Minutes of Meeting of the Inverness City Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Monday 17 December 2007 at 10.00 a.m.
Present:
Provost R Wynd, Mr R Balfour, Mr I Brown, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr P Corbett, Mr J Crawford, Mr N Donald, Mr J Finnie, Mr J Ford, Mr A Graham, Mr H Gray, Mr D Henderson, Mr D Hendry, Mr J Holden, Mr D Kerr, Mrs B McAllister, Mr K MacLeod, Ms P Munro, Mr F Parr, Mr R Pedersen, Mr T Prag, Mrs G Sinclair
Officials In Attendance:
Mr W Gilfillan, Corporate Manager, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Mr D Haas, Inverness City Manager, Mrs F MacBain, Senior Administrative Assistant, Ms M MacKintosh, Inverness City Partnership Officer, Mrs D Maguire, Greeninverness Partnership Officer, Mr C Kemp, Integrated Transport Manager, Mr H Robertson, Area Education Manager, Mr S Krause, BID Co-ordinator, Ms K Fairclough, Inverness City Centre Management, Ms F Duffy, Ward Manager, Aird and Loch Ness, Mrs K Hamilton, Ward Manager, Inverness Ness-side and Inverness West
Also in attendance:
Mrs F Hampton, Director, Highland 2007, Mr P Irvine, Director, Unique Events
Business
Provost R Wynd in the Chair
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Miss J Campbell, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J MacDonald and Mr H Wood.
2. Minutes
City Committee
There had been circulated Minutes of the City Committee held on Monday, 12th November 2007 for information only.
The Committee NOTED that:
i. In relation to Item 2: The City Committee had influential rather than
operational powers in relation to Service delivery and budgeting. The
City Committee request reports on specific service delivery matters where
Members wish to apply scrutiny to service delivery and associated
performance and financial management information. Work was ongoing
to consider what information could be reported at City and at ward level
and this would be reported to Members in the New Year.
ii. In relation to Item 3: Information for a review of civic hospitality provision
was being collated and would be presented to Members in the first
quarter of 2008.
iii. In relation to Item 9: Wider public consultation was being progressed for
the Faith, Hope and Charity statues. Consideration would be given to the
rear of the High Church as a possible location for them, as had been the
wish of the late Councillor Mrs Margaret MacLennan.
City Partnership
There had been circulated Minutes of the meeting of the City Partnership held on 26 September 2007 for approval.
The City Manager clarified that the City Partnership derived its governance from the Inverness City Committee. The Inverness City Centre Management was not under the governance of the City Partnership but represented Businesses in the City Centre. The Committee NOTED that the Corporate Manager was preparing a report on Community Planning which would include addressing the structure of the City Partnership and governance arrangements.
In relation to Item 7, Cities Growth Fund, it was NOTED that the issue of future funding for Inverness had been raised at a Council meeting and would be considered in due course. The Inverness City Committee would be called upon to make a case for funding for Inverness.
3. Notice of Motion
In terms of Standing Order 10.1, there had been submitted on behalf of the Liberal Democrats the following Motion, proposed by David Henderson and seconded by Janet Campbell:
“The Committee strongly supports the continued expansion of Inverness Airport, and is deeply concerned at the delay by the Scottish Government in confirming the release of funding to enable the next phase of development of the airport terminal. On behalf of the Inverness City Committee, it is proposed that the Provost now make strong representations to urge the Scottish Government for an early and positive response on this issue, which is important to the future development and prosperity of Inverness”.
Mr Henderson summarised the importance of the Airport to the economy of the region and the concern that the present Terminal would become inadequate with the encouraging rate of growth to date.
Many Members voiced support for the expansion of the Airport, although it was pointed out that Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) were already in discussion about plans to double the capacity of the Terminal to cope with 1.5 million passengers per year by 2021.
The Provost informed Members that he had already written to the Scottish Transport Minister on behalf of the A96 Stakeholders Group inviting them to a meeting in Inverness to discuss the A96 corridor and strategic transport links to Inverness, including the Airport.
Following further discussion, Mr Henderson formally moved the motion, as detailed above, which had been seconded, in compliance with Standing Orders, by Miss J Campbell.
