Minutes of Meeting of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 24 January 2008 at 10.30 am.
Present:
Mr J Laing, Mr R Pedersen, Mr G Farlow, Mr R Rowantree, Mr J Rosie, Mr D Bremner, Mr R Coghill, Mr J McGillivray, Mr W J Ross, Mr R Greene, Ms M Smith, Mrs A MacLean, Mr A Henderson, Mr P Corbett, Mr N Donald, Mr D Henderson, Mr F Parr, Mr I Brown, Mr B J Murphy
Non-Members also present:
Mr D Mackay, Mr G M Smith, Mrs I Campbell, Mr R Durham, Dr D Alston, Mr B Barclay, Mr A M Millar, Mr W Clark
In attendance:
Mr N Gillies, Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services
Ms T Snow, Head of Business Support
Mr A Thomson, Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Mr R Guest, Head of Roads and Community Works
Dr C Clark, Head of Waste Management
Mr M Mitchell, Finance Manager
Mr C Kemp, Integrated Transport Manager
Miss Gillian Bain, Senior Animal Health Officer
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss M Murray, Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office
Mr J Laing in the Chair
Business
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to Committee.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr A Graham and Mr F D S Black.
2. Good News
The Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services reported as follows:-
- The Council had been successful at the Loo of the Year Awards 2007, having been presented with eight “5 star” awards, eight “4 star” awards and 35 “3 star” awards. Both the Council and Vacman, the contractor for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber area, had been presented with Standards of Excellence Awards which were presented to any local authority or organisation with ten or more entries and five or more “5 star” awards and who, in the opinion of the Inspectors, were maintaining a consistently high standard of management in all their Loo of the Year Award entries.
- The Viewfirth Public Toilets in Fort William were nearing completion and would be opened in the near future, replacing an old building which was in very poor condition.
- The Chairman had recently opened the new A836 Melvich to Strathy Road, a stretch of road 3.5 km in length which completed the improvements to the old north road.
The Committee NOTED the good news items and AGREED that congratulations be conveyed to all staff involved in the Loo of the Awards, and to Vacman.
3. Revenue Budget Monitoring – 1 April to 31 December 2007
There was circulated Report No TEC-01-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services setting out the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April to 31 December 2007 and the projected year end position. Based on the financial performance to date, it was predicted that the budget as a whole would be underspent by £0.014m at the end of the financial year.
The Committee NOTED the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April to 31 December 2007.
4. Capital Expenditure Monitoring – 1 April to 31 December 2007
There was circulated Report No TEC-02-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services summarising the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April to 31 December 2007 and the projected year end position. The projected outturns for expenditure and income were £16.566m and £3.212m respectively leading to a balanced Capital Programme for 2007/08.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April to
31 December 2007; and
ii. AGREED that:-
a) an update on the Camore Football Pitch project be provided to Mr J
McGillivray; and
b) an update on the restoration works required to the former landfill site at
Ardachu be provided to Mr W J Ross.
5. Update On Outstanding Works Following Storm Damage In October
2006
There was circulated Report No TEC-03-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members on the repair works which were still outstanding following the extreme flooding event in October 2006 and making recommendations for completing the works.
Members commended the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services and his staff for their efforts in progressing the replacement of the Thurso Cemetery Footbridge and for the replacement of the Quebec Bridge, Glen Aldie, Tain, which had re-opened recently.
In response to questions, Members were advised that the Scottish Government had responded to the Council’s request for further financial assistance indicating that support of £4m had been provided and that the Minister would consider further support in light of the contribution made to the costs by the Council. The outstanding works would therefore be funded by a combination of slippage in the Council’s capital programme for 2007/08, the review of the Council’s five year capital programme, including flexibility from mainstreamed capital grants, and the Transport, Environmental and Community Services revenue maintenance budget.
The Committee:-
i. APPROVED the outstanding repair works as detailed in the report; and
ii. AGREED that an update on the outstanding works on the Scotsburn Road
at Lamington be provided to the Ward Manager for Tain and Easter Ross for
the Ward Business Meeting.
6. Corran Ferry – Nether Lochaber Slipway – Urgent Remedial Works
There was circulated Report No TEC-04-08 by the Director of Transport, Environment and Community Services which sought approval to carry out emergency works on the Nether Lochaber slipway at Corran ferry. The report advised that a combination of age of structure, strong currents and the effects of the more powerful propulsion unit of the new ferry were having a detrimental effect on the condition of the slipway and urgent remedial works were required to allow continued operation of the vehicular ferry which provided essential vehicular access to Ardgour and the Ardnamurchan peninsula.
