Minutes of Meeting of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 23 March 2006 at 10.30 am.
Present:
Mr J H Green, Mr G M Smith, Mr W A Mowat, Mr S Mackay, Mrs A M Magee, Mr I Ross, Mr A Rhind, Mr J Connell, Mr R Macintyre, Mr E C Mackinnon, Mr D Chisholm, Ms A MacLean, Mr B Barclay, Mr J Laing, Mr W Fulton, Mr S J Shiels, Mr R Balfour, Mr R Lyon, Mrs M A MacLennan, Mr C Goodman, Mr D R Munro, Mr N A Donald, Mr R Wynd, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr S Park, Mr F D S Black, Mr B M S Dunlop, Mr C King, Dr M E M Foxley, Mr B J Murphy
Non-Members also present:
Mrs J Urquhart, Mr A Anderson, Mr D W Briggs, Mrs I McCallum, Mrs I Campbell, Mr J Macdonald, Mrs E MacDonald, Mrs M C Davidson, Mr W J Smith, Mrs K G Matheson
Officials in attendance:
Mr N Gillies, Head of Roads and Community Works
Mr S MacNaughton, Head of Transport and Infrastructure
Ms T Snow, Head of Business Support
Mr N MacKenzie, Head of Trading Standards
Dr C Clark, Head of Waste Management
Mr M Mitchell, Finance Manager
Mr C Kemp, Integrated Transport Manager
Mr A Thomson, Head of Environmental Health
Mr A Yates, Principal EHO (Food Safety)
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Corporate Services
Miss V Rushton, Administrative Assistant, Corporate Services
Mr C King in the Chair
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.
All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.
Business
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were intimated on behalf of Mr T MacLennan and Mr J Ford.
2. Good News
A presentation was made to Mr J Milne, Lighting and Communications Manager, TEC Services, who was retiring after 48 years service with local authorities, 38 of which had been with the Highland Council and its predecessors. In expressing appreciation for Mr Milne’s long and dedicated service the Chairman informed Members that Mr Milne had recently received "The Leading Light" award, from a cross-party lighting group of MPs at the House of Commons, Westminster, for his services to lighting in Scotland, and was a candidate for the Engineer of the Year Award, a competition run by the Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland, to be announced next month. Mr Milne responded accordingly.
Members were also informed that Mr T Scott, MSP, would be in Inverness on 31 March, to open the new airport road.
This was NOTED.
Resources
3. Revenue Budget Monitoring: 1 April 2005 to 31 January 2006
There had been circulated Report No TEC 22/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which set out the revenue monitoring position for the period to 31 January 2006.
It was explained that the report set out the position to the 31 January, recent variances were in line with the projected year end position. Despite indicating a slight underspend in the budget it was highlighted that a number of prolonged snow events in February and March could result in an overspend in the winter maintenance budget and could affect the overall budget.
Members NOTED the revenue monitoring position for the period to 31 January 2006.
4. Capital Expenditure Monitoring: 1 April 2005 to 31 January 2006
There had been circulated Report No TEC23/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which invited Members to note the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 January 2006 and the projected year end position.
Members NOTED the capital expenditure monitoring position.
5. Revenue Budget 2006/07
The Chairman reminded Members of the savings that had to be achieved in the budget for 2006/2007 and of those that had been identified so far. It was then explained that the three proposals to be discussed at the meeting had been recognised as the easiest way to achieve the final savings required without having to make cuts in services and that the Committee was required to produce a balanced budget.
(i) Review of Parking Charges
There had been circulated Report No TEC 24/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, which reviewed and updated parking charges for on-street parking and off-street parking where charging was already in place.
Members were informed that the key aims of the parking policy was to aid traffic management and encourage business and shopping activities by ensuring there was always a parking space available. The proposed adjustments to fees were highlighted to Members in the areas currently under consideration and that there would be a further report to the TEC Committee on 1 June 2006 regarding Council car parking arrangements in areas that did not have charges in place at present. Reference was made to the success of the introduction of revised parking fees in Fort William despite initial opposition from Members.
It was explained that should the Committee agree to the proposals, the issue would go through the process of preparing draft orders with any objections being considered at Area level before the new charges would come into effect.
