Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place REMOTELY on Thursday 17 February 2022 at 10.00 am.

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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.    Police – Area Performance Report
Poileas – Geàrr-aithisg Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No. CIA/1/22 dated 3 February 2022 by Chief Inspector Judy Hill, Area Commander.

The Committee is invited to note the progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2020-2023 Year 2, attached as Annex A to the report, for the period covering 1 April 2021 to 31 December 2021.

Item 4 will be considered at 2.00 pm

4.    Notices of Motion 
Brathan Gluasaid                                                                                 

The following Notices of Motion have been received by the Head of Corporate Governance – 

(i) The City of Inverness Area Committee Winter Payment Scheme is designed to help people who are most in need.  The scheme is not only aimed at people of pension age, but also to all those on low income.

Given the unprecedented rise in Energy costs with each individual household facing an average cost of £693 pa, and coupled with the increased rate of inflation, this Committee agrees to raise the value/rate of the one-off payment by at least 25% (from £88 to £110)

Signed:   Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair          Mr K Gowans

(ii) There are renewed calls for the City of Inverness Area Committee to transform or reimagine the retaining Crown Road Wall.  

The Wall is a valuable space, and one of the gateways into the City.  It previously featured mural panels depicting images of City Landmarks, and its people, including a well- known tramp – known as forty pockets. The Artwork fell into disrepair and was removed in 2016.  

Therefore, the City of Inverness Area Committee agrees to seek out appropriate funding, consult with the public and all stakeholders, and to consider all suggestions to improve and reimagine, one of the gateways into Inverness City Centre.

Signed:    Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair      Mr K Gowans      Mr I Brown

(iii) The City of Inverness Area Committee is committed to regenerate the City of Inverness.  

It is accepted that online shopping has had a detrimental effect on ‘the shopping experience’ within the City, which has had a knock-on effect for local businesses and traders. As part of the regeneration, our attention must return to the concept of ‘City Living’.  Within the City of Inverness there are huge opportunities. Empty shops, accommodation above shops, which were formerly homes, and are now empty and neglected, properties which could all be converted to housing.  The new accommodation in Union Street is a fine example of what can be done.

The City of Inverness Area Committee agrees to continue, support and accelerate the concept of ‘City Living’ and to encourage property owners and developers to work alongside this Council to achieve a living breathing City - a vibrant, working and shopping experience within the City of Inverness.

Signed:     Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair      Mr K Gowans

(iv) 20mph speed limits - this Committee recognises that increases in active travel, along with children and parents using safe routes to schools, and this Council’s policy to develop 20-minute communities, will elevate the instances where motorised vehicles will come into conflict with those engaged in all forms of active travel. 

In addition, this Committee also recognises the increased risks that may be associated with the changes to pedestrian and cyclist priorities that have been recently introduced. 

The City of Inverness Area Committee supports the implementation of 20mph speed limits within existing and all new housing developments towards making our communities better, safer and more sustainable places to live.

Signed:    Mr K Gowans      Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair     Mr I Brown

5.    Inverness Common Good Fund: Discretionary Scheme for Winter Payments 2021/22 extension

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/2/22 by the Interim Head of Revenues & Business Support and the Inverness City Manager.

The Committee is invited to agree the following recommendations for the one-off extension of the 2021/22 Inverness Winter Payments Discretionary Scheme:-

i.    extend the deadline for applications to 30 April 2022 (the deadline is currently 28 February 2022);
ii.    as a one-off for the 2021/22 Scheme, increase the single tier payment for those applicants that satisfy the eligibility criteria to £138 from the current £88 award level. For eligible households who have already received their £88 payment, a further one-off payment of £50 will be paid retrospectively; and
iii.    provide an additional one-off budget of up to £100,000 to accommodate the continuing demand arising from the increased energy costs.  This budget will provide for the retrospective payments to those who have already received payments, the increased amount for those who have not yet received payment/are still to apply and to ensure that there are sufficient funds available for increased demand.

6.    Inverness Wards Repurposing COVID-19 Fund and Place Based Investment Fund Proposals
Molaidhean airson Maoin Ath-chleachdaidh COVID-19 agus Maoin Stèidhichte air Àite Uàrdan Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No. CIA/3/22 dated 28 January 2022 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place. 

The Committee is invited to agree the repurposing of the following Covid-19 funds:-

i.    Ward 13 – Inverness West

£9,055 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support Amenity Services with repairs and improvements to play parks in their Ward.

ii.    Ward 14 – Inverness Central

£10,000 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support Amenity Services with improvements to play parks in their Ward.

iii.    Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side

£10,345 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support Amenity Services with repairs and improvements to play parks in their Ward.

iv.    Ward 16 – Inverness Millburn

£12,950 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support Amenity Services with repairs and improvements to play parks in their Ward.

v.    Ward 19 – Inverness South

a)    £1,411 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support Amenity Services with repairs and improvements to play parks in their Ward; and
b)    the use of COVID-19 funds allocated to the Ward, in support of a project proposal at Millburn Academy to repurpose the library area into an art gallery and performance space combined with a café/restaurant, up to a maximum of £15,000. The final allocation to be determined on receipt of the detailed application.