Provost R Wynd seconded by Mrs P Munro moved as an amendment that a letter did not require to be sent to Scottish Ministers as representation on the matter had already been made.
On a division and the vote having been taken by a show of hands the AMENDMENT was carried by 12 votes to 9, and became the finding of the meeting.
4. Inverness City Centre Streetscape and Transportation Project
There had been circulated Report No. ICC20/07 dated 5TH December 2007 by the TEC Services Integrated Transport Manager outlining progress and issues associated with the Inverness City Centre Streetscape and Transportation project.
During discussion Members expressed concern about the delay in progress with work on Church Street, and suggested the relocation of the bus station to improve traffic flow and access to the City Centre.
In response to these and other comments, it was explained that:
i. The developer was contractually obliged to complete work to an agreed
deadline, with penalties for lateness.
ii. It was usual for this type of work to require snagging solutions as the
work progressed. Finished work to date had been satisfactory. The
contract was being monitored on a regular basis.
iii. A contract with a shorter timescale would have been more expensive.
iv. The timescale had also been drawn up in consultation with the various
utility companies, to enable them to undertake work while the street
was already dug up.
The Committee thereafter NOTED the position regarding progress with the Project.
5. Stakeholder Engagement on the City Centre Streetscape & Traffic Management Programme
There had been circulated Report No. ICC21/07 dated 7 December by the City Partnership Officer providing an update to Members on the current status of the actions being undertaken in relation to the Traffic Management element of the works currently underway in the City Centre.
In response to questions from Members it was explained that:
i. The Police did not have sufficient back-office administrative staff to
monitor an automatic number plate recognition system in the City
Centre.
ii. A Stake Holder meeting would be held in January 2008 to discuss the
results of the traffic modelling for Ardross Terrace/Ness Walk.
iii. At a meeting on 12 December it had been agreed that a system of rising
bollards would be appropriate for Margaret Street and Fraser Street,
although some Members suggested that this would cause further delay
for buses.
iv. Ongoing discussions were taking place with tour operators about drop-
off points in the City Centre during the works.
v. The Provost visited businesses who were not formally involved with
stakeholder meetings to address their concerns. Members could submit
the contact details of any company with queries about the works to the
Provost and he would visit them.
vi. The matter of Police enforcement of minor traffic offences had been
raised with the Area Commander.
vii. A barrier had been erected at the Castle, rather then rising bollards, as
this was significantly less expensive and had been undertaken in
consultation with the Conservation Architect. The Court Service had
contributed 50% of the cost.
The Committee NOTED the content of the report and AGREED that investigation be undertaken into the practicalities of maintaining the closure of the Rose Street car park on Sundays.
6. Inverness Transport Master Plan
There had been circulated Report No. ICC22/07 dated 5 December 2007 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services inviting the Committee to note an update on the position with regard to the development of a Transport Master Plan for Inverness.
The Integrated Transport Manager gave a presentation which included the Scottish/local government concordat in relation to transport planning; the Council’s programme of the Administration; transport providers in the region; transport problem areas and studies that were underway. The Masterplan would take approximately one year to complete with further reports to Committee on progress. It would include the issue of a transport interchange to minimise the need for large vehicles to enter the City Centre.
In response to questions from Members it was explained that:
i. Bus routes through Ness-side would be encouraged if the appropriate
infrastructure was in place.
ii. The matter of income from car parks in Inverness had been raised at TEC
Services Committee.
iii. Further studies were required to pinpoint a possible site to relocate the
bus station.
iv. The issue of a flyover at the Longman roundabout was a matter for the
Trunk Road Authority, in consultation with the Council.
The Committee NOTED the presentation with update reports to follow and AGREED that a list of possible bus station locations, as well as an overview of what would be involved in relocation of the railway station, be presented to a future City Committee meeting for discussion.
7. City’s Growth Fund Update
There had been circulated Report No. ICC23/07 by the City Partnership Officer dated 7 December 2007 providing an update for Members on the current financial position regarding the Cities Growth Fund.
The Committee NOTED the content of the report and that further reports would be provided in the New Year.
