Highland Council Minute

Agenda

Minutes of Meeting of the Highland Council held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 17 May 2012 at 10.30am.

1. Interim Chair

In terms of Section 4 (4) of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, it was AGREED that the Returning Officer (in this case the Chief Executive) should preside until the Council elected a Convener.

2. Membership of the Council

There had been circulated Report No. HC-1-12 (108kb pdf) by the Returning Officer which provided the names and addresses of the candidates returned to membership of the Highland Council at the Election held on 3 May 2012 which was NOTED as follows:

Ward 1: North West and Central Sutherland

George Farlow: 7 Seaforth Road, Ullapool, IV26 2UY
Hugh Morrison: Orcadia, Lerin, Durness, Sutherland, IV27 4QB
Linda Munro: 3 Achnabourin, Strathnaver, Kinbrace, Sutherland KW11 6UA

Ward 2: Thurso

Donnie Mackay: 2 Wilson Terrace, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8AH
John S Rosie: 3 Thorsdale View, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7ET
Roger Saxon: 73 Upper Burnside Drive, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7XB

Ward 3: Wick

Bill Fernie: 19 March Road, Wick, Caithness, KW1 5TY
Neil MacDonald: 10 West Banks Terrace, Wick, Caithness, KW1 5NA
Gail E. Ross: 62 Argyle Square, Wick, Caithness, KW1 5AJ

Ward 4: Landward Caithness

David Bremner: An Cunairt, Rockhill Road, Hempriggs, Wick, KW1 5TP
Rob Coghill: Balbreck Farmhouse, 16 Clayock, Halkirk, Caithness, KW12 6UZ
Willie Mackay: 36 Oldhall, Watten, Caithness, KW1 5XL
Alex MacLeod: 35 Union Street, Wick, KW1 5ED

Ward 5: East Sutherland and Edderton

Deirdre Mackay: 2 Muirfield Road, Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6QY
Jim McGillivray: Struay Villa, 11 School Street, Embo, Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3PZ
Graham Phillips: Unes House, Littleferry, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6TD

Ward 6: Wester Ross

Isabelle Campbell: The Coach House, Glenshiel, By Kyle, Ross-shire, IV40 8HW
Ian Cockburn: Hillcrest, Tarvie, Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, IV14 9EJ
Richard I Greene: 7 Burnside Terrace, Gairloch, Ross-shire, IV21 2BY
Audrey Sinclair: Carnmore, Badicaul, Kyle, Ross-shire, IV40 8BB

Ward 7: Cromarty Firth

Mike Finlayson: Amberlea, Glenskiach, Evanton, IV16 9UU
Martin Rattray: 21 Cromlet Park, Invergordon, IV18 0RN
Maxine Smith: 5 Calrichie Cottages, Heathfield, Invergordon, IV18 0LN
Carolyn Wilson: 6 Dalmore Farm, Alness, Ross-shire, IV17 0UX

Ward 8: Tain and Easter Ross

Alasdair Rhind: "Morningside", Scotsburn Road, Tain, IV19 1PU
Fiona Robertson: Tigh-na-Sonas, Newton, By Tain, Ross-shire, IV20 1RU
Jamie Stone: Knockbreck House, Tain, IV19 1LZ

Ward 9: Dingwall and Seaforth

Graham A MacKenzie: 19 Drumdyre Road, Dingwall, Ross-shire, IV15 9RW
Alister Mackinnon: Maybury, 17 Braes of Conon, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire, IV7 8AX
Angela MacLean: 21 Grant Crescent, Maryburgh, Ross-shire, IV7 8EW
Margaret Paterson: Craiglea, Craig Road, Dingwall, Ross-shire, IV15 9LF

Ward 10: Black Isle

David Alston: Buzancy, 51 Church Street, Cromarty, IV11 8XA
Billy Barclay: Boggiewell Farm, Fortrose, IV10 8SN
Craig A Fraser: West Wing, Bellvue House, Church Street, Cromarty, Ross-shire, IV11 8XA
Isobel McCallum: Belmaduthy, Munlochy, IV8 8PF

Ward 11: Eilean a’Cheò

Hamish Fraser: Sunny View, 8 Scullamus, Breakish, Isle of Skye, IV42 8QB
John R Gordon: 3 Mill Park, Staffin Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EY
Drew Millar: 6 Carn Dearg Place, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9PZ
Ian Renwick: "Lochside", Brookside, Clachamish, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9NY

Ward 12: Caol and Mallaig

Bill Clark: "Darag", Wilson Way, Tomonie, Banavie, Fort William, PH33 7LX
Allan Henderson: The Gantocks, Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RN
Eddie Hunter: 11 Glendessary Street, Caol, Fort William, PH33 7BT

