Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on
Thursday, 17 August 2023 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 Legal and Governance

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

2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 29 June 2023 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

4. Good News 
Naidheachdan Matha

5. Corran Ferry Operations and Project Update     
Fios às Ùr mu Obrachaidhean agus Pròiseact Aiseag a’ Chorrain

A verbal update on Corran Ferry Operations and Project will be given at the meeting. 

6. Revenue Budget Monitoring Final Outturn 2022/23 and Quarter 1 to 30 June 2023 and Service Performance Reporting for 2022/23    
Suim Dheireannach Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach 2022/23 agus Cairteal 1 gu 30 Ògmhios 2023 agus Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis airson 2022/23

There is circulated Report No. ECI/35/2023 dated 24 July 2023 Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider the Service’s revenue monitoring position; and
ii. scrutinise the Service’s performance and risk information.

7. Capital Monitoring– Quarter 4 2022/23 and Quarter 1 2023/24    
Sgrùdadh Calpa – Cairteal 4 2022/23 agus Cairteal 1 2023/24

There is circulated Report No. ECI/36/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the financial position for financial year 2022/23 with the yearend totals; and
ii. consider the financial position as at 30 June 2023 and note the estimated year end forecast.

8. Developer Contributions    
Tabhartasan Luchd-leasachaidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/37/2023 dated 25 July 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree the minor addition to the protocol for monitoring and managing developer contributions in relation to how members and local communities can shape developer contribution decisions;
ii.  note the corresponding governance arrangements agreed by the Economy and Infrastructure Committee in February;
iii. agree for developer contribution monitoring balance sheets and forecasting to be reported to the capital programme board, alongside the delivery programme acting as a coordination tool, to better align developer contributions with the capital programme and the programme of development; and
iv.  note the current balances of all active developer contribution pots for information, and the governance arrangements already in place to coordinate their use.

9. Dornoch Business Improvement District (BID)    
Roinn Leasachadh Gnothachais Dhòrnaich

There is circulated Report No. ECI/38/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the assessment made in appendix 1 of the report relative to the Dornoch BID proposal; and 
ii. agree not to exercise the council’s right of veto.

10.    Grantown-on-Spey Conservation Area Management Plan and Strathpeffer Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan
Plana Stiùiridh Sgìre Glèidhteachais Bhaile nan Granndach agus Measadh agus Plana Stiùiridh Sgìre Glèidhteachais Shrath Pheofhair

There is circulated Report No. ECI/39/2023 dated 18 July 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve and adopt the Grantown-on-Spey Conservation Area Management Plan; and 
ii. approve and adopt the Strathpeffer Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, including an amended Strathpeffer Conservation Area Boundary.

11. Adopted Tree Management Strategy Update
Fios às Ùr mu Ro-innleachd Stiùiridh Chraobhan fo Urra 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/40/2023 dated 27 June 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to agree the proposed amendments as detailed in Section 5 of the report and incorporate into the adopted Tree Management Strategy.

12. National Planning Framework (NPF)4 and the Development Plan in Highland     
Frèam Dealbhaidh Nàiseanta 4 agus am Plana Leasachaidh anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/41/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note Scottish Government’s publication of regulations and guidance for Development Planning and commencement of the relevant legislative provisions, including the extracts of guidance showing overview and key stages of the Local Development Plan process at Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  note that further to i) above and to Item 15 of this Committee’s meeting on 2 February 2023, the Council’s formal invitation to communities to prepare Local Place Plans was issued on 30 June 2023 with a deadline of 28 June 2024 for Local Place Plans to have been submitted, cleared validation checks and been registered;
iii. note the progress update at Section 5 of the report on the formal commencement of work on the new, single Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP) and the corporate status that the HLDP must have and agree the next steps, anticipated milestones and timescales for Evidence Gathering outlined, including work with the Key Agencies Group;
iv.  note the resource implications for preparation of the HLDP outlined at Section 5 of the report;
v.   note the corresponding governance considerations at Section 6 of the report, including outline of arrangements envisaged for Member involvement and that key changes are expected to be sought to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation in October;
vi.  agree to homologate the Council’s submitted response to Scottish Government’s consultation, which closed 20 July 2023, on “Local living and 20-minute neighbourhoods: draft planning guidance” at Appendix 2; and 
vii. agree for submission the Council’s draft response to Scottish Government’s consultation, which closes on 13 September 2023, on “Effective community engagement in local development planning guidance” at Appendix 3 of the report.

13. Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) 2023/24
Maoin Ath-shlànachadh Nàdair 2023/24

There is circulated Report No. ECI/42/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note update on 2023/24 NRF scheme;
ii.  agree the funding proposals as set out in paragraph 6 of the report; and
iii. agree that funding decisions in respect of the grant scheme be delegated as set outlined in paragraph 7 of the report.

14. New National Parks in Scotland Appraisal Framework
Frèam Measaidh airson Phàircean Nàiseanta Ùra ann an Alba

There is circulated Report No. ECI/43/2023 dated 18 July 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   homologate the response to the New National Parks in Scotland Appraisal Framework and the Nomination Process and Draft Appraisal Framework;
ii.  agree that the Council promotes the pre-registration process within Highland (as per 7.1 paragraph of the report); and
iii. agree the governance procedure for the Council to provide support to nominations for National Park designation as outlined in paragraph 7.2 of the report.

15. Infrastructure, Economy and Environment Service Plan 2023-2024     
Plana Seirbheis Bun-structair, Eaconamaidh agus Àrainneachd 2023–2024

There is circulated Report No. ECI/44/2023 dated 18 July 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to approve the Service Plan for 2023/24.

16. Rapid Road Repair Team Update    
Fios às Ùr mu Sgioba Grad-Chàradh Rathaidean 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/45/2023 dated 19 July 2023 by Interim Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure & Environment.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of this report.

17. Tourism Development
Leasachadh Turasachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/46/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the current context and policy framework for the tourism industry in Highland and Scotland;
ii.  note the important and wide-ranging role of the Council within the tourism industry, particularly in terms of service and infrastructure provision; and
iii. agree to the commencement of work on a tourism plan for Highland and to the proposed key next steps set out in Section 5 of the report.

18. Visitor Levy Bill
Bile Cìs Luchd-tadhail

There is circulated Report No. ECI/47/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the introduction of the Local Visitor Levy Bill to the Scottish Parliament and the summary of the content of the Bill; and 
ii. consider and comment on the proposed key issues which will inform the Council’s response to the Scottish Parliament’s consultation on the Bill as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

19. UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
Maoin Soirbheachas Co-roinnte na RA

There is circulated Report No. ECI/48/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the successful pull down of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 UKSPF allocations and delivery progress across the programme; and 
ii. agree to the proposed Skills Programme as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

20. Highlands and Islands Enterprise Strategy 2023-28 
Ro-innleachd Eaconamach Roinneil Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean

There is circulated Report No. ECI/49/2023 dated 24 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the Draft Final Highlands and Islands Enterprise Strategy 2023-2028; and 
ii. homologate the Highland Council Officer response to the Draft Final Highlands and Islands Enterprise Strategy 2023-28.

21. SSEN Community Benefit Fund Consultation
Co-chomhairleachadh Maoin Sochair Coimhearsnachd SSEN

There will follow Report No. ECI/50/2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

22. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for:-

i.   South PAC – 22 March 2023;
ii.  Joint North PAC & South PAC – 22 March 2023;
iii. North PAC – 19 April 2023; 
iv.  South PAC – 3 May 2023;

and

v.  City Region Deal Monitoring Group (for approval):- 18 January  2023, 18 April 2023; and
vi. Highland Coastal Communities Fund (for noting):- 16 June 2023.

23. 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.

24. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/51/2023 dated 18 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

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

25. Housing Development Initiatives    
Iomairtean Leasachadh Taigheadais

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/52/2023 dated 21 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

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

26. Land and Property 
Fearann agus Cuid-seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/53/2023 dated 20 July 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.

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