• Agenda

Minutes of Meeting of the Inverness City Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Monday, 9 June 2008 at 10.00 a.m.

 

Present
Provost R Wynd Mr R A C Balfour Miss J Campbell Ms H Carmichael Mr P Corbett Mrs M C Davidson Mr N Donald Mr J Finnie Mr J Ford Mr J Gray	Mr D Hendry Mr J Holden Mr D Kerr Mrs E McAllister Mr K MacLeod Ms P Munro Mr F Parr Mr R Pedersen Mr T Prag Mr H Wood
In Attendance:   Mr W Gilfillan, Corporate Manager, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Mr D Haas, Inverness City Manager/Clerk Miss J Maclennan, Committee Administrator Mr A Maguire, Head of Housing Development Mr I Wallace, Area Roads and Community Works Manager Mr D Wilby, Senior Community and Learning Officer Ms A MacNeil, Senior Public Relations Officer Mr C Kemp, Integrated Transport Manager Mr G Rennie, Principal Project Manager

 

Provost R Wynd in the Chair

 

Business

 

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.  All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.

 

1.           Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Mr I Brown, Mr A Graham, Mr D Henderson, Mr J T MacDonald and Mrs G Sinclair.

 

2.           Minutes

 

The Committee NOTED the minutes of the Inverness City Committee held on 28 April 2008 and APPROVED the minutes of the Donations Working Group held on 9 May 2008 and 6 June 2008.

 

On a point of information from the minutes of the Inverness City Committee, in relation to Item 3, the Committee AGREED that a report be submitted to a future meeting disclosing the updated position on the development of the Beechwood Campus site.

 

3.           Am Baile Virtual Tour and Guide to Inverness Town House Booklet

 

A presentation was made to Members on the Am Baile website providing an on-line virtual tour of the Town House highlighting the building’s art, architecture and history.  It was accompanied by an improved A5 colour booklet for those physically visiting the Town House.

 

In discussion, the production of the website and booklet were welcomed and Members were of the view a fitting launch date would be the Saltire Society reception at the Town House on 21 June 2008.  The possibility of making the Town House more accessible for public tours was explored, perhaps with Member involvement, although it had to be borne in mind that the Town House was a working office environment and there may be security and insurance issues to address.

 

The Committee NOTED the presentation and AGREED:-

 

i.             that every effort be made to have the virtual tour and guide available for
        publication in time for the Saltire Society reception on 21 June 2008;
        and

ii.           the City Manager submit a report to a future meeting with options
        regarding how to develop physical public access to the building and how
        Members might be engaged in this process.

 

4.           Inverness City Centre Streetscape and Transportation Project

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC38-08  dated 27 May 2008 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members on progress and issues associated with the Inverness City Centre Streetscape and Transportation project.

 

The project took forward the Programme for Administration aim of Improved Transport and Connectivity that “By 2008, we will implement an agreed £6m programme of traffic management and streetscape improvement measures in Inverness City Centre which will reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of the environment.”

 

Among the points raised in discussion were the following:-

 

• A safety audit had been carried out on Ness Walk before work had commenced.
• Work was continuing regarding the provision of disabled bays with dropped kerbs now in place but with road markings still to be undertaken.
• Advice be given to restaurants and cafes regarding the positive use of pavement space for seating etc but that the effect on the visually impaired should also be taken into account.

 

The Committee otherwise AGREED to support progress with the Project.

 

5.           Stakeholder Engagement on the City Centre Streetscape and Traffic Management Programme

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC39-08  dated 18 April 2008 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.

 

The project delivered the Programme for Administration priority of Improved Transport and Connectivity that “By 2008, we will implement an agreed £6m programme of traffic management and streetscape improvement measures in Inverness City Centre which will reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of the environment.”

 

Members welcomed the “Strictly Come Shopping” Campaign, which was actively promoting the city centre as the Streetscape works progressed, and called for continuation of proactive support, with proper resources, of local businesses.  In particular, the difficulties some small local businesses encountered were highlighted and calls were made to structure an advisory package to assist them involving not only the Council but other bodies such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Business Improvement District team. 

 

Amongst other points raised, tour bus drop-off points were still giving concern and it was important to identify a central, safe location such as the rear of Eastgate 2.  The enhancements to the Victorian Market were discussed, including the possible reintroduction of a working model train to the small part of the Market and Members were advised that a Tenants Association had been created to inform the Market’s private tenants of developments. 