Ward 13: Aird and Loch Ness

Helen Carmichael: Hawthorn Villa, 25 Ferry Road, Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7EA
Margaret C Davidson: Abriachan Nurseries, Kilianan, Loch Ness Side, Inverness, IV3 8LA
Drew Hendry: Old Kilcoy House, Tore, Muir of Ord, IV6 7RZ
Hamish Wood: 14 Kennedy Drive, Scorguie, Inverness, IV3 8QR

Ward 14: Inverness West

Allan Duffy: 47 Craigton Avenue, Inverness, IV3 8AZ
Alex Graham: 9 Rangemore Road, Inverness, IV3 5EA
Graham Ross: 5 Ardness Place, Inverness, IV2 4QJ

Ward 15: Inverness Central

Janet Campbell: 39 Leachkin Avenue, Inverness, IV3 8LH
Donnie Kerr: 22 Upper Kessock Street, Inverness, IV3 8JQ
Richard Laird: 4 Maple Drive, Inverness, IV3 5RJ
Bet McAllister: 17 Harris Road, Inverness, IV2 3LS

Ward 16: Inverness Ness-side

Alasdair Christie: 52 Warrand Road, Inverness, IV3 5SH
Norrie Donald: 3 Strath Gardens, Dores, Inverness, IV2 6TT
Fraser Parr: 56 Grigor Drive, Inverness, IV2 4LS
Jean N Slater: 67 Oldtown Road, Hilton, Inverness, IV2 4HU

Ward 17: Inverness Millburn

Ian G Brown: 104 Drakies Avenue, Inverness, IV2 3SD
Jimmy Gray: 18 Beaufort Road, Inverness, IV2 3NP
Ken MacLeod: 26 Greenwood Gardens, Milton of Leys, Inverness, IV2 6GP

Ward 18: Culloden and Ardersier

Roderick Balfour: Torran Gorm, Cantray, Croy, By Inverness, IV2 5PS
John Ford: 12 Moraypark Avenue, Culloden, Inverness, IV2 7LS
Glynis Sinclair: St Clair's House, Cantray, Inverness, IV2 5PW
Kate Stephen: 11 Meadow Road, Balloch, Inverness, IV2 7JR

Ward 19: Nairn

Laurie R Fraser: Fallowdene, Marine Road, Nairn, IV12 4EA
Michael Green: Duncrievie, Seabank Road, Nairn, IV12 4HA
Colin J M Macaulay: 32 Moss-side Brae, Nairn, IV12 5LS
Liz MacDonald: Druimoak, Lochloy Road, Nairn, IV12 5LF

Ward 20: Inverness South

Carolyn Caddick: Torbreck, Easter Muckovie, Westhill, Inverness, IV2 5BN
Jim Crawford: The Croft, Sunnyside, Culloden Moor, Inverness, IV2 5EE
Ken Gowans: 16 Westfield Brae, Westhill, Inverness, IV2 5TL
Thomas Prag: Windrush, Easter Muckovie, Inverness, IV2 5BN

Ward 21: Badenoch and Strathspey

Jaci Douglas: Sonas, Mackay Avenue, Grantown on Spey, PH26 3EU
Dave Fallows: Top Flat, Mackenzie's Butchers, Main Street, Newtonmore, PH20 1DA
Bill Lobban: Pawprints, Dalfaber, Aviemore, PH22 1QD
Gregor Rimell Broomlea, Golf Course Road, Newtonmore, PH20 1AT

Ward 22: Fort William and Ardnamurchan

Andrew P Baxter: 12 Riverside Road, Kinlochleven, Argyll, PH50 4QH
Bren Gormley: Lismore House, North Ballachulish, Onich, Fort William, PH33 6SN
Thomas Maclennan: Laundry Cottage, Torlundy, Fort William, PH33 6SW
Brian Murphy: Orchy Villa, Alma Road, Fort William, Inverness-shire, PH33 6HA

3. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence

Present:

