Committees
A meeting of the Highland Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 6 September 2012 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,
Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive
Time for Prayer and Reflection – Mr W MacKay
1. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
A’ Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan
2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pairt
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
Cumhachdan Fosaidh
Members are asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at the meeting on 28 June 2012 did not require to be exercised.
4. Appointment of Youth Convener
Cur an Dreuchd Neach-gairm Òigridh
Members are advised that Stuart Davidson’s term of office as Youth Convener has now come to an end.
John Erskine has been appointed as the new Youth Convener and will be in attendance at the meeting.
5. Confirmation of Minutes
Daingneachadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais
There are submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minures of Meeting of the Council held on 28 June 2012 as contained in the Volume which has been circulated separately.
6. Minutes of Meetings of Committees
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan Chomataidhean
There are submitted for confirmation as correct records, for information as regards delegated business and for approval as appropriate, the Minutes of Meetings of Committees contained in Volume circulated separately as undernoted:-
|Link to Minutes Index|
- Inverness City Committee,13 August 2012
- Planning, Environment and Development Committee, 15 August 2012
- Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee, 16 August 2012
- Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee, 20 August 2012
- Finance, Housing and Resources Committee, 22 August 2012
- Adult and Children’s Services Committee, 23 August 2012
Notice of Amendment – Gaelic School for the Fort William area
With reference to the Minutes of Meeting of the Adult and Children’s Services Committee of 23 August 2012 as contained in the Volume and circulated separately, the following Notice of Amendment has been received in accordance with Standing Order 10.3 -
‘We, the undersigned, request that the Council rescinds the decision to defer agreeing the site for the new standalone Gaelic School for the Fort William area and instead agrees that the new standalone Gaelic School be sited at Ardgour Road, Caol’.
Signed:
Mr A Christie, Mr B Clark, Mr A Baxter, Mr M Rattray, Ms L Munro, Mrs D MacKay, Ms M Smith, Mr D Fallows, Mr K Gowans, Ms J Slater, Ms C Stephen, Dr D Alston, Mrs B McAllister.
In this connection, there is re-circulated Extract from Report No. ACS-11-12 (678kb pdf) dated 27 July 2012 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport.
7. Northern Joint Police Board
Bòrd Poilis a’ Chinn a Tuath
There are circulated for information Minutes of Meeting of the Northern Joint Police Board Minute held on 29 March 2012.
There will follow for information Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 June 2012.
8. Highland and Islands Fire Board
Bòrd Smàlaidh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean
There are circulated for information Minutes of Meetings of the Highland and Islands Fire Board held on 25 April 2012 and 7 June 2012.
There will follow for information Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 June 2012.
9. Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board
Bòrd Luachaidh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean Siar
There are circulated for information Minutes of Meeting of the Highlands and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board held on 3 April 2012.
10. Membership of Committees, etc
Ballrachd air Comataidhean, msaa
Members are asked to agree the following –
(i) Finance, Housing and Resources Committee – Mr A Christie to be added as
a substantive Member
(ii) Finance, Housing and Resources Committee – Mr G Rimell to replace Mr A
Christie as the substitute Member for the Liberal Democrat Group
(iii) Finance, Housing and Resources Committee – Mrs M Davidson to replace
Miss J Campbell
(iv) Pensions Committee – Mr K MacLeod to replace Mrs C Caddick
(v) Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee – Dr A
Sinclair to replace Miss J Campbell
(vi) Investment Sub Committee – Mr K MacLeod to replace Mrs C Caddick
(vii) Highland Licensing Board – Mr J Stone to replace Mr J Rosie
(viii) Finance, Housing & Resources Committee – Ms J Douglas to replace Mr
R Coghill as the Substitute Member for the Independent Group
11. Question Time
Am Cieste
The following Questions have been received by the Assistant Chief Executive in terms of Standing Order 42 –
(i) Mr A Baxter
To the Leader of the Council
“What steps has Highland Council taken to encourage NHS Highland to resolve the continuing problems with health care provision on Ardnamurchan?”
The response to Mr Baxter (23kb pdf) is circulated.
Mr Baxter will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader of the Council.
(ii) Mrs M Davidson
To the Leader of the Council
“Will the Leader tell us what he has done since the Local Government Elections in May to deliver on the Administration’s commitment to lobby the UK Government to write off the Council’s housing debt and how will the Administration work with the Scottish Government to make the case for a debt write off?”
