Committees
A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Wednesday, 15 August 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
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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh
The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 28 June 2012 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee.
4. Presentation – University of the Highlands and Islands Campus
Taisbeanadh – Làrach Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean
A presentation will be given by Mr Ruaraidh Macneil, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Campus Project Director, on progress with the UHI campus, Inverness.
5. Revenue Budget – Final Outturn 2011/12 and Monitoring 2012/13
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach
2011/12 agus Sgrùdadh 2012/13
There is circulated Report No. ped-36-12 (98kb pdf) dated 6 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development commenting on the final outturn for the Revenue budget for the year to 31 March 2012, and the revenue monitoring position for the period to 30 June 2012.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the Planning and Development Revenue Budget outturn statement for 2011/12; and
ii. agree the monitoring report to the end of June 2012 and the management
action being taken to bring the budget in below target.
6. Capital Expenditure – Final Outturn 2011/12 and Monitoring 2012/13
Caiteachas Calpa – Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2011/12 agus
Sgrùdadh 2012/13
There is circulated for noting Report No. ped-37-12 (302kb pdf) dated 3 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the Expenditure and Income to 31 March 2012 for the 2011/12 Capital Programme, and to 30 June 2012 for the 2012/13 Capital Programme. The report also provides an update on the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) 2011/12 outturn and 2012/13 delivery plan.
The Committee is asked to note the contents of the report, and agree to authorise the Director of Planning and Development, in consultation with the Chairman and with the agreement of the Scottish Government, to amend the grant sum offered to individual projects within the overall VDLF programme budget outwith the Committee cycle and to report back accordingly.
7. Audit Scotland: Performance Indicators Fourth Quarterly Review
2011/12 and First Quarterly Review 2012/13
Sgrùdadh na h-Alba: Ceathramh Sgrùdadh Ràitheil air Comharran
Dèanadais 2011/12 agus Ciad Sgrùdadh Ràitheil 2012/13
There is circulated Report No. ped-38-12 (317kb pdf) dated 7 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development advising Members on the delivery of the Development Management, Building Standards and the Development Plan services for the 4th Quarter of 2011/2012 and the first quarter of 2012/13.
The Report also includes information on Sickness Absence within the Planning and Development Service for Quarter 1 2012/13. This is also a statutory performance indicator.
The Committee is asked to note:
i. the encouraging improvements in performance across both Development
Management and Building Standards and the ongoing work of the
Development Plans team; and
ii. the sickness absence levels for the Service.
8. Business Gateway
Slighe Gnothachais
There is circulated Report No ped-39-12 (62kb pdf) dated 2 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on the core Business Gateway Service, Business Gateway performance targets for the first quarter od 2012/13, the integration of Business Gateway within the wider support activity provided by Highland Council.
The Committee is asked to note:
i. the Business Gateway core service, its delivery and the wider business
support provided; and
ii. the progress towards performance targets, for the first quarter of 2012/13.
9. Employability Service Update
Cunntas as Ùr na Seirbheis Comas-Fastaidh
There is circulated Report No. ped-40-12 (162kb pdf) dated 2 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development providing an update on the work of the Employability Service, including progress with the Youth Employment Action Plan. The report proposes that a partnership employability briefing is organised for Members, and also asks Members to consider whether a confidentiality agreement be entered into regarding Work Programme performance data.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the Employability Service workplan for 2012/13, and progress with the
delivery of the Youth Employment Action Plan;
ii. agree that a briefing be organised for Members prior to the September
2012 Committee on employability services provided by the Council, Skills
Development Scotland and JobCentre Plus; and
iii. consider whether the Council should enter into a confidentiality agreement
with Work Programme providers to enable the Council to receive contract
management information on the services provided and outcomes for Highland residents.
10. Member Appointments
Cur Bhall an Dreuchd
i. Area Tourism Partnership
Com-pàirteachas Turasachd na Sgìre
The Committee is asked to agree that Mr T Prag and Mr B Lobban represent the Highland Council on the Partnership.
ii. Directorship of Highland Birchwoods
Dreuchd-stiùiridh Coille Beithe na Gàidhealtachd
As a partner in Highland Birchwoods, the Highland Council has supplied one of the three directors on the Highland Birchwoods Board since its inception in 1992.
The Committee is asked to agree Mrs I McCallum as the Council’s representative on the Highland Birchwoods Board of Directors.
iii. Directorship of Inverness Airport Business Park
Dreuchd-stiùiridh Pàirc Gnothachais Port-adhair Inbhir Nis
Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) is a joint venture company set up in May 2005 between Moray Estates, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Highland Council.
The Committee is invited to agree that Mr T Prag be appointed to represent the Council on the IABP Board of Directors and that the Director of Planning and Development attend board meetings in an advisory capacity.
iv. Highland Economic Forum
Fòram Eaconamach na Gàidhealtachd
The Committee is asked to agree that, as previously, the Chair be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Highland Economic Forum, and to note that:
i. the Planning and Development Service acts as lead for the Council on the
Highland Economic Forum;
ii. the Forum previously agreed that the Council’s representative chair the Forum; and
iii. minutes of the Forum and any matters arising for Council consideration will
be brought to the Committee for information.
