Committees

A meeting of the Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, High Street, Dingwall, on Wednesday, 5 February 2014, at 10.30 a.m.

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
Depute Chief Executive

1.  Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

2.  Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

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.  Population Change in Skye, Ross and Cromarty 2001-2011
Atharrachadh Sluaigh san Eilean Sgitheanach, Ros agus Cromba 2001-2011

There is circulated Report No. SRC-01-14 (45kb pdf) | Appendix (359kb pdf) dated 21 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which looks at the early results from the 2011 Census giving local information on the number and ages of people living within Highland.  It compares these figures with those from 2001 to show that the Highland population has “aged”, with a large number of people close to retirement age. The population of the Skye, Ross and Cromarty area has grown by 8.6% (compared to the Highland average of 11.1%), with an increase in all six Wards and, at a local level, in 65 out of 85 data zones. Local population growth is strongly linked to the building of new homes.

The Committee is invited to note:

i.  that the last decade has seen population growth throughout the Skye,
    Ross and Cromarty area slightly lower than the Highland average at 8.6%;
ii.  that the Census results confirm that the population is ageing and that
    there is about to be a significant increase in the number of retired people;
    and
iii. the strong links between economic growth, new house building and
    population growth.

4.  Deprived Area Fund 2014-15
Maoin Sgirean Bochda 2014-15

Members are asked to note that 8 applications totalling £174,390 have been received for the Deprived Area Fund for 2014-15 (the Budget for 2014-15 being £130,000).  These applications will be assessed for eligibility and priority from this Fund and recommendations will be brought to the April meeting of the Area Committee.

5.  Grounds Maintenance Programme
Prògram Cumail Suas Raointean

There is circulated Report No. SRC-02-14 (405kb pdf) dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which details the arrangements for delivering Grounds Maintenance Services and the resources and budgets available.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the grounds maintenance service for 2014/15, as set out in the
    report; and
ii. note the on-going arrangements for managing the grounds maintenance
    service for the Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area and for future engagement
    with Ward Members in relation to identifying the appropriate standards at
    specific sites.

6.  Proposed Adoptions and Deletions to the List of Roads – Isle of Raasay
Gabhail Ri agus Cur Às a Thathar a’ Moladh a thaobh Liosta nan Rathaidean – Eilean Ratharsair

There is circulated Report No. SRC-03-14 (24kb pdf) | Appendix A (3555kb pdf) | Appendix B (21kb pdf) dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which invites Members to approve the deletion of the old layout of the Suisnish to Brochel Road and the Pier Road, and the adoption of the new layouts.

Subject to there being no unresolved objections and a Stopping Up Order having been made over the sections of road as detailed in Appendices A and B to the report, Members are invited to approve the adoption and deletion of these sections of road from the List of Roads.

7.  Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Programme
Prògram Rothaireachd, Coiseachd agus Sràidean nas Sàbhailte

There is circulated Report No. SRC-04-14 (36kb pdf) dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which invites Members to approve the proposed installation of cycle storage at Avoch Primary School and also the installation of Stop/Look/Listen and footprint markings for pupil safety on walking routes to the school.  The total project estimate is £12,000.

The Committee is invited to approve the Safer Routes To School Project proposed for Avoch Primary School as outlined above.

8.  Facilities Management
Rianachd Ghoireasan

The Education, Culture and Sport (ECS) Service has commissioned the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) to formally evaluate the effectiveness of the Facilities Management (FM) function since inception.  This objective review of service will include extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Elected Members.  The outcomes of the review will be reported to the May 2014 Care and Learning Service Committee meeting.

Local Members have raised concerns about the on-going effectiveness of the FM function in the Dingwall and Seaforth Ward.  It is proposed that details of these concerns, supported by evidence, are forwarded to Ron MacKenzie, Head of Resources, ECS.  Thereafter, the appropriate management representatives from ECS will attend a Ward Business Meeting to respond to the concerns raised.

9.  Associated School Group Overviews
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte

a)  Gairloch High School Associated School Group Overview

There is circulated (pp.36-54) Report No. SRC-05-14 (299kb pdf) dated 22 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Gairloch High School Associated School Group (ASG), and provides useful links to further information in relation to these schools.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

b)  Alness Academy Associated School Group Overview

There is circulated (pp.55-68) Report No. SRC-06-14 (206kb pdf) dated 22 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Alness Academy Associated School Group (ASG), and provides useful links to further information in relation to these schools.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

10.  Education Scotland Reports – Period 26 November 2013 to 14 January 2014
Aithisgean Foghlam Alba – Ùine 26 Samhain 2013 gu 14 Faoilleach 2014

There is circulated Report No. SRC-07-14 (49kb pdf) dated 22 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides details of Education Scotland’s inspections in the Skye, Ross and Cromarty area during the period 26 November 2013 to 14 January 2014, for Members’ scrutiny and monitoring.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and monitor the Education Scotland report through this report.

11.  Common Good Funds
Maoin Maith Choitchinn

There is circulated Report No. SRC/8/14 dated 22 January 2014 by the Corporate Manager which outlines the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for financial year 2012/13 and the 2013/14 Third Quarter Monitoring Report for the following Common Good Funds:-

a.  Cromarty Common Good Fund SRC-08-14 (90kb pdf)

b.  Dingwall Common Good Fund SRC-08-14 (86kb pdf)

c.  Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund SRC-08-14 (89kb pdf)

d.  Invergordon Common Good Fund SRC-08-14 (19kb pdf)

e.  Tain Common Good Fund SRC-08-14 (23kb pdf)

The Committee is invited to note in relation to each Fund:-

i.  the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance for 2012/13; and
ii. the Third Quarter 2013/14 Monitoring Report.

12.  Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area Committee held on 11 December 2013, which were approved by the Council on 19 December 2013.