The Committee is also invited to agree that the previously agreed Placed Based Investment Funding allocations for Ward 13 – Inverness West, be amended as follows:

Funding Heading                           Previously agreed        Proposed amount
Play Provision                                  £50,000                             £36,000
Residential Path Improvement    £20,000                             £34,000
Total                                                 £70,000                             £70,000

7.    Play Park Funding – New Allocations
Maoineachadh Phàircean Cluiche - Sònrachaidhean Ùra

There is circulated Report No. CIA/4/22 dated 17 January 2022 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place. 

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the funding available and the funding already committed to invest in play parks in the City Wards; and 
ii.    a further £55m is to be awarded to Scottish Councils over the lifetime of the Parliament;

and agree:- 

iii.    to split the allocation for the Inverness Area 2021/22 (£66,167) equally between the seven City Wards; and 
iv.    to homologate the decisions taken by the Amenities Manager (South) as budget holder and in discussion and consultation with Members at Ward Business Meetings to commit the funds allocated to each Ward as detailed in Table 1 of the report.

8.    Placed Based Investment Programme
Prògram Tasgaidh Stèidhte air Àite

There will follow Report No. CIA/5/22 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

9.    Riverside Way: One way with Cycle Contraflow Ness Walk and Bught Road Traffic Regulation Order and Concept Design Consultation
Slighe Taobh na h-Aibhne: Aon-slighe le Sruth Dà-shlighe Rothaireachd air Ceum Nis agus Rathad a’ Bhucht Òrdugh Riaghladh Trafaig agus co-chomhairle Dealbhadh Bun-bheachd

There is circulated Report No CIA/6/22 dated 1 February 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

The Committee is invited to:- 

i.    note the full analysis of the responses from the recent concept design consultation exercise as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.    note the background to the proposed permanent One Way with Cycle Contraflow Traffic Regulation Order and the representations received; and
iii.    approve the making of the Road Traffic Regulation Order.

10.    Areas Roads Capital Programme 2022/23
Program Calpa Rathaidean na Sgìre 2022/23
    
There is circulated Report No CIA/7/22 dated 25 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed 2022/2023 Area Roads Capital Programme for the City of Inverness and Area.

11.    Housing Revenue Account: Garage Rents 2022/2023
Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Màil Gharaidsean 2022/2023

There is circulated Report No CIA/8/22 dated 4 February 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Inverness Garages and Garage Sites.

12.    Housing Performance Report – 1 April to 31 December 2021
Aithisg Dèanadais Taigheadais – 1 Giblean gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2021

There is circulated Report No CIA/9/22 dated 4 February 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to note the information provided on Housing Performance for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 December 2021.

13.    Inverness Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a)    Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/10/22 dated 31 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Resources and Finance and the Inverness City Area Manager. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the financial monitoring report to 31 December 2021; and 
ii.    note that overall expenditure is within agreed budgets.

b)    Capital Projects 
Pròiseactan Calpa

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/11/22 dated 31 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy and Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise the current status of capital projects; and
ii.    note the adjustments being made to the allocations within the Victorian Market, Market Hall and Fish Market Refurbishment project.

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

There is circulated Report No. CIA/12/22 dated 31 January 2022 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.

d)    Inverness Events and Festivals – Review of 2021/22 to date and proposals for 2022-23 
Tachartasan agus Fèisean Inbhir Nis- Ath-sgrùdadh 2021/22 gu ruige seo agus molaidhean airson 2022/23

There is circulated Report No. CIA/13/22 dated 31 January 2022 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the previously agreed vision, values and objectives detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; 
ii.    note that the governance arrangements with scrutiny through the Events and Festivals Working Group, with annual reports to CIAC, continue;
iii.    note the spend profile and underspend, as highlighted in section 5.3 of the report, for 2021/22;
iv.    note the review of the 2021/22 programme; and 
v.    agree to preserve the current events & festivals budget in the sum of £0.303m for 2022/23 to support the development of a refreshed events and festivals programme.

e)    Inverness Common Good Fund – Annual Report 2020/21
Fo-Chomataidh Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis – Aithisg Bhliadhnail 2020/21

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/14/22 dated 31 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Resources and Finance and the Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place

The Committee is invited to note the final monitoring report and Statement of Accounts for the Inverness Common Good Fund for the year ended 31 March 2021.

f)    ICGF Budget Setting for 2022/23 and Capital Programme 
Buidseat ICGF – 2022/23

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/15/22 dated 31 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Resources and Finance and Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to agree the Common Good Fund budget for 2022/2023 detailed within the report and its appendices.

14.    Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.    City of Inverness Area Committee held on 18 November 2021 (for noting);
ii.    Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 15 November 2021, 20 December 2021 and 31 January 2022 (for approval);
iii.    City and Area Recovery Group held on 1 December 2021 and City Area Development Group held on 24 January 2022 (for noting);
iv.    Inverness East Sports Facilities Working Group held on 16 December 2021 and 27 January 2022 (for approval); and
v.    Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 31 January 2022 (for approval).