Minutes of Meeting of the Inverness City Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Monday, 14 December 2009 at 10.00 a.m.

 

Present

 

Provost J Gray, Mr R A C Balfour, Miss J Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mr P Corbett, Mr J Crawford, Mrs M C Davidson, Mr J Ford, Mr A Graham, Mr D Henderson, Mr D Hendry, Mr J Holden, Mr J Finnie, Mr D Kerr, Mrs B McAllister, Mr K MacLeod, Ms P Munro, Mr F Parr, Mr R Pedersen, Mr T Prag, Mr H Wood, Mr R Wynd

 

In Attendance:

 

Mr W Gilfillan, Corporate Manager, Inverness, Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey, Mr D Haas, Inverness City Manager/Clerk, Mr J Bruce, Senior Education Officer, Mr M MacLeod, Development Plans Manager, Ms F Gair, Acting Area Community Care Manager, Mr C Simpson, Tourism Co-ordinator, Miss M Macleod, Senior Administrative Assistant, Miss K Armstrong, Administrative Assistant, Mrs A MacNeill, Senior Public Relations Officer

 

Also In Attendance:

 

Mr J Considine, Rector, Inverness Royal Academy
Iona, Catherine, Sarah & Grace, Pupils Inverness Royal Academy
Nick Wright, Nick Wright Planning
Diarmid Lawlor, Architecture+Design Scotland

 


Provost J Gray in the Chair

 

Business

 

1. Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Cllr I Brown, Cllr N Donald and Cllr G Sinclair.

 

2. Membership of Outside Bodies

 

Declaration of Interest - Mr T Prag declared a non financial interest in this item as an independent member of the Development Committee of the Highlander’s Museum but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

 

There had been circulated letters received from:

  • the Development Director of the Highlander’s Museum respectfully inviting the Committee to appoint the Provost to the Development Committee which was overseeing the re-development of the Highlanders Museum at Ardersier; and
  • the Wade Bridge of Whitebridge Trust respectfully inviting the Committee to appoint Mrs Margaret Davidson to the Trust.

 

The Committee therefore AGREED to nominate:

 

i. Provost Jimmy Gray to the Development Committee of the Highlanders
   Museum; and
ii. Mrs M Davidson to the Wade Bridge of Whitebridge Trust

 

3. ECS Provision in Inverness Royal Academy Integrated Learning Community

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-85-09 dated 30 November 2009 by the Area Education, Culture and Sport Manager setting out the range and quality of provision delivered by the Education, Culture and Sport Service in the Inverness Royal Academy Integrated Learning Community (ILC).

 

Mr J Bruce summarised the report and introduced Mr J Considine, Rector of Inverness Royal Academy, and four senior pupils who gave short presentations to the Committee.

 

Mr Considine commented that the Inverness Royal Academy (IRA) had been in existence for 217 years and that the main aims of the school had not changed in that time. It continued to strive to bring the best out in all its pupils whilst instilling in them a sense of heritage and place in an international community. He highlighted what he believed were the four main successes of the school:

 

1. excellent exam results – the IRA Higher results were in the top 20% in
    Scotland;
2. provision of support to a wide range of pupils with additional support needs;
3. provision of more than just a classroom experience with a wide range of
    extra curricular activities for all pupils; and
4. the increased provision of Gaelic medium education.

 

Mr Considine also highlighted some challenges facing the school, particularly the need for additional accommodation with an increasing school roll due to new housing within the area. He further commented that he was looking forward to the challenge of implementing the Curriculum for Excellence.

 

Iona, Catherine, Grace and Sarah highlighted different aspects of school life that had positively influenced them on an individual level, commenting particularly on:

  • enthusiastic and eager teachers who had motivated and inspired them and helped increase their confidence to achieve good grades; and
  • excellent extra curricular activities that had given them opportunities to meet and work with new people, experience different cultures and take their first steps to independence within a safe environment.

