Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will take place REMOTELY on Wednesday 5 May 2021 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. Economy and Infrastructure Capital Programme Update    
Fios às Ur mu Phrògram Calpa na h-Eaconamaidh is a’ Bhun-structair

There is circulated Report No. ECI/13/2021 dated 6 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the progress made during the current financial year with the Economy and Infrastructure projects in the Council’s Capital programme;
ii.  approve that Tordarroch Bridge is added to the list of structures to be funded from the Bridges Retaining Walls and Culverts line of the approved Capital Programme included in appendix 1 of Report ECI/38/20;
iii. approve the delegated power to the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment to accept the grant funding provided by Transport Scotland for Uig Ferry Terminal, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Economy and Infrastructure Committee;
iv.  agree the delegated power the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment to confirm the award of the Main Civil Infrastructure Works contract in line with the confirmation from the IDM Board on the approved budget and in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Economy and Infrastructure Committee; and
v.   note the submission of bids to the Strategic Timber Transport Fund.

5. Service Plan 2021/22     
Plana Seirbheis 2021/22

There is circulated Report No. ECI/14/2021 dated 14 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to comment on the draft Service Plan for 2021/22, agree any amendments required and approve the plan.

6. Strategic Roads schemes – Capital Allocation      
Sgeamaichean Rathaidean Ro-innleachdail – Riarachadh Calpa
    
There is circulated Report No. ECI/15/2021 dated 23 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree the proposed distribution of the budget, including the inclusion of new build schemes, as part of the previously agreed strategic £7.4M capital allocation over the financial years 2021/22 – 2022/23; 
ii.  note that Engineers may require to amend the road surface treatment programme, as part of their delegated powers, according to road condition (including the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey), safety aspects and working efficiency as more information becomes available over the two financial years;
iii. note that any underspend will be allocated by Engineers with a focus on providing more carriageway surface treatments, footway works, minor repairs on structures, vehicle restraint systems (safety barrier), signs, cattle grids and drainage and 
iv.  note the 2021/22 distribution of the Roads Revenue and Capital Budgets in Appendix A of the report. 

7. Economic Recovery Strategy Update     
Plana Ath-shlànachadh Eaconamach

There is circulated Report No. ECI/16/2021 dated 19 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.contribute to the ongoing work to prepare the Economic Recovery Strategy; and 
ii.note the early positive uptake of the Highland Employment Recruitment Offer (HERO) and approve an allocation of up to £1m over financial years 2021/22 and 2022/23 from the Economic Prosperity Fund to continue to enable the grant scheme to support businesses to create new jobs for unemployed adults.

8. Coastal Communities Fund Update    
Fios as Ùr mu Mhaoin nan Coimhearsnachdan Cladaich

There is circulated Report No. ECI/17/2021 dated 22 April 2021 by Executive Chief Officer, Infrastructure and Environment. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree to an evaluation/review of the HCCF programme prior to the next tranche of funding being made available locally.  This should be brought back to E&I Committee;
ii. to make an open call for strategic projects i.e. projects that can clearly demonstrate a wider benefit than within their local Area Committee geography.  Also, as agreed at Council in September 2020, Members are asked to agree that local areas can bid into this pot for additional top up support for approved or deferred local area projects where there has been over-demand from their first local area allocation round.  No one area will be able to access more than 50% of the funds available; and
iii. consider the options in 4.3 below and agree a suitable mechanism to deliver the functions required from the two options proposed.

9. Inverness and Highland City Region Deal Update     
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chùmhnant Baile Roinne Inbhir Nis agus na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/18/2021 dated 14 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to note progress with the City Region Deal during the final quarter of 20/21.

10. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Network – Tariff Introduction    
Lìonra Bun-structair Charbadan Dealain – Toirt A-steach Cosgais

There is circulated Report No. ECI/19/2021 dated 29 March 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note that Highland Council EV charge points are currently free to use;
ii.  note the business justification as laid out in this paper; and 
iii. approve the introduction of a tariff as of 01 June 2021 in order to:-

• alleviate an existing revenue pressure through the provision of free charging; 
• bring Highland Council tariff charging policy in line with other Scottish Local Authorities; and
• ensure vital income to maintain low carbon transport connectivity assets for, and to, our city and rural communities.

11.Highland Biodiversity Action Plan - Council Commitments    
Plana Gnìomh Bith-iomadachd na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/20/2021 dated 16 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.agree the proposed Council commitments in Highland Nature: Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2026;
ii.identify any additional Council commitments Members would wish to see included within Highland Nature: Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2026; and 
iii.approve and adopt the commitments outlined in Highland Nature: Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2026.

