Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place REMOTELY on Thursday, 18 November 2021 at 10.00am.

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

Business

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. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Area Performance Report
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No CIA/34/21 dated 1 November 2021 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland. 

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

Item 4 will be considered at 2.00pm

4. Notice of Motion 
Brathan Gluasaid                                                                                 

The following Notice of Motion has been received by the Head of Corporate Governance – 

This committee recognises the unprecedented scale of housing developments in the east of Inverness and lack of amenities to serve a growing population. In the next 5 years over 5,000 new homes are planned, and two new primary schools and one secondary school are already planned.  It has already been acknowledged by this committee and the public, there is a significant absence of indoor public sports facilities in the east of Inverness, to satisfy the growing demand from people of all ages and abilities. 

This committee recognises the need for major sports centre in the east of Inverness as a key element of any strategic plan for the city. In addition, the committee recognises the very real benefits of establishing a major sports centre in the east of Inverness in terms of building communities and promoting social, cultural capital and wellbeing.

This committee agrees to prioritise and take forward the ambition and provision of a major sports centre on the east of Inverness, agree to set-up a five-to-seven-member cross party “Inverness East Sports Centre Working Group”, with support from officers, to liaise with stakeholders and partners to identify possible locations, range of facilities and to identify and progress funding opportunities. 

Signed:     Ken Gowans     Glynis Sinclair     Ian Brown

5. Inverness Strategy
Ro-innleachd Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No. CIA/35/21 dated 28 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Economy & Environment. 

The Committee is invited to:- 

i.    agree the Draft Inverness City Centre Masterplan for public consultation; and 
ii.    note the ongoing role of the Rethinking Inverness Report, including engagement undertaken, and Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan in shaping and delivering the Inverness Strategy. 

6. Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan 2
Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail 2 Linne Mhoireibh A-staigh
    
There is circulated Report No. CIA/36/21 dated 28 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy. 

The Committee is invited 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 in Appendix 1 of the report; 
ii.    note the issues raised by respondents to the consultation on strategic matters and officer recommended responses both as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report and recommend to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee and 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 of the report; 
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. 

7. Presentation – Ness Hydro Scheme     
Taisbeanadh – Sgeama Dealan-uisge Nis

A presentation will be undertaken at the meeting on the progress of the construction works adjacent to Holm Mills Bridge.

8. Inshes Junction Improvements – Update
Leasachaidhean Ceann-rathaid nan Innseagan

There is circulated Report No CIA/37/21 dated 27 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy. 

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed with the statutory approvals, planning permission and detailed design of the scheme based on a revised Option 1 as amended by Section 6.2 the report.  

9. Ballifeary Residents Permit Scheme
Sgeama Cheadan Luchd-còmhnaidh Bhaile na Faire

There is circulated Report No CIA/38/21 dated 26 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy. 

The Committee is invited to agree to support the making of the Traffic Regulation Order amended as follows:-
 
i.    reduce the Permit Scheme to only cover that length of Ballifeary Road from its junction with Bishops Road and its junction with Ballifeary Lane; 
ii.    reduce the restricted hours to Monday – Friday 10am to 5pm; 
iii.    abandon the Permit Scheme proposed for Ballifeary Lane; and
iv.    abandon the waiting and loading restrictions from  a point in line with the boundary of number 28/30 Ballifeary Road Southwards to its junction with Glenurquhart Road. 

10. Ross Avenue Residents Permit Scheme
Sgeama Cheadan Luchd-còmhnaidh Chraobhraid Rois

There is circulated Report No CIA/39/21 dated 29 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy. 

The Committee is invited to agree to support the making of the Traffic Regulation order as follows:- 
 
i.    introduce “No Waiting at Any Time” restrictions on the south side of Ross Avenue and also at locations on the north side of Ross Avenue at its junction with Fairfield Road, between Nos 15 & 17; between Nos 33 & 35 and at the junction on Ross Avenue and Kenneth Street; and 
ii.    introduce a Parking Permit Holder restriction bays on the North side of Ross Avenue between Nos 1& 15, 17 & 33 and Nos 35 & 49.  

11. Inverness City Active Travel Network – Riverside Way Report

There is circulated Report No CIA/40/21 dated 3 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy. 

The Committee is invited to note:- 

i.    the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) statutory process is underway and that any outstanding objections will be brought to City of Inverness Area Committee (CIAC) in February 2022; and 
ii.    that concept designs based on stakeholder feedback will be progressed to detailed and technical design, including further stakeholder engagement on the Riverside Way proposals, which will come back to a future CIAC for approval. 

