A meeting of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 16 August 2007 at 10.30 am.
You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.
Yours faithfully
Alistair Dodds
Chief Executive
Declarations of Interest – 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.
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Recess Powers
The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 28 June 2007 were exercised in relation to the business of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee as follows:-
The following funding was allocated from the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Programme in support of the Administration’s commitment to accelerate the focus on safe school transport for all pupils, encouraging more health and environmental options such as “walk to school” pathways, safety support and safe cycle tracks. This is fully funded by The Scottish Executive:-
Hilton Primary School £ 6,584
Newtonmore Primary School £15,000
Gairloch High School £30,000
Inver Primary School £11,174
Cauldeen Primary School £ 8,100
Grantown Primary School £30,000
Lady Lovat Primary School £30,000
Smithton Primary School £25,000
Teanassie Primary School £ 1,750
Deshar Primary School £ 5,400
3. Scheme of Delegation
There is circulated for Members’ information and reference an extract of the Scheme of Delegation and Administration showing the functions delegated to the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee.
4. Establishment of Working Groups and Boards
There is circulated Report No TEC-37-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Service which advises that the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee is entitled to establish Working Groups or Boards to assist in carrying out its functions as covered by the Scheme of Delegation. The report makes recommendations in relation to the number and remit of Working Groups and Boards.
The Committee is invited to agree that:-
i. the following Working Groups/Boards be established:-
· Resource Monitoring Working Group
· Civic Government Licensing Working Group
· Fishery Harbours Management Board
with the membership based on the formula set out in section 4 of the report. The proposed membership of each Working Group/Board will be tabled on the day of the Committee.
ii. the Highland Council participate in the Tanker Traffic in the Minch
Working Party which is held jointly with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar with
the membership based on the formula set out in Section 4 of the
report. The proposed membership will be tabled on the day of the
Committee.
iii. the Chair and Vice-Chair be appointed to represent the Council on the
Home Safety Liaison Committee, a Special Meeting be called to consider
its future and, if there is agreement from other Members, the
Committee be wound up in terms of its constitution, on the basis that its
functions will be included in the new community safety partnership
arrangements.
5. Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies
i. Scottish Accident Prevention Council
The Scottish Accident Prevention Council (SAPC) was established in 1931 to provide co-ordination to local accident prevention issues as well as shaping and influencing national strategies and processes.
At the SAPC AGM on 3 October 2007, the principal Committees of the Council will be dissolved and reformed and nominations are sought from those who wish to serve on the following Committees for the next four years, until the AGM following the next local government elections:-
· Home Safety Committee
· Road Safety Committee
· Water and Leisure Safety Committee
The Administration will move one Member to be nominated to represent the Council on each of the following Committees:-
a) Home Safety Committee;
b) Road Safety Committee; and
c) Water and Leisure Safety Committee.
ii. HITRANS Tier 1 Ferry Users Consultation Groups
The Scottish Executive’s Ferry Users Consultation Group which previously represented the interests of the ferry users has been disbanded and a new three-tier system has been set up to cover issues at all levels from local through to national.
The three levels of Consultation Groups are Tier 0 which covers local issues, Tier 1 which covers regional groups and Tier 2 which covers national issues.
The Scottish Executive has asked HITRANS to set up the Tier 1 Ferry Users Consultation Groups.
The Administration will move the following appointments to the Tier 1 Ferry Users Consultation Groups:-
a) One Member to the Argyll Group which covers services operated in
Oban, Colonsay, Iona, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra, South Uist and
Ardnamurchan;
b) Three Members to the Lochaber and Skye Group which covers the
Small Isles, Mallaig, Armadale, Raasay, Kilchoan and Lochaline; and
c) One Member to the Hebrides Group which covers Barra, North and
South Uist, Harris, Lewis and links to Skye.
iii. The Highland Area Waste Group
The Highland Area Waste Group was formed in 2000 and includes SEPA, the Council, SNH, the voluntary sector and businesses. The Highland Area Waste Plan was published in 2003 with the key aim of contributing to the sustainable development of the Highland area by developing waste management systems that will control waste generation, reduce the environmental impacts of waste production, improve resource efficiency, stimulate investment and maximise the economic opportunities arising from waste.
The Highland Area Waste Group currently meets on two occasions per year to review progress of the Highland Area Waste Plan.
The Administration will move the appointment of four Members to represent the Council on the Highland Area Waste Group.
