Committees

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Monday, 12 August 2013 at 10.30 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

Michelle Morris

Assistant Chief Executive

Leisgeulan

Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Cumhachdan Fosaidh

Ballrachd Urras Catharra Inbhir Nis

Molaidhean Sgeama Phàighidhean Geamhraidh Maoin Maith Choitchinn Inbhir Nis 2013/14

    application process (including a referral to HES) targeted at people on

    means tested benefits who also qualify for Attendance Allowance, Disability 

    Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Armed Forces 

    Independence Payment and War Pension and for people on Pension Credit 

    Guarantee Credit without the requirement to have a disability benefit;

ii.  that in addition to applying the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to assess any 

    potential increase that from now on, both the 1st and 2nd payments will 

    also be increased in line with average increases in energy costs in addition to 

    the CPI;

iii. that the first payment be set at £40 and should the applicant be successful, 

    an additional payment (second payment) of £33 based on meeting HES 

    criteria be also made;

iv. that the budget set aside within the City of Inverness Common Good Fund, 

    for 2013/14 be increased from £42K to £57K;

v. that only one claim can be made per household and no person shall be 

    entitled to claim under more than one category of payment; and no 

    residents in the household are in receipt of a wage either now or in the last 

    6 months or have capital over £6,000; and

vi. a donation of £10,000 is made to Blythswood Care for the Food 

    HamperScheme.

Slighe-ceangail Iar Inbhir Nis –Toradh Co-chomhairle Poblach Ìre 3

ii.  agree Appendix 3 as the content of the finalised Torvean and Ness-side 

    Development Brief subject to the additional inclusion of any West Link Road 

    scheme amendments agreed at Full Council on 5 September 2013; and

iii. agree that the finalised Brief be treated as a material planning consideration 

    for development management purposes and completion of procedures 

    towards its intended adoption as Statutory Supplementary guidance at the 

    Planning, Environment and Development Committee on 6 November 2013.

    Torvean Golf Course and Sports Hub which was held between 16 April and 

    31 May 2013, and that as a result of these comments the scope and extent 

    of the scheme has expanded; and

ii.  approve, that as a result of the scope and extent of the scheme expanding 

    to cover a larger area, the Planning in Principle Application is re-issued and is 

    now titled “Torvean Golf Course, Sports Hub, Kilvean Cemetery Extension 

    and Parkland”.

Sràid na h-Acadamaidh, Inbhir Nis – Ath-thagradh airson Maoin Dualchais Baile

Òrdughan Parcaidh agus Trafaig, Ceum 2 a thaobh Sgeama Dìon Thuiltean Abhainn Nis (Earrann a’ Mhuir-làin)

    ‘INVERNESS - CENTRAL CONSOLIDATION) ORDER 1988 (RIVERSIDE 

    STREET, INVERNESS’ to remove the existing parking provision; and

ii.  the publication of the new draft Order named ‘THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL 

    (RIVERSIDE STREET, INVERNESS) (OFF –STREET PARKING) ORDER 2013’ to

    provide an off-street parking area,

Aonadh Eòrpach – Pròiseact Còmhdhail Seasmhach Quest

Frith-rathad Rothaireachd Rathad Allt a’ Mhuilinn

Prògram Rothaireachd, Coiseachd agus Sràidean nas Sàbhailte

Tasgadh ann an Inbhir Nis agus a Sgìre – Pròiseactan Calpa

Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

    Appendix 1; and 

ii.  that information on performance against the new indicators will be

    presented to Committee at its next meeting.

Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

    Good Fund at the 30th June 2013;

ii.  approve an increase in the Civic and Conference Hospitality budget of 

    £0.035m with a corresponding reduction in the anticipated surplus on 

    operating activities;

iii. approve an increase in the  City (Events and) Promotions budget of 

    £0.063m with a corresponding reduction in the anticipated surplus on 

    operating activities; iv.approve an increase in the Grants Sub-Committee 

    budget of £0.070m with a corresponding reduction in the anticipated 

    surplus on operating activities;

v. agree that the remit of the Inverness Common Good Fund (ICGF) Grants 

    Sub-Committee be extended to include the consideration and disposal of all 

    applications for funding or other consents relating to the disbursement of 

    Funds or resources previously administered by the ICGF Civic Hospitality 

    Working Group with Immediate effect;

