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, 15 February 2024 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

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. Good News 
Naidheachdan Matha

4. Quarterly Revenue and Performance Monitoring Report Quarter 3 2023/24 Aithisg Ràitheil Teachd-a-steach agus Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Ràith 3 2023/24

There is circulated Report No. ECI/01/2024 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the position for the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, and the predicted year-end position;
ii.  that the budget gap may change positively or negatively depending on the application of expenditure and recruitment controls, filling fee earning posts in an extremely challenging job market, adjusting services to meet previously agreed budget savings, in-year income recovery, and identifying new income and procurement opportunities; and
iii. the progress update provided in relation to corporate budget savings delivery.

5. Capital Monitoring – Quarter 3 2023/24
Sgrùdadh Calpa – Ràith 3 2023/24

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

The Committee is invited to:-
 
i.   consider the financial position as at 31 December 2023 and note the estimated year end forecast;
ii.  note the projects in section 5.2 of the report which have been impacted by construction cost inflation; and
iii. agree the award of contracts if more optimum prices are received.

6. Inverness and Highland City Region Deal (IHCRD)– 2022/23 Annual Report
Cùmhnant Baile Roinne Inbhir Nis agus na Gàidhealtachd – Aithisg Bhliadhnail 2022/23

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

The Committee is invited to note and approve the IHCRD Annual Report as a record of the activity and delivery during 2022/23.

7. UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – Delivery Plan Progress Update    
Maoin Soirbheachais Cho-roinnte na RA – Cunntas mu Adhartas Plana Lìbhrigidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/04/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the UKSPF Delivery Plan update; and
ii.  agree to the reallocation of funds to approved activities within each of the UKSPF priorities to ensure full commitment and spend of the UKSPF.

8. Highland Local Development Plan and Development Plan Scheme    
Plana Leasachadh Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd agus Sgeama Plana Leasachaidh 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/05/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the Development Plan Scheme / Newsletter at Appendix 1 of the report, including the suggested updates to the Participation Statement; and
ii. note the proposed collaborative approach to preparing a new single Local Development Plan for Highland.

9. Bus Partnership Fund Update and Changes to Active Travel Funding    
Cunntas às Ùr mu Mhaoin Com-pàirteachas nam Busaichean agus Atharrachaidhean do Mhaoineachadh Siubhal Gnìomhach    

There is circulated Report No. ECI/06/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the confirmed pause on the Bus Partnership Fund by Transport Scotland for the 24/25 financial year;
ii.  note the progress of the Bus Partnership Fund within the Highland Council to date and outstanding work on the project beyond the 23/24 financial year; and    
iii. note the changes announced by Transport Scotland to Active Travel Funding from 24/25 and that officers will bring a further paper to Committee once more information has been received from Transport Scotland.

10. Regional Economic Partnership Vision and Action Plan
Lèirsinn agus Plana-gnìomha a’ Chom-pàirteachais Eaconamaich Roinneil 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/07/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy.

The Committee is invited to note and agree that the outcomes of the initial phase of the surveys being undertaken reflect the broad areas of action that Highland Council would like to see reflected in the ongoing formulation of the Vision and Action Plan.  

11. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.   South PAC – 4 October 2023
ii.  North PAC – 1 November 2023
iii. Joint North and South PAC – 8 November 2023
iv.  South PAC – 22 November 2023
v.   North PAC – 6 December 2023
vi.  North PAC – 17 January 2024

and, for approval:-

vii. City Region Deal Monitoring Group of 23 January 2024

12. 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 Paragraphs 6 and 9 Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

13. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/08/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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

14. Land and Property
Fearann agus Seilbh

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/09/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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