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 27 May 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. 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. Military division of The King's Birthday Honours 
Roinn Armailteach Urraman Co-là-breith an Rìgh 
    
Members are advised that the following individual was recognised in the Military division of The King's Birthday Honours List 2023: -

- Captain Bartholomew Philip Lucas was awarded the MBE for his long devoted service to Army Cadets Uk and the Young People of the Highlands.

4. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Area Performance Report
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba – Aithisg Coileanaidh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No CIA/11/24 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland. 

The Committee is invited to comment and scrutinise the attached Area Performance Report.

5. Inverness Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) Action Plan
Plana-gnìomha Sgìre Stiùiridh Càileachd Èadhair Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/12/24 by the Strategic Lead Environmental Health & Bereavement Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the improvements to air quality in the city centre since the first publication of the Draft AQMA Action Plan for Inverness in 2016; and
ii. approve the Inverness AQMA Action Plan with the 2024 action measures table.

6. Environmental Health – Annual Report & Activity 2023/24
Slàinte Àrainneachdail – Aithisg Bhliadhnail & Gnìomhachd 2023/24

There is circulated Report No CIA/13/24 by the Strategic Lead Environmental Health & Bereavement Services.

The Committee is invited to note: -

i.   the current structure of the Environmental Health team; 
ii.  the range and volume of work being undertaken locally by the team; 
iii. the Highland wide issues; and
iv.  the report format and content.

7. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2023 gu 31 Màrt 2024
    
There is circulated Report No CIA/14/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property. 
The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024.

8. Community Asset Transfer Request – Fort Augustus Memorial Hall 
Iarrtas Gluasad So-mhaoin Coimhearsnachd – Talla Cuimhneachaidh Chille Chuimein

There is circulated Report No CIA/15/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is invited to agree the sale of Memorial Hall, Fort Augustus to Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Company for the sum of £40,000, based upon the terms set out in the report within paragraph 7.1. 

9. Community Regeneration Fund Assessment of Applications     
Measadh Iarrtasan Maoin Ath-bheòthachaidh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No CIA/16/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place

The Committee is invited to consider the application presented and agree whether to approve, defer or reject the application.  An approval of funding should detail the amount approved and outline any conditions of funding that Members wish to attach to the approval over and above the required technical conditions.  A deferral would allow an applicant to resubmit the current application at a future date with updated information or for the project to be approved subject to further funding becoming available.  A rejection would mean that the application will not proceed and any future application to the fund should be brought forward initially as a new expression of interest.

10. Scheme for Winter Payments 2024/25
Sgeama airson Phàighidhean Geamhraidh 2024/25

There is circulated Report No CIA/17/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Corporate

The Committee is invited to;-

i.    agree to provide an Inverness Winter Payments Discretionary Scheme for 2024/25 having regard to the financial support available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland (SSS) as set out in sections 6 and 7 of the report;
ii.   accept applications from 1 December 2024 to 31 March 2025 inclusive;
iii.  provide a budget of £0.200m for the 2024/25 Scheme noting that payments for Landward Areas will be sourced from available income within the Inverness Benevolent Funds first, with the ICGF being utilised for the Landward Areas, in the event that officers decide it financially prudent to do so;
iv.   decide whether to apply a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase to the £106 award rate for 2023/24 in order to determine the 2024/25 single tier payment rate;
v.    should Members agree to apply a CPI increase as set out in paragraph 2.1 (iv) of the report, agree to use the annual CPI of 4.2% (March 2024 rate), noting this will establish the 2024/25 award amount at £111 for eligible applicants;
vi.   agree that the criteria utilised for the 2023/24 scheme as set out in paragraphs 8.2 to 9.6 of the report shall be used as the basis for the 2024/25 Scheme;  
vii.  agree this discretionary scheme is to be made available to residents in the City of Inverness and the Landward areas of the seven City Wards; and  
viii. note BACS payments are to be used for this discretionary scheme as this is the most secure method of payment for recipients of the payment and the Council alike.