Members commented that the Corran Ferry was extremely significant to the local people and the local economy and commended the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services for the report. It was stressed that the local community and Community Councils should be kept informed of the way in which the remedial works would be taken forward.
The Committee:-
i. APPROVED the allocation of £650,000 towards the urgent remedial works
at the Nether Lochaber slipway during early summer 2008 to allow the
continued future operation of the Corran Ferry; and
ii. AGREED that discussions take place with the local community and
Community Councils to inform them of the way in which the works to the
Nether Lochaber slipway would be taken forward.
7. Inverness old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey Car Park
Refurbishment
There was circulated Report No TEC-05-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services seeking approval to award the contract to complete the refurbishment of the Inverness Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey Car Park.
The Committee:-
i. APPROVED an award of tender to McGregor Contractors Ltd to allow the
refurbishment of the Inverness Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey Car Park,
with works to be completed over the Spring/Summer of 2008;
ii. NOTED that consultations would take place with affected staff and the
Trade Unions; and
iii. AGREED that information on charges for reserved spaces in the Cathedral
car park be provided to Mr N Donald.
8. Additional Revenue Funding for Community Works
There was circulated Report No TEC-06-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services supporting the Administration’s commitment to give high priority to community works, ensuring communities were well looked after by increasing the budget for ground maintenance, litter picking and street cleaning by an additional £1m in 2008/09 and setting out proposals for improving the quality of community works through a combination of education, enforcement and employing additional staff.
The Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services responded to a number of questions as to how the additional funding would be utilised.
In discussion, many Members expressed support for the proposals which would address the current unacceptable standards of street cleaning and ground maintenance, issues which were consistently raised by constituents throughout the Highlands.
Conversely, some Members, while supportive of improvements to community works, considered that it was premature to consider the proposals before the budget was published and that committing the funding would reduce flexibility in addressing other issues.
It was highlighted that the report had been submitted at this stage to allow the proposals, if approved, to be implemented for the start of the new financial year and that if the budget was not approved, the proposals would fall.
Mr J Laing, seconded by Mr R Pederson, MOVED the recommendations contained within the report as follows:-
Subject to the Council approving an additional £1m for ground maintenance, litter picking and street cleaning, the Committee agree to increase:-
i. the level of education and enforcement in littering and dog fouling by
employing three additional litter and dog fouling Enforcement Officers;
ii. the standards of litter picking and street cleaning by employing 17 additional
street cleansing staff; and
iii. the standards of ground maintenance by employing a mixture of additional
seasonal employees and contractors to supplement the in-house provision.
Mr W J Ross, seconded by Mr R Rowantree, moved as an AMENDMENT that the proposals for the additional revenue funding be deferred until the full Council budget was considered and agreed.
On a vote being taken, the MOTION received 15 votes and the AMENDMENT received 4 votes. The MOTION was therefore carried, the votes having been cast as follows:-
For the Motion:-
Mr G Farlow, Mr J Rosie, Mr D Bremner, Mr R Coghill, Mr J McGillivray, Mr R Greene, Ms M Smith, Mr J Laing, Mr A Henderson,
Mr P Corbett, Mr N Donald, Mr F Parr, Mr I Brown, Mr R Pedersen, Mr B J Murphy
For the Amendment:-
Mr R Rowantree, Mr W J Ross, Mrs A MacLean, Mr D Henderson
9. Inverness to London Air Services
There was circulated Report No TEC-07-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services supporting the Administration’s commitment to “safeguard Inverness to Gatwick and Inverness to Heathrow flights” and which invited Members to ask the Secretary of State for Transport to examine carefully how it could protect air services from the remote and peripheral Highlands to the world air service hubs at Heathrow and Gatwick following the announcement by BMI that air services between Inverness and Heathrow were to be withdrawn from 29 March this year.
Members highlighted that there was a proposal to extend the terminal facilities at Inverness Airport which was being hindered due to a lack of funding and it was suggested that the Chairman write to the Scottish Government in support of the proposal.
