Agendas, reports and minutes

Dear Member

A meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 2 February 2023 at 10.30 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

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. Good News 
Naidheachdan Matha

4. Revenue and Performance Monitoring Quarter 3 to 31 December 2022
Sgrùdadh Teachd a-steach agus Coileanaidh Cairteal 3 gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2022 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/1/2023 dated 16 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and 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 Appendices 1-3 of the report;
ii.   the revenue monitoring position for the period to 31 December 2022;
iii.  net spend at the end of Quarter 3 totalled £22.727m;
iv.   based on the best available information to date, a service budget gap of £2.706m is forecast to end of 2022/23;
v.    many areas of the Service rely on income to pay for services, and this continues to improve;  
vi.   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;
vii.  further adjustments will be made in future quarterly reporting to reflect the updated apportionment of costs and savings across the new structure; and
viii. scrutinise the Directorate’s performance information. 

5. Capital Monitoring Quarter 3 2022/23
Sgrùdadh Calpa Cairteal 3 2022/23

There is circulated Report No. ECI/2/2023 dated 18 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider the financial position as at 31 December 2022; and 
ii. note the estimated year end forecast.

6. Speed Limit Policy Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chasg Astair

There is circulated Report No. ECI/03/2023 dated 5 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the Speed Limit Policy as contained in Appendix B of the report; and
ii. note that after the policy is approved, the “Speed Limits Manual” will be finalised and distributed, including to the Roads Redesign Working Group. 

7. Infrastructure, Environment & Economy Workforce Planning 2022–2025
Planadh Feachd-obrach Bun-structair, Àrainneachd & Eaconamaidh 2022–2025

There is circulated Report No. ECI/04/2023 dated 9 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to note the Infrastructure, Environment & Economy Service Workforce Plan for 2022–2025.

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

There is circulated Report No. ECI/05/2023 dated 7 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree the recommended Council response to strategic issues relevant to the Plan 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 place-specific matters and note the local/City committee agreed response to these issues as set out in Appendix 2 of the report;
iii. agree to 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.  agree to 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.

9. Developer Contributions     
Tabhartasan Luchd-leasachaidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/06/2023 dated December 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the findings of the benchmarking review of developer contributions in Highland at section 4 and Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  agree the protocol for identifying developer contributions at Appendix 2 of the report;
iii. agree the Terms of Reference for the Developer Contributions Action Group at Appendix 3 of the report;
iv.  consider and agree the steps to coordinate infrastructure delivery through the Developer Contributions Action Group and the Capital Programme Board; and
v.   consider and agree the full list of proposed actions and next steps in Section 6 of the report.

10. Local Visitor Levy – Current Progress and Next Steps
Cìs Luchd-tadhail Ionadail – Adhartas Làithreach agus Ath Cheumannan

There is circulated Report No. ECI/07/2023 dated 9 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the legislative process for the Local Visitor Levy Bill, the likely timescales for its passage through Parliament and implications for its introduction in Highland; and
ii.  agree the Council’s proposed next steps, which include an offer to provide verbal and written evidence to Parliamentary Committee(s).

11. Free Bus Travel for Persons Aged Under 22
Siubhal Bus An-asgaidh Dhaibhsan Fo Aois 22

There is circulated Report No. ECI/08/2023 dated 9 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to note:- 

i.  the actions already taken to promote the scheme; and
ii. the further actions as described in the report.

12. Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Network – Tariff Review
Lìonra Bun-structair Charbadan Dealain – Ath-sgrùdadh Prìse

There is circulated Report No. ECI/09/2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note that Highland Council EV charge points currently have had a tariff in place since 1 June 2021;
ii.  note the budget pressure the current tariff rate places on the Council; 
iii. note the business justification as laid out in this paper; 
iv.  note progress on the Pathfinder project in section 4.7 of the report, to investigate commercialisation options for the EV network;
v.   approve a tariff increase based on the recommendation detailed in section 7 and within Appendix 1 of the report, as of 1 March 2023 in order to:-

• alleviate existing revenue pressure and reflect increased operating costs;
• ensure vital income to maintain low carbon transport connectivity assets for, and to, our city and rural communities;
• provide resource to maintain management of EV Infrastructure (section 6.1 of the report); and
• ensure charges remain in line with rising operational costs; and

vi.  approve the governance for tariff review.  Any variation of the existing rate (either up or down) must be authorised by the EV Infrastructure Board on the basis of achieving full cost recovery.

