Agendas, reports and minutes

A hybrid meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 24 November 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. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Area Performance Report     
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No CIA/25/22 dated 17 November 2022 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland. 

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

4. Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan 2    
Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail ga Mholadh airson Linne Mhoireibh A-staigh 2

There is circulated Report No. CIA/26/22 dated 10 November 2022 by Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree the recommended Council response to the place-specific issues relevant to this Committee area raised in representations received on the Proposed Plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  note the issues raised in representations as they relate to strategic matters that may have implications for this Committee area and note the working draft response to these issues as set out in Appendix 2 of the report;
iii. authorise officers to undertake the statutory and other procedures required to submit the Plan to Scottish Ministers and to progress the Plan through its examination up to but excluding the Plan’s adoption; and
iv.  authorise the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy, in consultation with the chair of this Committee, to make any necessary Habitats Regulations Appraisal, factual or other non-material changes to Appendix 1 of the report prior to its submission to Scottish Government.

5. Academy Street Proposals – Next Steps
Molaidhean Sràid na h-Acadamaidh – Ath Cheumannan

There is circulated Report No. CIA/27/22 dated 14 November 2022 by Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the feedback from the consultation including the ambition to improve the environment in Academy Street for all users;
ii.  agree for Officers to proceed with the design development of Option B outlined in Section 8 of the report, ensuring the best opportunity to attract external construction funding by promoting an ambitious vision for the city centre; and 
iii. agree for Officers to continue public consultation on the development of Option B of the report including the detail of any traffic orders.

6. Inverness City Active Travel Network – Progress and Next Steps     
Lìonra Siubhal Gnìomhach Cathair-bhaile Inbhir Nis – Adhartas agus Ath Cheumannan    

There is circulated Report No. CIA/28/22 dated 9 November 2022 by Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy  .

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note feedback from developed design, public consultation and engagement for Riverside Way and Raigmore Interchange; and
ii. agree to progress Developed Designs for Raigmore Interchange and Riverside Way to Technical Design and Construction in early 2023.

7. Inshes Junction Improvements – Stopping Up of U4403 Beechwood House Road
Leasachaidhean Ceangal-rathaid nan Innseagan – Stadadh Suas U4403 Rathad Taigh na Coille Faidhbhile

There is circulated Report No. CIA/29/22 dated 4 October 2022 by Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the background to the making of the Stopping Up Order at the U4403 Beechwood House Road; and 
ii. approve the making of the Stopping Up Order at the U4403 Beechwood House Road as in Appendix 1 of the report.

8. Whin Park Redevelopment Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Ath-leasachadh Pàirc a’ Chonaisg

There is circulated Report No. CIA/30/22 dated 3 November 2022 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the proposal for a feasibility study to be undertaken to scope the necessary works and associated costs of refurbishing the Whin Park Play area;
ii.  note that the feasibility study and accompanying consultation is expected to take 3 months and that the study will look at identifying funding streams available for the full redevelopment costs;
iii. note the risks and benefits of the redevelopment of the site and that if no action is taken it is anticipated that park equipment will require to be removed incrementally reducing the play areas left within the park.
iv.  agree the contribution of £5,000 of Common Good Funds towards the costs of the feasibility study. 

9. Inverness Wards Repurposing COVID-19 Fund     
Ath-adhbharachadh Maoin COVID-19 

There is circulated Report No. CIA/31/22 dated 8 November 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

£1,000 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support the feasibility study.

ii. Ward 14 – Inverness Central

£1,000 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support the feasibility study.
 
iii. Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side

£1,000 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support the feasibility study.

iv. Ward 16 – Inverness Millburn

£1,000 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support the feasibility study

v. Ward 19 – Inverness South

£1000 from the Ward COVID-19 Fund to support the feasibility study

10. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2022 – 30 September 2022
Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2022 – 30 Sultain 2022

There is circulated Report No. CIA/32/22 dated 24 November 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to consider the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022

11. Inverness Common Good Fund    
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No CIA/33/22 dated 18 November 2022 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to note the financial monitoring report to 31 October 2022 and that overall expenditure is within agreed budgets excepting the estimated outturns detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

b) Capital Projects Update Report 
Aithisg às Ùr mu Phròiseactan Calpa

There is circulated Report No CIA/34/22 dated 9 November 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer, Housing & Property

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/35/22 dated 10 November 202 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

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

The Committee is invited to consider the applications for funding which are as follows:- 

i.   Blythswood Care: The Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee recommend approval of a grant of £20,000 towards the Highland Foodbank 2023
ii.  Apex Scotland: The Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee recommend approval of a grant of £14,342 towards the Highland Challenge Team.
iii. GOYA Events Ltd: The Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee recommend deferral of this application until it is established if GOYA Events Ltd.’s application to Event Scotland is successful.
iv.  Inverness City Centre Business Improvement District: The Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee recommend approval of the following applications totalling £25,847 which will be awarded from the Grants Budget:

a. Smart Scape - £9,997
b. Inverness Loves Local – Especially at Christmas - £5,900
c. Festive Parking - £9,950

v. Operation Respect Festive 2022 – Inverness and Area: The Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee approval of match funding of £12,447 for Operation Respect 2022/23 from the Inverness Common Good Fund Partnership Working Budget.

12. Appointments to Outside Bodies
Suidheachadh Dhreuchdan gu Buidhnean on Taobh A-muigh

Inverness City Heritage Trust (ICHT)
Urras Dualchais Cathair-bhaile Inbhir Nis

The Inverness City Heritage Trust is an independent charity based in Inverness. The Trust’s main aim is to take a strategic view of the repair and maintenance needs of the buildings forming the historic core of the city and to co-ordinate a programme of conservation work funded by grant assistance. It also gives advice to building owners, produces publications and helps to organise events and exhibitions for people interested in the history of buildings and architecture in Inverness.

The built heritage is crucial to the wellbeing of our community, our tourism industry and in attracting economic investment to the Highlands. We want the Inverness City Heritage Trust to stimulate a dynamic urban environment where traditional and contemporary co-exist: a confident and creative Inverness, where cultural heritage is appreciated and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

The Committee is invited to appoint two members to the Inverness City Heritage Trust Board.

13. Appointments to Events and Festivals Working Group
Suidheachadh Dhreuchdan gu Buidheann-obrach nan Tachartasan is nam Fèisean

As the vote was not completed at its meeting on 26 September 2022, the Committee is invited to appoint one Member to replace Mrs I MacKenzie on the Events and Festivals Working Group.

14. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.   City of Inverness Area Committee held on 26 September 2022 and 4 November 2022 for noting; 
ii.  Events and Festivals Working Group on 26 October, and 18 November 2022 for approval;
iii. Inverness Common Good Fund Sub Committee on 7 November 2022 for approval; and 
iv.  Inverness East Sports Facilities Working Group on 17 November for approval.