Minutes of Meeting of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 15 March 2007 at 10:30 am
Present:
Mr C King, Mr J H Green, Mr G M Smith, Mr W J Ross, Mr R MacIntyre, Mr E C Mackinnon, Mr B Barclay, Mr J Laing, Mr A M Millar, Mr W Fulton, Mr S J Shiels, Mr J Ford, Mr R Balfour, Mr R Lyon, Mr D M Henderson, Mr C L Goodman, Mr N A Donald, Mr R Wynd, Mr A S Park, Mr B M S Dunlop, Mr T MacLennan, Vice Convener (ex-officio), Mr B J Murphy
Non-Members also present:
Mr D MacKay, Mr T Jackson, Mrs R Finlayson, Mr A Anderson, Mr R Durham, Mr D Briggs, Mr H Fraser, Mrs I Campbell, Mr J T MacDonald, Mr W J Smith, Mr A Milne, Mr A J Dick, Mr J Grey, Mrs J Home, Mrs G McCreath
Officials in attendance:
Mr N Gillies, Director, TEC Service
Mr A Dodds, Director, Corporate Services, (Item 18)
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 R Evans, Acting Head of Roads and Community Works
Mr C Kemp, Integrated Transport Manager
Mr A Yates, Principal Environmental Health Officer
Mr A Carson, Principal Environmental Health Officer
Mr J Willet, Biodiversity Officer, Planning & Development Service
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Corporate Services
Miss V Rushton, Administrative Assistant, Corporate Services
Mr A Freu, Director of Scot Wilson Ltd
Mr R Hutchison, Scott Wilson Ltd
Mr H Brindley, Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership
Mr C King in the Chair
Preliminaries
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence had been intimated on behalf of Mr A I MacDonald; Mr S Mackay; Mr A Rhind; Mr J Connell; Mr D Chisholm and Mrs L MacDonald.
2. Trunk Link Road
There had been circulated Joint Report No TEC 20/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services and the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on the Scottish Transport Assessment Guidelines (STAG) Assessment for Inverness City incorporating details of proposals for the Trunk Link Road.
Scott Wilson, Consulting Engineers, gave a presentation to Members on the STAG assessment of the proposals for the Inverness Connectivity Study. An overview was provided on the requirements of a STAG assessment and Members were informed of the options examined for the Trunk Link Road and River Ness/Canal crossing which had merit and justified taking them forward to a more detailed examination. The options considered were as follows:
Eastern Link/Inshes Junction
It was highlighted that the traffic problems at Inshes Roundabout were complex, could not be considered in isolation and had to consider future developments in the area. The designation of a UHI/Inverness college Campus at Beechwood would see early development and had to be built into any road proposal. Two options had been considered:
- an on-line option, from an improved Smithton Junction on the A96, incorporating the existing Inshes roundabout; and
- an off-line option joining the former Southern Distributor in the vicinity of Inshes Roundabout to the A9/A96 trunk roads at an improved Smithton Junction.
It was indicated that the preferred solution would be the off-line option for the east end of the Trunk Link Road as it would allow greater scope for future growth in the area.
River Ness/Canal Crossing
During assessment four different routes for the approach to the crossing of the river and canal had been considered along with four different options to cross the canal. These included a medium level opening bridge; a high level opening bridge; an ultra high level fixed bridge and an aqueduct. This allowed 16 possible combinations for consideration. During assessment for the options, each was considered against environmental, engineering and economic factors as well as against the number, and types, of canal traffic.
There were two preferred options which merited further consideration:
- a high level opening bridge; and
- an aqueduct.
Members were also informed that once the proposals had been agreed, Scott Wilson would progress to STAG Stage II assessment and would consult with key stakeholders who were Transport Scotland; British Waterways and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. During the summer of 2007 a survey would take place to confirm canal traffic data.