6. Revenue Budget Outturn 2006/07
There is circulated Report No TEC-38-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which informs Members of the Service outturn for the year ended 31 March 2007. The report highlights that the outturn shows an overspend of £0.008m out of a net budget of £54.072m. Details of the Service’s activities are shown in the monitoring statements appended to the report.
The Committee is invited to note the report and attached monitoring statements which show the revenue position for the year ended 31 March 2007.
7. Revenue Budget Monitoring – 1 April to 30 June 2007
There is circulated Report No TEC-39-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which sets out the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 June 2007 and the projected year end position.
The Committee is invited to note the report and the attached monitoring statements which show the revenue position for the period to 30 June 2007.
8. Capital Programme Outturn 2006/07
There is circulated Report No TEC-40-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services setting out the final capital expenditure position for the financial year 2006/07.
The Committee is invited to note the final capital expenditure position for the year ended 31 March 2007.
9. Capital Expenditure Monitoring – 1 April to 30 June 2007
There is circulated Report No TEC-41-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which summarises the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 June 2007 and the projected year end position.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the capital expenditure monitoring position; and
ii. note the delay in the start of the Raasay Ferry Terminal and the
Restoration of Portree Landfill Site and approve the proposal to bring
forward the start of the final phase of the Broadford to Armadale road
improvement to avoid an underspend in 2007/08.
10. Storm Damage 2006 – Update
There is circulated Report No TEC-42-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which updates Members on progress in dealing with the damage to flood defences and the road infrastructure following the extreme flooding event in October 2006, and seeks approval to make a further request for financial assistance to the Scottish Executive to complete the outstanding works.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note that £5.092m of expenditure has been incurred or legally
committed by 31 July 2007;
ii. agree that the Council submit a further request for financial assistance
to The Scottish Executive for £1,668,366 to fully fund the works which
have been committed and to complete the outstanding works, including
repairs to community assets; and
iii. note that areas of minor damage to the road infrastructure will be dealt
with through routine maintenance works.
11. Revision to Staffing Structure
Following the implementation of the changes to the management structure which were approved by the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee on 16 November 2006, there is circulated Report No TEC-43-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which sets out proposals for the operational staffing structures in relation to Environmental Health, Waste Management, Roads and Community Works and Street Lighting.
The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations as set out in paragraph 12 of the report.
12. Waste Management Strategy
There is circulated Report No TEC-44-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which sets out proposals for developing the Council’s Waste Management Strategy and supports the Administration’s commitment to work to meet the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme targets to limit the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill by 2009/2010.
The Committee is invited to agree to:-
i. take the following actions to avoid penalties under the Landfill Allowance
trading Scheme:-
· Continue to develop the Strategic Outline Case for waste
management with Moray Council
· Develop a waste management strategy for the West Zone,
including the option for small Energy from Waste Plant(s); and
ii. extend the current contractual arrangements for the disposal of waste
with Stoneyhill Waste Management, Locheil Logistics, and Oran by one
year to March 2009, subject to a satisfactory outcome of negotiations
on price with each company.
13. Community Sector Waste Group Review of 2006/07 and Way
Forward
There is circulated Report No TEC-45-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which reviews the performance of the Community Sector Waste Groups in receipt of Strategic Waste Funds (SWF) in 2006/07 and seeks approval to submit further applications to The Scottish Executive to enable the sector to deliver services on behalf of the Council beyond 2008.
The Committee is invited to review the progress made by the Council’s social enterprise partners to date and to approve a submission of continuation bids from current providers and new bids, to The Scottish Executive for funding through the Strategic Waste Fund.
14. Inverness Trunk Link Road – Timetable for Design and
Construction
There is circulated Report No TEC-46-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services and the Director of Planning and Development which advises Members of the timetable for the design and construction of the Inverness Trunk Link Road and supports the Administration’s commitment to work with the Scottish Government and HITRANS to secure funding for the Inverness Trunk Link Road, linking the A96 at Smithton to the A9 at Inshes through to the A82 at Torvean, with a target completion of the whole project by 2015.
The Committee is invited to note the timetable for the design and construction of the Trunk Link Road.
15. HITRANS and European Funding – Locally Significant Roads
There is circulated Report No TEC-47-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advises Members of potential funding which may be available through HITRANS and through the new European Programme and makes recommendations for particular projects to be developed and taken forward for construction in 2008/09.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. agree that projects be worked up on the following routes in order that
they are ready for submission to the European fund by September of
this year, subject to these projects not requiring any statutory approvals
and the availability of immediate land entry.