The Committee AGREED that:-
i. the Secretary of State for Transport be advised of the Council’s concerns at
the lack of a transport strategy to protect strategic air services to remote
and peripheral areas of the UK such as the Highlands;
ii. the Secretary of State for Transport be asked to examine carefully a means
of safeguarding links, which recognised the significance of Heathrow and
Gatwick to the Highlands;
iii. a response be made by 27 February 2008 to the current Department for
Transport consultation along the lines that additional runway capacity at
Heathrow be used to give access to regional air services to peripheral areas
like the Highlands; and
vi. the Chairman write to the Scottish Government in support of further
investment to extend and upgrade facilities at Inverness Airport in light of
significant anticipated increases in passenger numbers.
10. Local Transport Strategy
There was circulated Report No TEC-08-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which introduced a presentation by Halcrow (Consultant Engineers) who were working with the Council to develop the Local Transport Strategy in support of the Administration’s commitment to improve transport and connectivity.
Due to a family bereavement, the Halcrow representative was unable to attend the meeting and Mr C Kemp, Integrated Transport Manager, gave the presentation.
Mr Kemp advised that preparation of the draft Local Transport Strategy was underway and the intention was to carry out consultation through Ward Forums in Spring 2008. Stakeholder groups would be consulted as issues arose. The Strategy would be linked to the National and Regional Transport Strategies and would set the framework for transport and policy decisions for the next three years. He summarised the various sections of the document, which included progress on the targets set in the 2000 Local Transport Strategy, problems/issues and core objectives. It was stressed that the most important part of the exercise was consultation and comments were invited from Members as to how the Strategy should develop.
In discussion, the following comments were made:-
- the commitment to consulting with local communities was welcomed;
- there was much public expectation with regard to locally significant roads and it was hoped that the Strategy would lead to improvements;
- the importance of social inclusion was stressed;
- access to fuel was an issue and there was an aspiration to have a network of filling stations linked to sustainable communities;
- improved transport links would encourage young people and families to remain in the Highlands and that should be reflected in the Strategy;
- the re-opening of Conon Bridge Railway Station was one of the targets in the 2000 Local Transport Strategy and it would be helpful to have information on how many of the targets had been achieved.
Arising from discussions, Members referred to the recent closure of the Kessock Bridge for a fireworks display and information was requested on the protocol for closing trunk roads in general.
The increasing number of accidents due to lack of gritting on trunk roads, particularly the A87 at Glenmoriston, was also raised and it was stressed that the matter should be taken up with Transerve, the trunk road contractor employed by the Scottish Government.
The Committee:-
i. APPROVED the proposed content of the draft Local Transport Strategy for
consultation through Ward Forums in Spring 2008; and
ii. AGREED that:-
a) a report on the protocol for closing trunk roads be submitted to a future
meeting of the Committee;
b) the unsatisfactory level of gritting on trunk roads, in particular the A87, be
taken up with Transerve; and
c) an update on progress regarding Conon Bridge Railway Station be provided
to Mrs A MacLean.
11. Award of Contracts for Bus Services
There was circulated Report No TEC-09-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which supported the Administration’s commitment to support the bus network and invited Members to approve the award of two new bus contracts and the expansion of the Bettyhill/Armadale “dial a bus” service.
Members suggested that consideration of the enhanced contract for the Bettyhill/Armadale subsidised taxi be deferred to allow consultation with the local community.
With regard to the Grantown to Ballater bus service, Members advised that the large bus which was occasionally used was rarely full and suggested that a minibus was more suitable in terms of demand and the nature of the route.
The Chairman advised that the Cairngorms National Park Authority had confirmed that it would make a contribution to the increased costs of the Grantown to Ballater bus service.
The Committee:-
i. APPROVED:-
a) an award of contract for the Fort William Medical Centre bus service; and
b) an award of contract for the Grantown to Ballater bus service, including a
proposal that a suitable small bus be used as requested by the local Member;
and
ii. AGREED to defer consideration of the enhanced contract for the
Bettyhill/Armadale subsidised taxi to a future meeting of the Committee to
allow consultation with the local community.
12. Award of Contracts for Ferry Services
There was circulated Report No TEC-10-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which sought approval to award new contracts for the Mallaig to Inverie to Tarbert (passenger) ferry service and the Cromarty to Nigg (passenger and car) ferry service.
With regard to the Cromarty to Nigg ferry service, in view of the fact that the private sector contribution had not been confirmed, Members suggested that it would be prudent to delegate to the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, in consultation with the Chairman and the local Members, to award the contract.
The Committee:-
i. APPROVED the award of Option 1 (existing service) for the Mallaig to
Inverie to Tarbert ferry service; and
ii. AGREED to delegate to the Director of Transport, Environmental and
Community Services, in consultation with the Chairman and the local
Members, to award the Cromarty to Nigg ferry service contract subject to
the private sector contribution being confirmed.
