Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Communities and Place Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 24 May 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 Legal and Governance

Business

1. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statements
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/ Aithris Fhollaiseachd

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. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report
Aithisg Coileanaidh Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

Under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the Local Authority has responsibility for monitoring and scrutinising performance of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service against the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for the area.  The Local Plan was approved by the Committee in November 2020.

There is circulated Report No CP/08/23 dated 24 May 2023 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise the Report.

5. Highland Local Policing Plan 2023-2026
Plana Obair-phoileis Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd 2023–2026

Under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, Police Scotland are required to develop a local Policing Plan every three years against which the Local Authority has responsibility for monitoring and scrutinising performance.

There is circulated Report No CP/09/23 dated 24 May 2023 by the Divisional Commander, Police Scotland.

The Committee is invited to agree the Highland Local Policing Plan for 2023-2026.

6. Workforce Planning Report
Aithisg Planadh Feachd-obrach

There is circulated Report No CP/10/23 dated 24 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to note the Communities and Place Service Workforce Plan for 2023–2026.

7. Communities and Place – Service Performance Reporting for Q4 – 1 Jan 2023 – 31 Mar 2023                                                                                                 
Coimhearsnachdan agus Àite – Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis airson C4 – 1 Faoilleach 2023 – 31 Màrt 2023

There is circulated Report No CP/11/23 dated 24 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the Service’s performance information.

8. Public Conveniences and Comfort Scheme Agreements 2023–2026      
Goireasan Poblach agus Aontaidhean Sgeama Cofhurtachd 2023–2026

There is circulated Report No CP/12/23 dated 24 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the number of Comfort Scheme providers to increase from 42 to 55; 
ii.  the expansion of the scheme to include sites that have been funded by the Visitor    Management fund for the past 2 years; 
iii. three-year agreements to provide the Comfort Scheme have been issued to previous providers wishing to continue to participate in the scheme; and 
iv.  the results of the survey undertaken with Comfort Scheme providers.  

9. Community Food Growing – Annual Report
Fàs Bìdh Coimhearsnachd – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No CP/13/23 dated 24 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to note the progress made to implement the food growing strategy and deliver the community food growing action plan to date and the subsequent benefits to the Highland region.

10. Equality Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2023 
Aithisg Adhartais Àbhaisteachadh Co-ionannachd is Toraidhean Co-ionannachd 2023

There will follow Report No CP/14/23 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place

11. Private Water Supply Improvement Grants
Tabhartasan Leasachaidh Solar Uisge Prìobhaideach

There is circulated Report No CP/15/23 dated 12 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to approve the amended policy as shown in Appendix 2 of the report.

12. Update on Waste Strategy
Cunntas às Ùr mu Ro-innleachd Sgudail

There is circulated Report No CP/16/23 dated 24 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the contents of this report;
ii.  note that the application to the Recycling Improvement Fund has been successful and will enable investment in collection services to improve recycling within Highland;
iii. note the updated position on waste transfer station infrastructure in Inverness and Fort William;
iv.  note that Highland Council support funding for mobile shredders for treating bulky waste has been approved; and.
v.   note that work is underway to provide an updated perspective on the feasibility and viability of long-term waste management options for The Highland Council.

13. Minutes of the Waste Strategy Working Group
Geàrr-chunntas Buidheann Obrach Ro-innleachd Sgudail

There are circulated, for approval, the Minutes of the Waste Strategy Working Group held on 24 March 2023.