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 Monday 18 November 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
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 Statemen
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. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Area Performance Report     
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba – Aithisg Coileanaidh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No CIA/31/24 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.

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

4. Presentation - Inverness Gull Management programme-NatureScot -Licencing update
Taisbeanadh – Prògram Stiùireadh Fhaoileagan Inbhir Nis – NàdarAlba – Cunntas às ùr mu cheadachd

A presentation will be made at the meeting by Chris Donald, NatureScot, following the request by Members of the Inverness City Area Committee held on 18 August, nature Scott will present an update on the application of the licencing system undertaken under the wildlife and countryside act 1981. This will be with particular reference to Gull management within the city which has been undertaken by Inverness BID and supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund, since 2012.

5. Sustainable Transport Update - Mobility Hubs
Cunntas às ùr mu Chòmhdhail Sheasmhach – Co-ionadan So-ghluasadachd

There is circulated Report No CIA/32/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place. 

The Committee is invited to note the Sustainable Transport Update – Mobility Hubs.

6. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024
Aithisg Dèanadais Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2024 gu 30 Sultain 2024

There is circulated Report No CIA/33/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place

The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April – 30 September 2024.

7. Inverness Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a) Inverness Common Good Fund, Inverness Town House – Update
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis, Taigh Baile Inbhir Nis – Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated (pp.28-33) No CIA/34/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place 

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the progress in respect of the Feasibility Study, the cost to be met from the ICGF Townhouse Future Planning budget with updates on the progress of the study being provided to the ICGF Sub-Committee. Further, that due to the number of submissions, additional time was required to select the successful tender with completion of the feasibility study being re-scheduled to March 2025;
ii.  the progress made on the establishment of the website, extension of civic commercial use and in particular the success in letting parts of the townhouse to small businesses; and
iii. the progress of works in relation to the former Town Clerk’s office and the transformation of the Townhouse into a multi-functional venue without detriment to its primary civic use.

b) Financial Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Ionmhasail  

There is circulated Report No. CIA/35/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place

The Committee is invited to note the financial monitoring report to 30 September 2024 and that overall expenditure is within agreed budgets excepting estimated outturns detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

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

There is circulated Report No. CIA/36/24 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 application for funding.

8. 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 27 May 2024:-

Ward 12 

• Charleston Academy: School Tie for Incoming S1’s - £480
• International Sheep Dog Society Local Committee: Scottish National Sheepdog Trail 2024 - £500
• Beauly Community Council: Beauly Primary School Garden - £200
• Kilmorack Community Council: Defib Pad Replacement - £320
• Beauly Community Council: Local Place Plan - £750

Ward 13 

• Charleston Seniors Club: Seniors Summer Trip - £702.75
• Charleston Academy: School Tie for Incoming S1’s - £490
• Highland Hockey Club: Second Storage Unit - £750
• St Joseph’s RC PS: Our Outdoor Learning Space - £1,302.07
• Inverness High School: Poverty Proofing Activity Day - £754
• Littering Picking - £250
• Inverness High School: Beekeeping Project - £153.88

Ward 14 

• Inverness High School: Poverty Proofing Activity Day - £1,506
• Dalneigh Play Park Project: Fun Day August 2024 - £750
• Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve: Nature Volunteer Programme Insurance Costs - £640
• Inverness High School Beekeeping Project - £307.80
• Inverness Festival Association: Inverness Music Festival 2025 - £750
• Highland Schools Wind Orchestra: Orchestra 2025 Tour to Augsburg Germany - £300

Ward 15 

• 27th Inverness Brownies: Assistance with Let Fees - £822.66
• Cable Runway Repairs: Esk Road Play Area - £300
• See Saw: Holm Play Park - £120
• Highland Schools Wind Orchestra: Orchestra 2025 Tour to Augsburg Germany - £300

Ward 16 

• 7th Inverness (Crown) Camping Trip - £400
• HLH Millburn Associated Schools Active Football Groups - £2,254.35
• Community Action for Raigmore (CARE): Upgrade of Shack - £2,000
• Raigmore Primary School: P7 Residential Trip and Class Trips - £3,000

Ward 17 

• Balloch Primary Parent Council: Fundraising Project Reading Programme - £1,600
• Croy Community Garden Group: Polytunnel / Water Pump Installation - £420
• Highland Schools Wind Orchestra: Orchestra 2025 Tour to Augsburg Germany - £300

Ward 19 

• Balloch Primary Parent Council: Fundraising Project Reading Programme - £400
• Parkour Repairs Inshes Park - £500
• Balvonie Park Association: Balvonie Community Woodland and Land Acquistion - £6,000

9. Appointment to Sub-Committee, Working Groups etc 
Cur an Dreuchd gu Fo-Chomataidh, Buidhnean Obrach is eile

Following the retirement of Mrs E McAllister, the Committee is invited to appoint one Member to the Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.

10. Appointments to Outside Bodies
Cur an Dreuchd gu Buidhnean on Taobh A-muigh

The Committee is invited to appoint:-

a) a replacement for Mrs I McKenzie to the Inverness Town Twinning Committee; and 
b) a replacement for Mrs E McAllister to the Highland Disability Sport. 

11. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.   City of Inverness Area Committee held on 19 August 2024 for noting; 
ii.  Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 15 August 2024, 26 September 2024 and 24 October 2024 for approval; and 
iii. Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 28 October 2024 for approval.

12. 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 items 13, 14 and 15 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

13. Town House Feasibility Study – Update
Sgrùdadh Iomchaidheachd Taigh a’ Bhaile – Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated to Members only Report No CIA/37/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place

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

14. Lease Proposal for Hydrogen Development, Longman
Moladh Aonta-màil airson Leasachadh Haidridein, An Longman

There is circulated to Members only Report No CIA/38/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place. 

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

15. Inverness Common Good Account Sites and Premises Transaction Report
Aithisg Gnothachais Làraich agus Togalaichean Chunntasan Maoin Math Choitcheann Inbhir Nis

There is circulated to Members only Report No CIA/39/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place

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

16. Notices of Motion 
Brathan Gluasaid                                                                                 

The following Notice of Motion have been received by the Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate Governance – 

(i) “Noting the significant issues in 2024 with maintenance of open spaces, parks, play areas, verges, river banks and other areas, that this Committee will consider and review the Maintenance Plan for 24/25 at its next meeting.’’
Signed: Mr A Graham    Mr A Christie      Mrs T Robertson
 
Section 95 Officer assessment of financial implications: 

This motion is not expected to have a financial implication for the Council.  It is assumed that the review of the Plan will be undertaken within existing officer time.  Any financial implications which may arise as a result of the review, would need considered as part of any report to members at the appropriate time. 

Integrated Impact Assessment

Area for Assessment    Assessment Summary
Equality            No impact 
Poverty              No impact
Human Rights            No impact 
Children’s Rights    No impact
Data Rights            No impact
Rural/Island            No impact
Climate Change            No impact
 
The motion seeks a review to be undertaken.  There is no identified impact at the current time. Any review would require a screening for impact to be undertaken.