Inverness City Committee Minutes 10 October 2011

Agenda

Minutes of Meeting of the Inverness City Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town House, Inverness on Monday, 10 October 2011 at 10.00 a.m.

Present

Mr R Balfour
Mr I Brown
Miss J Campbell
Ms H Carmichael
Mr A Christie
Mr J Crawford
Mrs M Davidson
Mr N Donald
Mr J Finnie
Mr J Ford
Mr A Graham
Mr D Henderson
Mr D Hendry
Mr D Kerr
Mrs B McAllister
Mr K MacLeod
Mr F Parr
Mr R Pedersen
Mrs G Sinclair
Mr H Wood
Mr B Wynd

In Attendance:

Mr W Gilfillan, Corporate Manager
Mr D Haas, Inverness City Manager/Clerk
Mr A Mackenzie, Joint Acting Head of Legal Services
Mr R Evans, Area Roads and Community Works Manager, INBS
Mr S MacNaughton, Head of Transport and Infrastructure
Mr D Mackenzie, Chief Structural Engineer
Mr G Reynolds, Events Officer
Miss M MacLeod, Business Support Officer

Also In Attendance:

Ms J Cuddy, Inverness Marketing Project Group
Mr G Ambrose, Destination Loch Ness
Ms S Christie, Inverness Old Town Arts
Chief Inspector J Neil, Northern Constabulary

Depute Provost A Graham in the Chair

Depute Provost A Graham started the meeting by announcing that Mr I Burnett, Civic Officer would be retiring in November and thanked him, on behalf of the City Committee, for his 23 years of dedicated and loyal service to the Council. Mr Burnett was then presented with a framed photograph of the Town House as a token of thanks and recognition from the Inverness City Committee.

Business

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of the Provost Mr J Gray, Mr P Corbett, Ms P Munro and Mr T Prag.

1a. Additional Item – Street Markets – Inverness

Declaration of Interest

Mrs M Davidson declared a financial interest in this item, as a Market Trader, and left the room.

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-54-11 (35kb pdf) dated 28 September 2011 by the Corporate Manager outlining the current position with street markets in Inverness City Centre.

The Corporate Manager outlined the report highlighting the fact that under Section 40 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 a market operator’s licence (MOL) is required by private market operators.

Any licence issued is subject to conditions as to the:

regulation of days and hours of opening;
provision of adequate toilet facilities;
layout of the market; and
maintenance of public order and safety

A licence cannot be refused on economic grounds. However, the licence holder must have consent of the land owner. In the case of Inverness High Street, the Council (TECS) as the Roads Authority can grant or withhold consent to occupy the road.

Some Members expressed concern that:

the recommendations would deter ‘continental’ type markets coming to Inverness at all as it would not be financially viable to set up for one day only;
the vibrancy and atmosphere created by street markets in the centre would be lost with these restrictions;
church halls in the centre of Inverness were being used for long stay itinerant sales – these were potentially more detrimental to local businesses than street markets but were not considered in this report;
ownership of the land was not clear – did the Highland Council have the right to place these restrictions;
here was a lack of any evidence showing that street markets had a negative impact on existing businesses; and
there had been substantial investment made by the Council in installing powerpoints on the streets for the purpose of hosting street markets.

In support of the recommendations, Members also commented that:

rate paying businesses were being disadvantaged by street markets, both economically and by the disruption caused outside their businesses;
some markets failed to meet environmental health standards through the lack of washing and toilet facilities and poor storage of fresh food; and
health and safety was being compromised as emergency services were unable to access existing premises easily when street markets were in place.

In response to Members’ comments, Officers commented that:

there was no intention within the recommendations to stop street markets coming to Inverness – just to limit the duration of their stay;
as the Roads Authority, the Highland Council had the right to place restrictions on the location of street markets
confirmation could not be given as to ownership of Inverness High Street; and
improvements were being made to the co-ordination of enforcement activity.

The Committee considered the report in the light of the discussion above and whilst recognising there was an issue regarding the operation of street markets within the city that needed to be addressed, Members (subsequent to a short adjournment) agreed with the Corporate Manager’s request that the report be deferred to address the issues raised.

Therefore the Committee AGREED to defer this item to provide Officers with an opportunity to:

clarify land ownership;
review restricting the total number of days per year that markets could operate; and
investigate whether restrictions could be placed on the use of halls in the city centre for commercial sales.

2. Scotland’s Six Cities

There had been circulated Joint Report No. ICC-41-11 (96kb pdf) dated 21 September 2011 by the Director of Planning and Development and the Corporate Manager providing Members with an update on work, currently being led by the Scottish Government, into the development of a shared vision for Scotland’s Six Cities.

