Committees

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 2012 at 10.30 am.

 

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

 

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive

 

Business

 

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

 

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

 

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

 

3. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

 

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 28 June 2012 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee.

 

4. Air Ambulance Re-procurement
Ath-sholar Charbadan-eiridinn Adhair
 

 

Ms Pauline Hennessy, Project Support Officer (NHS National Services Scotland) will provide a presentation on the re-procurement of its Air Ambulance Service.

 

5. Establishment of Working Groups, Boards and Outside Bodies
Stèidheachadh Buidhnean-obrach, Bùird agus Buidhnean air an Taobh A-muigh

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-34-12 (44kb pdf) dated 7 August 2012 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:-

 

a) the following Working Groups/Boards be established:-

 

• Civic Government Licensing Working Group – 9 Members
• Fishery Harbours Management Board – 9 Members

 

The proposed membership of each Working Group/Board will be tabled on the day of the Committee. 

 

For information, the dates of the first meetings of the Civic Government Licensing Working Group and the Fishery Harbours Management Board are 3 September (afternoon) and 4 September 2012 respectively.

 

b)  HITRANS Tier 1 Ferry Users Consultation Groups
Buidhnean Co-chomhairleachaidh Luchd-cleachdaidh Aiseagan Ìre 1    HITRANS

 

The interests of ferry users were previously represented by the Scottish Executive’s Ferry Users Consultation Group.  However, this was disbanded and a three-tier system was 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 Government has asked HITRANS to set up the Tier 1 Ferry Users Consultation Groups.

 

The proposed membership of each of the following Ferry Users Consultation Groups will be tabled on the day of the Committee:-

 

i. Argyll which covers services operated in Oban, Colonsay, Iona, Lismore, Coll, 
    Tiree, Barra, South Uist and Ardnmurchan – 1 Member;
ii. Lochaber and Skye which covers the Small Isles, Mallaig, Armadale, Raasay, 
    Kilchoan and Lochaline - 3 Members; and
iii. Hebrides Group which covers Barra, North and
    South Uist, Harris, Lewis and links to Skye - 1 Member.

 

c) Flood Area Risk Management – Local Plan District Executive Steering Groups
Rianachd Cunnairt Cheàrnaidhean Thuiltean – Buidhnean Stiùiridh Gnìomhach Sgìre a’ Phlana Ionadail

 

The Highland Council are designated as the Lead Local Authority for the “Highland and Argyll Local Plan District” and as a Responsible Authority within the “Findhorn, Nairn and Speyside Local Plan District”, the latter Local Plan District being led by Moray Council.  Executive Steering Groups for each Local Plan District helps to direct and facilitate all work that results on the agreement of the Flood Risk Management Strategy and the delivery of the Flood Risk Management Plan.

 

To ensure a consistent approach, the Committee is invited to agree to appoint Mr G Phillips to serve on both Executive Steering Groups.

 

6. Revenue Budget – Final Outturn 2011/12 and Monitoring 2012/13 Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2011/12 agus  Sgrùdadh 2012/13

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-35-12 (94kb pdf) dated 1 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services setting out the Revenue Budget final outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2012 and the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012.

 

The Committee is invited to note:-

 

i. the Revenue Budget final outturn position for year ended 31 March 2012; 
    and
ii. the report and the monitoring statements which show the revenue 
    position for the period 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012 and the actions which 
    have been put in place to manage the budget over the remainder of the 
    financial year.

 

7. Capital Expenditure – Final Outturn 2011/12 and Monitoring 2012/13 
Caiteachas Calpa – Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2011/12 agus Sgrùdadh 2012/13

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-36-12 (154kb pdf) dated 1 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services informing Members of the Capital Expenditure final outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2012 and the monitoring position for the period 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012.

 

The Committee is invited to note:-

 

i. the Capital Expenditure outturn position for year ended 31 March 2012;
ii. the Capital Expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April 2012 to 
   30 June 2012; and
iii. the planned overspend for 2012/13 and that it will be accommodated by a 
   combination of managing the Transport, Environmental and Community 
   Services capital programme and from within the overall Council’s capital 
   programme.

 

8. A890 Strome Ferry Bypass
Seach-rathad A890 Aiseag an t-Sròim

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-37-12 (64kb pdf) dated 1 August 2012 sby the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Service inviting Members to approve that an Options Appraisal is undertaken in accordance with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) assessment process and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges to examine the options for developing a secure and effective transport link between Lochcarron and the Lochalsh area in consultation with partners and the local community and that options for external funding are explored as part of the Options Appraisal.

 

The Committee is invited to agree:-

 

i. that an Options Appraisal (Stage 1 and 2) is undertaken in accordance with 
   the STAG assessment process and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges 
   to examine the options for developing a secure and effective transport link 
   between Lochcarron and the Lochalsh area in consultation with 
   partners and the local community and that options for external funding are 
   explored as part of the Options Appraisal; and
ii. to recommend to the Council that the funding for the work associated with 
   Stage 1 (Options Generation and Sifting) and Stage 2 (Options Appraisal), 
   estimated at £500,000, is met from the increase in the Council’s general 
   reserve following the underspend in 2011/12.

 

9. Audit Scotland Report “Maintaining Scotland’s Roads: Follow Up Work”
Aithisg Sgrùdadh na h-Alba “Maintaining Scotland’s Roads: Follow Up Work”

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-38-12 (372kb pdf) dated 1 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members on the outcome of the recent follow up work carried out by Audit Scotland to assess the progress made by councils in improving their management of road maintenance.  The audit focussed on road asset management planning, performance management and maximising value for money.

