Agendas, reports and minutes

Lochaber Committee

Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Lochaber Committee will take place remotely on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024 at 10.30 a.m. 
 
Recording Notice: Please note this meeting will be recorded and uploaded to the Council’s YouTube channel.
 
You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.
 
Yours faithfully
 
Stewart Fraser
Chief Officer - Legal & Corporate Governance
 
BUSINESS
 
1. Apologies for Absence
    Leisgeulan
 
2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
    Foillseachaidhea 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. Police Scotland Local Committee Performance Report
    Aithisg Choileanaidh Comataidh Ionadail Poileas Alba
 
There is circulated Report No LA/19/24 by the Area Commander, Police Scotland.
 
The Committee is invited to note:-
 
i. 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 – 31 March 2024; and
ii. the change in format necessitate by a reduction in back-office capacity to prepare additional area committee reports.
 
4. Housing Performance Report 
    Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/20/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
 
The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2024 – 30 September 2024.
 
5. Scottish Government Play Park Funding
    Maoineachadh Phàircean-cluiche Riaghaltas na h-Alba
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/21/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place. 
 
The Committee is asked to agree:
 
i.  in Ward 11 £182,152 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.5
ii. in Ward 21 £194,000 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.6
 
6. Fort William Common Good Asset Register
    Clàr So-mhaoin Math Coitcheann a’ Ghearasdain
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/22/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Corporate and Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
 
Members are asked to:-
 
i.  note the contents of the ‘Fort William Common Good Asset Register’ in the format presented in Appendix 1;
ii. note the contents of the ‘Fort William consultation on the asset register - representations and responses’ document in Appendix 2;
iii.agree to the publication of the Fort William Common Good Asset Register;
iv. agree to the re-classification of the properties included on the asset register and to the creation of the Fort William Common Good Fund;
v.  note that the properties listed on the Fort William Common Good Asset Register will continue to be supported by the Council’s General Fund, until such time as adequate income levels are available from the Fort William Common Good Fund to cover maintenance costs; and
vi. note that the creation of the Fort William Common Good Fund and its financial position, will be reported under the minutes of a future Highland Council meeting, given that all Members are custodians of all Common Good Funds in Highland. 
 
7. Bereavement Services - Project Updates
    Cunntas às Ùr mun t-Seirbheis Chaoidh
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/23/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place. 
 
Members are asked to note:
 
i.  the progress of burial ground extensions in the Lochaber area; and
ii. the challenges with identifying and developing suitable land for burial ground development.
 
8. Appointments to Outside Bodies
    Cur an Dreuchd gu Buidhnean air an Taobh A-muigh
 
Non – company appointments
 
The resignation of former Councillor, Angus MacDonald, has created a vacancy on the Fort William 2040 Community Stakeholder group. 
 
The committee is asked to appoint 1 Member from Ward 21.
 
9. Ward Discretionary Budget  
    Buidseat Fo Ùghdarras Uàird
 
The Committee is invited to note the following Ward Discretionary Fund grant awards since the last Committee meeting:-
 
Ward 11
Highland Archive Service HLH - Isle of Eigg Archive Workshop - £356
An Comunn Gàidhealach - Royal National Mod 2025 (contribution to venue hire) - £800
 
Ward 21
An Comunn Gàidhealach - Royal National Mod 2025 (contribution to venue hire) - £1200
Duror & Kentallen Community Council - Local Place Plan Hard Copy Printing Costs - £200
 
10. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas
 
There is circulated for information, Minutes of Meeting of the Lochaber Committee held on 27 August, 2024 which were approved by the Council on 19 September, 2024.