The Corporate Manager introduced the report and commented that the word ‘Transport’ had been removed from priority 2 to include broadband technology within the connectivity remit.

Members welcomed the report, commenting that:

broadband technology was a fundamental area of importance to the future economic development of the city/region;
there was question as to whether Inverness, as a city, had enough power and flexibility to respond to the challenges ahead;
as a city, Inverness should have a Lord Provost;
the development of the A96 corridor would provide improved access to and from the city;
the retail and business park provided complimentary benefits to the city centre;
it was important to ensure that the city centre was developed for the future;
the UHI campus would be important to the development of the retail and business park and city centre;
knowledge and data sharing between the cities would be advantageous for all;
climate and environmental implications, particularly regarding flood risk in the Culloden and Smithton area, would need to be addressed;
the development of a suburban rail system would improve connectivity;
there were challenges with improving the rail and air networks;
poor mobile phone coverage within rural areas would need to be addressed;
4G technology would bring broadband to the next level;
with an increase in youth unemployment it would be important to attract non seasonal industries to the area;
iconic attractions such as Loch Ness and Culloden should be give status within the vision; and
building on prime agricultural land around the Moray Firth could have implications for the future.

Mr B Wynd clarified that city status did not automatically entitle a city to have a Lord Provost and that it had to be gifted by the Monarch.

The Corporate Manager thanked Members for their comments and assured them that they would be incorporated into the final report to Council.

The Committee:

NOTED the contents of this report; and
AGREED to recommend the three priority areas suggested in section 2.3 of the report to the Highland Council at its meeting of 27 October 2011 having noted the deletion of the word ‘Transport’ from priority 2.

3. Inverness Partnership

3.1 Marketing Inverness Update

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-42-11 (38kb pdf) dated 21 September 2011 by the Corporate Manager updating Members on recent work to deliver the actions from the Marketing Action Plan for Inverness.

Mrs J Cuddy, Chair of the Inverness Marketing Project Group, highlighted the main activities of the Project Group including;

website;
photographic library;
inward investment;
PR; and
Inverness promotional video.

The Corporate Manager added that accurate tourism figures were not yet available for Summer 2011 but would be reported back to Committee in due course.

Members welcomed the report and commented that it was important to ensure that there was no duplication of effort when developing a new website for Inverness when most service providers had their own website and that existing resources were utilised effectively.

Mrs Cuddy assured Members that the partners were working together to ensure that the website was not reinventing the wheel and that strong links were being made with Destination Loch Ness and service providers in and around the City to pool resources wherever possible. She told Members that the promotional video would draw on existing footage of the city and would be used to attract inward investment and conferences.

The Committee NOTED the marketing activity currently being undertaken by the Inverness Marketing Project Group and the activity proposed for the next few months.

3.2 Destination Loch Ness Annual Report

Declaration of Interest

Mrs M Davidson declared a non financial interest in this item as a Board Member of Destination Loch Ness but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that her interest did not preclude her involvement in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-43-11 (51kb pdf) dated 15 September 2011 by the Corporate Manager informing members of the work of Destination Loch Ness Ltd (DLN) during the period August 2010 to August 2011.

Mr G Ambrose, Chief Executive of Destination Loch Ness provided Members with a summary of the work being carried out by DLN, including:

key achievements in 2010-11
plans for 2011-12;
resourcing of DLN core expenditure;
resourcing of DLN projects.

He also gave Members a short presentation on the development of the South Loch Ness Trail.

Members welcomed the report and thanked Mr Ambrose for the work undertaken by DLN in the development of the South Loch Ness Trail, which was an excellent example of partnership working. They further commented:

that Loch Ness played an important role in the marketing and development of Inverness;
the prime objective of DLN was to increase the income coming into the area; and
that increased and clearer signage on the roads leading to the South Loch Ness Trail would help tourists to the area.

In response Mr Ambrose confirmed that:

additional signage would be added as and when funding became available;
DLN was working with the Corporate Manager and Ward Manager to draw up an overarching development plan for the Loch Ness area; and
DLN was working with the Inverness Marketing Project Group to ensure the work being carried out is mutually beneficial.

The Committee NOTED:

the contents of this report and the presentation provided by Destination Loch Ness; and
the ongoing development of a positive relationship between the Council and Destination Loch Ness.