v. Highland Environment Forum
Fòram Àrainneachd na Gàidhealtachd
The Committee is asked to agree that, as previously, the Vice Chair be appointed the Council’s representative on the Highland Environment Forum, and to note that:
i. the Planning and Development Service acts as lead for the Council on the
Highland Environment Forum;
ii. the Forum previously agreed that the Council’s representative chair the Forum; and
iii. minutes of the Forum and any matters arising for Council consideration will
be brought to the Committee for information.
vi. Local Access Fora
Fòraim Inntrigeadh Ionadail
There is circulated Report No. ped-41-12 (45kb pdf) dated 6 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development advising that following the introduction of a statutory duty in 2005, the Council established six Local Access Fora in its area. The report provides information on the locus and membership of the Fora, and seeks nominations to those Fora where the appointments have not been delegated to the respective Area Committee.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note that Member appointments to Local Access Fora will be for a period of
four years commencing August 2012 and that appointments to the
Caithness and Sutherland LAFs will be approved by the Caithness and
Sutherland Area Committee;
ii. approve the appointment of Councillors Maxine Smith, Ian Cockburn, John
Gordon and Audrey Sinclair to the respective Ross & Cromarty and Skye &
Lochalsh Local Access Fora;
iii. consider and determine the appointment of two of the three Member
nominations detailed in section 3.4(c) of the report, to the Lochaber Local
Access Forum; and
iv. approve the appointment of Councillor Liz MacDonald as the Nairn
representative of the Inverness and Nairn Local Access Forum; and consider
and determine the appointment of two of the three Inverness Member
nominations to that Forum as detailed in section 3.4(d) of the report.
11. Scottish Government Consultation – A Policy on Architecture
and Placemaking for Scotland: Public Consultation 2012
Co-chomhairle Riaghaltas na h-Alba – Poileasaidh air Ailtireachd
agus Togail-àiteachan airson na h-Alba: Co-chomhairle Phoblach 2012
There is circulated Report No. ped-42-12 (39kb pdf) dated 6 august 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development setting out the key points raised in a consultation by the Scottish Government on a policy for architecture and placemaking for Scotland. Responses are sought by 7 September 2012.
The consultation can be accessed by clicking here.
The Committee is asked to agree the proposed response to the Scottish Government consultation, and to raise any other issues for inclusion.
12. Consultations on Modernising Planning
Co-chomhairlean mu bhith ag Ùrachadh Dealbhadh
There is circulated Report No. ped-43-12 (141kb pdf) dated 6 August by the Director of Planning and Development asking the Committee to homologate the responses submitted by the Director to a recent Scottish Government consultation on the next stages of modernising the planning system. The responses are circulated at Appendix 1 for information and the original consultation documents can be accessed from the web-links contained within the report.
The Committee is asked to homologate the various responses, which were submitted to the Scottish Government ahead of the 22 June 2012 deadline.
13. Academy Street, Inverness, Conservation Area Regeneration
Scheme / Townscape Heritage Initiative
Sgeama Ath-nuadhachaidh Sgìre Glèidhteachais, Sràid na h-
Acadamaidh, Inbhir Nis / Iomairt Dualchais Dealbh-baile
There is circulated Report No. ped-44-12 (42kb pdf) dated 3 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development setting out potential funding opportunities in the shape of a joint CARS/THI scheme for Academy Street, Inverness.
The Committee is asked to agree:
i. to the submission of the CARS and THI applications for Academy Street, Inverness; and
ii. delegated powers to the Director of Planning and Development, in liaison
with the Chair and Vice Chair of the PED Committee, to agree the detail of
the CARS/THI submissions and submit accordingly.
14. EFF Axis 4 Fund - Highland Fisheries Local Action Group
Maoin Iasgach na h-Eòrpa, Aisil 4 – Buidheann-gnìomha Ionadail
Iasgach na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No. ped-45-12 (76kb pdf) dated 3 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development on progress being made on the implementation and delivery of Axis 4 European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in the Highlands. The EFF will run to 31 December 2013 and will be delivered by a Highland Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG). The report sets out the strategic direction agreed between the Highland FLAG and the Scottish Government, and how the fund will be delivered across Highland. Following the local government election earlier this year a Highland Council representative is required to chair the Highland FLAG. This role has formerly been undertaken by the Vice Chair.
The Committee is asked to consider the report and to:
i. note the progress being made on the delivery of the EFF Axis 4 Fund in Highland; and
ii. agree to appoint the Vice Chair of the PED Committee to chair the Highland FLAG.
15. Highland Environment Forum
Fòram Àrainneachd na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No. ped-46-12 (94kb pdf) dated 3 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development informing Members of the outcome of the eighth meeting of the Highland Environment Forum held on 17 February 2012. The report also outlines proposals for future management of the Forum and seeks Committee approval to implement the proposals.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the progress being made by the Highland Environment Forum; and
ii. approve the proposals for the future co-ordination of Forum activities via the
Highland Environment Network.
16. Highland Economic Forum – Minutes of Meeting 22 March 2012
Fòram Eaconamach na Gàidhealtachd – Geàrr-chunntas coinneamh
22 Màrt 2012
There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Highland Economic Forum held on 22 March 2012 (48kb pdf).
17. Planning Applications Committees - Minutes
Comataidhean Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh – Geàrr-chunntas
There are circulated separately in Booklet A for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PACs) for:-
i. North PAC 14 February 2012
ii. South PAC 21 February 2012
iii. North PAC 20 March 2012
iv. South PAC 27 March 2012
v. North PAC 17 April 2012
vi. South PAC 17 April 2012 and 24 April 2012