 

The Committee NOTED:

 

i.             that discussion with tour bus operators would explore the establishment
        of a central location to be used as a drop-off point;

ii.           the Model Railway Club’s interest in reintroducing a working model into
        the small part of the Victorian Market;

iii.         the content of the report;

 

and AGREED:-

 

iv.         the City Manager be delegated power to take forward Members
        concerns about assisting small businesses experiencing difficulties with a
        view to engaging with appropriate bodies and that a report on progress
        be submitted to a future City Committee meeting.

 

6.           Inverness City Vision – Merkinch Projects

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC40-08 dated 30 May 2008 by the City Partnership Officer.  Members were reminded that in March 2008 the City Committee had deferred a decision on the reallocation of £35,000 of the Cities Growth Fund earmarked for the South Kessock Environmental Co. to alternative projects in Merkinch.  The report before Members brought forward more detailed proposals on replacement projects and sought approval to reallocate the funding.

 

Having stressed the importance of making the slipway publicly accessible, the Committee AGREED the reallocation of the Cities Growth Fund as follows:-

 

i.             £10,000 to support the limited refurbishment of South Kessock slipway
        subject to the condition that Merkinch Community Council, Merkinch
        Partnership and Transport, Environmental and Community Services make
        the slipway publicly available;

ii.           £15,000 to support the Local Nature Reserve activities as detailed in the
        report; and

iii.         £7,500 to support the Old Ferry Ticket Office upgrade subject to the
        following conditions being fully satisfied:-

 

• submission of a fully costed proposal with schedule of works and written quotes
• a formal lease being agreed between Highland Council (Transport, Environmental and Community Services) and the Community Council
•  a clear plan and commitment to opening the facility for longer hours and/or shared uses
• actions 1 to 3 above being carried out before the work commences or with proof of finance being in place, works being completed by 31 December 2008.

 

7.           Sponsorship of Roundabouts       

       

There had been circulated Report No. ICC41-08 dated 26 May 2008 by the Area Roads and Community Works Manager which sought views on proposals from local businesses to sponsor roundabouts in the City of Inverness which were totally under the control of the Council, as local roads authority.

 

The report addressed the aims of the Programme of Administration to work with and support the business community and to be open, fair and accountable.

 

During discussion, a range of issues was highlighted, including:-

• How to define a “local” business;
• Sponsors should comply with the Council’s ethical investments code and it would be unacceptable for businesses such as public bars to advertise;
• A mechanism to ensure not all roundabouts were sponsored by one sponsor;
• With many Inverness roundabouts under the control of TranServ, they too should be approached to see if they wished to co-operate with the scheme;
• Signage should not distract drivers and cause accidents;
• Signage would help to differentiate roundabouts;
• Any income from the scheme should be used as additional funding to enhance roundabouts and not used to substitute existing resources;
• Sponsorship could include the use of public art; and
• The need to clamp down on illegal advertising currently taking place.

 

Thereafter, the Committee AGREED to raise no objection to the principle of advertising on roundabouts and that this recommendation be reported to a future Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee taking into account the issues highlighted during discussion.

 

8.           Proposals for an Inverness Winter Festival    

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC42-08  dated 26 May 2008 by the Senior Community Learning and Leisure Officer which recommended the next steps towards the development of a Winter Festival for the City of Inverness.

 

Establishing a Winter Festival supported the delivery of the Programme for Administration commitment that “We will continue to work with our partners to establish a year round programme of events to follow on from the good work of Highland 2007.  A co-ordinated approach will be taken to link events to maximise visitor numbers to a range of artistic, cultural and sporting events across the Highlands”.

 

In discussion, the following points were made:-

 

• Whatever decision was reached required the backing of all Members;
•  Were consultants needed to co-ordinate and fundraise or could this be carried out using existing in-house resources;
• There were other events which Council staff would be involved in organising in the lead-up to the Winter Festival and consultants would allow expertise to be brought in, preferably from the local area;
•  Given the uncertainty about Member involvement at the previous Stakeholders’ meeting, this required to be addressed;
• Financial support should not just come from the Common Good Fund; 
•  For 2008/09 Winter Festival, planning would need to start immediately and, should it not prove possible within the timescale, consideration be given to delaying the Festival to 2009/10;
• The possibility of extending the Festival to start on St Andrew’s Night and/or continue to Burns Night;
•  There was reluctance at this stage to commit an indeterminate sum from the Common Good Fund without further detail and the level of commitment that might be expected; and
•  It was important that the Winter Festival was community based.