3.3. City Arts Programme

Declaration of Interest

Mrs B McAllister declared a non financial interest in this item as a Member of Inverness Old Town Art Working Group but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that her interest did not preclude her involvement in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-44-11 (68kb pdf) dated 29 September 2011 by the Inverness City Manager providing Members with an update on Inverness Old Town Arts (IOTA) activity that has taken place since November 2010.

The City Manager introduced the report and invited Members to note the extensive work being carried out by the IOTA Project Officer.

Members commented as follows:

the arts projects helped improve the marketability of the city;
the Gaelic component within the projects was noted but would like to see the Faith, Hope and Charity statues include some Gaelic interpretation;
the Faith Hope and Charity statues were not in the correct order;
the Project Officer should be commended for the expertise and advice provided to many groups in Inverness eg. The Skateboard Park
projects seemed to take a long time to complete; and
Inverness Common Good Fund money should not be used out with the Burgh of Inverness;
a recent article in the national press had commended Inverness for it’s approach to public art and the work being carried out by IOTA.

The City Manager responded to Members’ comments as follows:

Common Good Fund money was not used on projects out with the Inverness area;
partnership funding from local and national sources allow IOTA opportunities to develop projects in other areas providing a reflected benefit on Inverness;
all projects are carried out on a contract basis and are well managed by the Project Officer;
consultation does take place with local Members to ensure involvement and input; and
the order of the Faith, Hope and Charity statues is for aesthetic reasons.

The Committee NOTED:

the ongoing City Arts Programme and the level of partnership working involved; and
that a fully costed report would be brought back to the City Committee on 13 February 2012.

3.4 Operation Respect

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-45-11 (36kb pdf) dated 22 September 2011 by the Inverness City Manager providing Members with details of this year’s Operation Respect along with the associated costs.

The City Manager summarised the report, commenting that the Committee had previously endorsed the planned activities and invited Members to approve funding from the Inverness Common Good Fund.

Members were supportive of the initiative but some questioned the City Manager as follows:

how effective were the Taxi Marshals and what benefit did they provide?;
what was the breakdown of cost between the Security Task Team and Taxi Marshals?
did the Association of Taxi Drivers contribute to the cost of Taxi Marshals; and
how was the £80,000 cost of additional police patrols quantified?

Other Members commented that the Taxi Marshals provided a service to the public waiting for taxis and not necessarily the taxi drivers. It was difficult to quantify the benefit but services such as these provided reassurance and a feeling of safety.

The City Manager responded that evaluation by the police had shown that the taxi marshals made a great difference to the safety of public waiting in taxi queues and reduced fear. Specific queries regarding breakdown in costs would be addressed to the agencies involved and reported back to Committee on 13 February 2012, as part of the evaluation.

The Committee APPROVED funding of £11,623 for Operation Respect 2011/12 from the Inverness Common Good Fund.

4. Inverness Common Good Fund

4.1 Inverness Common Good Fund – Monitoring Statement

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-46-11 (302kb pdf) dated 15 September 2011 by the Inverness City Manager setting out the revenue monitoring position for the period to 30 August 2011 and showing expenditure to date.

Members commented that

an award of £54,000 made to the Highland Council for Sport Pitches did not appear on Appendix 3; and
a number of grants awarded in 2009/10 had still not been drawn down by the applicants and therefore exceeded the 6 month draw down period set out in the terms and conditions.

The City Manager confirmed that

the £54,000 would be drawn down from revenue balances and not the CGF grants budget which were detailed in Appendix 3; and
grants awarded from the 2009/10 budget were not subject to the 6 month draw down condition (a condition added at a later date) but work on these projects were ongoing and an update would be provided to the Donations Working Group.

The Committee NOTED the contents of the report.

4.2 Inverness Common Good Fund – Capital Monitoring Report

There had been circulated a joint Report No. ICC-47-11 (31kb pdf) dated 29 September 2011 by the Director of Housing and Property and the Inverness City Manager providing an update on the status of all current key capital projects funded through the Inverness Common Good Fund.

The City Manager presented the report asking Members to note that when the stained glass windows had been removed it was found that stonework had deteriorated more than had been reasonably anticipated resulting in an additional cost of £30,000. He asked that Members homologate the decision to approve this expenditure.

Members commented that:

with old buildings such as the Town House and the Victorian Market it was often difficult to know the extent of damage and repair required until work started; and
work being carried out on the Victorian Market roof could provide an opportunity for the Academy Street entrance to be cleaned up.

The Committee NOTED the progress being made on the current capital projects and HOMOLOGATED the City Manager’s decision to approve additional expenditure of £30,000 on the refurbishment of the stained glass windows.