13. Refuse Collection and Waste Disposal Charges for Commercial and
Industrial Waste
There was circulated Report No TEC-11-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which sought approval to increase refuse collection and waste disposal charges for commercial and industrial waste from 1 April 2008.
The Committee APPROVED the following with effect from 1 April 2008:-
i. increased charges for commercial and industrial waste as detailed in the
report;
ii. retention of the current cardboard collection charges.
14. Performance Indicators
There was circulated Report No TEC-12-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services providing details of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services performance, as measured by Statutory Performance Indicators, for the first two quarters of financial year 2007/08.
Members commented that it would be helpful if the previous years figures were included in the report to make evident whether performance was improving. Concern was expressed that a number of activities were measured annually therefore no information would be available to Members until the end of the year. It was felt that quarterly figures would allow issues to be highlighted and addressed more quickly. Interim figures were requested on street lighting in particular.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the performance of Transport, Environmental and Community
Services in relation to Service activities that were measured by Statutory
Performance Indicators and Internal Performance Indicators; and
ii. AGREED:-
a) that the previous years figures be included in future reports for comparison
purposes;
b) to provide interim figures on the percentage of street light repairs
completed with seven days to Mrs A MacLean; and
c) to advise Mrs A MacLean on the outcome of an inspection of the Muir of
Ord Bridge.
15. Consultation – The Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees
and Amounts) Regulations 2008
There was circulated Report No TEC-13-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members of the Consultation in relation to the Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees and Amounts) Regulations 2008 which closed on 28 December 2007.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the report; and
ii. AGREED to homologate the Council’s response to the Consultation in
relation to The Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees and
Amounts) Regulations 2008.
16. Consultation on the Public Health Etc. (Scotland) Bill
There was circulated Report No TEC-14-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services advising Members of the Consultation on Public Health Etc (Scotland) Bill which closed on 18 January 2008.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the report; and
ii. AGREED to homologate the Council’s response to the Consultation on the
Public Health Etc (Scotland) Bill.
17. Reviewing Scotland’s Response to Foot and Mouth Disease
Outbreaks in Surrey
There was circulated Report No TEC-15-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members on the Scottish Government’s request for comments on Scotland’s response to foot and mouth disease outbreaks in Surrey. The Consultation closed on 17 December 2007.
Members raised the possibility of procedures being put into place whereby those involved in the transportation of livestock, such as hauliers and cattle markets, would be notified immediately an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease occurred in order to minimise the risk of the disease spreading.
The Chairman confirmed that he would add the suggestion to a list of matters to be discussed with the Minister at a meeting to be held in due course.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the report; and
ii. AGREED to homologate the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s review of Scotland’s response to the recent Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks in Surrey.
18. Consultation – Proposed Amendments to the Sheep and Goat
Identification and Tracing Regulations
There was circulated Report No TEC-16-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members of the Scottish Government’s Rural Directorate’s proposals to introduce double-tagging of sheep and goats and other changes to record keeping and documentation requirements. The Consultation closed on 4 December 2007.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the report; and
ii. AGREED to homologate the Council’s response to the Scottish
Government’s Rural Directorate’s proposals to amend the Sheep and Goat
Identification and Tracing Regulations.
19. Consultation on the Draft Equine Welfare Code of Practice
There was circulated Report No TEC-17-08 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members of the Scottish Government’s Rural Directorate proposals to make, under the Animal health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, a code of practice relating to Equine Welfare. The Consultation closed on 11 January 2008.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the report; and
ii. AGREED to homologate the Council’s response to the Scottish
Government’s Rural Directorate proposals to issue an Equine Welfare code
of practice.
20. Minutes
The Chairman highlighted that the Tanker Traffic in the Minch Working Party, at its meeting on 6 November 2007, had agreed to recommend that the Working Party be renamed the Shipping Traffic in the Minch Working Party.
The Committee NOTED or APPROVED, as appropriate, the Minutes of the:-
i. HITRANS of 5 October 2007;
ii. Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Licensing Committee of 30
October 2007;
iii. Tanker Traffic in the Minch Working Party of 6 November 2007;
iv. Resource Monitoring Working Group of 15 November 2007;
v. Civic Government Licensing Working Group of 6 December 2007; and
vi. Highland Home Safety Liaison Group of 11 December 2007 .
The meeting ended at 12.50 pm.