Members thanked Mr Considine and the pupils for their presentations and also commented on:

  • the excellent work carried out and the provision of such a rich and wide curriculum for its pupils;
  • the need to prioritise improvements due to the ever increasing school roll;
  • the excellent additional support needs provision and links between the school and Drummond School in particular; and
  • the support for Gaelic medium education for which there was an ever increasing demand.

A specific query relating to the budget year end projected figures was also raised.

 

The Committee NOTED the provision made by the Education, Culture and Sport Service in Inverness Royal Academy Integrated Learning Community (ILC) and AGREED that Officials had undertaken to provide clarification in response to queries about whether there had been an overspend on this budget.


 
4. Review of Inverness City Vision

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-86-09 dated 1 December 2009 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on the preparation of the revised Inverness City Vision.

 

Mr M MacLeod summarised the report and introduced Mr Nick Wright, of Nick Wright Planning, and Mr Diarmaid Lawlor, of Architecture+Design Scotland, who informed Members on progress with the City Vision and outlined proposals for the next stage of the exercise.

 

It was stressed that Architecture+Design Scotland had no agenda as to the content of the City Vision and wanted to generate as much interest as possible so that the public had an opportunity to input into the final vision. 

 

As part of the process, they had already spoken to a number of organisations within the public, private and voluntary sectors of Inverness. The outcome of these meetings and discussions had highlighted four main emerging themes which could have an influence on a new City Vision:

  • business and commerce
  • green and sustainability
  • health and quality of life
  • empowered communities

The three workshop events planned for January 2010, run by the British Council, would also provide an opportunity for further public engagement.

 

Members thanked Mr Wright and Mr Lawlor for their interesting and enlightening presentation and highlighted some of the main issues that they believed could contribute to the development of the new City Vision as follows:

  • all Members, and more importantly, the general public, should contribute to the City Vision;
  • there was a need to encourage engagement at the strategic level;
  • a sense of place and culture was very important to people;
  • quality of life in Inverness and the Highlands must be protected, even with growth;
  • aesthetic, culture and greenness was very important to people living in the area;
  • neighbourhoods should be developed to become real communities;
  • transport was key to any development or growth;
  • how development was planned in scale and height was very important;
  • social problems needed to be addressed;
  • consideration was needed for the next 100 years;
  • there was a lack of affordable housing in Inverness;
  • the impact which online retailing could have on the City needed to be considered;
  • the geographical constraints of growth e.g. the flood plain and the river;
  • the need to create a climate for business to flourish;
  • vision had to be flexible and adaptable;
  • growth was a good ‘problem’ to have; and
  • the city centre needed to retain its identity

Thereafter, the Committee:

 

i. NOTED the content of the report and the presentation by Architecture+Design
   Scotland; and
ii. NOTED and supported the workshops which were to be held in January
   2010 to assist in the preparation of an updated Inverness City Vision.

 

5. Care Commision Report on Ach an Eas Care Home - Update

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-87-09 dated 3 December 2009 by the Acting Area Community Care Manager advising Members of the recent inspection by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (SCRC) of Ach an Eas Care Home. 

 

The inspection had identified a number of areas under the heading of Quality Themes which require improvement and the report informed Members of the key tasks which were being actioned to meet these requirements and provided details of the Action Plan agreed with the SCRC which set clear timescales for these tasks.

 

The Acting Area Community Care Manager summarised the report and highlighted that she was confident that client care had never been compromised and that staff at Ach an Eas had continued to provide excellent care.  Care planning had been an issue and this was now being addressed.

 

Members noted the implementation of changes that were taking place to ensure an improvement to standards and commented as follows:

  • it was disappointing to see little progress from the previous Care Commission report;
  • the public expected Highland Council to do better;
  • the priority was to see the Action Plan through and to restore Ach an Eas to its previous high levels of care;
  • consideration was required as to whether a new brochure was necessary at this stage; and
  • consideration was required as to whether the new management structure was robust enough to cope with the demands of managing more than one centre.