vi. agree to extend the membership of the ICGF Grants Sub-Committee by 1 

    by appointing the Provost of the City of Inverness as a member;

vii. in the event that recommendation (v) above is approved, that the ICGF 

    Civic Hospitality Working Group be dissolved with immediate effect with 

    thanks to all the Members who have served on this Working Group to date; 

    and

viii. approve an increase in the Events and Festivals budget of £15K

Geàrr-chunntas

ii.  Inverness City Arts Working Group held on 13 June 2013 (39kb pdf) 

    for approval; 

iii. Civic Hospitality Working Group held on 

    for approval; 

iii. Civic Hospitality Working Group held on 

    for approval; 

iii. Civic Hospitality Working Group held on 24 June 2013 (18kb pdf) 

    for approval; and

iv. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 

    for approval; and

iv. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 

    for approval; and

iv. Inverness Common Good Fund Grants Sub-Committee held on 

29 July 2013 (87kb pdf) for approval.

Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

Ath-sgeadachadh 1-5 Sràid na h-Eaglais, Inbhir Nis

1.  Apologies for Absence

2.  Declarations of Interest

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 indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.  Recess Powers

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 27 June 2013 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the City of Inverness Area Committee.

4.  Membership of Inverness Civic Trust

The Committee is invited to agree that Mr H Wood should replace Mr A Christie as a member of Inverness Civic Trust.

5.  Scheme for Winter Payments Proposals for 2013/14

There is circulated Joint Report No. CIA-37-13 (47kb pdf) dated 1 August 2013 by the Director of Finance and the Inverness City Manager which follows on from the revision of the Winter Payment Scheme for 2012/13.  Analysis of the operation of the Scheme for 2012/13 is detailed in the report together with recommendations allowing the scheme to effectively function within budgetary constraints in a sustainable way for Winter 2013/14.

The Committee is invited to agree to run the Winter Payment Scheme for the City of Inverness and Landward areas of the seven City Wards for the year 2013/14 on the following basis:-

i.  that the Scheme operates for Winter 2013/14 based on a one tier 

6.  Inverness West Link – Outcome of Stage 3 Public Consultation

a) Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief

There is circulated Report No. CIA-38-13 (195kb pdf) dated 2 July 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development which outlines responses to the public consultation on the draft Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief. This planning policy document is required to guide the completion of two of the City’s residential expansion areas and to co-ordinate land use and transport provision in Inverness.

In this connection, there is circulated separately Appendix 3 (3311kb pdf) the Finalised Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the responses to the consultation;

b) Inverness West Link Recommended Road Layout

There is circulated Report No. CIA-39-13 (1074kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which provides an update on the comments received following the Stage 3 Public Consultation for the Inverness West Link Road which was held between 16 April and 31 May 2013.

Details of these comments will be presented to Members along with updates to the road design which take account of the comments.

The Committee is invited to recommend to the Highland Council that the revised layout plan for the Inverness West Link Road, as detailed in Appendices A and B, are taken forward for use in the Detailed Planning Application and the Compulsory Purchase Orders for the scheme.

c) Torvean Golf Course and Sports Hub

There is circulated Report No. CIA-40-13 (382kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advises Members of the comments received following the Public Consultation in relation to the Torvean Golf Course and Sports Hub. 

A presentation will be made to the Committee on the responses to the Public Consultation and also the revised proposals for the Torvean Golf Course and Sports Hub taking account of these responses.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the comments received following the public consultation on the 

7.  Academy Street, Inverness – Resubmission for Townscape Heritage Funding

Members will recall that the Council was unsuccessful in its application to Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding for townscape works in Academy Street, Inverness.  However, in light of the positive feedback received the Council will be resubmitting an application for Heritage Lottery Funding before the end of August.  Work is on-going with Inverness City Heritage Trust and Historic Scotland regarding additional partner funding.

The Committee is invited to note the position.

8.  River Ness (Tidal Section) Flood Alleviation Scheme (Phase 2) Draft Parking Orders – Riverside Street

There is circulated Report No. CIA-41-13 (293kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which provides an update on progress with delivering the River Ness (Tidal Section) Flood Alleviation Scheme and invites Members to approve the publication of the Draft Parking Orders in relation to the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme (Phase 2), the details of which are set out in this report.

