Part III - Functions Referred/Powers and Duties Delegated to Planning Applications Committees, Highland Licensing Committee, Planning Review Body and Inverness City Committee from The Council and Headquarters Committees

Planning Applications Committees

from the Planning, Environment and Development Committee and from Council

  1. To exercise delivery of the development management and enforcement functions under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) and the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006, where such functions and powers are not delegated to Officers or where Officers have declined to exercise their delegated powers, and with the exception of (i) applications for planning permission falling within the category of ‘national development’ (as designated by s3A(4)(b) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended); (ii) applications for planning permission falling within the category of ‘major developments’ (as designated by s26A(1)(b)&(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) which are considered to be significantly contrary to the development plan; and (iii) applications made under Section 42 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) which relate to developments falling within the category of ‘national development’ or ‘major developments’ and where the subject planning permission was granted by either the Planning, Environment and Development Committee or the Highland Council.
  2. To exercise building standards functions under the Building Standards (Scotland) Act 2003 (as amended) where such functions and powers are not delegated to Officers or where Officers have declined to exercise their delegated powers
  3. To exercise the statutory functions of the Planning Authority as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas)(Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) and the Planning (Hazardous Substances)(Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) where such functions and powers are not delegated to Officers or where Officers have declined to exercise their delegated powers
  4. To consider all proposals on behalf of the Council in relation to Part 6 (Enforcement), Part 7 (trees, amenity and advertisements) and Part 12 (Crown Land) all as set out in the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act1997 (as amended).
  5. To respond to consultations from Scottish Ministers on energy developments under the Electricity Act 1989 (including those relating to s36 and s37 applications), unless otherwise delegated to Officers.
  6. To exercise the responsibilities in respect of the repair of buildings under Section 87 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and in respect of planning and building certificates under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.
  7. To appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee


All of the powers and duties of the Planning Environment and Development Committee  contained in 1 - 7 above the powers in 7 being fully delegated.

Highland Licensing Committee

From the Transport, Environmental and Community  Services Committee

1. To consider and dispose of applications where not otherwise delegated to Officers:-

** (a) For licences and exemptions under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act
         1982.

** (b) For licences, permissions and registration under all Acts for which the
         Committee has responsibility.

** (c) To conduct Hearings in respect of licences under the Civic Government
         (Scotland) Act 1982.

Powers and Duties delegated to the Committee

The powers and duties of the Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee contained in 1 above.

** Full delegated powers.

Planning Review Body

Powers Delegated from the Council

To exercise full delegated powers on behalf of the Council in fulfilment of the provisions of the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 to review, at the request of the applicant:

  1. Any application (as defined in Regulation 2(2) of the Town & Country Planning (Hierarchy of Developments) (Scotland) Regulations (2009) refused by the appointed Officer;
  2. Any condition attached to an application (as defined above) approved by the appointed Officer; or
  3. Any application (as defined above) that has not been determined by the appointed Officer within the period allowed for determination of the application.

Inverness City Committee

Powers Delegated from the Council

1. General

To work with partners to achieve  the effective promotion and future prosperity of the City of Inverness and the delivery of efficient and effective services to its citizens.

To receive annual reports on the following companies, including Financial Reports and Accounts – Inverness Business Improvement District Ltd, Inverness City Heritage Trust and Destination Loch Ness.

2. Specific

2.1  To appoint the Provost of Inverness/Chairman of the City Committee

2.2  To liaise between Council Services, external service providers, voluntary
       organisations and other partner organisations on a city-wide basis and
       make  recommendations on the appropriate adjustment of service
       delivery.

2.3  To scrutinise service delivery and associated performance and financial
       management information.

2.4  To work with partners to realise the “Inverness City-Vision”.

2.5  To provide governance for the ‘City Partnership’ and other partnerships as
       appropriate; including the power to appoint members, manage financial
       support, provide control, and scrutiny in line with the Council’s policies
       and procedures,  and provide accommodation.

2.6  To co-ordinate the work of the Ward Forums in relation to city-wide
       issues.

2.7  To consider any proposals made by Council Services to review service
       delivery that would have a materially significant impact on the City.

2.8  To liaise with Community Councils and voluntary organisations to carry
       forward and review the scheme of de-centralisation.

2.9  To administer Local Authority Trusts, Inverness Common Good Fund and
       the management of property assets, including the Town House and the
       Victorian Market.

2.10 To recommend to the Council the introduction of Bye-laws and
       Management Rules etc and their amendment or review.

2.11 To develop partnerships with Community Planning partners, as
       appropriate, to achieve a co-ordinated approach to the provision of
       services.

2.12 To deal with requests for and make nominations/appointments to outside
        bodies.

2.13To facilitate and, where appropriate, make arrangements in relation to
      ceremonial matters, civic hospitality and town twinning.

2.14To agree resources and co-ordinate arrangements for civic events.