During discussion the following points were made:
- Members felt that there should have been previous discussion at Area level, specifically a review by the Inverness Area regarding the current car parking strategy;
- it was recognised that the proposed charges were in line with other urbanised areas and were required to improve traffic management;
- concern was expressed that in smaller towns, such as Fort Augustus, the proposed increase would have a detrimental affect on business and on traffic congestion in the area;
- traffic management in the centre of Inverness needed to be addressed with the aim of creating a more pedestrian friendly environment in the city centre;
- the revised charges in Fort William, despite initial opposition, had worked well with an improved turnover in space availability and had resulted in increased revenue; and
- there was a need for the direction signage to the off street car parking facilities in Inverness to be improved.
Following discussion the Chairman, seconded by Mr D R Munro, MOVED that the Committee agree to the recommendations in the report and that the direction signage to the off street car parking facilities in Inverness be improved and that a further report be submitted to the Committee on 1 June 2006 on Council car parking arrangements in areas that did not at present have charges in place.
As an AMENDMENT, Mr N A Donald, seconded by Mr R Wynd, moved that no action be taken until there had been a review by the Inverness City and Area Committee to examine the issue further in so far as it applied to car parking within Inverness Area.
On a vote being taken the outcome was as follows:-
For the Motion
Mr J H Green, Mr W A Mowat, Mr S Mackay, Mrs A L Magee, Mr W J Ross, Mr J Connell, Mr R MacIntyre, Mr E C MacKinnon, Mr D J Chisholm, Mr W Barclay, Mr J Laing, Mr W M Fulton, Mr S J Shiels, Mr R J Lyon, Mr C L Goodman, Mr D R Munro, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr A S Park, Mr F D S Black, Mr C King, Mr M E M Foxley, Mr B J Murphy
For the Amendment
Mr G M Smith, Mr A Rhind, Mr R Balfour, Mrs M C Davidson, Mrs M A MacLennan, Mr N A Donald, Mr R Wynd
The MOTION was carried by 22 votes to 7.
Accordingly, the Committee AGREED:-
a) the revised schedule of parking charges, be as set out in Appendix B of the
report and the ancillary charging outlined in paragraph 3.1of the report, be
put in place;
b) the Orders and Schedules of Charging for the car parks concerned be
revised in accordance with statutory procedures;
c) Draft Orders and revised charges be prepared and advertised and, in the
event of there being no unresolved objections, the orders be made;
d) current signage to off-street car parking in Inverness be improved; and
e) a further report be submitted to the Committee on 1 June 2006 on Council
car parking arrangements in Areas that did not at present have charges in
place.
(ii) Review of Camansnagaul Ferry
There had been circulated Report No TEC 25/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which reviewed the current service arrangements for the Camusnagaul passenger ferry.
Members were informed that the present service, which received a subsidy of £74,705, was also making an operational loss of around £18,000 per annum and was expected to cost the Council £92,700 to operate in 2005/06. It was projected that a replacement vessel would be required within the next five years at an expected cost of £225,000. Passenger figures for the vessel had reduced by a third during the last five years of operation.
Members expressed concern for the local community who used the ferry if the service was removed from operation. However it was confirmed that the community would be fully consulted in relation to the future of the ferry service.
Members AGREED that:-
a) the local community be consulted in relation to a range of options before
any decision on the future of the ferry service was taken; and
b) a further report be submitted to the Committee following consultation with
the local community.
(iii) Charging for Commercial Waste at Recycling Centres
There had been circulated Report No TEC 26/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, which referred to the decision of the Council at its meeting on 2 February 2006, that charges for commercial waste at recycling centres to achieve the required savings of £375,000 should be introduced, with the Committee having to identify alternative savings should charges for commercial waste not deliver the required £375,000.
The report gave details of consideration of this matter at the Waste Strategy Sub Committee (WSSC) of 7 March 2006 which concluded that savings could not be achieved from charges for commercial waste at recycling centres. There were severe restraints over the licensing conditions for these centres and the result would be an increased level of waste going to Landfill which would add to the large fines the Government could impose on the Council for not meeting its Landfill Allowance targets. The WSSC concluded that the introduction of charges for bulky uplifts was the only measure that would achieve the saving because the alternatives would produce unacceptable reductions in service and agreed, in principle, to the introduction of a charging scheme for the collection of bulky items, with the aim to encourage households to reduce their reliance on waste disposal as their first option and as part of the Council’s waste minimalisation programme.
The Head of Community Works highlighted the alternatives that had been considered and informed Members of the charges imposed by 20 out of 32 Local Authorities who currently charged for bulky uplifts. He also emphasised the need to balance the TEC Services budget and should the Committee not agree to the recommendations, an alternative saving would have to be identified.
During discussion the following points were made:-
- it was emphasised that current licence conditions had to be stringently enforced at recycling centres to prevent the deposit of commercial waste;
- concern was expressed that should charges for bulky uplifts be introduced there would be an increase in fly tipping, especially in rural areas;
- such charges could only be introduced and be successful, if there was stringent enforcement of the system in place, which it was felt would be unlikely;
- the brown bin collection was not fully used during the winter months and the level of service required should be reassessed;
- the bulky uplift service was a luxury service and the introduction of charges would be in line with businesses who already charged for the delivery of new and the collection of old household items;
- the charges outlined in the report were lower than most Local Authorities who operated charges;
- as more recycling centres opened and were used the number requests for bulky uplifts would decline and therefore there was no assurance that the sum required could be saved from charging for bulky uplifts;
- comment was made on who, such as pensioners and those on income support, should be exempt from paying charges; and
- an alternative saving was suggested by reducing “non-essential” overtime budget, by a further £375K.
In relation to brown bins, Members were informed that there was a review of the services underway at present. In response to questions it was explained that, of the overtime budget of £3.1million, it was estimated that £1.86million was essential, being allocated services such as, winter maintenance; weekend burials; weekend openings of public conveniences and car parks; and the operation of a 7-day ferry service. The remaining £1.24 million of the overtime budget was used in services such as early morning street sweeping and allowed flexibility for rural operations; restricting overtime could result in increased costs from, for example double journey’s to complete work terminated to comply with the need not to incur overtime. However, it was highlighted to Members that, a saving of £335k had already been identified in that budget and should this further saving be made would result in an overall cut of £710k in the overtime budget and this would affect the delivery of services.
The Chairman, seconded by Mr E C Mackinnon, MOVED that the Committee agree to the recommendations on the introduction of a charging system for bulky uplifts, subject to a further report on the details of the scheme.
As an AMENDMENT, Mr D R Munro, seconded by Mr B Murphy, moved that a further saving of £375K be taken from the “non essential” overtime budget of £1.24million.
On a vote being taken the outcome was as follows:-
For the Motion
Mrs A L Magee, Mr W J Ross, Mr R MacIntyre, Mr E C MacKinnon, Mr J Laing, Mr R J Lyon, Mr R Wynd, Mr A S Park, Mr F D S Black, Mr B M S Dunlop, Mr C King, Dr M E M Foxley
For the Amendment
Mr J Green, Mr G M Smith, Mr W A Mowat, Mr S Mackay, Mr A Rhind, Mr J R Connell, Mr D J Chisholm, Mrs A MacLean, Mr W Barclay, Mr S J Shiels, Mr R Balfour, Mrs M A MacLennan, Mr C L Goodman, Mr D R Munro, Mr N A Donald, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr B J Murphy
The AMENDMENT was carried by 17 votes to 12.
The Committee therefore AGREED that a further reduction in the non essential overtime budget of £375k be made to achieve required savings.
(iv) Revenue Budget 2006/07
There had been circulated Report No TEC 27/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, which informed Members of the Revenue Budget for 2006/07.
Concern was expressed that of the £4.1million available through additional Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE), for Roads Maintenance, more should be allocated directly to reconstruction and surfacing the road. GAE had been divided between activities and it was felt that of the figure allocated to Cyclical Maintenance, the majority should go towards Structural Maintenance. Members also questioned if the Areas were allowed a degree of flexibility between Structural Maintenance and Surface Dressing in order for these budgets to be used to its best advantage.
In response, it was explained there was a degree of flexibility between Structural Maintenance and Surface Dressing budget headings, to ensure the best combination to improve the road network within each area. It was highlighted that the additional funds available in Cyclical Maintenance allowed for safety related activities such as signage, safety barriers road markings and drainage.
Following discussion, the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, MOVED that the budget for Roads and Community Works, be as detailed in the report.
As an AMENDMENT, Mr E C Mackinnon, seconded by Mr B Barclay, moved that of the £600k of GAE allocated for Cyclical Maintenance, £500k be transferred to Structural Maintenance.
On a vote being taken the outcome was as follows:-
For the Motion
Mr J H Green, Mr G M Smith, Mr W A Mowat, Mr S MacKay, Mrs A L Magee, Mr W J Ross, Mr J R Connell, Mrs A MacLean, Mr J Laing, Mr R Balfour, Mr R J Lyon, Mrs M A MacLennan, Mr D R Munro, Mr N A Donald, Mr F D S Black, Mr B M S Dunlop, Mr C King, Dr M E M Foxley, Mr B J Murphy
For the Amendment
Mr R MacIntyre, Mr E C MacKinnon, Mr D J Chisholm, Mr W Barclay, Mr S J Shiels, Mr R Wynd, Mrs L MacDonald
The MOTION was carried by 19 votes to 5.
The Committee therefore AGREED the overall Revenue Budget for 2006/07, and the proposed distribution by function Area as outlined in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report subject to a further report(s) on the use of the additional road maintenance allowance.
6. 5 Year Capital Programme
There had been circulated Report No TEC 28/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, which sought approval of the TEC Services 5 year Capital Programme and the amendments to the agreed programme for 2006/07.
It was explained to Members that there had been no additions or deletions from the Programme which had been discussed at the Committee on 18 August 2005. Members were informed that TEC Services were able to report back each year on the 5 year Capital Programme with updated costings.
Members raised concern over wording in the notes to Appendix C of the report, commenting that under Note 5, projects should be on an ‘active’ list for consideration when possible. Members also felt that additional funds should be secured for the purpose of upgrading single track sections of the strategic network and for improvements to life line roads.
Members APPROVED the 5 year Capital Programme for 2006/07 to 2009/10 subject to the amendment of the wording used in notes to Appendix C and AGREED that the Scottish Executive and HITRANS be reminded of the need to allocate some funds for upgrading single track sections of the strategic network and improvements to life line roads.
Roads and Community Works
7. Replacement/Refurbishment of Public Toilets
There had been circulated Joint Report No TEC 29/06 by the Directors of Transport, Environmental and Community Services and Property and Architectural Services which updated Members on the progress in relation to the programme to refurbish public toilets, as agreed at the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee on 18 August 2005.
The higher than estimated costs received during the tendering exercise for improvements to the Portree Public Toilet were explained to Members, and three options were outlined for consideration. As the preferred option, Option 2, aimed to reduce tendering costs by revising the overall specification for the public convenience. It was highlighted that there had been a difficulty in securing a construction company in Skye due to numerous development projects in the area. In response to questions, the more than anticipated costs for pubic toilets were explained by the lack of available contractors, the high specification required for fittings and fixtures in public toilets.
Members commentated that in relation to the Portree site, the Vice-Chairman and the Local Portfolio Holder should be included in the consultation with the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services to award the Tender.
Members:-
(i) NOTED that the contract for the refurbishment of Atholl Court (Dingwall)
had been awarded and work would commence on 20 March 2006; and
(ii) AGREED that in relation to Portree, Option 2, the reduction in the tender
cost by revising the overall specification, be pursued with the Contractor
and that powers be delegated to the Director of Transport, Environmental
and Community Services, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman,
Local Portfolio Holder and the Local Member, to award the tender.
8. Certificate of Professional Comptence for Professional Lorry and
Bus Drivers: Consultation
There had been circulated Report No TEC 30/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advised Members of the Consultation in relation to the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for Professional Lorry and Bus Drivers.
Members NOTED the contents of the report and HOMOLOGATED the response to the Consultation.
Transport and Infrastructure
9. Emergency Works – Torvaig, Isle of Skye
There had been circulated Report No TEC 31/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advised Members of a serious landslip on the A851 Broadford to Armadale road at Torvaig.
Members HOMOLOGATED the emergency work to stabilise the slope and NOTED that the cost of the works, estimated at £150,000, would be accommodated within the 2005/06 Capital Programme.
10. Lifeline Roads Scheme
There had been circulated Report No TEC 32/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members of the funding available for “lifeline” roads.
During discussion the following points were raised:-
- an application should be made for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding for the schemes recommended for 2006/07 in Lochaber and Ross and Cromarty;
- due to the number of lifeline roads in rural communities there needed to be improvements in the funding available for improving roads where there was no alternative route; and
- where projects had been achieved and demonstrated good value, there should be a report back to all involved on what can be achieved with small amounts of money and the benefits that accrued to local communities.
Members AGREED:-
(i) that the schemes listed in the report be prepared and taken forward for
construction in 2006/07 and 2007/08; and
(ii) that an application be made for ERDF funding for the schemes
recommended for 2006/07 in Lochaber and Ross and Cromarty.
11. Proposal for a Public Transport Users' Committee for Scotland –
Consultation Response
There had been circulated Report No TEC 33/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advised Members of the Scottish Executive Consultation on Proposals for a Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland. The consultation closed on 22 March 2006.
The proposal was welcomed by Members, however it was felt that Community Transport needed to be represented on the proposed new Committee.