4.3 Inverness Common Good Fund – Funding Requests from 2011/12 Budget

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-48-11 (66kb pdf) dated 23 September 2011 by the Inverness City Manager detailing requests for funding from the Inverness Common Good Fund from the 2011/12 budget.

Declarations of Interest

Mr K MacLeod declared a non financial interest in item 4.2.1 as a Board Member of Merkinch Enterprise but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

Mr H Wood declared a non financial interest in item 4.2.1 as a Board Member of Highland Buildings Preservation Trust but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

Mr D Kerr and Mrs B McAllister declared a non financial interest in this item 4.2.6 as Board Members of Merkinch Community Centre but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude their involvement in the discussion.

4.3.1 Merkinch Enterprise

Although supportive of the initiative some Members expressed concern that:

the Business Plan had not been drawn up as part of the Phase 1 consultation process;
the costs were very high; and
the application and information provided were confusing.

Officers assured Members that the same concerns had been raised by the Donations Working Group and the costs had been scrutinised with the applicants. The costs are industry standards and without the completion of Phase 2 the project could not progress any further. Funding for Phase 3 would not be available without the detailed business plan and drawings.

Mr B Wynd, seconded by Mr D Kerr, MOVED that £4,000 be made available to the applicant to prepare a Business Plan and the rest of the application be deferred until such time as that Business Plan has been prepared.

As an AMENDMENT, Ms J Campbell, seconded by Mrs M Davidson, moved that the Committee agree to award £19,000 towards the cost of cost of commissioning a Business Plan to test the viability of the development of Merkinch Welfare Hall.

On a vote being taken the results were as follows:
For the Motion 4 votes
For the Amendment 6 votes
Abstentions 2

The amendment was therefore carried and the Committee AGREED to award £19,000 towards the cost of commissioning a Business Plan to test the viability of the development of Merkinch Welfare Hall.

4.3.2 Youth Inclusive
The Committee AGREED to award £14,700 towards the cost of supporting the activities provided by Youth Inclusive in Hilton and surrounding areas.

4.3.3 Highland Rugby Club
The Committee AGREED to award £32,000 (over 2 years) towards the cost of community development projects run by the Highland Rugby Club.

4.3.4 Coaching Highland
The Committee AGREED to award £12,741 (over 2 years) towards the cost of providing leadership training in the field of sport as part of the Sports Leaders Award Programme.

4.3.5 Highland Senior Citizens’ Network
The Committee AGREED to award up to £1,000 towards the cost of participating in the Scottish Older People’s Assembly Conference, subject to approval of relevant expenditure by the City Manager.

4.3.6 Birchwood Highland
The Committee AGREED to award £9,950 towards the cost of an outdoor activity programme for clients of the organisation.

4.3.7 Merkinch Community Centre
The Committee DECLINED to award £6,000 towards the cost of running an Inverness Jazz Festival on the grounds that it did not show sufficient evidence of community benefit.

5. Inverness City CCTV System

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-49-11 (116kb pdf) dated 27 September 2011 by the Assistant Chief Executive updating Members on the improvements and expansion made to the Inverness CCTV System agreed at the previous City Committee meeting.

The City Manager introduced the report and thanked Chief Inspector Neil for his assistance in providing the background information.

Members commented on the positioning of particular cameras within the city and their effectiveness, including:

Young Street/King Street – failed to cover smaller lanes in this area;
Thornbush Road – appeared to be fixed continually on traffic;
Bus Station/Margaret Street – how many offences were picked up on these cameras?.

However, they were encouraged by the higher percentage of positive outcomes achieved through the use of images recorded by CCTV.

Members also questioned:

why Northern Constabulary did not contribute too the cost of these systems; and
who was responsible for checking CCTV systems in licensed premises.

In response to Members comments Chief Inspector Neil stated that:

the cost implications of CCTV systems would have to be addressed with the Constabulary executive. However this was normal practice in many cities;
the positioning of cameras was agreed in conjunction with the Council and sometimes because of external factors could not be positioned in the ideal location;
anyone caught on camera breaking the law would be prosecuted;
the CCTV system does prevent trials; and
licensed premises’ CCTV systems are checked regularly by Community Police Officers.

The Committee NOTED:

the improvements and expansion made to the Inverness CCTV network and evaluation available to date; and
the effectiveness of the Inverness System, including performance of recently installed CCTV cameras.

