below;
ii. agree the proposal to dispose, by sale or lease, of Invergordon Town Hall, Invergordon; and
iii. note that, if agreed, it will be necessary to seek Sheriff Court consent in respect of the disposal.

11. Invergordon Common Good Fund   
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ghòrdain                                                                         

There is circulated Report No ERA/29/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Resources and Finance and Executive Chief Officer, Community and Place. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note:

i. the Quarter 2 monitoring statement for the Invergordon Common Good Fund; and
ii. the current position in relation to the Invergordon Town Hall.

12. Tain Common Good Fund  
Maoin Math Coitcheann Bhaile Dhubhthaich 

There is circulated Report No ERA/30/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer, Resources and Finance and Executive Chief Officer, Community and Place. 

The Committee is invited to: 

i. scrutinise and note the Quarter 2 monitoring statement; and
ii. consider whether to approve a budget of £20,000 to allow work to be carried out to the Tain Golf Club Road as outlined in section 5 of the report.

13. Minutes         
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Easter Ross Area Committee held on 12 August 2021.