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, 14 November 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
Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate 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. Presentation – Cairngorm 2030
Taisbeanadh – Am Monadh Ruadh 2030

A presentation will be made at the meeting by Mr Grant Moir, Mr Gavin Miles and Mr David Clyne, Cairngorm National Park.  The Park, across 20 long-term projects, want to achieve their vision that by 2030 the Cairngorms National Park will be an exemplar of people and nature thriving together in a rapidly changing world.

5. Quarterly Revenue and Performance Monitoring Report Quarter 2 2024/25
Aithisg Ràitheil Teachd-a-steach agus Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Ràith 2 2024/25

There will follow Report No. ECI/44/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

6. Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2024-2030    
Ro-innleachd Turasachd Sheasmhach 2024-2030

There will follow Report No. ECI/45/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

7. Proposal to Consult on the Introduction of a Visitor Levy Scheme
Moladh Co-chomhairleachadh a Chumail mu Bhith a’ Toirt A-steach Sgeama Cìs Luchd-tadhail

There will follow Report No. ECI/46/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

8. Capital Monitoring – Q2 2024/25
Sgrùdadh Calpa – R2 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. ECI/47/2024 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial position as of 30 September 2024 and note the estimated year end forecast.

9. Inverness & Highland City Region Deal – 2023/24 Annual Report
Cùmhnant Baile Roinne Inbhir Nis & na Gàidhealtachd – Aithisg Bhliadhnail 2023/24

There is circulated Report No. ECI/48/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to note and approve the IHCRD Annual Report as a record of the activity and delivery during 2023/24.

10. Rural Housing Planning Policy Explanatory Note    
Nota Mìneachaidh Poileasaidh Dealbhaidh Taigheadais Dùthchail

There is circulated Report No. ECI/49/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider and agree the Rural Housing Supplementary Guidance – Explanatory Note contained in Appendix 2 of the report; and
ii. note that, from the point of approval by Committee, this Explanatory Note will inform all planning advice and decisions.

11. Roads Structures Annual Report
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Structaran Rathaid

There is circulated Report No. ECI/50/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the current position in Highland in relation to the number of structures inspections undertaken (see section 6.2 of the report);
ii.  the position of the Bridge Stock Condition Indicators in Highland (see section 7 of the report); and
iii. the risks that are carried by the Council in relation to its road structures (see section 3.3 of the report).

12. Highland Local Development Plan – Evidence Gathering
Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd – Cruinneachadh Fianais

There is circulated Report No. ECI/51/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and agree the draft evidence pack in Appendix 2 of the report, and agree for these to be issued for public consultation, noting that further work is required to gather relevant evidence for each theme and area; 
ii.  agree to delegate approval of the final evidence packs to the Assistant Chief Executive – Place, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Economy & Infrastructure Committee prior to public consultation;
iii. agree the next steps for public consultation outlined in Section 7 of the report and note the updated timescales for preparation of the LDP;
iv.  agree for the Call for Sites template to be issued for consultation as soon as practicable after Committee;
v.   agree for a revised Development Plan Scheme to be prepared and published in early 2025 that reflects on the SG requirements for LDP engagement, and the timescales and next steps outlined in Section 7 of the report; and
vi.  note the important role that communities are playing in shaping this evidence and the additional time that has been provided for this purpose.  

13. Ecology Strategy and Action Plan
Ro-innleachd agus Plana-gnìomha Eag-eòlais

There is circulated Report No. ECI/52/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the content of the draft Ecology Strategy and Actions contained therein;
ii.  note the response to the public consultation; and 
iii. agree to adopt the draft Ecology Strategy and Action Plan as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report. 

14. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring & Progress update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Sgrùdadh Buidseit & Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh

There is circulated joint Report No. ECI/53/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place and Assistant Chief Executive People.

The Committee is invited to note the updates provided for all of the Delivery Plan Projects/Programmes in this report.

15. Infrastructure Levy for Scotland: Scottish Government Discussion Paper
Cìs Bun-structair airson Alba: Pàipear Deasbaid Riaghaltas na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No. ECI/54/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to agree to homologate officer comments, as detailed at Appendix 2 of the report, as the Highland Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Levy Discussion Paper.

16. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.   South PAC – 18 June 2024;
ii.  North PAC –2024 7 August 2024;
iii. South PAC – 20 August 2024;
iv.  North PAC– 17 September 2024;

and, for approval:-

v.  Community Regeneration Strategic Fund Sub Group 27 August 2024; and 
vi. City Region Deal Monitoring Group held on 24 October 2024.

17. 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.

18. Housing Development Initiatives
Iomairtean Leasachaidh Taigheadais

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/55/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

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

19. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/56/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

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

20. Land and Property
Fearann agus Seilbh

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/57/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.

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