8. City Centre Business Improvement District Update
There had been circulated Report No. ICC24/07 by the Inverness City Manager which detailed the ongoing progress of the Business Improvement District (BID) project, summarising the application for bridge funding from the Common Good Fund and clarifying the next steps before the BID project went to ballot in 2008.
The BID draft Business Plan had also been circulated.
In response to questions from Members the BID Co-ordinator explained:
i. the staffing requirements for the Inverness City Centre Management
(ICCM) and the BID project, which were not covered at present; and
ii. that the Winter Festival involved mainly daytime events, which mostly
affected businesses on the East side of the river, and the BID Area
covered a relatively compact area on the East side.
The Committee NOTED:
i. the progress made on the BID proposal and on the Inverness Winter
Festival with further updates to be provided in due course. Future
consideration could be given to expansion of the BID Area to the West
of the river, as appropriate;
ii. that Inverness City Centre Management meetings would cease to be
scheduled at the same time as full Council meetings; and
iii. that some Members had expressed a preference for a more Highland-
theme for any future Festival.
9. Common Good Fund – Sites and Premises
The Committee RESOLVED in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that public be excluded from the meeting for Item 9 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
There had been circulated Report No. ICC25/07 dated 27 November 2007 by the Head of Housing Development & Estates summarising the property transactions approved.
The Committee NOTED:
i. Inverness Common Good transactions approved by the Head of Housing
Development & Estates, under delegated powers, during the period 1
April 2007 and 12 November 2007; and
ii. That rent review frequencies were related to the length of term of the
lease in question.
10. Common Good - Funding Application Requests
The Committee RESOLVED in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that public be excluded from the meeting for Item 10, on the grounds that the booklet that had been circulated to Members only involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 4 & 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
Mr K MacLeod, as Chairman of the Committee of the Inverness District Friends of ARMS, declared a financial interest in this item and left the room during discussion.
There had been circulated Report No. ICC26/07 dated 4th December 2007 by the City Manager following on from the City Committee held on 12 November 2007, where several requests had been deferred for further information/consideration. It also detailed fresh requests, all for funding from the Cities Common Good Fund from the current budget. There had also been circulated, to Members only, copies of supporting documentation.
The Committee APPROVED the applications as follows, noting that (taken together with the accompanying documentation supplied to Members only) the applications were competent as they fell within the criteria of the Common Good Fund.
Inverness City Centre Management (ICCM)
Agreed to underwrite their funds up to a maximum of £20,000, subject to ICCM seeking additional funding elsewhere and subject to the submission of audited accounts for the current financial year. Funds would be utilised to retain the current Project Team through this period up until the new ballot date which was now expected to be March 2008.
Hilton, Milton and Castle Heather Community Council
£4,438 agreed, to include new shutters for the Community Centre, painting of the Community Centre, three new benches, an improved static planning scheme and the enhancement of a new art work feature.
Highland Print Studio
£15,000 agreed, to convert the premises which were previously occupied by Inverness City Centre Management and the City Partnership in Bank Street into a permanent home for the print studio, subject to audited accounts being submitted at the end of the financial year 2007/08.
Inverness and District Friends of ARMS Ltd
£12,500 agreed, to ease a one-off cash-flow problem and allow the Centre to continue providing essential services to almost 100 members who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, subject to the funding being a one-off payment with no guarantee of future funding.
Crown Community Association
Agreed to delegate power to the City Manager in consultation with the Members of the Donations Working Group to decide this application, up to a maximum of £10,000, having noted that last minute changes had been made to the application.
Flower Beds for 2008
Agreed to produce carpet beds for 2008, at a cost of £1,200 per bed, as follows:
i. Mountain and Cave Rescue Association on the Floral Clock on the Castle
Banks.
ii. 75th Anniversary of the Fourth Company of the Boys’ Brigade on the Old
High Church.
iii. Twinned Town badge beds on the Castle Bank.
Having discussed the above funding requests, the Committee NOTED a request from Members to investigate the implementation of a budget review of ongoing voluntary sector funding which was being led by the Councils Head of Policy and Performance and which would be reported to the Resources Committee. It was further AGREED that the City Manager and Ward Managers should assist competent applicants such as voluntary organisations to source alternative funding. The Common Good Fund was to be used as a contingency rather than the first port of call.