The Committee is invited to note the progress made on delivering the River Ness Flood Alleviation Project,

and approve:-

i.  the publication of the draft amendment to the existing Order named 

as contained in this report and Appendices A and B and in the event that there are no objections thereto approve the making of such Orders and to note that if objections are received to any part of these Draft Orders that, under the Scheme of Delegation, these will be referred back to Committee for consideration.

9.  European Union – Quest Sustainable Transport Project

There is circulated Report No. CIA-42-13 (355kb pdf) dated 26 July 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which provides an update on the QUEST Project which is a European Commission funded project to help assess and improve sustainable transport in participating cities.

The Committee is invited to approve the Sustainable Transport Action Plan for the City of Inverness as contained in Appendix A.

10.  Millburn Road Cycle and Pedestrian Active Travel Route 

There is circulated Report No. CIA-43-13 (11113kb pdf) dated 29 July 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which invites Members to approve the construction of an Active Travel Route along Millburn Road for use by cyclists.  The route is to be funded by a combination of money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Developer contributions and HITRANS.  The works are proposed to commence in October 2013 with completion during the current financial year.

The Committee is invited to agree to the design of the Millburn Road Cycle and Pedestrian Active Travel Route which are contained in Appendix A.

11.  Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Programme

There is circulated Report No. CIA-44-13 (36kb pdf) dated 26 July 2013 and updated Report No. CIA-52-13 (43kb pdf) dated 6 August 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which invites Members to approve the Safer Routes to School project for Glenurquhart Primary School and Smithton Primary School as detailed in Appendix A.

The Committee is invited to approve the Safer Routes to School project for Glenurquhart Primary School and Smithton Primary School as detailed in Appendix A.

12.  Investing in Inverness and Area – Capital Projects

There is circulated Report No. CIA-45-13 (53kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Director of Finance which shows the annual budget, expenditure to end of June 2013 and projected year end position for 2013/14 for City of Inverness and area projects included in the Council’s Capital Programme.

The Committee is invited to consider the report.

13.  Housing Performance Report

There is circulated Report No. CIA-46-13 (38kb pdf) dated 29 July 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property which advises Members of the new Housing Performance Reporting Framework in place from 1 April 2013.  Members are also asked to note that information on performance against the new indicators will be presented to Committee at its next meeting.

The Committee is invited to note:

i.  the new reporting framework for housing performance as set out in 

14.  Inverness Common Good Fund 

a) Financial Monitoring Report to 30 June 2013

There is circulated Report No. CIA-47-13 (45kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Inverness City Manager which presents the expenditure monitoring position for the Inverness Common Good Fund at the 30 June 2013 and the projected year end position.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   approve the 2013/14 financial monitoring report for the Inverness Common 

b) Budget Out-turn Report and Balance Sheet for Financial Year 2012/13

There is circulated Report No. CIA-48-13 (42kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Inverness City Manager which presents the Budget Out-turn Report and Balance Sheet for the Common Good Fund for financial year 2012/13.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the Inverness Common Good Outturn Report and Balance Sheet for financial year 2012/13.

c) Grant and Capital Projects

There is circulated Report No. CIA-49-13 (84kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Inverness City Manager which sets out the current applications for grant funding to be determined and the current status of capital projects. 

In this regard, supporting documentation is circulated separately as Booklet A (4244kb pdf).

The Committee is invited to consider the applications for funding and scrutinise the current status of capital projects.

d) Kirking of the Council, September 2013 – Visit by Mayor of St Valéry

There is circulated Report No. CIA-50-13 (20kb pdf) dated 29 July 2013 by the Inverness City Manager which outlines the visit to Inverness of Mr Gèrard Mauger, Mayor of Saint Valery en Caux, for the Kirking of the Council in September 2013.

The Committee is invited to approve the arrangements made for the visit to Inverness of Mr Gèrard Mauger, Mayor of Saint Valery en Caux, and accompanying civic delegation.

15.  Minutes

There are circulated Minutes of Meetings as follows :-

i.  City of Inverness Area Committee held on 3 June 2013 for noting; 

16.  Exclusion of The Public

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 during discussion of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

17.  Refurbishment of 1-5 Church Street, Inverness

There is circulated to Members only Joint Report No. CIA/51/13 dated 29 July 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property and Inverness City Manager which seeks approval to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of 1-5 Church Street, Inverness.

The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations outlined in the report