13. Active Travel Prioritisation and Funding Bids
Prìomhachasan agus Tagraidhean Maoineachaidh Siubhail Ghnìomhach

There is circulated Report No. ECI/10/2023 dated 9 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the evidence-led approach used to set out how to prioritise the delivery of Active Travel infrastructure across Highland; and
ii. agree that officers proceed with the delivery of this network, following the processes and prioritisation explained in sections 5 and 6 of the report

14. Tree Management Strategy
Ro-innleachd Stiùireadh Chraobh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/11/2023 dated 18 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the contents of the updated Tree Management Strategy; and 
ii. approve the Strategy and the policies contained within it.

15. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Highland Development Plan Scheme 2023                                                                                                
Dealbhaidh Nàiseanta 4 agus Sgeama Plana Leasachaidh na Gàidhealtachd 2023 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/12/2023 dated 6 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:- 

i.   note the summary of NPF4 in section 5 of the report, in particular its status, now and once adopted and published, as part of the Development Plan for decision making;
ii.  note the high-level mapping of NPF4 policies against planning policy in Highland’s Local Development Plans as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report and that this will form the basis for further work;
iii. agree the Council’s approach to carrying out new duties and functions set out for Development Planning as outlined in Section 6 of the report, including a proposed consultation on how we communicate and consult upon development plans;
iv.  agree the Development Plan Scheme/Newsletter at Appendix 2 of the report which includes the Participation Statement and the invitation to prepare Local Place Plans; and
v.   note that the full implications of the new Development Plan regulations, and the more detailed steps for preparing a new Highland Local Development Plan, will be reported to Committee as soon as practicable.

16. Bus Partnership Fund (BPF) and Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP) Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Mhaoin Com-pàirteachas Bus agus Com-pàirteachas Leasachaidh Seirbheis Bus    

There is circulated Report No. ECI/13/2023 dated 19 December 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to note;-

i.  the work carried out to date under the BPF Projects; and 
ii. that officers will progress with work on a draft BSIP, in consultation with the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair and the Economy and Infrastructure Committee spokesperson for the Opposition Group as agreed at the meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee of 5 May 2021 where it was agreed to delegate powers to this group.

17.  Highland Council Water Safety Policy
Poileasaidh Sàbhailteachd Uisge Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/14/2023 dated 10 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to agree the Policy, acknowledge the ongoing work that is taking place and support the course of action proposed around having a dedicated page on Highland Council’s website to cover water safety issues

18. Uk Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
Maoin Soirbheachas Co-roinnte na RA

There is circulated Report No. ECI/15/2023 dated 18 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the successful approval of the UKSPF Investment Plan submitted and formal allocation of funding from the UK Government for 2022/23 and indicative allocations for 2023/24 and 2024/25;
ii.  agree the UKSPF Delivery Plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, including the 2022/23 prioritised spend and decision-making structures; and
iii. agree that the City Region Deal Member Monitoring Group remit be extended to include the UKSPF and that UKSPF Programme Delivery Reports be presented to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on a six-monthly basis.

19. Species Champion Initiative
Iomairt Curaidh nan Gnèithean

There is circulated Report No. ECI/16/2023 dated 14 December 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to note the content of the report and approve the list of Species Champions.

20. Appointments to Boards and Other Bodies     
Cur an Dreuchd gu Bùird agus Buidhnean Eile

The Committee is asked to agree the following:- 

• Harbours Management Board – Mr H Morrison to replace Ms S Atkin
• Highland Strategic Local Advisory Group of the Community Regeneration Fund - Mr R Jones to replace Mr I Brown.

21. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) as follows:-

i.   North PAC –18 October 2022;
ii.  South PAC – 1 November 2022;

and, for approval:-

iii. Harbours Management Board of 9 December 2022;

22. 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 items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act, the relevant paragraphs being shown in the reports.

23. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/17/2023 dated 14 December 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-seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/18/2023 dated 10 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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