Committees
A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 14 November 2012 at 10.30am.
Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.
You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.
Yours faithfully,
Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive
1. Apologies for Absence
Liesgeulan
2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt
Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.
3. Presentation by Highlands and Islands Enterprise on Broadband
Provision in the Highlands
Taisbeanadh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean mu Sholar
Bann-leathann sa Ghàidhealtachd
A presentation will be given by Stuart Robertson, Director of Digital Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and Andrea Rutherford, Senior Development Manager, Telecoms, HIE, providing an update on provision of Broadband in the Highlands.
4. Revenue Budget Monitoring Statement to September 2012
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach gu Sultain 2012
There is circulated Report No. ped-59-12 (29kb pdf) dated 31 October 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development commenting on the Revenue Monitoring Statement for the period to the end of September 2012, and forecasting a balanced budget at the year end.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the monitoring report to the end of September 2012; and
ii. agree the management action which has been taken to date to balance the
budget at the year end.
5. Capital Expenditure Monitoring 2012/13
Sgrùdadh Chaiteachais Chalpa 2012/13
There is circulated Report No. ped-60-12 (51kb pdf) dated 5 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the expenditure and income to 30 September 2012 and for the 2012/13 capital programme.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the content of the report; and
ii. agree to delegate powers to the Director of Planning and Development, in
consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the PED Committee, to agree
the detail of substitute VDLF projects and submit to the Scottish Government.
6. Performance Indicators - Second Quarterly Review 2012/13
Comharran Dèanadais – Dàrna Sgrùdadh Ràitheil 2012/13
There is circulated Report No. ped-61-12 (63kb pdf) dated 1 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development advising Members on the delivery of the Development Management, Building Standards and the Development Plan services for the second quarter of 2012/13, with comparative figures for previous years. Sickness absence within the Planning and Development Service is a statutory performance indicator. Information on Quarter 2, 2012/13, is provided with comparisons to 2011/12.
The Committee is asked to note, for Quarter 2, 2012/13:
i. the general improvement in performance in Development Management and
Building Standards;
ii. the work undertaken by the Development Plans team; and
iii. the absence figures for the Service.
7. Planning and Development Service – Service Plan 2012/2017
Seirbheis Dealbhaidh agus Leasachaidh – Plana Seirbheis 2012/13
There is circulated Report No. ped-62-12 (22kb pdf) dated 16 October 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development which introduces the draft Planning and Development Service - Service Plan 2012-2017 (315kb pdf). The draft Plan (Booklet A) outlines the enabling actions and the key performance results which will deliver the Programme for the Highland Council and the statutory and core functions of the Planning and Development Service, including the Single Outcome Agreement.
The Committee is asked to:
i. consider the draft Planning and Development Service – Service Plan
2011/17; and
ii. approve the draft Plan, subject to any alterations agreed by the Committee.
8. The Planning Performance Framework and Improvement Plan 2012/13
Frèam Dèanadais agus Plana Leasachaidh a thaobh Dealbhadh 2012/13
There is circulated Report No. ped-63-12 (345kb pdf) dated 5 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development advising that the Council was required to submit a Planning Performance Framework to the Scottish Government by the end of September 2012. The Framework is attached to this report.
The Committee is asked to agree the Planning Performance Framework and Improvement Plan for 2012/13.
9. Business Gateway
Slighe Gnothachais
There is circulated Report No ped-64-12 (30kb pdf) dated 2 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on the Business Gateway Contract Performance for the second Quarter 2012/13; and the integration of Business Gateway within the wider support activity provided by the Highland Council.
The Committee is asked to note:
i. the Business Gateway core service, its delivery and the wider business
support provided; and
ii. the progress towards performance targets for the second Quarter, 2012/13.
10. Employability Services
Seirbheisean Cosnaidh
There is circulated Report No. ped-65-12 (35kb pdf) dated 2 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development providing updates on other Government’s “Working for Growth” and other Employability Framework work streams in Highland including Youth Employment; Welfare Reform; Service Commissioning and the Work Programme. Members are asked to consider the proposed arrangements for operating the Deprived Area Funds in 2013-14.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the content of the report and the updates given;
ii. agree to the Deprived Area Fund criteria, the application and assessment
process outlined and the distribution of the £416,000 fund across the
identified Deprived Areas;
iii. note that Deprived Area Fund recommendations will be presented to the
Caithness and Sutherland, and City of Inverness Area Committees; and
iV. agree that where this issue has not been remitted to an Area Committee,
powers be delegated to the Director of Planning and Development, in
consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Ward Members,
to make decisions on the disbursement of the Deprived Area Fund Project.
11. National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3): Call for National Developments
Frèam Dealbhaidh Nàiseanta 3: Gairm airson Leasachaidhean Nàiseanta
There is circulated Report No. ped-66-12 (42kb pdf) dated 5 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development seeking approval for a list of infrastructure and development projects within Highland that are recommended to be nominated to the Scottish Government as national developments or key issues for inclusion in National Planning Framework 3. The recommended projects will be considered by Scottish Ministers for inclusion in the next National Planning Framework.
The Committee is asked to agree:
i. that the series of infrastructure and development projects outlined in the
report be nominated to the Scottish Government as national
developments/key issues for inclusion in the National Planning Framework 3; and
ii. to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Development in
consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of PED to complete the national
development proposals forms.
12. Consultation on Proposals for a Better Regulation Bill – Highland
Council Response
Co-chomhairle mu Mholaidhean airson Bile Riaghlaidh nas Fheàrr –
Freagairt Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No. ped-67-12 (22kb pdf) dated 24 October 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development advising that the Scottish Government has recently consulted on proposals for a Better Regulation Bill. The main aim of the proposed Bill is to improve the way regulations are applied in practice across Scotland. The Council submitted an officer level response to the consultation by the due date of 26 October 2012 (Appendix A).
The Committee is asked to homologate the response made to the consultation on proposals for a Better Regulation Bill.
13. Public Art Strategy: Supplementary Guidance
Ro-innleachd Ealain Phoblaich: Stiùireadh Leasachail
There is circulated Report No. ped-68-12 (775kb pdf) dated 24 October 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development explaining the outcome of the consultation on the Council’s draft Supplementary Guidance on Public Art. The finalised Guidance (Appendix 1) incorporates suggested amendments in response to comments received.
The Committee is asked to agree:
i. that the Supplementary Guidance as modified (Appendix 1) be a material
consideration for development management purposes with immediate effect
pending its adoption by Full Council; and
ii. to the carrying out of the statutory procedures required to progress the
Supplementary Guidance towards adoptions, including reporting to Full
Council on 7 March 2013.
14. Small Scale Wind Turbine - Supplementary Guidance
Roth-gaoithe Beag – Stiùireadh Leasachail
There is circulated Report No. ped-69-12 (483kb pdf) dated 6 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development presenting the results of consultation on the Council’s draft Supplementary Guidance for Small-Scale Wind Turbine Proposals for consideration. It presents a revised version of the guidance which is recommended for approval as Interim Supplementary Guidance pending its statutory adoption.
The Committee is asked to:
i. consider the issues raised in the responses to the public consultation on the
draft Supplementary Guidance for Small-Scale Wind Turbine Proposals and
the responses recommended by officers to these issues (Appendix 1) and
the revised Supplementary Guidance (Appendix 2); and
ii. approve the revised Guidance as interim Supplementary Guidance for use as
a material consideration in decision making, pending its statutory adoption.
15. Development Plan Scheme
Sgeama Plana Dealbhaidh
There is circulated Report No. ped-70-12 (1294kb pdf) dated 5 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development presenting an updated version of the Development Plan Scheme (DPS) (Appendix 1) which sets out the Council’s programme for preparing and reviewing its Local Development Plans. The DPS helps provide certainty to the community and other stakeholders as to when each stage of the development planning process is being reached. The updated version outlines the progress made so far, current status and next stages in the main projects since the DPS 2011 was approved in November 2011.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the progress to date as outlined in the report; and
ii. agree the content of the Development Plan Scheme 2012, in order for the
document to be submitted to the Plain English Campaign and subsequently
submitted to Scottish Ministers.
16. Inverness Business Improvement District
Sgìre Leasachadh Gnothachais Inbhir Nis
There is circulated Report No. ped-71-12 (30kb pdf) dated 2 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development offering a formal assessment of the Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) Proposal relative to the Council’s right of veto in accordance with the Planning Etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Business Improvement Districts (Scotland) Regulations 2007.
The Committee is asked to:
i. approve the assessment made in Appendix 1 to the report relative to the
draft Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) Proposal, and agree not
to exercise the Council’s right of veto, subject to the final BID proposal not
materially affecting the assessment made; and
ii. agree that if, upon receipt of the final BID Business Plan, it is considered that
changes have been made which affect the assessment made in Appendix 1,
authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Development in
consultation with the Chair of the PED Committee to seek the necessary
amendments to the BID proposal, failing which, a further report be brought
back to the Council on 13 December, 2012.
17. Highland Council’s Biodiversity Duty Delivery Plan (2011-12) and
the Highland Biodiversity Partnership (PP.180-212)
Plana Lìbhrigidh Dleastanas Bith-iomadachd Chomhairle na
Gàidhealtachd (2011-12) agus Com-pàirteachas Bith-iomadachd na
Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No. ped-72-12 (164kb pdf) dated 1 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development reporting on progress made towards the Council’s Biodiversity Duty Delivery Plan in 2011-12, and the actions taken by the Council in compliance with its statutory Biodiversity Duty. The paper also updates Members on the work of the Highland Biodiversity Partnership. It outlines the future co-ordination of the Partnership and seeks Committee approval to implement these proposals and appoint a new Council representative as Chairman. Members are also asked to approve a contribution of £9,568 towards a new 3 year Seashore Biodiversity Project.
The Committee is asked to:
i. comment on and approve the Highland Council’s Biodiversity Duty Delivery
Plan Report 2011-12 (Appendix 1);
ii. note progress made by the Highland Biodiversity Partnership;
iii. approve the proposals for the future co-ordination of Partnership activities;
iv. agree that the Vice Chair be appointed as the Council’s representative and
Chairman of the Highland Biodiversity Partnership; and
v. agree a contribution of £9,568 between 2012 and 2014 from the Council’s
biodiversity budget towards the Highland Seashore Biodiversity Project.
18. Report of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group
Aithisg Buidheann Chomhairleachaidh Leudachadh na Coille
There is circulated Report No. ped-73-12 (26kb pdf) dated 2 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development advising that the report of the Woodland Extension Advisory Group (WEAG) has recently been accepted by the Scottish Government Rural Affairs Secretary. The Committee report outlines the key findings of the WEAG report and supporting Action Plan for Implementation and also considers how the Council can assist delivery of the Advisory Group’s recommendations.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the recommendations of the WEAG report;
ii. agree to support the Action Plan for Implementation; and
iii. consider and comment on the proposed measures which the Council intends
to take forward in supporting and delivering the WEAG recommendations.
19. Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan Pilot
Pìolat Plana Farsaingeachd Mara a’ Chaoil Arcaich agus Uisgeachan Arcaibh
There is circulated Report No. ped-74-12 (547kb pdf) dated 31 October 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the Council’s involvement in the preparation of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan Pilot. In partnership with Orkney Islands Council and Marine Scotland, the Council is working on the third stage of the preparation and consultation of a marine spatial plan that will support the economic development of renewable energy and other sectors in the Pentland Firth area. Current key steps include the draft Plan Scheme, which sets out the plan-making process and a draft governance paper.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the progress made on the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine
Spatial Plan pilot; and
ii. approve the draft Plan Scheme and Governance document.
20. Highland Birchwoods – Report of the Trustees and Audited
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 29 February 2012
Coilltean-beithe na Gàidhealtachd – Aithisg nan Urrasairean agus
Aithrisean Ionmhasail Sgrùdaichte airson na Bliadhna a’
Crìochnachadh 29 Gearran 2012
There is circulated Report No ped-75-12 (168kb pdf) dated 15 October 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development introducing the “Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for Highland Birchwoods for the financial year to 29 February 2012”. It briefly summarises the organisation’s aims and objectives, and reviews the past year’s activity and planned future developments. The Council’s relationship with Highland Birchwoods is also briefly considered alongside recently supported projects.
The Committee is asked to note:
i. the Financial Statements of Highland Birchwoods to 29 February 2012 and
the organisation’s proposals for the year ahead; and
ii. the joint project work undertaken to date and potential future projects.
21. Highland Opportunity Limited
Cothrom dhan Gàidhealtachd Eta
There is circulated Report No. ped-76-12 (111kb pdf) dated 1 November 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development which provides a summary of Highland Opportunity Limited’s activities during the financial year 2011/12. In addition, it gives details of the Company’s current performance against the range of targets set for it as part of its contract with the Council to deliver business support to Highland businesses, and highlights key work priorities during the rest of this financial year.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the performance of highland Opportunity Limited and its Subsidiary
Companies; and
ii. accept the financial statements for year ending 31 March 2011 of Highland
Opportunity Limited on behalf of the Council.
22. Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Ltd
Coimhearsnachd Tuathanas Gaoithe na Beinne Tarsuinn Eta
There is circulated Report No ped-77-12 (109kb pdf) dated 26 October 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development detailing the activities of Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited during the Financial Year 2011/12 and recommending that Members accept the Financial Statement 31 March 2012 on behalf of the Council.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the activities of Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited; and
ii. accept the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2012 of Beinn
Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited on behalf of Highland Council.
23. Highland Economic Forum – Minutes of Meeting of 26 September 2012
Fòram Eaconamach na Gàidhealtachd – Geàrr-chunntas Coinneamh
26 An t-Sultain 2012
There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Highland Economic Forum held on 26 September 2012 (28kb pdf).
24. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas
There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees for:-
i. North PAC 14 August 2012
ii. South PAC 21 August 2012
iii. North PAC 18 September 2012
iv. South PAC 25 September 2012