 

The Committee APPROVED the principle of establishing a Winter Festival for three years and AGREED:-

 

i.             that a further meeting of stakeholders be held;

ii.           to receive a further report on funding when more detailed information
        on the programme and costs were known; and

iii.         to discuss further with partners such as Highlands and Island Enterprise
        and the Business Improvement District team how they might assist in the
        development of a Winter Festival.

 

9.           Major Public Entertainment Events in 2008       

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC43-08 dated 22 May 2008 by the Area Solicitor and the Inverness City Manager which provided the Committee with details of the forthcoming major public entertainment events within the Area.

 

The events contributed to the Administration’s aim of providing for a culture of enterprise and growth and also supported the arts/heritage, culture and sport.

 

The success of Rockness was highlighted and the hard work and professionalism of all those involved, including the organisers, security staff and Council officials, was commended.  It was suggested that in future consideration might be given to extending a 30 mph speed limit from Inverness to Dores to assist with traffic calming.

 

The Committee otherwise NOTED the major public entertainment events taking place in 2008.

 

10.      Grants to Voluntary Organisations – Governance and Recognition of Contributions

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC44-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Inverness City Manager which detailed the governance controls that were in place to ensure that any funds made available to applicants through either the Donations Working Group or the decisions of the Inverness City Committee, emanating from the City’s Common Good Fund, were monitored.  It also clarified the steps required to be taken by successful applicants in recognising the contribution made by the Common Good Fund.

 

The Committee AGREED that the governance procedures, as detailed in the report, be used and decided for all applications for funds from the City of Inverness Common Good Fund and NOTED that they had been applied to date when the application had merited the relevant condition.

 

11.      CCTV Ness Islands – Operational Requirements

 

There had been circulated Report No. ICC45-08 dated 26 May 2008 by the Inverness City Manager which outlined the background and operational requirements for the installation of two CCTV cameras at Ness Islands and improvements to the City cabling for CCTV.  The installation implemented the decision of the City Committee in January 2007, the costs of which were to be met from the Common Good Fund.

 

Improvements to CCTV contributed to the Programme for Administration by contributing to Sustainable Communities and Improving Transport and Connectivity through improving safety and security in City Centre amenities for residents and visitors.

 

A more detailed breakdown of the information provided was sought as it was felt there was ambiguity as to the actual impact CCTV cameras would have at the Ness Islands.  There was an over-reliance on CCTV and, in many cases, they simply displaced trouble elsewhere.  Before expenditure was committed it was important to ensure that CCTV would deliver the desired result, particularly bearing in mind that the technology involved was becoming obsolete.  There were other possible solutions, including more proactive policing of the area and engagement with local communities, and problems were not confined solely to the Ness Island area.

 

The Committee AGREED:-

 

i.           to take the points raised during discussion of the installation of CCTV to
       look at different ways, other than CCTV, of crime detection and
       prevention in the Ness Islands/Whin Park/Bught Park area of Inverness
       with a report back to a future City Committee; and

ii.           expenditure from the Common Good Fund to:-

• enable cabling improvements in the City centre at a cost of £10,350; and
• install cabling for the cameras on the top floor of the Rose Street car park at a cost of £4,105.

 

12.      Inverness Common Good Fund

 

12.1               Grant Street Park – Update Report

 

Mr K MacLeod, as a shareholder in Clachnacuddin Football Club 1990 Ltd, and Mr P Corbett, being a close relative of a shareholder, declared financial interests in this item and left the room during the discussion.

 

As Members were aware, meetings were ongoing between the City Manager, the Area Solicitor and representatives of the tenant.  In this connection, there was circulated Report No. ICC46-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Inverness City Manager summarising the progress made and which invited the Committee to agree to the City Manager and the Area Solicitor continuing liaison with the tenant, with Councillors Kerr and Gray only becoming involved once the lease had been terminated either by renunciation or court action.