During discussion, Members made the following comments:
- while support was given to the proposals, concern was expressed that progress had to be swift to generate support from the public;
- a third option should be considered for the east end, this should include modifications to the existing Inshes roundabout;
- the on –line solution would be less disruptive to the area;
- the off-line solution was more forward thinking and would meet the needs of future traffic growth in the area;
- there would be a number of objections to the off-line option from those living in the area and which would affect timescales for implementation;
- there was no short term solution to the Trunk Link Road;
- consultation had to take place with all those living in the area;
- the aqueduct would provide free flowing traffic across the river and be less disruptive to road traffic than the high level opening bridge;
- there had to be clear communication and consensus across the Council when driving this forward;
- the project should not concentrate on the contentious issues but ensure an integrated, interconnected solution for Inverness;
- concern was expressed over the developments to purchase land at Torvean Golf Course which would be affected by route plans for the Trunk Link Road.
In response to questions it was highlighted that should the off-line option be considered it was important to continue with the planned phased developments to the Inshes roundabout to ensure a constant traffic flow in the area.
The Committee NOTED the presentation and AGREED:
i. that Scott Wilson finalise the STAG Stage I Assessment, based on their
presentation and proceed to the STAG Stage II assessment which would
develop in detail:
- multi-modal transport solutions for Inverness encompassing Park and Ride, bus integration, transport demand management, as well as cycling and walking measures;
- the off-line option at the east end of the Trunk Link Road joining the former Southern Distributor in the vicinity of Inshes Roundabout to the A9/A96 trunk roads;
- the two options for a high level opening bridge and an aqueduct for the River Ness and canal crossing at the west end of the Trunk Link Road.
ii. to consult with the local communities in the areas affected;
iii. that scheduled phased improvements to the Inshes roundabout – utilising
planning gain monies, be continued;
iv. to implement previous decisions to purchase land at Torvean Golf Course;
and
v. a letter be sent to the Scottish Executive informing them of further
progress on the project and their involvement as a key stakeholder.
3. Capital Expenditure Monitoring 1 April 2006 to 31 January 2007
There had been circulated Report No TEC 21/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services summarising the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April 2006 to 31 January 2007 and the projected year end position.
The Committee NOTED the capital expenditure monitoring position.
4. Revenue Budget Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No TEC 22/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services setting out the revenue monitoring position for the period from 1 April to 31 January 2007 and the projected year end position.
Members were informed that there was a projected overspend of approximately £2.8m which had arisen as a result of storm damage during October 2006. However, storm damage aside, transactions up to 31 January were in line with management expectations. A letter had been sent to the Scottish Executive which provided up to date details of the storm damage costs and sought financial assistance.
It was emphasised to Members that there was a current underspend in the winter maintenance budget due to mild weather, however the winter period had not ended and the Service was predicting it would be fully utilised by the end of the financial year. The situation was being monitored and should the mild weather continue, the budget would be allocated for additional drainage and watercourse maintenance.
Members indicated that a financial system could be better managed if the end of the financial year was in the summer month’s, ensuring the budget was less affected by winter weather pressures. In response, it was explained that while it was difficult to predict weather patterns at the end of the financial year, the budget was monitored carefully to ensure funds were available if required for winter maintenance.
The Committee NOTED:-
i. the revenue monitoring position for the period to 31 January 2007 and the
attached schedules; and
ii. the anticipated overspend of £2.8m arising directly from storm damage
emergency works.
5. Performance Management: Statutory Performance Indicators &
Internal Performance Indicators
There had been circulated Report No TEC 23/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services providing details of Transport, Environmental and Community Services performance, as measured by Statutory Performance Indicators and Internal Performance Indicators, during the first three quarters of financial year 2006/07. The report indicated that there was nothing significant to report and performance results were in line with expectations.
The Committee NOTED the performance of Transport, Environmental and Community Services in relation to Service activities that are measured by Statutory Performance Indicators and Internal Performance Indicators.
6. Oracle Projects – Transfer of Responsibility to the Finance Service
There had been circulated Joint Report No TEC 24/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services and the Director of Finance, setting out proposals for the transfer of the overall responsibility for the Oracle Projects Job Costing System, including the systems administration, from TEC Services to the Finance Service. The report summarised the transfer process highlighting Oracle Projects was managed and administered by TEC Services, the Finance Services carried out the administration of all other financial systems. The transfer of the overall responsibility for Oracle Projects to the Finance Service ensured efficiencies through joint working and would provide a more flexible and robust level of support.