12. HRH The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Lord Provostship Competition    
Iùbailidh Platanaim na Banrigh – Farpais an Àrd-Phrobhaist

There is circulated Joint Report No CIA/41/21 dated 2 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place and the Executive Chief Officer Performance and Governance. 

The Committee is invited to:- 

i.    note the terms of the application form and process detailed within Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.    note that the Title of Lord Provost will not change the status of the Provost of Inverness within the context of the Council;
iii.    note that if successful, the additional Title would act to enhance the profile of the City and that of the Highlands in the context of Inverness having the same status as other leading Cities within Scotland;
iv.    note that the sum of £2,000 has been allocated by the Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee together with a further sum of £1,500 from the Infrastructure and Environment budget for the provision of support in preparation of the application noting the tight timeframe; and
v.    agree to an application being made for the grant of Lord Provostship status which would attach to the title of the Provost of Inverness, to the HRH Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Lord Provostship Competition.

13. Inverness City Arts – Annual Report
Prògram Pròiseact Ealain Baile Inbhir Nis – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No CIA/42/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place. 

The Committee is invited to:- 

i.    note that construction of the Gathering Place Art Installation has been completed in compliance with the adjustments made, following recommendations agreed at the Special meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee held on 20 August 2019, and as further reported to Committee on 21 November 2019;
ii.    note that the Inverness City Arts Working Group has discharged all its functions within the rules of governance set by the City of Inverness Area Committee;
iii.    note that all other approved and fully funded projects under the Inverness City Arts Project Programme, have been concluded all in terms of governance set by the City of Inverness Area Committee;
iv.    note that governance remains in place in terms of the usual monitoring of contracts and expenditure under the Inverness Common Good Fund to the City of Inverness Area Committee; and
v.    agree to dissolve the Inverness City Arts Working Group with immediate effect.

14. Place Based Investment Programme      

There will follow Report No CIA/43/21.

15. Inverness Wards Place Based Investment Funds and COVID-19 Fund –
Proposed Funding Allocations

There is circulated Report No CIA/44/21 dated 3 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the proposed allocations of Place Based Investment Funds as follows:

i.    Ward 14
a.    Investment in Play Parks (Merkinch)- £55,000
b.    Investment in Community based Mental health and wellbeing projects in Merkinch - £35,000 with direct awards to:
•    Merkinch Partnership - £8,750
•    Rokschool - £8,750
•    The Clay Studio - £8,750
•    Merkinch Nature Reserve - £8,750
c.    Investment in Community based projects in Dalneigh £10,000
d.    Total = £100,000

ii.    Ward 16
    Investment in Play Parks allocated as follows:
a.    Crown & City Centre Community Council - £13,750
b.    Culcabock & Drakies Community Council - £13,750
c.    Hilton, Milton & Castle Heather Community Council - £13,750
d.    Raigmore Community Council - £13,750

iii.    Ward 17
a.    Investment in Play Parks (Croy) - £50,000
b.    Investment in GoodNess Community Garden - £30,000
c.    Investment in Ardersier Community Garden Project - £20,000
d.    Total = £100,000

And, agree the reallocation of the following COVID-19 funds:-

i.    Ward 15 & Ward 16 – Hilton Covid Fund
    £6,500 from the COVID-19 Hilton Fund, which was allocated for both Wards, and £750 each from Inverness Ness-side Ward and Inverness Millburn COVID-19 Funds towards the Hilton Family Support project.

16. Inverness Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/45/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Resources and Finance and the Inverness City Area Manager. 

The Committee is invited to consider the financial monitoring report to 30 September 2021 and note that overall expenditure is within agreed budgets.

b) Capital Projects Update Report 
Pròiseactan Calpa

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/46/21 dated 4 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy and Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the current status of capital projects and note the adjustments being made to the allocations within the Victorian Market, Market Hall and Fish Market Refurbishment project.

c) Grants Applications over £10,000
Iarrtasan Tabhartais thar £10,000

There is circulated Report No. CIA/47/21 dated 8 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Resources and Finance. 

In this connection, there is circulated a copy of supporting documentation as Booklet A.

The Committee is invited to consider the applications for funding.

17. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate:-

i.    City of Inverness Area Committee held on 26 August 2021 for noting; 
ii.    Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 20 September 2021 for approval;  
iii.    City and Area Recovery Group held on 19 August 2021 and 18 October 2021 for noting;
iv.    Inverness City Arts Working Group held on 19 August 2021 and 12 November 2021 (to follow) for approval; and
v.    Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 8 November 2021 for approval (to follow).