11. Common Good Fund Budget Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No. ICC27/07 dated 7 December 2007 by the Inverness City Manager setting out the revenue monitoring position for the period to 30 November 2007 which shows the actual expenditure to date. Members NOTED the contents of the report.
12. Hilton Operational Team
There had been circulated joint Report No. ICC28/07 dated 17TH December 2007 by the Ward Manager for Inverness West and Ness-side and the Greeninverness Officer informing Members of the work undertaken by the Hilton Operational Team and providing details of the Hilton Environmental Project.
During discussion Members expressed concern at the removal of youth workers from Community Centres, when they considered that an enhanced service was required.
The Committee:
i. NOTED the content of the report which was in concurrence with the
Administration’s programme in particular to support a Clean Environment,
the Arts, Heritage & Culture, and Children & Young People;
ii. ENDORSED the content of this report as a possible template for other
areas of Inverness City; and
iii. AGREED that any agreement with TEC Services about the future
maintenance of any improvements should be in writing.
13. Request for Sister City Status
There had been circulated Report No. ICC29/07 by Inverness City Manager dated 6 December 2007 detailing a request that had been received from the Kern County Scottish Society located in Bakersfield, California, USA. The Society wished to establish a Scottish Cultural Centre in Bakersfield and therefore noting the link that they have with Highland Games, wished Inverness to become their “Sister City”.
This report invited Members to give consideration to this request. The application fitted with the Administration’s commitment to developing an active interest in the heritage of the Highlands and to develop events which maximised visitor numbers.
During discussion some Members voiced support for the request while others questioned the possible future implications of entering into a Sister City agreement. It was suggested that Inverness should also foster connections with cities in the developing world. Members noted that Sister City status was less formal than a twinning arrangement.
The Committee thereafter AGREED to instruct the City Manager to make formal enquiry with the Civic Authorities in Bakersfield and if they were agreeable, thereafter to report back to the Committee with further information.
14. Highland Lights – Solais na Gaidhealtachd
There had been circulated Report No. ICC30/07 dated 4 December 2007 jointly by the Inverness City Manager and the Senior Community Learning and Leisure Officer updating Members on progress in developing plans for Highland Lights – Sloais na Gaidhealtachd on 12 January 2008.
The Director of Highland 2007 summarised plans for the event. She explained that she had been unable to secure a sponsor for the event, and the Board of Highland 2007 had agreed to allocate £50k to provide additionality for the Event on the evening of 12 January 2008, such as additional publicity and the organisation of further events to encourage people into the City Centre after the Firework display on the Kessock Bridge.
During discussion some Members pointed out that the minutes of the City Committee meeting on 24 September 2007 stated that the Committee had agreed “an Inverness Common Good Fund allocation to the Highland 2007 closing event on 12 January 2008 in the Inverness City centre of £250,000, with the CGF contribution reducing in relation to other contributions and sponsorship received”. It was suggested that if Highland 2007 were to allocate an additional £50k, then the Common Good Fund contribution should be reduced to £200k. The City Manager explained that this suggestion could not be considered a competent motion given that the £50k from Highland 2007 was only being offered as ‘additionality’ rather than as a contribution towards the core funding of the event.
Some Members voiced concern at the cost of the event, having increased to £300k. Other Members spoke in favour of the event, stating that it would provide a valuable opportunity to promote Inverness.
Concern was expressed about the possible disruption to horses on the Black Isle caused by the noise of the fireworks. The City Manager explained that an economic impact study of the event was being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and that it would be competent for the Committee to refuse the offer of additional funding if they so wished.
The Committee thereafter NOTED:
iv. Progress which was being made towards the development of Highland
Lights;
v. The additional contribution offered by the Highland 2007 Board to
enhance the core Highland Lights programme; and
vi. That the Director of Highland 2007 would check that Black Isle
Councillors and other relevant people had been properly notified of the
event at the final multi-agency meeting which was scheduled for 18
December 2007.
The Committee concluded at 1.50pm