6. Strategic Salt Storage Facilities - Longman Depot, Inverness

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-50-11 (47kb pdf) dated 14 September 2011 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services outlining a request by Transport Scotland to form a Strategic Salt Storage facility at the Longman Depot, which occupies land owned by the Inverness Common Good Fund.

The Area Roads and Transport Manager presented the report and in response to Members’ specific queries commented as follows:

the sub let would not affect the income received by the Common Good Fund;
use of the landfill site was not an option at the moment; and
this would not interfere with any ongoing works to clean up the site.

The Committee APPROVED:

the request from Transport Scotland for the Council to lease an area of land within the Longman Depot for the purpose of locating a strategic salt stockpile; and
that the Agreement with Transport Scotland (or their nominated agent) will be for 5 years with a break clause, subject to a six month notice period.

7. White Bridge and Cantray Bridge

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-51-11 (71kb pdf) dated 29 September 2011 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services providing Members with options for the repair and restoration of Cantray Bridge.

Mr D Mackenzie presented the report and invited Members to comment on the proposals being recommended.

Members commented as follows:

closure of the Cantray Bridge had left 82 households without direct access to Nairn and Inverness without a long detour;
the closure was a financial and logistical burden on people living in the area;
the standard of road to the West was poor and could deteriorate with excessive use;
the bridge should remain open for cars;
with development such as the Brackla Distillery, consideration should be given developer contributions;
it is important that communities, wherever they are, get the access and egress required to carry out their daily lives; and
as this was a strategic requirement, why was the City Committee being asked to make recommendations to Transport, Environmental and Community Services.

Officers commented that the bridge’s listed status meant that there was a need to protect the bridge as well as repair it. If the City Committee supported the recommendation made by officers, it had a good chance of getting on the Council’s Capital programme as per the recommendation.

Mr R Balfour, seconded by Mr J Crawford, moved that recommendation ii should be amended to include the words ‘and vehicles up to 3 tonnes gvw’ and this was agreed.

The Committee therefore AGREED to recommend to the TEC Services Committee that the Council:

construct a local realignment of the B9090, and a new crossing of the River Nairn, near White Bridge,
repair/strengthen Cantray Bridge, for use by pedestrians and cyclists and vehicles up to 3 tonnes gvw;
preserve the existing White Bridge for use by pedestrians and cyclists; and
add these proposals to the programme for the replacement/refurbishment of Major and Lifeline Bridges to be included in the Council’s Capital Programme.

8. Rural Inverness LEADER Funding

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-52-11 (168kb pdf) dated 3 September 2011 by the Corporate Manager providing Members with an overview of the Highland LEADER Programme and specifically its operation and impact on Rural Inverness.

Appreciation was expressed for the work done by the Corporate Manager and the Aird and Loch Ness Ward Manager for the work carried out in support of the LEADER Programme.

The Committee NOTED:

the range of projects funded and their level of expenditure in Rural Inverness; and
that other applicants in Rural Inverness should be encouraged to consider making applications to LEADER for their project.

9. Events and Festivals Annual Report

There had been circulated Report No. ICC-53-11 (52kb pdf) dated 29 September 2011 by the Inverness City Manager providing details of the 2010-2011 Inverness Festivals programme’s end of year financial position; a progress report on the 2011-12 Inverness Festivals programme; and a review of the work undertaken in Canada with the Calgary Highland Games Committee.

The Events Officer provided Members with an overview of the activities of the Events and Festivals Working Group and the work carried out by the Events Officer on his recent trip to Calgary, Canada.

Members started by congratulating the Events Officer on his recent attainment of an MSc. in International Events Management.

They then commented that:

events and festivals were generating a positive profile for the City;
work was being carried out with Culloden Academy to encourage younger people to participate in Highland Games; and
Armed Forces Day activities detracted from the opening of the Highland Games and should be reconsidered for future Games.

The Committee NOTED:

the end of year financial position for the 2010/11 Inverness Events and Festivals’ programme;
the progress report on the 2011/12 Inverness Events & Festivals’ programme; and
the review of the work undertaken in Canada.

10. Member Appointments

Further to the resignation from Council of the Member for the Inverness South Ward, a vacancy existed for a City Committee representative to sit on the Civic Hospitality Working Group.

The City Manager informed Members that Mrs B McAllister had been invited to be the Inverness Area representative on the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils.

The Committee:

AGREED to appoint Mr J Ford to the Civic Hospitality Working Group; and
NOTED that Mrs B McAllister had been invited to be the Inverness Area representative on the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils.

11. Committee Dates for 2012

The Committee NOTED the Inverness City Committee dates in 2012 as follows: