Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Highland Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 26 October 2023 at 10.35am.

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 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. Confirmation of Minutes  
Daingneachadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There are submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the Council held on 14 September and 3 October 2023 (pp.589-620) and the Special Council on 3 October 2023 (pp.621-624) as contained in the Volume which has been circulated separately.

4. Minutes of Meetings of Committees
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan Chomataidhean

There are submitted for confirmation as correct records, for information as regards delegated business and for approval as appropriate, the Minutes of Meetings of Committees contained in the Volume circulated separately as undernoted:-

Pensions Committee/Board - 21 September 2023    
Audit and Scrutiny Committee - 28 September 2023    
Climate Change Committee - 5 October 2023    

Minutes of Meetings not included in the Volume are as follows:-        

i.  Community Planning Board – for noting – held on 22 June 2023 (approved by the Board on 15 September 2023); and
ii. Investment Sub Committee – for confirmation as a correct record - held on 8 September 2023.

5. Question Time   
Àm Ceiste                                                                                             

The following Questions have been received by the Head of Legal and  Governance.

With the exception of the Public Question, one supplementary question will be allowed in each case which will be answered by the recipient of the original question.

Public Question

(i) Ms G McMurray

To the Leader of the Council

Key aspirations of NHS Highland and Highland Council are to improve the health of their citizens by reducing loneliness and improving uptake of exercise.

The levels of pavement parking in the town and villages in the NHS/Council area means that disabled and other pavement users are prevented from getting out and about easily and also these obstructions are costing NHS Highland monies in Do Not Attend/cancelled appointments.

Why is Highland Council tolerating this level of discriminatory behaviour?

The response will follow.

Member Questions

(i) Mr A Christie

To the Chair Leader of the Council

“Budget process and engagement

13.1 This report is a key step in the Council’s budget planning for 2024/25 and the medium term. The scale of the challenge and financial outlook for those years means a significant organisational focus on achieving financial sustainability will be necessary.  While the Council will continue its focus on income generation, new opportunities and transformative activity, there is a very clear need to make significant and difficult decisions relating to cost reduction and a fundamental shift in the services and priorities the Council can provide for on a sustainable basis going forward. Reports to subsequent Council meetings will set out further specific actions and timetables for budget planning for 2024/25 and beyond.

13.2 The Council’s budget strategy and plans for the coming year(s) needs to be underpinned by a clear approach to budget engagement. Some initial planning for options, and the form that might take, is set out in this part of the report.

13.3 Planning for engagement on developing the 2023/24 budget is currently underway. At this point, a two phased approach is proposed:

• Phase 1 is proposed to seek views from our communities on areas for service change and income generation. This would include a mix of broad public engagement alongside targeted feedback sessions with partners and key third sector and community representatives to consider inter-agency working opportunities. A range of methods are proposed to gather views including online/face to face focus groups, surveys and online forums. Existing forums with partners and key groups will be utilised wherever possible.
• Phase 2 is proposed to focus on seeking views on specific proposals coming forward. At this point, it is anticipated this is likely to be targeted at subject matter/community experts, directly related to the specific proposals. Broader public engagement would be deployed depending upon the nature of the proposals”

What has the Administration actioned since the 14th September regarding these
points?

The response will follow.

(ii) Mr M Baird

To the Chair of Economy and Infrastructure

The replacement of any road signs and Village name plates now needs to be bilingual i.e.  Gaelic and English.

We have waited for one village sign board which disappeared through rotten uprights to be replaced. The trouble to get a Gaelic translation in the first place and then a company to make the sign surely is not worth the huge expenditure involved. 

Can the Chair please justify the necessity to have bilingual signs?

The response will follow.

(iii) Mr D Gregg

To the Chair of Chair of Health, Social Care and Wellbeing

How many people are currently waiting for either a package of care or a care home space within the Highland Council area?

The response will follow.

(iv) Mrs I Mackenzie 

To the Leader of the Council

We know we have an increasingly ageing population, so it is important that we adapt to this change and ensure people can have better later lives.

Being more age-friendly would have major benefits for our area, helping us to be a community where everyone can feel confident to be out and about in public spaces, to volunteer or stay in work, and to stay well and connected to family and friends.  Age-friendly Communities ensure that the local environment, services, and social networks enable people to age well and support intergenerational relations.  Becoming an age-friendly community is not just about starting new things, it’s a way to bring together and make visible all the work that is already happening in our community which is age-friendly.
Please could you tell me what you will do to make our Highland Council area more age-friendly and take the lead to make Highlands become a member of the Age-friendly Communities?