Members were informed that the transfer had staffing implications and consultation with the affected staff was taking place in accordance with Council policies. Trade Unions had expressed their concern on the proposals to Members, indicating they did not foresee any real savings in the transfer and that expert knowledge within the Council would be lost.
In response, it was indicated that there would be efficiencies, both financially and logistically if the Council’s financial packages were managed by the same Service. The proposals ensured there was a larger team of staff available to provide support, and staff would be trained as required.
The Committee NOTED:-
i. grades for the new posts would be subject to consultation with the Director
of Corporate Services, and approval by the Resources Committee;
ii. the method for filling new posts would be referred to the Resources
Committee;
iii. the correspondence giving the view of UNISON on the proposal; and
iv. consultation would continue to take place with affected staff and the
Trade Unions; and
AGREED:-
i. the overall responsibility for Oracle Projects, including the systems administration function, be transferred from TEC Services to the Finance Service;
ii. the overall responsibility for Oracle Projects was under the TECS Finance Manager;
iii. to delete the following posts within TEC Services:
- Project Accounting Manager;
- Business Support Officer ( Project Accounting);
- Systems Administrator ( Project Accounting );
iv. two posts of Systems Administrator be created within the Finance Service.
7. Replacement of Radio Network
There had been circulated Report No TEC 25/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members that the licence for the radio communications system currently operated within TEC Services was to terminate at the end of December 2007 and recommending that the current system be replaced with a combination of the O2 Airwave Radio System and cellular mobile phones.
Members were informed that options for mobile communications had been investigated, with the most advantageous option being to procure O2 Airwave. The coverage was the best of any network and enabled direct operational communication with the emergency services. Details of the financial profile were given which indicated savings in the long term.
It was highlighted to Members that there would be staffing implications for the Council, should the proposed option be procured. A review of the staffing structure would take place before the new system was introduced on 1 January 2008.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services be given
authority to sign the 7 year agreement with O2 Airwave on behalf of the
Council;
ii. the following posts be deleted with effect from 31 December 2007;
- Communications Manager
- Radio Technician (to remain vacant)
- Technician;
iii. a review of the staffing structure, required to be in place after 31
December 2007, be carried out to examine future responsibilities and pay
grades.
iv. consultation continue to take place with affected staff and the Trade
Unions.
8. Implementing the Water Environment and Water Services
(Scotland) Act 2003 Proposals for more efficient regulation –
further General Binding Rules Consultation
There had been circulated Report No TEC 26/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services informing Members of a Scottish Executive consultation document on additional rules relating to controlled activities under the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 in February 2007.
The report explained that following discussions at the TEC Committee on 17 August 2006 where concern was expressed on the impact of the Charging Scheme, details of real examples of charging had been sent to the Scottish Executive. The examples had highlighted that the scheme was affecting culvert works disproportionately as the resulting charges had been on average 40% of the cost of the works.
Members were informed that the additional rules indicated a reduction in the levels of regulation, which were likely to reduce the expected adverse impact of the scheme. The response to the consultation welcomed the document, but indicated that the overall impact of the proposals could not be predicted at this early stage.
The Committee HOMOLOGATED the response to the consultation.
9. HITRANS Regional Transport Strategy
There had been circulated Report No TEC 27/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members on the completion of the HITRANS Regional Transport strategy which was required to be submitted to the Minister of Transport by 31 March 2007. The comments submitted by the Council at its meeting on 8 February 2007, had been incorporated into the revised document, and a copy would be circulated to all Members when it was available.
Mr H Brindley, from HITRANS attended the meeting and confirmed to Members that all comments made by Members had been incorporated into the document. In response to questions, he explained that although the Dornoch rail link had not been incorporated directly into the strategy, but confirmed that the Caithness Transport Vision (which included the Dornoch link) was included as an appendix to the document.
The Committee NOTED that a copy of the revised document would be circulated to all Members of the Council when it was available and AGREED:-
i. to support the HITRANS Regional Transport Strategy; and
ii. a letter be sent in response to the correspondence from HITRANS
confirming support for the document.
10. Raasay Ferry Terminal
There had been circulated Report No TEC 28/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members of the tenders received for the Raasay Ferry Terminal project and made a recommendation for an Award of Contract.
The Scottish Executive had indicated that the project was eligible, in principle, for 75% Piers and Harbours grant and a formal application for this funding would now be submitted. It was a condition of the grant that the Council provided the balance of the funding. This would be met through the TEC Capital Programme, but would result in some projects currently within the programme being delayed to future years.
The Committee AGREED that:-
i. subject to formal receipt of grant from Scottish Executive, provision be made
in the TEC Capital Plan for the balance of funding towards the project;
ii. the Scottish Executive be informed accordingly; and
iii. the project be awarded to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd on the basis
of their tender amounting to £11.403m.
11. Introduction of Car Parking Charges
The Committee AGREED that car parking charges be applied from 1 April to 31 October each year in Kyle of Lochalsh and the same date be used for the existing application of summer car parking charges in Portree.
12. Portree Landfill Site
There had been circulated Report No TEC 29/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services seeking approval to cease landfilling operations at Portree Landfill Site, with effect from 1 April 2007, and to enter into a short term agreement for the transfer and disposal of waste from Skye and Lochalsh.
Members questioned the suitability of the waste from Skye being used in an energy from waste plant. However, it was explained that while small capacity plants were available, the Scottish Executive had recently rejected the Council’s bid to expand the kerbside collection and recycling schemes and therefore funding for an energy from waste plant for Skye was not likely to be forthcoming.
The Committee NOTED the current position regarding the Council’s bid to the Strategic Waste Fund to expand its waste collection and recycling schemes; and AGREED:
i. landfilling operations at Portree Landfill Site cease with effect from 1 April
2007;
ii. the Council enter into an arrangement for 2007/2008 to transport and
dispose of waste from Skye and Lochalsh;
iii. the transportation and disposal of waste from Skye and Lochalsh be
incorporated in the new contract for the disposal of waste (covering the
Inner Moray Firth, Lochaber and Skye and Lochalsh) which would be
effective from 1 April 2008; and
iv. to continue to press the Scottish Executive for the funds to expand the
waste recycling and kerbside collection schemes within Highland.
13. Food Safety Service Plan 2007-2008
There had been circulated Report No TEC 30/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services asking Members to approve the Food Safety Service Plan for 2007/08. The report detailed that a documented performance review of the plan was required to be undertaken at least once a year, with both the document and the review being submitted for Member approval.
The Committee APPROVED the Food Safety Service Plan for 2007/08 as appended to the report.
14. Official Controls (Animal, Feed and Food) Regulations – Consultations
There had been circulated Report No TEC 31/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members on the Scottish Executive’s Consultation on the Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food) Regulations. The report detailed that although many of the requirements of the proposed regulation were already undertaken by the Environmental Health Service.The response indicated that there was a need for discussion between local authorities and the Scottish Executive on how to implement the new requirements.
The Committee HOMOLOGATED the response to the consultation.
15. Consultation on Strengthening the Enforcement of Environmental
Law in Scotland
There had been circulated Report No TEC 32/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members of the Scottish Executive’s Consultation on Strengthening the Enforcement of Environmental Law. The consultation detailed proposals to reduce environmental crime, and proposed a number of measures to render enforcement systems more flexible, responsive, effective and transparent.
The Committee HOMOLOGATED the response to the consultation.
16. Consultation on Assessing Risks from Land Contamination Soil
Guideline Values: The Way Forward
There had been circulated Report No TEC 33/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members of the Department of Environmental Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)/Scottish Executive consultation on assessing risks from land contamination.
The Committee HOMOLOGATED the response to the consultation.
17. Consultation of the Licensing of Animal Dealers (Scotland)
Regulations 2006
There had been circulated Report No TEC 34/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members of the Scottish Executive’s Consultation on the Licensing of Animal Dealers (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The Regulations on animal dealers aimed to improve the conditions under which young cats and dogs were transported and sold and to improve their welfare.
The Committee HOMOLOGATED the response to the consultation.
