Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on 5 February 2024 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 Legal and 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. New Years Honours 
Urraman na Bliadhn’ Ùire

Members are advised that the following individuals have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List: -

• Robert Stewart Nicol, OBE 
• Fiona Bennett Morrison, MBE 
• Robert Coburn, BEM 

4. Police – Area Performance Report     
Poileas – Geàrr-aithisg Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No. CIA/01/24 by the Inverness Area Commander.

The Committee is invited to note Progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2023-2026 Year 1, attached as Annex A to this report, for the period covering 01 April 2023 – 30 November 2023.

5. Community Regeneration Fund
Maoin Ath-bheòthachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No. CIA/02/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider and agree the formal recommendation from the Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee contained in paragraph 1.4 of the report; and
ii. agree the recommendation to ringfence any remaining balance within the 2023/24 allocation to deliver area priorities identified through work to develop an area-based plan, subject to full applications being brought to a future committee meeting for consideration.  

6. Area Roads Capital Programme 2024/25
Prògram Calpa Rathaidean Sgìreil 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. CIA/03/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed 2024/2025 Area Roads Capital Programme for the City of Inverness and Area.

7. Housing Revenue Account: Garage Rents 2024/25
Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Màil Gharaidsean 2024/25

There is circulated Report No CIA/04/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property. 

The Committee is invited to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Inverness Garages and Garage Sites.

8. Inverness Wards Repurposing COVID-19 Fund
Uàrdan Inbhir Nis ag Ath-adhbhrachadh Maoin COVID-19

There is circulated Report No. CIA/05/24 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to agree the repurposing of the following COVID-19 Funds:-

i. Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side
£3,881 to support Transport Services with the installation of new enclosed bus stop area providing a shelter for all bus users within the community; 
£10,000 to support the improvements to the park area next to the Inverness Gaelic Primary School (Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis) providing a green community space for all to enjoy; and 
£6,197.27 to support improvements to the green area of Holm Park for the users to continue to enjoy. 

ii. Ward 16 – Inverness Millburn
£3,881 to support Transport Services with the installation of new enclosed bus stop area.

9. Ward Discretionary Budget Applications    
Iarrtasan Buidseat fo Ùghdarras Uàird

The Committee is asked to note that the following City of Inverness and Area Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 20 November 2023:-

• Ward 12 
Kilmorack Community Council: Teanassie School Swimming Transport 2024 £1,500
Dores Parish Hall: Wifi Heaters plus Internet Control - £799
Strathglass Community Council: Glen Strathfarrar Public Shelter - £613

• Ward 13 
Inverness Disc Golf: Putting Baskets - £950
Safe, Strong & Free: Early Intervention Project - £846.66
Muirtown Primary School: Reading Champs Promoting Reading for Pleasure Across the School - £1,000
Kinmylies Primary School: Primary 7 Residential Trip 2023/24 - £1,500

• Ward 14 
Merkinch Football Academy: Goals for the Future - £2,500
Safe, Strong & Free: Early Intervention Project - £846.66

• Ward 15 
Inverness Ice Centre Limited: Support for the New Winter Season - £1,428

•    Ward 16 
Raigmore Primary School: Transportation to Swimming Lessons - £1,500
Raigmore Primary School: M&M Theatre Visit to School – Sleeping Beauty - £1,000
Safe, Strong & Free: Early Intervention Project - £846.66

• Ward 17 
Culloden Balloch Baptist Church: Warm Places / Hot Food - £1,400
Ardersier Hub: Food Bank Provisions - £750
Ardersier Hub: Gritting Pavements - £250

• Ward 19
HLH Milton of Leys Primary School: Football Training Session Let Costs - £4,052.50

10. Paw Print Trail – Victorian Market    
Slighe Lorg Spòige – Margaidh Bhictòrianach

There is circulated Report No. CIA/06/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the costs and implications for any alterations being made to the Trail; 
ii.  agree to leave the Trail in place at present until the benefits and any implications are understood; and 
iii. agree that a review will be undertaken later in year with associated recommendations coming back to this committee.

11. Inverness Common Good Fund (ICGF)
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a) Inverness Common Good Fund - 2022/23 Annual Accounts and Final Monitoring
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis – Cunntasan Bliadhnail agus Sgrùdadh Deireannach 2022/23 

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/07/24 by the Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place and the Head of Corporate Finance & Commercialism.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the final monitoring report (Appendix 1) and Statement of Accounts (Appendix 2) for the Inverness Common Good Fund for the year ended 31 March 2023.

b) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail  

There is circulated Report No. CIA/08/24 by Executive Chief Officer, Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to note the financial monitoring report to 31 December 2023 and that overall expenditure is within agreed budgets excepting estimated outturns detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

c) Inverness Common Good Fund Budget Setting for 2024/2025
Suidheachadh Buidseit Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis airson 2024/25

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA/09/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place and the Head of Corporate Finance & Commercialism.

The Committee is invited to consider and approve the Common Good Fund budget for 2024/2025 as detailed within the report and Appendices.

d) Grants Applications over £10,000
Iarrtasan Tabhartais thar £10,000

There is circulated Report No. CIA/10/24 by the 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.

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

The Committee is invited to agree that Mr R Mackintosh is appointed to the Ness District Salmon Fisheries Board to replace Mr C Ballance. 

13. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.   City of Inverness Area Committee held on 20 November 2023 for noting; 
ii.  Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 21 December 2023 and 18 January 2024 for approval; and
iii. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 22 January 2024 for approval.