The Acting Area Community Care Manager reassured Members that support mechanisms were in place to deliver the Action Plan and that the new brochure had been highlighted as necessary by the SCRC.

 

The Committee NOTED the findings of the recent inspection of Ach an Eas Care Home and the actions agreed with the SCRC which were being taken to address the areas identified.

 

It was also AGREED that a progress report on Ach an Eas should be submitted to a future meeting of the City Committee and prior to the next SCRC inspection. 


 
6. Independent Sector Residential and Nursing Care Provision

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-88-09 dated 3 December 2009 by the Acting Area Community Care Manager clarifying present contractual and regulatory arrangements for independent sector residential and nursing care provision.  It also detailed the requirements of the National Care Homes contract and the role of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care as a key partner and regulator.

 

The Acting Area Community Care Manager confirmed that there was no requirement for all staff to be qualified to the SVQ 2 level which provided training in the basic principles of care, respect and dignity.  However, as part of the National Care Homes Contract, there was a requirement to have 50% of all staff trained to at least this level. Members commented that they were pleased to see that the Care Commission was driving up standards of care.

 

It was pointed out to Members that they could access information on Care Homes via the Ward Reporting Tool on the Council’s website.

 

The Committee NOTED:

 

i.  the present contractual arrangement in place to determine and monitor
   standards of care in Care Homes; and
ii. the important role of the Care Commission as a key partner and stakeholder in providing quality services.

 

7. Inverness City Street Scene Update

 

There had been circulated Joint Report No. ICC-89-09 dated 3 December 2009 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services and the Inverness City Manager providing Members with an update on Street Scene issues.

 

Miss J Campbell asked that it be noted that she had not stated ‘that Stagecoach have taken full responsibility for the oil spills’ as recorded in the minutes of the Inverness City Centre Stakeholders Meeting on Page 31 of the reports.  Stagecoach had agreed to provide appropriate chemicals to help address the oil spill problem on the understanding that TEC Services would arrange the actual clean up and she asked that the minute be amended accordingly.

 

Following discussion on specific issues, officers confirmed that:

  • Inverness City Committee had previously agreed that the Inverness City Centre Stakeholders Group should continue to meet for the time being as it provided an opportunity to discuss initiatives affecting all the stakeholders e.g. Inverness Old Town Art project;
  • Highland Council and Northern Constabulary were working together to raise awareness and educate communities with regard to littering and dog fouling;
  • enforcement powers were in place to deal with these issues;
  • it had been noted by TEC Services that the bus stop at Marks and Spencer was temporary;
  • any construction defects or snagging issues should be reported to Ward Managers for action;
  • TEC Services were working through the traffic sequence issues at Young Street/Huntly Street and progress would be reported back to a future meeting;
  • the pea lights on the trees by the river were being reviewed but any replacements or alternatives would need to be cost effective;
  • TEC Services were working with the suppliers of the bridge lights to resolve any defects;
  • the budget for IOTA projects had been reported to the Committee on 2 November 2009 and the projects remained within budget; and
  • Academy Street would be given due consideration as part of any future Streetscape works.


 The Committee otherwise NOTED the minutes of the Street Scene Stakeholders Group and the updates provided.

 

8. Inverness Partnership – Operation Respect – City Centre

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-90-09 dated 2 December 2009 by the Inverness City Manager detailing how Operation Respect – City Centre had been structured for Winter 09/10, as well as giving a structure to the evaluation process to be applied. 

 

The City Manager summarised the report and asked Members to note that it included a clear statement on evaluation; the costs that had been included; and the positive outcomes that were achievable through partnership working between the organisations listed in the report.