The response to Mrs Davidson (37kb pdf) is circulated.
Mrs Davidson will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader of the Council.
12. Notice of Motion
Brath Glusaid
The following Notice of Motion has been received in accordance with Standing Order 10.1 –
“The Highland Council welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to giving rural communities a stronger voice through the establishment of a Rural Parliament.
To reflect that emphasis at a local level, the Highland Council should appoint a Champion for Rural Communities”.
Signed: Mr A Baxter, Mrs M Davidson
13. Code of Corporate Governance
Còd Riaghladh Chorporra
There is circulated Report No. HC-12-12 (187kb pdf) dated 24 August 2012 by the Assistant Chief Executive which provides information on progress with delivering the actions agreed in the Local Code of Corporate Governance for 2011/12 and presents the proposed Code for 2012/13 for approval.
Members are asked to note progress on actions for 2011/12 and approve the Code of Corporate Governance for 2012/13.
14. Corporate Parenting
Pàrantachd Corporra
There is circulated Report No. HC-13-12 (62kb pdf) dated 28 August 2012 by the Director of Health and Social Care which provides an update on the role of corporate parents for Highland’s looked after children and highlights the Seminar planned for 16 November 2012.
Members are asked to consider the issues detailed in the report and to note the planned Seminar in November.
15. Performance Reports
Aithisgean Gnìomh
(i) Annual Corporate Performance Report 2011/12
There is circulated Report No. HC-14-12 (1038kb pdf) dated 22 August 2012 by the Chief Executive which provides an assessment of Council performance against the Corporate Plan and the final year of the ‘Strengthening the Highlands’ Programme.
Members are asked to agree that the achievement of 93% overall has been a very positive result for Council performance for the period from 1 April 2011 to the end of 31 March 2012 and for the Programme overall.
Members are also asked to agree the submission to Audit Scotland of the 2011/12 Statutory Performance Indicator report.
Members are asked to note that a further performance report will be submitted to the October Council meeting on the Single Outcome Agreement, that a newspaper supplement (drawing on the assessment of performance and other performance information) will be produced to report performance to the public and that areas for improvement for SPIs will be dealt with through Strategic Committees.
(ii) Performance Survey Results 2012
There is circulated Report No. HC-15-12 (149kb pdf) dated 27 August 2012 by the Chief Executive which confirms that the Annual Performance Survey carried out in May and June of this year was sent to the Citizens Panel with a 52% response rate achieved. With 1215 useable responses, the results can be generalised to the adult population of the Highlands and overall are considered to be positive.
Members are asked to note the generally positive survey results and that the Panel will be surveyed as part of the Council’s Budget Consultation this year.
Members are also asked to agree that the survey results should be used to identify areas for improvement and more specifically that improvement action arising includes implementing the new Complaints Policy and continuing the Office Rationalisation Programme, ensuring Customer Services are more accessible to people with disabilities and that the public is aware of the extended opening hours at the Service Centre for telephone enquiries and generally improving communication with the public on what the Council is doing and plans to do, including the opportunity for views on the budget to be heard.
(iii) External Scrutiny: Shared Risk Assessment of Highland Council and the Assurance and Improvement Plan Update 2012-15
There is circulated Report No. HC-16-12 (278kb pdf) dated 23 August 2012 by the Chief Executive which confirms that the annual update of the Assurance and Improvement Plan (AIP) 2012-15 for Highland Council has been produced by Audit Scotland and draws upon the assessment by four external scrutiny bodies. In this regard, the AIP shows no significant risks for the Council which would require additional external scrutiny.
Members are asked to note and comment on the Assurance and Improvement Plan which is attached as Appendix 1 to the report and which highlights that no significant scrutiny risks have been identified for the Council in 2012-15.
16. Development at Kilbeg
Leasachadh aig Cill Beag
There is circulated Report No. HC-17-12 (87kb pdf) dated 21 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development which seeks support for the planned development by Sabhal Mor Ostaig of a new village at Kilbeg on the Isle of Skye, endorsement of the project for ERDF support, agreement to be represented on the funders group and consideration of the scope to financially support the development of sports facilities and affordable housing.
Members are asked to:-
(a) endorse and support the Sabhal Mor Ostaig European Regional
Development Fund application;
(b) agree to consider at a future date the scope for the provision of financial
support for affordable housing and sports facilities; and
(c) accept the invitation from Sabhal Mor Ostaig and agree to be represented
by the Director of Planning & Development on the Sabhal Mor Ostaig
funders group.
17. Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) – Executive Groups
Co-chruinneachadh Ùghdarrasan Ionadail na h-Alba – Buidhnean Gnìomh
The Council has been invited by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to appoint 1 Member to each of the following Executive Groups – in this regard, the Administration will move the following nominations -
Health and Wellbeing – Dr D Alston
Education, Children and Young People – Mr A Christie
Community Wellbeing and Safety – Mr I Renwick
Regeneration and Sustainable Development – Mr J Gray
Resources and Capacity – Mr G Phillips
Strategic Human Resource Management – Mr R Laird
18. Cairngorms National Park –
Local Authority Nominations to the Park Authority Board
Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh –
Ainmeachadh Ùghdarrais Ionadail gu Bòrd Ùghdarrais na Pàirce
The Council has been invited to make 2 nominations to be considered for appointment by Scottish Ministers to the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board from 1 October 2012. These appointments will run for five years from 2012 to 2017.
One of the nominees must be ‘local’ as defined in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. In this regard, Ministers may only appoint a person as a local Member if that person’s sole or main residence is within the National Park, or is a Councillor for an electoral ward, or is a member of a Community Council, any part of whose area is in the National Park.
Members will be expected to commit 2-3 days per month to the Park Authority’s work and the remuneration will be £199.82 per day.
The Council is therefore invited to nominate 2 Members for submission to Scottish Ministers for appointment to the National Park Authority Board as detailed.
In this regard, the Administration will move the following nominations –
Mr Bill Lobban
Mr Gregor Rimell
19. Caledonia Community Leisure Limited
Cur-seachad Coimhearsnachd Caledonia Earr
Caledonia Community Leisure Limited is a company limited by guarantee and also a registered charity. The company provides and manages leisure, sports and recreation facilities at the Bught Park, Inverness. The role of Directors is to maintain, manage and control the Inverness Leisure complex. In addition to Council membership, there are 8 external appointments and 4 meetings are held during the year.
The Council is asked to appoint 1 Member to Caledonia Community Leisure Limited.
19(a). Additional Item: Comunn na Gaidhlig Ltd
Comunn na Gaidhlig Ltd was established as a co-ordinating Gaelic Development Agency, operating at a local, regional and national level, and the Board of Directors includes representatives from Highland Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, An Comunn Gaidhealach and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
The Council is invited to appoint 1 Member to the Board of Directors as detailed.
20. Standing Orders Relating to the Conduct of Meetings
Gnàth-riaghailtean co-cheangailte ri Giùlan Choinneamhan
There is circulated Report No. HC-18-12 (64kb pdf) dated 28 August 2012 by the Assistant Chief Executive which outlines amendments to the Council’s Standing Orders as part of the annual review.
Annual Review of Standing Orders is a requirement of the Council’s Code of Corporate Governance.
The Council is asked to agree the proposed amendments to Standing Orders as detailed on the basis that an amended copy will be circulated to all Members in due course.
21. Scheme of Delegation and Administration to Strategic Committees and Sub Committees and to Officers
Raòn Ùghdarrais agus Rianachd gu Comataidhean Ro-innleachdail agus
Fo-chomataidhean agus gu Oifigearan
There is circulated Report No. HC-19-12 (313kb pdf) dated 28 August 2012 by the Assistant Chief Executive which outlines amendments to the Scheme of Delegation and Administration to Strategic Committees and Sub Committees and to Officers.
Annual Review of the Scheme of Delegation is a requirement of the Council’s Code of Corporate Governance.
The Council is asked to agree the proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegation as detailed on the basis that an amended copy will be circulated to all Members in due course.
22. Timetable of Meetings in 2013
Clar-ama Choinneamhan airson na tha air fhagail de 2013
There is circulated separately draft timetable of meetings (181kb pdf) of the full Council, Strategic Committees, etc in 2013.
The Council is asked to agree the Timetable of Meetings for 2013 as circulated.
23. Deeds Executed
Sgriobhainnean Lagha a Bhuilicheadh
Members are asked to note that a list of deeds (136kb pdf) and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 28 June 2012 is available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.
24. Exclusion of the Public
The Council is invited to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should 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 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
25. Pathfinder North
Pathfinder Tuath
There is circulated to Members only Report No. HC/20/12 dated 28 August 2012 by the Chief Executive.
Members are asked to agree the recommendations as detailed in the report.