Agendas, reports and minutes

Lochaber Committee

Date: Monday, 27 January 2025

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Lochaber Committee will take place remotely on Monday, 27 January, 2025 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
    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 Local Committee Performance Report
    Aithisg Choileanaidh Comataidh Ionadail Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba
 
There is circulated Report No LA/1/25 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.
 
The Committee is invited to comment and scrutinise the Area Performance Report.
 
4. Lochaber Area Place Plan
    Plana Àite Sgìre Loch Abar
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/2/25 by the Chief Officer Housing and Communities.
 
Members are asked to:-
 
i.  consider and adopt the Lochaber Area Place Plan, using it as a tool to inform and support decision making about Lochaber.
ii. support and promote the plan where possible in terms of its consideration within other Plans, Strategies, Development, and Funding opportunities across or impacting the Lochaber area.
iii.note the next steps for progressing the work set out in the plan. PP.14-60
 
5. Area Roads Capital Programme 2025/26
    Prògram Calpa Rathaidean na Sgìre 2025/26
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/3/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
 
Members are asked to approve the proposed prioritised 2025/26 Area Roads Capital Programme for Lochaber Area.
 
6. Community Asset Transfer Requests
    Gluasad So-mhaoin Coimhearsnachd
 
i Land adjacent to the Spean Bridge Community Centre
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/4/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place. 
 
Members are asked to agree the following Community Asset Transfer request:-
 
- Transfer of ownership of circa 2.3 acres of land adjacent to the Spean Bridge Community Centre for £1, based upon the terms set out in the report, subject to Scottish Government Minister approval as the land is on Housing Revenue Account.  
 
ii Lease of Unit 9a, Blar Mhor Industrial Estate, Fort William
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/5/25 by the Chief Officer – Housing and Communities.
 
Members are asked to agree the following Community Asset Transfer request:-
 
- Lease of Unit 9a, Blar Mhor Industrial Estate, Fort William, PH33 7PT for £2,750 per annum over 5 years to Fort William Men’s Shed SCIO, in line with the terms outlined at section 8 and on the basis no objections are received during the statutory consultation period which closes on 31 January 2025. 
 
7. Station Brae Public Conveniences  
    Taighean-beaga Bruthach an Stèisein
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/6/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place. 
 
Members are asked to agree:
 
i.  closure of the Station Brae public convenience from 31 March 2025;
ii. leasing of the site on a 25-year lease with provision of at least two unisex accessible facilities made available for public use; and   
iii.support a Comfort Scheme with the lease holder for the Station Brae public convenience from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
 
8. Housing Revenue Account: Garage Rents 2025/2026 
    Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Màil Gharaidsean 2025/2026
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/7/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place. 
 
The Committee is invited to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Lochaber Garages and Garage Sites.
 
9. Housing Performance Report 
    Aithisg Choileanaidh Càraidhean Thaighean
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/8/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
 
Members are asked to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2024 – 31 December 2024.
 
10. Education Attainment Reports
 
i Ardnamurchan High School Associated School Group Overview
  Foir-shealladh air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-Sgoil Àird nam Murchan
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/9/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
 
Members are asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report.
 
ii Kinlochleven High School Associated School Group Overview
   Foir-shealladh air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-Sgoil Cheann Loch Lìobhann
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/10/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
 
Members are asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report.
 
iii  Mallaig High School Associated School Group Overview
    Foir-shealladh air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-Sgoil Mhalaig
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/11/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
 
Members are asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report.
 
11. Corran Ferry Update
      Cunntas air Aiseag a’ Chorrain
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/12/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place. 
 
Members are asked to:-
 
i. note the Corran Ferry Operations update; and 
ii.note the Corran Ferry Infrastructure and Vessel Replacement Project update.
 
12. Ward Discretionary Fund 
      Buidseat Fo Ùghdarras Uàird
 
The Committee is invited to note the following Ward Discretionary Fund grant awards since the last Committee meeting:-
 
Ward 11
Knoydart Tree Nursery - Electricity Connection £1250
 
Ward 21
Nether Lochaber Village Hall Committee SCIO – Transfer of title legal costs £1,320
Nether Lochaber Community Council – Transfer of title legal costs £930
 
13. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas
 
There is circulated for information, Minutes of Meeting of the Lochaber Committee held on 12 November, 2024 which were approved by the Council on 12 December, 2024.