Dr D Alston, Mr R Balfour, Mr B Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr I Brown, Ms C Caddick, Mrs I Campbell, Miss J Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mr B Clark, Dr I Cockburn, Mr R Coghill, Mrs M Davidson, Mr N Donald, Ms J Douglas, Mr A Duffy, Mr D Fallows, Mr G Farlow, Mr B Fernie, Mr M Finlayson, Mr J Ford, Mr C Fraser, Mr H Fraser, Mr L Fraser, Mr J Gordon, Mr B Gormley, Mr K Gowans, Mr A Graham, Mr J Gray, Mr M Green, Mr R Greene, Mr A Henderson, Mr D Hendry, Mr E Hunter, Mr D Kerr, Mr R Laird, Mr B Lobban, Mr C Macaulay, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr N MacDonald, Mr J McGillivray, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mr W MacKay, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr A Mackinnon, Ms A MacLean, Mr T Maclennan, Mr A MacLeod, Mr K MacLeod, Mrs B McAllister, Mrs I McCallum, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Mr B Murphy, Mr F Parr, Mr G Phillips, Mr T Prag, Mr M Rattray, Mr I Renwick, Mr A Rhind, Mr G Rimell, Mrs F Robertson, Mr J Rosie, Ms G Ross, Mr G Ross, Mr R Saxon, Dr A Sinclair, Mrs G Sinclair, Mrs J Slater, Ms M Smith, Ms K Stephen, Mr J Stone, Mrs C Wilson, Mr H Wood.

In Attendance:

Chief Executive
Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property
Assistant Chief Executive
Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Director of Planning and Development
Director of TEC Services
Director of Social Work
Director of Finance
Corporate Manager

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr J Crawford, Mr D Bremner, Mr D Millar and Mrs M Paterson.

4. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest at the meeting.

5. Declaration of Acceptance of Office

It was NOTED that all Members of the Council had signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form.

6. Convener of the Council – Appointment and Remuneration

In terms of Section 4(1) of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, the Council was advised that it was required to appoint a Convener.

In this regard, the Council AGREED that remuneration for this post should be £28,410 in accordance with the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration).

Thereafter, Mr Drew Hendry, seconded by Mr Dave Fallows, nominated Mr Jimmy Gray.

Mr Alasdair Rhind, seconded by Mrs Margaret Davidson, nominated Mrs Carolyn Wilson.

In a vote between the two candidates, Mr Gray received 44 votes and Mrs Wilson received 32 votes.

The Council therefore AGREED to appoint Mr J Gray as Convener of the Council - the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr J Gray

Alston, D, Brown, I, Caddick, C, Christie, A, Clark, B, Cockburn, I, Duffy, A, Fallows, D, Farlow, G, Ford, J, Fraser, C, Gormley, B, Gowans, K, Graham, A, Gray, J, Hendry, D, Kerr, D, Laird, R, Lobban, B, Macaulay, C, MacDonald, L, MacDonald, N, Mackay, D (W5), MacKenzie, G, MacLean, A, MacLeod, A, MacLeod, K, McAllister, E, Munro, L, Murphy, B, Parr, F, Phillips, G, Prag, T, Rattray, M, Renwick, I, Rimell, G, Ross, G (W3), Saxon, R, Sinclair, G, Slater, J, Smith, M, Stephen, K, Stone, J, Wood, H.

Votes for Mrs C Wilson

Balfour, R, Barclay, B, Baxter, A, Campbell, I, Campbell, J, Carmichael, H, Coghill, R, Davidson, M, Donald, N, Douglas, J, Fernie, B, Finlayson, M, Fraser, H, Fraser, L, Gordon, J, Green, M, Greene, R, Henderson, A, Hunter, E, Mackay, D (W2), MacKay, W, Mackinnon, A, MacLennan, T, McCallum, I, McGillivray, J, Morrison, H, Rhind, A, Robertson, F, Rosie, J, Ross, G (W14), Sinclair, A, Wilson, C.

There were no abstentions.

Mr Jimmy Gray then took the Chair.

7. Leader of the Council – Appointment and Remuneration

The Council AGREED to establish the post of Leader of the Council and that the remuneration for this post should be £37,880 in accordance with the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration).

Thereafter, Dr David Alston, seconded by Mrs Deidre Mackay, nominated Mr Drew Hendry.

Mrs Fiona Robertson, seconded by Mr Richard Greene, nominated Mr Alasdair Rhind.

In a vote between the two candidates, Mr Hendry received received 44 votes and Mr Rhind received 32 votes.

The Council therefore AGREED to appoint Mr Drew Hendry as Leader of the Council - the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr D Hendry

Votes for Mr A Rhind

There were no abstentions.

8. Depute Leader of the Council – Appointment and Remuneration

The Council AGREED to establish the post of Depute Leader of the Council and that the remuneration for this post should be £28,410 in accordance with the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration).

Thereafter, Mr Dave Fallows, seconded by Mrs Deidre Mackay, nominated Dr David Alston.

Mrs Margaret Davidson, seconded by Mrs Carolyn Wilson, nominated Mrs Isobel McCallum.

