Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, High Street, Dingwall, on 9 February, 2022 at 10.30 am.

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.  Scottish Fire and Rescue Service 
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn

There is circulated Report No WRSL/001/22 dated 27 January 2022 together with the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Performance Report by the Local Group Commander for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Performance Report.

4.  Highland Coastal Communities Fund – Assessment of Applications
Maoin Coimhearsnachdan Cladaich na Gàidhealtachd – Measadh Iarrtasan

There is circulated Report No WRSL/002/22 dated 19 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer – Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:

1. consider all applications presented for funding and agree whether to approve, defer or reject the application.  An approval of funding should detail the amount approved and outline any conditions of funding that Members wish to attach to the approval over and above the required technical conditions.  A deferral would allow an applicant to resubmit the current application at a future date with updated information.  A rejection would mean that the application will not proceed and any future application to the fund should be brought forward initially as a new expression of interest; and
2. should Members wish to approve all the applications under consideration then Members will also need to agree to use £40,445.15 of the new HCCF allocation to cover the shortfall in the funds available to the area.

5a.    Housing Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No WRSL/008/22 by the Executive Chief Officer dated  4 February 2022 by the Director of Community Services which provides Members with information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to the Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during the period up to 31 December 2021.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period from 1 April 2021 to 3 December 2021.

5b.    Housing – Garages 
Taigheadas – Garaidsean

There is circulated Report No WRSL/003/22 by the Executive Chief Officer - Housing and Property dated 4 February 2022.

The Committee is invited to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh garages and garage sites for 2022/2023.

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

There is circulated Report No WRSL/004/22 dated 28 January 2022 by the Area Care and Learning Manager.

The Committee is invited to note the report.

7.  Place Based Investment Programme
Prògram Tasgaidh Stèidhichte air Àite – Riarachaidhean Maoineachaidh gam Moladh

There is circulated Report No WRSL/005/22 dated 3 February 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

The Committee is invited to:

1. consider the applications submitted and agree which projects are to be offered a Place Based Investment Programme grant and the value of funds to be offered; and
2. grant delegated authority to the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy in consultation with the Area Committee Chair to allocate any uncommitted PBIP grant to approved PBIP beneficiaries in the first instance and then TCF Grantees thereafter.  

8.  Place Based Investment Fund 
Maoin Tasgaidh Stèidhichte air Àite

There is circulated Report No WRSL/006/22 dated 24 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer – Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i)       Consider the proposal to allocate £12,647 from the remaining Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (WRSL) Place-Based Investment Fund as follows:

a)      £6,323 to support the provision of play equipment in the WRSL Ward in consultation with amenities staff.

b)      £6,323 to support the provision of public toilet facilities in the ward.

ii)      Note that next steps to progress the play provision work will include confirmation of any other funding available, identification of play priorities across the area, scale of repairs required or 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.

9.  Area Roads Capital Programme 
Prògram Calpa Rathaidean Sgìreil 2022/23

There is circulated Report No WRSL/007/22 dated 18 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed 2022/23 Area Roads Capital Programme for Wester Ross Strathpeffer Lochalsh Area.

10.  Minutes 
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee held on 4 November 2021 which were approved by the Council on 10 December 2022.

11.    Comfort Scheme Application   
 Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No WRSL/009/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place dated 8 February 2022.

The Committee is invited to agree the proposed additional temporary Comfort Scheme.