The response will follow.

(v) Mr M Reiss

To the Chair of Economy and Infrastructure

With reference to the recently completed review of Highland Council buildings, excluding the school estate, what is the approximate estimated financial cost of carrying out repairs that have been identified as necessary within the next 18 months (to the end of the financial year 2024/25)?

The response will follow.

(vi) Mr C Ballance

To the Chair of Communities and Place

I understand that preliminary discussions on moving the transport of residual waste from Inverness to Dunbar from road to rail have taken place. Can you update us on the progress of these talks?  

The response will follow.

(vii) Mr R Mackintosh

To the Leader of the Council

What is Highland Council doing to investigate the possible uses of AI, particularly in relation to customer service?

The response will follow.

(viii) Ms K Willis

To the Chair of Economy and Infrastructure

I note that the Green Hydrogen Fund will be launched by Scot Gov by the end of this year, as part of the Hydrogen Action Plan. What will we be bidding for from it?

The response will follow.

(ix) Mr A Graham

To the Chair of Economy and Infrastructure

Please provide number of road gullies on the Highland Council road network, analysed by ward, failing which by operational area?

The response will follow.

6. Notices of Motion
Brathan Gluasaid 

The following Notices of Motion have been received by the Head of Legal and Governance –

(i) Following concerns raised by the Parent Council of Rogart Primary regarding the PSA hours allocated to the school where they had been reduced by 50% the Sutherland Members requested a breakdown of PSA hours from the Education ASN Manager. This was provided at the ward Business meeting in August and delivered personally by the ASN Manager. 

The figures provided were contrary to the information received from parents and as a result there is serious concerns about the allocation of PSA hours not only in Rogart but across the Highlands. There is also concern about the algorithm that is used to assess the need in each school and whether it is right and proper to use such a tool to determine the needs of our most vulnerable children. Furthermore, it is well known that following the pandemic the demand for additional support has increased across the board so to reduce the hours of support staff is clearly contrary to the need that exists.

Given that this support is vital for the wellbeing and education of our most vulnerable children this council will commit to a full review of PSA hours at all schools in consultation with parents as a matter of urgency and to be presented to the first Education Committee in 2024.

Signed:-  Mr R Gale    Mr J McGillivray      Ms J McEwan      Mr D Gregg      Mrs A MacLean

(ii) Screen Machine is Scotland’s mobile cinema and in September 2023, celebrates 25 years of the service, during which time it has travelled approximately 250,000 miles. It visits more than forty communities each year, from Arran to Orkney, where there is little or no other cultural provision. The service brings the latest cinema releases to local communities, offering blockbusters, independent and family films and ensuring it shows the best of Scottish cinema.

This service is now at risk as the existing machine is reaching the end of its lease. A new Screen Machine will cost approx. £1.4m and need between one year and eighteen months to build. RSS needs the Scottish Government to provide 50% of the cost. That will enable them to pay a deposit and begin the build. 

This council recognises the importance of this service and agrees that the Leader will write to the Scottish Government and urge them to provide the 50% funding that will ensure that a new machine can be ordered.

Signed:-  Mr R Gale       Mr M Baird      Mr D Gregg      Mr A Graham

(iii) Highland Council calls upon the Scottish Government to fund NHS Highland sufficiently well to do its job and avoid massive cuts!

1. Review the financial chasm between NHS Highland Services needs to deliver high-quality person-centred care and the associated budget allocated by the Scottish Government. 

2. Recognize that: 

a. As at the last published financial report of the 30th June NHS Highland had submitted a financial plan to Scottish Government for the 2023/2024 financial year, with an initial budget gap of approaching a hundred million pounds, with actual funding cuts of almost thirty million pounds proposed. 
b. No funding source had subsequently been identified to close the associated residual gap of seventy million pounds. 
c. The Scottish Government ‘Tailored Support’ to the NHS Highland Financial Plan entails a review of activities with a view to working with Lead Officers to identify activities that may be reduced or stopped.

Call upon the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to fund NHS Highland sufficiently to do its job. 

Call upon the Scottish Cabinet Secretary to acknowledge the devasting effect these cuts will be on a Highland population that is already struggling to access care, dentistry, GP and hospital services across the region.

Signed:- Mr A MacDonald      Mr A Graham       Mr M Baird      Mr D Gregg      Mr J Grafton      Ms J McEwan      Mr R Gale      Mr R Gunn      Mrs A MacLean

(iv) In light of the frequency of road accidents, consequent lengthy closures on the A9 North of Inverness and considering that this road is a vital link for all of Highland and Islands to the South; Council instructs the Leader to write to the Scottish Government seeking an early meeting between the Cabinet Minister, the Area Chairs and the Chair of Economy and Infrastructure to discuss the issue.