18. Review Of Miscellaneous Licence Fees (Excluding Taxi’s) Etc
There had been circulated Report No TEC 35/07 by the Director of Corporate Services inviting Members to consider the recommendations agreed by the Civic Government Licensing Working Group at its meeting held on 2 March 2007 in relation to the review of fees and charges levied by the Council in connection with Licences issued under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (excluding Taxi and Private Hire Care etc licences).
Members were informed that there had been no increase to these fees since 1998, and the Council had to recover the costs of operating the licensing system. The licence fees should be reviewed on a regular basis. Details of the increased fees were given and it was highlighted to Members that the licences were for three years and that the new fees would be introduced from 1 April 2007. Thereafter, the licence fees detailed in the report would be increased annually from 1 April each year in line with inflation.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. to increase fees for the following categories of licences by £50 per three
year licence:
- Boat Hire;
- Late Hours catering;
- Street Trader;
- Indoor Public Entertainment (with the exception of village halls) ;
- Second Hand Dealer;
- Second Hand Vehicle Dealer;
- Window Cleaner;
- Metal Dealer;
- Itinerant Metal Dealer;
- Market Operator;
- Indoor Sports;
- Skin piercing and tattooing;
ii. to state clearly the difference between an application for a commercial and
community purpose and indicate to applicants an indoor public
entertainment licence was not required when the public were not paying
to attend the event;
iii. the fee for Indoor Public Entertainment Licence for a community running a
village hall facility be £25 per three years;
iv. the introduction of a £50 fee for each additional premises detailed on the
application form in respect of second hand dealers and second hand vehicle
dealers licences;
v. to set the fee for sex shop licenses at £450;
vi. the proposals as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report, in relation to a sliding
scale of fees for commercial public entertainment events;
vii. to increase the fees for non commercial public entertainment events by
£50 per three year licence;
viii. to retain the current level of fee for temporary licences at 50% (excluding
temporary public entertainment applications in respect of commercial
events);
ix. the introduction of a £50 fee for the variation of a licence (excluding public
entertainment commercial events);
x. maintain the current fee of £10 for a copy of licence or replacement
identification badge;
xi. to increase fees by £60 for up to 10 occupants and £80 for 11 occupants
and over, in relation to fees for the licensing of Houses in Multiple
Occupation (HMO);
xii. the retention of the fee of £100 for change in circumstances detailed in
5.10 of the report in relation to licence’s for HMOs;
xiii. that the increase be introduced from 1 April 2007 and that fees be
increased annually on the 1 April, by the rate of inflation.
19. Minutes
The Committee NOTED or APPROVED, as appropriate, the minutes of the:
i. Highland Home Safety Liaison Group of 13 February 2007;
ii. Waste Strategy Sub Committee of 20 February 2007;
iii. Community Works Working Group of 21 February 2007;
iv. Community Projects Working Group of 21 February 2007; and
v. Civic Government Licensing WOrking Group of 2 March 2007, subject to Mr
B Murphy’s name being removed from the sederunt.
20. Exclusion of the Public
The Committee RESOLVED that under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
21. Contract for the Supply and Maintenance of Grounds Maintenance
Equipment
There had been circulated Report No TEC 36/07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members that the company responsible for the supply and maintenance of grounds maintenance equipment had been placed in ‘Administration’.
The Committee AGREED the recommendations as detailed on the report to ensure continuity of the provision of the grounds maintenance Service.
Valedictory
In closing the meeting the Chairman thanked the Members of the Committee for working with him to ensure the success and progress made over the previous four years. He conveyed the Committee’s appreciation to the TEC Services management team and staff, who had been approachable and reliable and had worked well through some difficult times. During the current term of the Council they had been unfortunate to loose both a good Depute Chairman and Director, both of whom had contributed greatly to the success of the Committee.
In response, the Director of TEC Services, conveyed the thanks of the Officers to the Committee for all they had achieved during this term of the Council.
The Committee expressed their appreciation to the Chairman for running a successful Committee, highlighting that the Chairman had listened to fellow Members and been available for consultation when required.
The meeting closed at 12:40pm.