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, 22 August 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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 27 June 2024 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

4. Good News 
Naidheachdan Matha

5. Presentation - Sustaintable Aviation Test Environment Findings
Taisbeanadh – Toraidhean Deuchainn Àrainneachd Itealanachd Sheasmhach

A presentation will be made by Rebecca Wallace, Sustainable Aviation Project Officer and David Holden, Regional Sustainable Aviation Manager, HITRANS providing an update on the SATE project, the technology capabilities, and identified use cases. Insights, reports and data have helped build a picture of where technology from SATE could be best placed in the near future to improve transportation and connectivity in the region.  This is an opportunity to raise awareness of the developments and present the findings (so far) for feedback on any impact further progression or implementation of sustainable aviation would have on the Highlands.

6. Revenue Budget Monitoring Near Final Outturn 2023/24 Report and Service Performance Reporting for Financial Year 2023/24
Aithisg Toradh Faisg air Deireannach Sgrùdadh Buidseit Teachd-a-steach 2023/24 agus Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis airson na Bliadhna Ionmhasail 2023/24

There is circulated Report No. ECI/33/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider and note the Service’s revenue monitoring position; and 
ii. scrutinise the Service’s performance and risk information 

7. Capital Monitoring – Quarter 4 2023/24
Sgrùdadh Calpa – Ràith 4 2023/24

There is circulated Report No. ECI/34/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the near final out-turn for 2023/24.

8. UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Delivery Plan Progress Update
Maoin Soirbheachas Co-roinnte na RA – Cunntas air Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh 

There is circulated Report No. ECI/35/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to note the UKSPF Delivery Plan progress update.

9. Fort William Business Improvement District (BID)
Sgìre Leasachadh Gnìomhachais a’ Ghearasdain

There is circulated Report No. ECI/36/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i.  approve the assessment made in Appendix 2 of the report relative to the Fort William BID Proposal; and 
ii. agree not to exercise the Council’s right of veto.

10. Delivery Programme for Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2 and wider Highland
Prògram Lìbhrigidh airson Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail Linne Mhoireibh 2 agus airson na Gàidhealtachd san Fharsaingeachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/37/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   approve and adopt the Local Development Plan Delivery Programme at Appendix 1 of the report noting that the Inner Moray Firth element of it will fulfil the Council’s duty to publish an Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2 delivery programme by 27 September 2024;
ii.  agree to consult more widely on the Highland Delivery Programme in line with the Council’s Developer Contributions Protocol; and
iii. note the transition towards the new Highland Delivery Programme being approved by Full Council and becoming the principal corporate and cross agency tool for coordinating investment in Highland.

11. Highland Council Airfields
Raointean-adhair Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/38/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the progress made towards a lease on Dornoch Airfield and works remaining to be undertaken to enable this;
ii.  note the resolution of an historic title issue at Plockton Airfield, enabling progress to be made towards a long-term lease or sale of the site;
iii. agree that the Council should progress discussions with interested parties at Plockton Airfield and report back to Members with a recommended approach to long-term lease or sale of the site; and
iv.  agree that the Council should continue to operate Ashaig airfield in a manner which meets all necessary legal obligations and ensures the airfield is maintained to a level which will support development of potential future aeronautical activities.

12. Road Policies Update
Cunntasan às Ùr mu Phoileasaidh Rathaid

There is circulated Report No. ECI/39/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    approve the Variable and Vehicle Activated Signs Policy as contained in Appendix 2;
ii.   approve the introduction of a one-off fee of £300 for variable and vehicle activated signs that are externally funded, to be paid upfront, before installation;
iii.  note that after the policy is approved, the “Variable and Vehicle Activated Signs Manual” will be finalised and distributed accordingly;
iv.   approve the Grit Bin Policy as contained in Appendix 3 of the report;
v.    approve the updated Cattle and Deer Grid Policy as contained in Appendix 5 of the report ; 
vi.   approve the proposed change to the cattle and deer grids charge to 10% of the construction cost with £2,500 as a minimum;
vii.  approve the updated Coast Protection Policy as contained in Appendix 7 of the report; and
viii. approve the updated Roadside Hazards Policy as contained in Appendix 9 of the report.

13. Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited Annual Accounts 2022/23
Cunntasan Bliadhnail Earranta Coimhearsnachd Tuathanas-gaoithe na Beinne Tarsainn 2022/23

There is circulated Report No. ECI/40/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the activities of Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited; and
ii.  accept, on behalf of Highland Council, the Financial Statement of Beinn
iii. Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited for year ending 31 March 2023.

14. Membership of the Harbours Management Board
Ballrachd Bòrd Stiùiridh nan Calachan

The committee is invited to approve the SNP group nomination for the vacancy of the harbours management board which will be tabled at the meeting.

15. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.   South PAC – 19 March 2024;
ii.  North PAC – 16 April 2024;
iii. South PAC – 30 April 2024;
iv.  North PAC– 4 June 2024;

and, for approval:-

v.   Inverness Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Monitoring Group held on 21 May 2024;
vi.  Harbours Management Board held on 31 May 2024; and 
vii. City Region Deal Monitoring Group held on 15 August 2024 (to follow).

16. 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 should be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

17. Housing Development Initiatives
Iomairtean Leasachaidh Taigheadais

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/41/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

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

18. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/42/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

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

19. Land and Property 
Fearann agus Seilbh

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/43/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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