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 22 May 2024 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 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. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report
Aithisg Choileanaidh Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba airson na Gàidhealtachd

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 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the report.

5. Communities and Place – Service Performance Reporting for Q4 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024
Coimhearsnachdan agus Àite – Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis airson R1 1 Faoilleach 2024 gu 31 Màrt 2024

There is circulated Report No CP/08/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate).

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the service’s performance and risk information.

6. Waste Management Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Stiùireadh Sgudail

There is circulated Report No CP/09/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate).

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the updated position on the service change project (Recycling Improvement Fund);
ii.  homologate the response to Scotland’s draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030: Consultation, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and
iii. note the updated position on Fort William Waste Transfer Station.

7. Bereavement Services – Project Updates
Seirbheisean Caoidh – Cunntasan Pròiseict 

There is circulated Report No CP/10/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate).

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the progress of current projects on burial ground extensions and at Inverness Crematorium; and 
ii. future burial ground extension projects in Highland.

8. Growing our Future – Community Food Growing Annual Report
A’ Fàs ar n-Àm ri Teachd – Aithisg Bhliadhnail Fàs Biadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No CP/11/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate).

The Committee is invited to note the progress made to implement the Growing our Future strategy and deliver the community food growing action plan.

9. Update on Improvements to Public Conveniences
Cunntas às Ùr mu Leasachaidhean do Ghoireasan Poblach

There is circulated Report No CP/12/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate).

The Committee is invited to note:- 

i.   the content of the report;
ii.  the improvement projects to date including the resulting environmental benefits, and improvements planned for 2024/25; and
iii. the case studies relating to Glenmore and Wick sites.

10. Comfort Scheme Annual Survey Results
Toraidhean Suirbhidh an Sgeama Chofhurtachd

There is circulated Report No CP/13/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate).

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the results of the 2023/24 survey undertaken with Comfort Scheme providers; and

ii. that opportunities to promote the Comfort Scheme will continue to be explored. 

11. Community Asset Transfer Request – Braes of Balvonie
Iarrtas Gluasad So-mhaoin Coimhearsnachd – Bruthaichean Bhaile a’ Mhonaidh

There is circulated Report No CP/14/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate).

The Committee is invited to agree to the sale of the land comprising two fields between Braes of Balvonie, Inverness and the A9 Trunk Road, Inverness to Balvonie Park Association for £1, based upon the terms of transfer as set out in the report at 7.1.