11. Ward Discretionary Budget Applications     
Iarrtasan Buidseat fo Ùghdarras Uàird

The Committee is asked to note that the following City of Inverness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 5 February 2024:-

2023/2024

• Ward 12
- Kilmorack Community Council: Teanassie School ASN Room - £750
- Strathglass Community Council: Loch Ness and Affric National Park Consultation - £999
- Beauly Community Council for Beauly Community Trust: Drop in Sessions – Talks to Village Groups - £500
- Aird Community Trust: KCC Football Project - £4,000
- Aird Community Trust: Newtonhill Defibrillator - £500
- Glen Urquhart High School Parent Council: Interactive Display Screen for the Maths Department - £868.76
- Glen Urquhart Shinty Club: Shiny Memories Group - £100
- Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) - £184

• Ward 13 
-  Active Schools Inverness High School: Winter Primary Football for Inverness High School Cluster - £1,299.38
- St Andew’s Cathedral: InSpire - £760
- Charleston Academy Community Complex: Gala Fun Day 2024 - £1,545
- Camanachd Association: Creating a tartan for Scotland's Community Sport - £500
- Central Primary School: Active Play Equipment - £992.34
- Muirtown Polycrub - £760
- Charleston Academy: Ocean Youth Trust Employability Voyage - £667.31

• Ward 14 
- Active Schools Inverness High School - £2,598.77
- Rokzkool Academy - £1,400
- St Andrew’s Catherdal: InSpire - £760
- Merkinch Community Centre: Room Hire - £21
- Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) - £363.67

• Ward 15 – None 

• Ward 16 
- Crown Primary School: Literacy Project - £950
- Hilton Primary Parent & Friends: School Trip to Fairburn Activity Centre - £950
- Culcabock and Drakies Community Council: Contribution to Drakies Hall Improvement Works - £4559.50

• Ward 17 
- Culloden Academy: Supporting the Inclusion of Free School Meals to Pupils - £1,250
- Culloden Academy: Supporting Families in Crisis - £750
- Project Linus UK – Inverness and Surrounds Sewing Group - £250
- Ardersier Primary School: Developing the Outdoors - £1,000
- Smithton Primary School: Transportation Support for P7 Outdoor Education Residential - £1,000
- Croy Primary Parent Council (CPPC): Christmas 2024 Pantomime Visit - £1,000
- Duncan Forbes Primary School: Outdoor Pioneers - £959.92
- Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) - £1,776.08

• Ward 19 
- Culloden Academy: Supporting the Inclusion of Free School Meals to Pupils - £1,250
- Culloden Academy: Supporting Families in Crisis - £750
- Cradlehall Primary School: School Residential Excursion 2024 - £1,950
- Inshes Library: Developing a Creative and Nurturing Community Space - £2,000
- SNAP: Cost of Living and Specialist Support - £5,067.96

2024/25

• Ward 12
- Friends of Kilchuimen Academy: Senior Pupils (S5/6) New Common Room - £500

• Ward 13 
- Charleston Academy: Ocean Youth Trust Employability Voyage - £839.69

• Ward 14 
- South Kessock Residents Association: Play Park Opening - £1,350

• Ward 15
- Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) - £329.72

• Ward 16
- Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) - £329.72

• Ward 17 – None 

• Ward 19 – None

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

a) Victorian Market and Inverness Town House Update
Cunntas mun Mhargaidh Bhictòrianach agus Taigh Baile Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No. CIA/18/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and note the progress in respect of the work agreed through the Victorian Market Action Plan since the last report to the City Area Committee and the success in the letting of all available Units in the Market;
ii.  note the success of the marketing programme presented to the Committee as shown by the increase in footfall detailed in the report provided at Appendix 3 of the report.
iii. agree that the current management arrangements continue for a further year, until May 2025, in order to consider what operating and management structures are required for both the Victorian Market and Town House; and
iv.  note that a further report will be presented to Committee in 2025.

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

There is circulated  Report No. CIA/19/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – 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.

13. Membership of Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee
Ballrachd Fo-chomataidh Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

Following the resignation of Mr C Aitken, the Committee is invited to appoint Mr D McDonald, as put forward by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, to the Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.

14. Minutes                                                                                              
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.      City of Inverness Area Committee held on 24 February 2024 for noting; 
ii.     Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 23 February 2024 and 4 April 2024; for approval; and 
iii.    Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 22 April 2024 for approval. 

15. 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 item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

16. Inverness Common Good Fund – Sites and Premises Transaction Report
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis – Aithisg Gnothachais Làraich is Thogalaichea

There is circulated to Members only Joint Report No CIA/20/24 by the Head of Economic Development & Regeneration and Property Manager – Estates.

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