· B8007 – Salen to Kilchoan
· A896 – Kinlochewe to Lochcarron
· A855 – Portree to Staffin; and
ii. agree that powers be delegated to the Director of Transport,
Environmental and Community Services in consultation with the Chairman
of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, to determine the
detail and extent of the above projects which will be subject to the
availability of funding from external sources.
16. Local Transport Strategy
There is circulated Report No TEC-48-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services outlining the process and indicating timescales for consultation and production of the Council’s Local Transport Strategy.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the proposed timescales for the production of the Council’s Local
Transport Strategy; and
ii. approve the proposed consultation arrangements for the Local Transport
Strategy as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.
17. Road Traffic Order Procedure
There is circulated Report No TEC-49-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which sets out proposals for a revised Road Traffic Order Procedure and recommends that for routine Road Traffic Orders, where there are no objections, powers to make permanent Road Traffic Orders are delegated to officials. Where objections are received, or in the case of speed limits where the proposals do not comply with the Council’s policy, the powers to make the permanent Road Traffic Order are reserved to the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee.
The Committee is invited to recommend to the Council the approval of the Highland Council Traffic Order Procedure 2007 as set out in Appendix A to the report.
18. Asset Management
There is circulated Report No TEC-50-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advises Members of the proposal by the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) to work with all 32 Scottish Local Authorities to develop an asset management system for the road and bridge intrastructure.
The Committee is invited to agree:-
i. to support the proposal by the Society of Chief Officers of
Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) to work with all 32 Scottish Local
Authorities to develop an asset management system for the road and
bridge infrastructure;
ii. to the appointment of Glasgow City Council as Lead Authority; and
iii. the funding of £15,000 (maximum) for 2007/08, with funding for future
years agreed between participating authorities.
19. Sewers for Scotland and SUDS – A Consultation
There is circulated Report No TEC-51-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which provides details of responses submitted as a result of a) the consultation by Scottish Water on the Sewers for Scotland 2 technical manual; and b) the consultation by The Scottish Executive on Water, Sewerage and Drainage Infrastructure: Construction Standards and Vesting Conditions.
The Committee is invited to homologate the responses made to both of the above consultation documents.
20. Appointment of Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures
The Highland Council is designated as a local weights and measures authority for the purposes of the Weights and Measures Act 1985. Section 72 of the Act requires the local authority to appoint a Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures and a Deputy Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures. Both are required to hold a statutory certificate of qualification issued under Section 73 of the Act.
The Committee is invited to recommend to the Council that the following statutory appointments be made:-
i. Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures: Robert Jones, Principal
Trading Standards Officer
ii. Deputy Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures: Gordon Robb, Principal
Trading Standards Officer
21. Outcome of the Peer Review of Highland Council’s Trading
Standards Unit
There is circulated Report No TEC-52-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which advises Members of the outcome of the Peer Review process undertaken in relation to the Council’s Trading Standards Unit and seeks the Committee’s approval of the Improvement Plan.
The Committee is invited to note the contents of the Peer Review Team’s report and approve the Improvement Plan.
22. The Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and The
Private Water Supplies (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2006
There is circulated Report No TEC-53-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which seeks the Committee’s agreement of a procedure for the award of enhanced grants to eligible persons to improve a private water supply.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. approve the procedure for dealing with applications for Enhanced Private
Water Supply Grants as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and
ii. agree that applications for Enhanced Private Water Supply Grants are
dealt with by the Resource Monitoring Working Group.
23. Review of Food Service Plan for 2006/07 and Food Service Plan
Targets for 2007/08
There is circulated Report No TEC-54-07 Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which contains the review of the 2006/07 Food Safety Service Plan and sets targets for 2007/08.
The Committee is invited to note the review of the 2006/07 Food Safety Service Plan and approve the specific targets set for 2007/08.
24. Communicable Diseases Procedure
There is circulated Report No TEC-55-07 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which updates the Committee on procedures for dealing with foodborne, waterborne or other communicable disease incidents requiring the co-ordination of the Council’s resources outwith Environmental Health.
The Committee is invited to approve the Communicable Disease Incident Response Procedure.
25. Minutes
There are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate Minutes of the:-
i. HITRANS of 22 June 2007