In a vote between the two candidates, Dr Alston received 44 votes and Mrs McCallum received 32 votes.

The Council therefore AGREED to appoint Dr David Alston as Depute Leader of the Council - the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Dr D Alston

Votes for Mrs I McCallum

There were no abstentions.

9. Committee Structure

It was AGREED that consideration of the Committee Structure, including the formal establishment of the remaining Senior Member posts and appointment of Office Bearers, should be undertaken at the next meeting on 31 May 2012.

10. Appointments to Joint Boards

It was confirmed that the Council was required to appoint 16 substantive and 16 substitute Members to the Northern Joint Police Board and 16 substantive and 16 substitute Members to Highland and Islands Fire Board.

The Council was also required to appoint 8 substantive and 8 substitute Members to the Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board.

Nominations (28kb pdf), in accordance with the agreed formula, had been tabled at the meeting for consideration.

Decision

The Council AGREED as follows:

Northern Joint Police Board

Independent (7)

Mr N Donald
Mr H Fraser
Mr W MacKay
Mr A MacKinnon
Mr T MacLennan
Mr J Rosie
Mr G Ross

Subs –

Miss J Campbell
Mr R Coghill
Mr L Fraser
Mr R Greene
Mr A Henderson
Mr D MacKay
Mr H Morrison

SNP (4)

Mr C Fraser
Mr B Gormley
Mr C Macaulay
Mr I Renwick

Subs –

Mr G Farlow
Mr R Laird
Mr A MacLeod
Ms J Slater

Lib Dem (3)

Mr A Graham
Mr D Millar
Ms L Munro

Subs –

Mr K MacLeod
Mr J Stone
Mr H Wood

Labour (2)

Mr B Murphy
Mr R Saxon

Subs –

Mr N Macdonald
Mrs D Mackay

Highland and Islands Fire Board

Independent (7)

Mr R Balfour
Mrs I Campbell
Mrs H Carmichael
Mr E Hunter
Mr D MacKay
Mrs M Paterson
Dr A Sinclair

Subs –

Mr A Baxter
Miss J Campbell
Mr L Fraser
Mr M Green
Mrs I McCallum
Mr A MacKinnon
Mr H Morrison

SNP (4)

Mr I Brown
Mr D Fallows
Mr G Mackenzie
Ms G Ross

Subs –

Mr A Duffy
Mr C Fraser
Mr K Gowans
Mr R Laird

Lib Dem (3)

Mr D Millar
Ms K Stephen
Mr J Stone

Subs –

Ms L Munro
Mr G Rimell
Mr H Wood

Labour (2)

Mrs B McAllister
Mr F Parr

Subs –

Mr J Ford
Mr R Saxon

Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board

Independent (4)

Mr D Bremner
Mrs H Carmichael
Mr L Fraser
Mr M Green

Subs –

Mr N Donald
Ms J Douglas
Mr J Gordon
Mrs M Paterson

SNP (2)

Dr I Cockburn
Mrs G Sinclair

Subs –

Mr A Duffy
Mr D Fallows

Lib Dem (1)

Mr A Christie

Sub –

Mrs C Caddick

Labour (1)

Mr J Ford

Sub –

Mr J Gray

11. Powers Taken

It was NOTED that the powers granted at the meeting held on 5 April 2007 had been exercised on behalf of the Council as follows:-

Highland Birchwoods Project – Director of Planning and Development – Council contribution of £7,855 from the Planning and Development Service Forestry projects budget (split over two financial years) to Highland Birchwoods Ltd as match funding to enable them to accept an offer of grant funding before July 2012.

12. Confirmation of Minutes – Highland Council

There had been submitted for confirmation as correct records the Minutes of Meeting of the Council held on 5 April 2012 and the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on the same date - which were APPROVED – subject to the following:-

Highland Council – 5 April - Item 9 (i) Question Time – Mr Dave Fallows

AGREED – although the Minute was factually correct - to amend the statistics quoted by the Chair of the Housing and Social Work Committee in her response to the supplementary question from Mr Dave Fallows at the meeting to reflect the fact that, in regard to the stock condition survey, the work was two-thirds complete with the remaining third to be completed in the following year and that the Director was confident that the Service would meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standards.

Highland Council – 5 April - Item 10 - Gaelic Language Plan

AGREED to make reference in the Minute to the fact that Mr Alex Graham had in fact left the Chamber during discussion of this item.

13. Deeds Executed

It was NOTED that a list of Deeds (35kb pdf) and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 5 April 2012 was available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.

14. Timetable of Meetings up to the Summer Recess

It was AGREED that further meetings of the full Council up to the Summer Recess should be held as follows –