 

The Committee is invited to note:-

 

i. the outcome of the recent follow up work carried out by Audit Scotland to 
   assess the progress made by councils in improving their management of 
   road maintenance, as detailed in Appendix A of the report; and
ii. that further reports will be taken to the Transport, Environmental and 
   Community Services Committee in relation to the roads maintenance 
   allocation and preventative spend.

 

10. Trading Standards Performance Review 2011/12 and Operational Plan 2012/13
Lèirmheas Dèanadais Inbhean Malairt 2011/12 agus Plana Obrachaidh 2012/13

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-39-12 (130kb pdf) dated 23 July 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services inviting Members to review the performance of Trading Standards in 2011/12 and to approve the Trading Standards Operational Plan for 2012/13 and the annual programme of enforcement action as required by Section 26(1) of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010.

 

The Committee is invited to:-

 

i. note the performance of Trading Standards in 2011/12; and
ii. approve the Operational Plan (2012/13) for Trading Standards, including   
   the annual programme of enforcement action in relation to tobacco 
   marketing controls as required by Section 26(1) of the Tobacco and Primary 
   Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010.

 

11. Consultation on Improving the Licensing of Caravan Sites in Scotland 
Co-chomhairle mu Leasachadh Ceadachd Làraich Charabhanaichean ann an Alba

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-40-12 (61kb pdf) dated 1 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services inviting Members to approve the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on improving the Licensing of Caravan Sites in Scotland.

 

The Committee is invited to approve the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on improving the Licensing of Caravan Sites in Scotland.

 

12. SEPA/Scottish Government Consultations on Flood Risk
Co-chomhairlean SEPA/Riaghaltas na h-Alba mu Chunnart Thuiltean


 

There is circulated Report No TEC-41-12 (41kb pdf) dated 1 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services inviting Members to homologate the Council’s response to two consultations relating to Flood Risk which were received after the last meeting of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee.  The first is SEPA’s consultation in relation to the “Assessment of Flood Risk from Sewerage Systems” and the second is the Scottish Government’s consultation in relation to the “Designation of New Responsible Authorities”.

 

The Committee is invited to agree to homologate the Council’s response to:-

 

i. SEPA’s consultation on the “Assessment of Flood Risk from Sewerage 
   Systems”, as detailed in Appendix A of the report; and
ii. the Scottish Government’s consultation on the “Designation of New 
   Responsible Authorities”, as detailed in Appendix B of the report.

 

13. Performance Management
Rianachd Dèanadais

 

a. Statutory and Internal Performance Indicators – 2011/12
Comharran Dèanadais Reachdail agus air an Taobh A-staigh – 2011/12 

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-42a-12 (56kb pdf) dated 1 August 2012 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, for financial year 2011/12.

 

The Committee is invited to note the performance of Transport, Environmental and Community Services in relation to the activities that are measured by Statutory Performance Indicators and Internal Performance Indicators.

 

b. Performance Management – Statutory and Internal Performance Indicators – 1st Quarter 2012/13
Rianachd Dèanadais – Comharran Dèanadais Reachdail agus air an Taobh A-staigh – 1d Ràithe 2012/13 

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-42b-12 (58kb pdf) dated 7 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services providing details of Transport, Environmental and Community Services performance for the first quarter of financial year 2012/13, as measured by Statutory Performance Indicators and Internal Performance Indicators.

 

The Committee is invited to note the performance of Transport, Environmental and Community Services for the first quarter of 2012/13 in relation to Service activities which are measured by Statutory Performance Indicators and Internal Performance Indicators and the actions being taken to deal with areas of poor performance.

 

14. Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Programme
Prògram Rothaireachd, Coiseachd agus Sràidean nas Sàbhailte

 

There is circulated Report No TEC-43-12 (133kb pdf) dated 7 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services inviting Members to approve the projects delivered through the Scottish Government funding Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets for the areas outwith Inverness and Sutherland and Inverness. 

 

The Committee is invited to:-

 

i. approve the Safer Routes to School Projects, as detailed in Appendix 3 of 
   the report;
ii. note that further details in relation to the footpath/cycleway for Arisaig 
   Primary School will be taken to the Transport, Environmental and 
   Community Services Committee once the funding contribution from 
   Education, Culture and Sport is confirmed; and
iii. note that the Road Safety Team will continue to work with schools to 
   develop further Safer Routes to Schools Projects for future years.

 

15. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

 

There are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate, Minutes of the:-

 

i. Highland Licensing Committee of 6 March 2012;
ii. Resource Monitoring Working Group of 15 March 2012;
iii. Highland Licensing Committee of 3 April 2012;
iv. Winter Maintenance Service and Cyclic/Drainage Maintenance Working 
   Group held on 4 April 2012; and
v. HITRANS of 13 April 2012.

 

16. Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

 

The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in of paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

17. The Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Private Water Supplies (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2006
Riaghailtean Solar Uisge Prìobhaideach (Alba) 2006 agus Riaghailtean Solar Uisge Prìobhaideach (Tabhartasan) (Alba) 2006

 

There is circulated to Members only Report No TEC/44/12 dated 1 August 2012 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services inviting Members to approve an application for an enhanced grant in relation to the Private Water Supplies (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

 

The Committee is invited to approve the application for an enhanced grant, in accordance with the Private Water Supplies (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2006.