Signed:- Ms J McEwan      Mr M Reiss      Mr A Christie      Mr R Gale      Mr R Gunn      Mrs A MacLean     Mr A Graham

7. Memberships of Committees, etc
Ballarachd Chomataidhean, msaa

The Council is advised that Mr P Logue is no longer a member of the Scottish Conservative and Unionists Group.  On that basis, the political make-up of the Council is now as follows:-

SNP – 22 / Highland Independent – 18 / Scottish Liberal Democrats – 14 / Scottish Conservative and Unionist – 8 / Scottish Green Party – 4 / Labour – 2 / Caithness Independent – 1 / Sutherland Independent – 1 / Independent – 1 / Inverness Independent – 1 / Non-Aligned 2.

The formula in respect of the number of places on Strategic Committees is now 6/5/4/2/1.

On that basis, nominations are being sought from the Scottish Green Party and will be tabled at the meeting.

8. Budget Update, Revenue and Capital     
Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuidseat, Teachd-a-steach agus Calpa

There is circulated Report No. HC/41/23 dated 12 October 2023 by the Head of Corporate Finance.

The Council is invited to:

i.   note the update provided in relation to the capital programme;
ii.  note the update provided in relation to revenue budget and financial outlook;
iii. agree the budget timetable as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and
iv.  note the draft sample survey questions as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report which will be accompanied by a budget simulator.

9. Members’ Learning and Development Programme
Prògram Ionnsachaidh agus Leasachaidh Bhall

There is circulated Report No. HC/42/23 dated 12 October 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Performance and Governance.

The Council is invited to agree:

i.    the Members’ Learning and Development Framework - Appendix 1 to the report;
ii.    Members’ Learning and Development Programmes for 2023 and 2024 - Appendix 2 and 3 respectively to the report;
iii.    that a mid-year review of the Members’ Learning and Development Framework and Programme with Working Group input is reported to Council in August 2024; and
iv.    that an annual report is taken to Council each December on the effectiveness of the Members’ Learning and Development Framework and Programme. 

10. Governance Review
Ath-sgrùdadh Riaghlachais

There is circulated Report No. HC/43/23 dated 10 October 2023 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Performance and Governance.

The Council is invited to agree:

i.   the revised wording of Standing Orders – Steering Group Appendix 2 to the report;
ii.  the revised wording of Standing Orders – Planning Appendix 3 to the report; and
iii. that officers format Standing Orders and include definitions and guidance notes in terms of paragraph 5.6 of the report.

11. Annual Review of the Scheme of Delegation
Ath-sgrùdadh Bliadhnail dhen Sgeama Thiomnaidh

There is circulated Report No. HC/44/23 dated 18 October 2023 by the Head of Legal and Governance. 

The Council is invited to agree:

i.   the changes to the Scheme of Delegation as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; 
ii.  that further adjustments to the Scheme of Delegation will be brought forward if required, to reflect any changes arising from the budget setting process; 
iii. that amendments to post titles can continue to be made without recourse to Council as long as the level of delegation remains unchanged; and

to note:-

iv.  that page references will be updated once the substantive changes to the Scheme have been approved.

12. Staff Survey  
Suirbhidh Luchd-obrach

There is circulated Report No. HC/45/23 dated 16 October 2023 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive. 

The Council is invited to:

i.   note the Survey results attached at Appendix 1 to the report; 
ii.  note the engagement with staff that has taken place in recent months; and 
iii. agree the next steps at section 8 of the report, including the commitment to further investment in developing positive employee engagement. 

13. Appointments
Cur an Dreuchd

i. Highland Reserves and Cadets Association

The Council is invited to appoint 1 Member to the Highland Reserves and Cadets Association.

ii. UHI Local Advisory Committees

The Council is invited to appoint:-

(a) 1 Member from Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 or 8 to the North Highland Local Advisory Committee; and
(b) 1 Member from Wards 5, 10, 11 or 21 to the West Highland Local Advisory Committee.

14. Timetable of Meetings for 2024
Clàr-ama Choinneamhan airson 2024

The Council is invited to agree to hold a Special Meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 24 January 2024.

15. Deeds Executed
Sgrìobhainnean Lagha a Bhuilicheadh

There is circulated for noting a list of deeds and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 14 September 2023.