Members NOTED the contents of the report and HOMOLOGATED the Council’s response to the Consultation subject to an additional suggestion indicating that there should be a Community Transport representative on the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Scotland.
12. Highlands and Islands Regional Transport Partnership – Core
Funding and Permanent Advisers
There had been circulated Report No TEC 34/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, which advised Members on the request from HITRANS for core funding, and the appointment of Permanent Advisers.
Members AGREED:-
(i) that the Council make a contribution of £46,000 towards HITRANS core
funding plus an additional contribution of £17,000; and
(ii) the Council’s Head of Transport and Infrastructure and Transport
Development Officer be appointed as Permanent Advisers to HITRANS.
Waste Management
13. North of Scotland Strategic Outline Review (NOSSOR)
Presentation
The Head of Waste Management gave a presentation, updating Members on the progress towards the submission of the Strategic Outline Case (SOC).
Members were reminded of the setting up of NOSSOR between Highland, Moray, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils and their work towards the objective of submitting a single bid to the Scottish Executive on how to meet Landfill Allowance Targets.
The importance of meeting Landfill Allowance Targets was stressed and the fines Councils would incur if they failed to do so, and of Highland specific issues including the desirability of local solutions to waste management issues. The preferred scenario was explained, and Members were informed that the SOC had been submitted along with an assessment of the levels of funding required from the Strategic Waste Fund and the councils involved to support the programme up to 2040.
During discussion Members welcomed the presentation, recognising the importance of the item. It was felt that the very high costs involved needed to be stressed to all Members of the Council and further discussion on the subject was required. It was explained that a further, more detailed report and presentation would be given to the Committee on 1 June 2006.
Members NOTED the presentation and that a further, detailed report and presentation would form the first item of the Agenda for 1 June 2006.
14. Scottish Executive Consultation on Proposals to Codify Schedule 3
to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (as
Amended)
There had been circulated Report No TEC 35/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advised Members of the Scottish Executive’s Consultation on Proposals to Codify Schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (as amended). The Consultation closed on 17 February 2006.
Members NOTED the contents of the report and HOMOLOGATED the Council’s response to the consultation.
15. Presentation of Void Spaces in Seater, Portree & Granish Landfill
There had been circulated Report No TEC 36/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which sought Members approval to alter the existing void protection controls for the Council’s landfill sites.
Members APPROVED the void protection controls proposed for Seater, Portree and Granish landfill sites as detailed in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 of the report.
Environmental Health
16. Health and Safety Service Plan
There had been circulated Report No TEC 37/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services containing the Health and Safety Service Plan for 2006/07 for Environmental Health.
Members APPROVED the Health and Safety Service Plan 2006/07.
17. Food Service Plan 2006/07
There had been circulated Report No TEC 38/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services containing the Food Service Plan 2006/07 for Environmental Health.
Members APPROVED the Food Service Plan 2006/07.
18. Country of Origin of Beef in the Food Service Sector Consultation
There had been circulated Report No TEC 39/06 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advised Members of the Scottish Executive’s Consultation on the Country of origin of Beef in the Food Service Sector. The Consultation closed on 28 February 2006.
Members NOTED the contents of the report and HOMOLOGATED the Council’s response to the consultation subject to an additional comment being submitted that the Council was supportive of the proposals.
Civic Government Licensing
19. Introduction of Locensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing
There had been circulated Report No TEC 40/06 by the Director of Corporate Services, which advised Members of the introduction of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing) Order 2006 on 1 April 2006.
Members NOTED the implementation of this mandatory licensing category; and AGREED that:-
(i) a fee be set for applications for Skin Piercing and Tattooing Licences, in line
with other similar Civic Government Licence fees, at £150 for a three year
period; and
(ii) where the activity was wholly or mainly carried out in premises and a
business was carried out in more than one premises, that the fee of £150
should apply to each premises for which application was made.
Minutes
20. Minutes
There were NOTED or APPROVED, as appropriate Minutes of the:-
(i) Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership of 20 January 2006;
(ii) Waste Strategy Working Group of 21 February 2006 and 7 March 2006;
(iii) Highland Cycle Forum AGM and meeting of 21 February 2006 subject to
the amendment proposed to clarify the future role of HCF in relation to
HITRANS;
(iv) Community Works Working Group of 22 February 2006;
(v) Community Projects Working Group of 22 February 2006;
(vi) Fishery Harbours Management Board of 22 February 2006; and
(vii) Civic Government Licensing Working Group of 23 February 2006.
The meeting closed at 1:15pm.