12. National Planning Framework 4 Position Statement Response and Refined Highland Indicative Regional Spatial Strategy    
Freagairt Aithris Suidheachaidh Frèam Dealbhaidh Nàiseanta 4 agus Ro-innleachd Spàsail Roinneil Taisbeanach Grinnichte na Gàidhealtachd 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/21/2021 dated 12 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   approve by homologation the response that was submitted to Scottish Government’s NPF4 Position Statement at Appendix 1;
ii.  approve by homologation the refined version of the Indicative Regional Spatial Strategy that was submitted to Scottish Government at Appendix 2; and
iii. note the anticipated next steps and timeline for engagement in NPF4 and for future Regional Spatial Strategy duties.

13. Flow Country World Heritage Site Nomination – Accountable Body
Ainmeachadh Làrach Dualchas na Cruinne airson Dùthaich nam Flòbhaichean – Buidheann Chunntachail

There is circulated Report No. ECI/22/2021 dated 24 March 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the content of the report; and
ii. agree to support a request for the Highland Council to act as one of the Accountable Bodies for the Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage bid submission.

14. Climate Change Programme Alignment    
Co-thaobhadh Prògram Atharrachadh Gnàth-shìde

There is circulated Report No. ECI/23/2021 dated 12 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the contents of this report; and 
ii. support the arrangement of a Member workshop to present the outcomes of the Programme Alignment report, discuss options for the setting of a corporate net zero target date and then seek approval of a net zero target date at Full Council.

15. Consultation on Free Bus Travel for Under-19s    
Co-chomhairle mu Shiubhal Bus An-asgaidh dhaibhsan fo Aois 19

There is circulated Report No. ECI/24/2021 dated 6 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree to homologate the consultation response submitted on 7 December 2020;
ii.  note that discussions are continuing between COSLA, ATCO and Transport Scotland on the implications for school transport; and
iii. agree that a further report be brought to the Committee on the implications of the proposal after the Scottish Government’s response to this consultation is published.

16. 20 MPH Schemes – Proposed programme following Grant Awarded    
Sgeamaichean 20 MSU – Prògram ga mholadh às dèidh Tabhartas Fhaotainn

There is circulated Report No. ECI/25/2021 dated 16 April 2021 by Executive Chief Officer, Infrastructure and Environment. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree that up to £200,000 of the Council’s Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes 2021/22 grant award is allocated to the delivery of a new Council 20mph programme and 10% of this annual budget is used in future years;   
ii.  approve that an appropriate Assessment Criteria, similar to that detailed in Appendices B and C of the report, for the prioritization of schemes for a new Council wide 20mph programme is used;
iii. agree that the outstanding 4 schemes from the previous Council programme, namely Invergordon, Tain, Kingussie and Maryburgh, are reassessed using the new criteria as this will include utilization of recent collision data; 
iv.  agree that Highland Council continue to lobby through CoSLA for the implementation of the National 20mph Restricted Roads Bill; and
v.   agree that Highland Council adopts a policy of supporting 20mph limits in all urban and rural areas in line with current guidance set out in 4.1 of the report, with the focus being on benefitting active travel users.

17.Public and School Transport Contracts    
Cùmhnantan Còmhdhail Phoblach is Sgoile

There is circulated Report No. ECI/26/2021 dated 5 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree to the extension of existing public and school transport contracts until 31 December 2022, where agreement of contractors can be secured; and
ii. agree that officers determine which (if any) contracts should not be offered for extension, taking account of short-and longer-term cost expectations on individual routes, and discussions with operators.

18. Bus Service Improvement Partnerships and Bus Partnership Fund    
Com-pàirteachasan Leasachaidh Seirbheis Bus agus Maoin Chom-pàirteach Bhusaichean

There is circulated Report No. ECI/27/2021 dated 19 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree to the Council initiating a Bus Service Improvement Partnership;
ii.  approve the outline Bus Service Improvement Partnership Plan attached, as a basis for consultation and further development;
iii. agree to delegate powers to the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment in consultation with the Vice and Vice chair to agree the content of a draft BSIP Plan and Schemes as they are developed for consultation;
iv.  agree to homologate the Bus Partnership Fund Phase 1 applications which have been submitted to Transport Scotland; and
v.   note that Phase 2 applications to the Bus Partnership Fund will be required by 15 October for schemes which are accepted at Phase 1.

19.Minutes    
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.   South Planning Applications Committee held on 8 December 2020, 3 February 2021, and 9 March 2021 for noting;
ii.  Harbours Management Board held on 26 February 2021 for approval; and 
iii. North Planning Applications Committee held on 26 January 2021 and 2 March 2021 for noting.

20.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 item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

21. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/28/2021 dated 14 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to note the monitoring statements for General Fund and Property Account transactions as approved by the Head of Development & Regeneration under delegated authority as well the Budgeted Sales for 2021/2022 and beyond.

22. Housing Development Initiatives 
Iomairtean Leasachaidh Taigheadais

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/29/21 dated 26 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

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