Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 25 August 2022 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

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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 30 June 2022 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

4. Good News 
Naidheachdan Matha

5. Appointments to Sub-Committees/Working Groups
Cur an Dreuchd gu Fo-Chomataidhean/Buidhnean Obrach

i. Education Transport Review Committee     
Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh Còmhdhail Foghlaim

The remit of the Education Transport Review Committee is “To determine appeals in respect of the provision of school transport”.  5 Members are proposed.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the remit; and
ii. agree the membership of the Education Transport Review Committee as tabled.

ii. Harbours Management Board 
Bòrd Stiùiridh nan Calaidhean

There is circulated the remit of the Harbours Management Boards remit. 10 Members are proposed.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the remit; and
ii. agree the membership of the Harbours Management Board as tabled.

6. Appointment to Outside Bodies
Cur an Dreuchd gu Buidhnean air an Taobh A-muigh

a) HITRANS Tier 1 Ferry Users Consultation Groups
Buidhnean Co-chomhairleachaidh Luchd-cleachdaidh Aiseagan Ìre 1    HITRANS

The interests of ferry users were previously represented by the Scottish Executive’s Ferry Users Consultation Group.  However, this was disbanded and a three-tier system was set up to cover issues at all levels from local through to national.

The three levels of Consultation Groups are Tier 0 which covers local issues, Tier 1 which covers regional groups and Tier 2 which covers national issues.

The Scottish Government has asked HITRANS to set up the Tier 1 Ferry Users Consultation Groups.

The proposed membership of each of the following Ferry Users Consultation Groups will be tabled on the day of the Committee:-

i.   Argyll which covers services operated in Oban, Colonsay, Iona, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist and Ardnmurchan – 1 Member;
ii.  Lochaber and Skye which covers the Small Isles, Mallaig, Armadale, Raasay, Kilchoan and Lochaline - 3 Members; and
iii. Hebrides Group which covers Barra, North and South Uist, Harris, Lewis and links to Skye - 1 Member.

b) Highland Tourism Partnership 
Com-pàirteachas Turasachd na Gàidhealtachd

The Council is a member of the Highland Tourism Partnership, a strategic group that brings together representatives from the tourism industry with the main public sector organisations involved in tourism.

The Committee is invited to nominate 1 Member to represent the Council on this group.

c) Directorship of Inverness Airport Business Park
Dreuchd-stiùiridh Pàirc Gnothachais Port-adhair Inbhir Nis

Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) is a joint venture company set up in May 2005 between Moray Estates, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Highland Council.

The Committee is invited to agree that either the Chair or the Vice Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee be appointed to represent the Council on the IABP Board of Directors and that the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy attend board meetings in an advisory capacity.

d) Local Access Fora
Fòraim Inntrigeadh Ionadail

The Committee is asked to agree to delegate the appointment of Councillors to the Local Access Fora to the respective Area Committees.

e) European Maritime & Fisheries Fund – Highland Moray Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Maoin Mara & Iasgach na h-Eòrpa – Buidheann-gnìomha Ionadail Iasgach na Gàidhealtachd is Mhoireibh

The Committee is asked to note progress of the Highland Moray Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) and to agree to nominate 2 Highland Council representatives to sit on the FLAG panel.

f) Flood Area Risk Management – Local Plan District Executive Steering Groups
Rianachd Cunnairt Cheàrnaidhean Thuiltean – Buidhnean Stiùiridh Gnìomhach Sgìre a’ Phlana Ionadail

The Highland Council are designated as the Lead Local Authority for the “Highland and Argyll Local Plan District” and as a Responsible Authority within the “Findhorn, Nairn and Speyside Local Plan District”, the latter Local Plan District being led by Moray Council.  Executive Steering Groups for each Local Plan District helps to direct and facilitate all work that results on the agreement of the Flood Risk Management Strategy and the delivery of the Flood Risk Management Plan.

The Committee is invited to appoint a member to serve on both Executive Steering Groups.

7. Revenue Monitoring Final Outturn 2022 and Quarter 1 to 30 June 2022    
Fìor Shuidheachadh Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach 2022 agus Cairteal 1 gu 30 Ògmhios 2022

There is circulated Report No. ECI/9/2022 dated 1 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the more detailed reporting of gross income and gross expenditure to improve scrutiny of net budgets as set out in the Appendices of the report;
ii.   the revenue budget final outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2022;
iii.  the revenue monitoring position for the period to 30 June 2022;
iv.   net spend at the end of Quarter 1, totaled £4.413m;
v.    based on the best available information to date, a service budget gap of £1.580m is forecast to end of 2022/23;
vi.   many areas of the Service rely on income to pay for services, and this continues to improve;
vii.  the budget gap may change positively or negatively depending on applying expenditure and recruitment controls, aligning services to meet budget savings agreed and continuing income recovery in 2022/23; and
viii. further adjustments will be made in future quarterly reporting to reflect the updated apportionment of costs and savings across the new structure.