 

The following points/ queries were raised by Members:

  • they were supportive of Operation Respect and noted the clear benefits evident from partnership working;
  • there should be more opportunities to develop links with youth;
  • they noted the extended bus service for the Merkinch and Dalneigh area but some expressed concern that it had not been extended to include the Milton of Leys area;
  • the timing of this report to Committee meant that many of the initiatives were now underway and the Committee had not been given an opportunity to scrutinise them or their impact on the evaluation requirements;
  • consideration should be given to the possibility of crime displacement to outlying areas if policing was concentrated in the city centre;
  • Shopsafe Ltd had donated equipment and this should be recorded in the report;
  • all legal requirements should be in place to cover the Security Staff Team employed by BID;
  • the Night Rider bus service should be publicised appropriately and the Winter Festival website updated accordingly; and
  • the evaluation should show the true impact of the work carried out by Street Pastors

The City Manager responded to these queries as follows:

  • a report would be taken to the next Inverness Partnership on youth development in the city centre;
  • the possibility of a bus service to Milton of Leys as part of Operation Respect would be raised with Stagecoach;
  • the potential for crime displacement would be raised at the next Operation Respect meeting;
  • the importance of the BID company obtaining a Security Industry Authority certificate to operate the sub-contract for the security task team in early course;
  • it would be ensured that the Winter festival website was updated with the Night Rider timetable; and
  • evaluation would include information on the true impact of the work carried out by Street Pastors.

The Committee ENDORSED:

 

i. the content of Operation Respect – City Centre for 09/10; and
ii. the evaluation structure.

 

9. Town House Tours - Update

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC 91/09 dated 30 November 2009 by the Inverness City Manager summarising the results of the first season of tours of Inverness Town House carried out in summer 2009 and making recommendations for the 2010 season.

 

Members recognised that, although numbers for the current year’s tours had been disappointing, they were keen to see them continue with improvements being made to promotion and publicity.  The Tourism Co-ordinator noted the following positive suggestions made by Members:

  • use of strategically placed ‘A’ Boards;
  • the Town House booklet being made more widely available;
  • the possibility of translation into other languages;
  • a virtual tour to be made available on buses and cruise ships; and
  • links to TV network across the city.

The Committee APPROVED:

 

i.  the running of a further programme of tours of Inverness Town House
   commencing in spring 2010 and continuing until autumn 2010; and
ii. funding of up to £2000 from the Inverness Common Good Fund to improve
   marketing and consistency

 

10. Inverness Common Good Fund

 

Additional Item – Verbal Update on Common Good Fund Policy

 

The Corporate Manager updated Members on the strategic work he had been carrying out on the ten Common Good Funds across Highland. This project followed on from an internal audit report and had resulted in two reports going to the Resources Committee in the past year.  This had produced a new overarching policy; updated maps; updated asset register; a new application form; publicity guidelines; and terms and conditions.  This would all be shared and discussed with Inverness Members at a briefing to be held in the Town House on 21 January 2010 starting at 1.30pm.

 

On a question being raised by Members, it was pointed out that the Resources Committee on 2 December 2009 (RES-165-09, Common Good Fund Action Plan Progress) had already agreed that Members should be provided with further information on the Workshops undertaken by the Head of Procurement for small businesses and community groups on tendering for Council services.

 

The Committee NOTED the position.

 

10.1 Inverness Common Good Fund: Revenue Monitoring Statement 2009/10

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-92-09 dated 3 December 2009 by the Inverness City Manager setting out the revenue monitoring position for the period to 30 November 2009 and showing the actual expenditure to date.

 

Following discussion, the Inverness City Manager confirmed that there were sufficient funds available to meet the projected expenditure.

 

The Committee NOTED the contents of the report and AGREED that:


 
i.  the City Manager should report back to the City Committee meeting on 8
   February 2010 detailing the financial implications of putting a freeze on rents
   on all Common Good Fund properties for the financial year 2010/11;
ii. decisions would be taken today on applications seeking funding in Agenda
   Item 10.3 but that no further grants or donations over £5K would be
   approved prior to the meeting on 8 February 2010;
iii. the City Manager should report back on 8 February 2010 with proposals for
   dealing with applications over £5K in the future; and
iv.investment in the Common Good Fund should be considered at the briefing
   for Members on the Common Good Fund on 21 January 2010.