 

The Committee AGREED:-

 

i.           the City Manager and other appropriate Council officials continue to
       negotiate with representatives of the tenant of Grant Street Park in
       order to induce the production of a business plan proposing a sustainable
       solution for Clachnacuddin Football Club;

ii.           Councillors Kerr and Gray, supported by the City Manager, only become
        involved with Clachnacuddin Football Club’s own Working Group once the
        lease had either been terminated by renunciation or court action;

iii.         the City Manager and appropriate officer, in consultation with Councillors
       Kerr and Gray, investigate a feasibility study into the option of the
       Common Good Fund developing an all weather synthetic sports pitch
       facility at Grant Street Park as well as a wide selection of sports facilities
       across Inverness;

 

and NOTED :-

 

iv.         that further update reports would be provided to the City Committee.

 

12.2               Monthly Monitoring

 

There was circulated Report No. ICC47-08 by the Inverness City Manager setting out the revenue monitoring position for the period to 30 April 2008 which showed actual expenditure of £32,745.

 

In discussion, Members raised various points which would assist them in scrutinising the revenue monitoring statements.

 

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED:-

 

i.             the report;

ii.           that 2007/08 outturn figures would be submitted to a future meeting of
        the City Committee;

 

and AGREED:-

 

iii.         the “other changes” budget heading be broken down into greater
       details; and

iv.         a date for a meeting of the Investment Advisory Group be raised with
        the Director of Finance.

 

12.3               Monitoring Report on Projects

 

There was circulated Report No. ICC48-08 by the Inverness City Manager and the Area Housing and Property Manager dated 23 May 2008 which presented the current position on projects being carried out for the Inverness Common Good Fund, tying in with the Programme for Administration’s Corporate Objectives for the Highland Council that “We will continue to pursue best value for our residents and services users seeking efficiencies in the way we work and we will undertake a comprehensive review of the Council’s spending priorities by 2009.”

 

Following discussion about the merits of including project budget figures in reports, the Committee:-

 

i.           NOTED progress currently being carried out; and

ii.          AGREED the increase in budget for re-roofing the Market Hall Roof to
       £250,000 and that the additional expenditure come from surplus income
       drawn out of the Common Good Fund revenue budget for 2008/09.

 

The Committee RESOLVED in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that public be excluded from the meeting for Items 12.4 and 13 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.

 

12.4               Funding Application Requests

 

Mr R A C Balfour, as Vice Chairman of Inverness Festival Association, and Mr J Holden, both declared a non-financial interest in this item as it related to Inverness Festival Association but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interest did not preclude their involvement in discussion.

 

There was circulated Report No. ICC49-08 dated 30 May 2008 by the Inverness City Manager detailing requests for funding from the Inverness Common Good Fund from the 2008/09 budget There had also been circulated, to Members only, copies of supporting documentation.

 

The Committee AGREED the following:-

 

i.             Inverness YMCA – £7,500 subject to match funding being secured, the
        provision of estimates for the work required and, on completion, proof of
        expenditure being submitted.

ii.           Youth Inclusive - £5,000

iii.         Polish Scottish Union in Highlands – Refused

iv.         Inverness Festival Association - £5,000

v.           Ness Community Radio Limited – Refused

vi.         Smithton and Culloden Youth Club – Deferred

 

13.      Rose Street Car Park

 

There was circulated to Members only Report No. ICC50/08 dated 26 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property regarding the Upper Deck Car Park, of what was a two storey car park, at Rose Street, Inverness.

 

During the course of debate, Members explored the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal.

 

Mr K MacLeod, seconded by Mr J S Gray, MOVED that the City Committee not recommend that the Resources Committee sell the Upper Deck Car Park at Rose Street, Inverness as proposed.

 

As an AMENDMENT, Provost R Wynd, seconded by Mr J Finnie, moved that the Committee agree to recommend to the Resources Committee the sale of the Upper Deck Car Park on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Housing and Property. 

 

On a vote being taken, the AMENDMENT received 9 votes and the MOTION received 8 votes and the AMENDMENT was therefore CARRIED.

 

Decision

 

The Committee AGREED to recommend to the Resources Committee the sale of the Upper Deck Car Park on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Housing and Property. 

 

The meeting ended at 1.55 pm.