8. Capital Monitoring – Quarter 1 2022/23
Sgrùdadh Calpa – Cairteal 1 2022/23

There is circulated Report No. ECI/10/2022 dated 12 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial position as at 30 June 2022 and note the estimated year end forecast.

9. Dingwall Business Park Flood Bund
Leasachadh Bhancaichean Tuile Pàirc Gnothachais Inbhir Pheofharain

There is circulated Report No. ECI/11/2022 dated 28 July 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the update relating to the Dingwall Business Park flood bund; and 
ii. approve in principle the adoption of the flood bund subject to agreement over the construction and delivery of the upgrade to the flood bund and also agreement for the resulting liabilities associated with adoption.

10. School Street Zones Trial    
Deuchainn Sònaichean Sràide Sgoile

There is circulated Report No. ECI/12/2022 dated 1 June 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the outcomes of the School Street Zones in other Local Authorities in Scotland;
ii.  agree that the sites identified in paragraph 9.2 of the report are select4ed as the pilot locations; 
iii. approve an 18-month trial of School Streets Zones at four locations in Highland as per paragraph 9.1 of the report; and
iv.  note that the findings of the trial and a recommended policy position will be brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

11. Planning Enforcement Charter
Cairt Cur an Gnìomh Dealbhaidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/13/2022 dated 21July 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to adopt the Charter as set out in Appendix 1 to the report as the Council’s statement of planning enforcement policy and procedure.

12. Nature Restoration Fund 2022/23 
Maoin Ath-stèidheachadh Nàdair 2022/23 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/14/2022 dated 1 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the funding proposals as set out in paragraph 6 of the report; and
ii. agree that funding decisions in respect of the grant scheme be delegated as set out in paragraph 7 of the report .

13. Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Consultation    
Co-chomhairle Ro-innleachd Bith-iomadachd na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No. ECI/15/2022 dated 1 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the response to this consultation as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. note the key points outlined in the draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy set out below.

14. Visitor Management Plan
Plana Rianachd Luchd-tadhail

There is circulated Report No. ECI/16/2022 dated 8 July 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to note the information provided by each Service on progress in delivering the 2022 Visitor Management Plan actions and associated budget spend for Q1 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

15. Tourism Infrastructure
Bun-structar Turasachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/17/2022 dated 1 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the background to and criteria for the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the current position with all funded projects in Highland; and
ii. endorse the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan and its designed purpose to best direct future national and local area-based tourism infrastructure spend.

16. Employability Services
Seirbheisean So-fhastachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/18/2022 dated ** 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note and welcome the No One Left Behind policy and financial agenda which is supporting the design and development of a Highland unique employability service; 
ii.  approve the attached Delivery Plan 2022-25 and Activity Budget for 2022/23; and
iii. agree that a Members Employability Workshop be arranged to explain further the services offered, the range of clients benefitting from these services and their progression.  The Workshop will also outline the development and improvement actions underway by the Council and its HEP partners.

17. Inverness and Highland City Region Deal
Cùmhnant Baile Roinne Inbhir Nis agus na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/19/2022 dated 1 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to note progress with the City Region Deal during the first quarter of 2022/23.

18. Community Regeneration Funds
Maoinean Ath-bheòthachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/20/2022 dated 5 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   endorse the aspiration to develop a Highland approach to Community Regeneration including Place Based Plans for all parts of Highland, representative local decision-making structures and multi annual, multi fund grant allocations;
ii.  agree to petition the Scottish Government to seek the required flexibility to roll over and combine annual financial allocations as required from the various external grant funds received;
iii. agree arrangements, as detailed in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report, for the management of the Highland Coastal Communities Fund, the Place Based Investment Programme and the Community Led Local Development Programme;
iv.  appoint a Committee Member to represent the Council on the Highland Strategic Local Advisory Group; and
v.   agree the proposed Change Request process as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report.

19. Draft Directorate Service Plan 2022/23    
Dreachd Phlana Seirbheis Buidhinn-stiùiridh 2022/23

There is circulated Report No. ECI/21/2022 dated 10 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  comment on the draft Directorate Service Plan for 2022/23; and
ii. note that the draft plan will be subject to review following the approval of a new Council Programme and Corporate Plan and completion of development work outlined in section 5 of this report.
    
20. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting: -

i.  North Planning Applications Committee held on 25 January 2022,15 March 2022, 26 April 2022, 15 June 2022 and 29 June 2022; and
ii. South Planning Applications Committee held on 8 February 2022, 22 March 2022 and 28 April 2022 .

21. 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.

22. Property Transactions Monitoring Report                                     
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/22/2022 dated 26 July 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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

23. Affordable Housing Development 
Leasachadh Taigheadais Neo-chosgail

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/23/2022 dated 25 August 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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

24. Land and Property 
Fearann agus Cuid-seilbh 

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/24/2022 dated 27 July 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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