 
10.2 Common Good Account Sites and Premises

 

The Committee RESOLVED that, in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC 93/09 dated 26 November, 2009 by the Head of Housing Development & Estates summarising the property transactions approved under the Highland Council’s Scheme of Delegation, together with a statement on the current position in respect of Inverness Common Good Fund rents and tenant arrears. 

 

The Committee NOTED Inverness Common Good Fund transactions approved by the Head of Housing Development & Estates, under delegated powers, during the period 19 May 2009 to 26 November 2009 and the position regarding the Tenant Rent Roll as at 26 November 2009.
 

 

10.3 Donations Working Group – Applications for Funding in excess of £5,000

 

The Committee RESOLVED that, in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item (specifically in relation to items contained in Booklet B) on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 4, 6, and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

Declaration of Interest - Mr T Prag declared a non financial interest in Item (ii) as the Articles included his name as a founding member but on the basis that he had not been a Director for 8 or 9 years, and having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillor’s Code of Conduct, he concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

 

There had been circulated Report No.ICC-94-09 dated 3 December 2009 by the Inverness City Manager giving details of applications to the Donations Working Group for support from the City’s Common Good Fund where, if granted, the amount awarded would exceed £5,000.

 

i.   Apex Trust Scotland

 

The Committee AGREED to DEFER the application for £10,000 towards the cost of a box trailer and maintenance equipment to be used as part of the Delta Plus service.

 

It was further AGREED that details should be provided regarding the projects planned for the Inverness Burgh.

 

ii.  Moray Firth Media Trust

 

The Committee AGREED to AWARD £10,000 towards the cost of a month long radio broadcast to urban Inverness on a new FM frequency.

 

iii. Inverness Festival Association

 

The Committee AGREED to AWARD £10,000 towards the cost of organising and hosting the annual music and arts festival in Eden Court Theatre.

 

It was further AGREED that the City Manager should meet with members of the Inverness Festival Association to discuss future funding arrangements.

 

iv.  Inverness Christmas Lights

 

The Committee AGREED the allocation of £32,208.74 funding from the Common Good Fund for the purpose of upgrading and replacing Christmas lights in the City.

 

It was further AGREED that the City Manager should report back to a future meeting with a plan for any further upgrades to Christmas lights.

 

11. Minutes

 

11.1 City Committee

 

The Committee NOTED the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2009 and asked the Provost to ensure that the following points be brought to the attention of the Council on 16 December 2009 when the Minutes of the City Committee were up for approval:

 

Additional Item - Grant Street Park, Inverness (Agenda Item 11.1, page 66) 
The City Manager had agreed to report back to the City Committee on 14 December 2009 with an update on Grant Street Park.

 

The City Manager indicated that there was no further information available at this time.

 

Donations Working Group: Applications for Funding in excess of £5,000 (Agenda Item 11.1, page 73)

 

Declaration of Interest - Mrs B McAllister had declared a non-financial interest in this item on the grounds of being a Board Member of the organisation but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillor’s Code of Conduct, had concluded that her interest did not preclude her involvement in the discussion.

 

Minutes – Donations Working Group (Agenda Item 11.1, page 73)

 

The title should have read ‘Investment Advisory Group’.


 
11.2 Events and Festivals Working Group

 

The Committee APPROVED the Minutes of the Events and Festivals Working Group Minute held on 27 November 2009.

 

11.3 Donations Working Group

 

Declarations of Interest -

 

Mr H Wood declared a non financial interest in Item 2.1.6 but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

 

Mr J Finnie and Mr J Holden declared non financial interests in Item 2.1.12 as they were both involved in the administration of the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude their involvement in the discussion.

 

The Committee APPROVED the Minutes of the Donations Working Group meeting held on 30 November 2009 - noting the amendment to Item 2.1.6 which should read ‘Towards the cost of repair to BMX/ Skate Track’.

 

The meeting closed at 3.00pm