Cromarty Firth Ward Forum
Action Note of Meeting 17th September 2009
Attending
Cllr Mike Finlayson (Chair)
Cllr Martin Rattray
Cllr Maxine Smith
Cllr Carolyn Wilson
John Edmondson, Ardross Community Council
Joan Ross, Alness Community Council
Fiona Dendy, Kiltearn Community Council
Alpin McDonald, Kiltearn Community Council
Marion Mackay, Invergordon Community Council
Jaki Gardner, Invergordon Community Council
Helen Williamson, Saltburn &Westwood Community Council
Chief Inspector Mike Coats, Northern Constabulary
Inspector Matthew Reiss, Northern Constabulary
Katie Briggs, Planning & Development, Highland Council
Brian MacKenzie, Planning & Development Highland Council
Helen Ross, Ward Manager (Cromarty Firth Ward)
7 members of the public attended
Action Note:
1. Welcome and Introductions
Cllr Finlayson opened the meeting and welcomed everybody.
2. Community Safety -
Chief Inspector Mike Coats was introduced and welcomed to the meeting. He outlined some of the key trends within the Ward as follows:
Pub watch – this scheme is now up and running in the area
Aim to have regular foot & mobile patrols in Invergordon rather than response only policing, but this will be subject to resources available
Work (with partner agencies) is ongoing to address antisocial behaviour issues
There has been an improvement in both levels of crime (down) and detection rates (up) for the period April – August 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. This includes reductions in the levels of child protection cases, assaults, thefts, vandalism and shop lifting. There have however been increases in breaches of the peace and road traffic collisions, and education and enforcement continues.
Chief Inspector Mike Coats also noted that as a result of promotion Inspector Reiss was due to move on in November to take up post in Wick as Area Commander. Insp Reiss was congratulated and thanked for his work in the area, although concern was also expressed at the level of turnover in Inspectors there has been in recent years in the area.
Inspector Matthew Reiss noted that the regular police public survey was currently being done. He noted that this survey provides regular information on the public’s priorities for policing and does have influence. So far speeding cars have been clearly identified as the public’s no. 1 priority.
During discussion the following questions were raised and points noted:
CCTV van – concern was raised that it was rarely used in Invergordon even though Invergordon Social inclusion funds had paid for it. Ch Insp Coats noted that he had put in a request for it to be used locally regularly and that there was now a local special constable in place who had been trained to use it.
Concerns were raised about boy racers in the High Street – Ch Insp Coats noted he was looking into the use of CCTV to help tackle this. Also if people see this it is helpful if they note and report vehicle registration nos.
A paper noting feedback on actions from the last Ward Forum was circulated and noted.
4. Consultation on the Highland Wide Development Plan
Katie Briggs and Brian Mackenzie, both from the Council’s Planning and Development service attended for this item.
Katie outlined the background and context of the Plan. The Highland Council is consulting on its Highland wide Local Development Plan. This will update and replace parts of the Highland Structure Plan as well as 27 Local Plans which all needed updated every 5 years. This sits within the context of the National Planning framework and the new Planning Act of 2006.
Katie explained that in addition to the new Highland wide Local Development Plan, there will be 3 smaller area local plans focusing on people, places and local issues. Next year work will start on the Inner Moray Firth Local Plan which will cover this Ward replacing the Ross and Cromarty East Local Plan. This plan will cover local detail, considering which sites are suitable for development and guiding how these are developed.
The Highland wide Local Development Plan will set out the spatial strategy and vision for the Highlands, provide clear policy guidance for development of all types and development principles for key growth areas (including the A96 Corridor). The plan aims to be realistic but also to set out a vision. The plan will be reviewed every 5 years.
Different policies are in the plan covering such things as housing, transport, retail, and crofting. The preparation of this new Local Development Plan will assist with the delivery of economic development for the area, whilst making sure that the quality of the built environment in Highland matches that of the natural environment. The Plan uses certain population assumptions, resulting housing need and looks at land supply and availability. The final Plan will give the ‘green light’ for development of particular types in key growth areas, and means developers can see what people want, albeit delivery will be subjects to certain connstraints such as economic or land availability constraints.
At the same time the Council is consulting on other key aspects through its Coastal Development Strategy, Local Transport Strategy and Local Housing Strategy.
There was a lengthy period of questions and discussion during which the following key points were made:
Communication is key – e.g. availability of broadband, mobile phone reception as well as need for improved road and rail network. It is important for the Council to highlight these key needs and liaise with partners even though the Council may not be in control of the delivery of some of these outcomes.
increasing development and increasing traffic require increased road capacity
noted TECs have recently completed consultation on a transport strategy
Work is currently ongoing in guidance covering the design and siting of housing – there was a suggestion that such guidance
5. Local Housing strategy
It was noted that the Council is also consulting on its 3rd Housing Strategy. The Housing Strategy is the place where the Council sets out how it aims to meets people’s housing needs over the next 5 years, including how it aims, with its partners, to improve the quality and condition of housing in all tenures, reduce fuel poverty, reduce homelessness and ensure there is more affordable housing available. Copies of the Housing & Property Service’s newsletter and survey on this were available or can be accessed via the Council’s website but it was also agreed to request a representative of the Housing & Property Service to come and talk about the proposed Strategy at the next Ward Forum on December 10th.
Updated information on spend so far this year was circulated
7. AOCB
a) Community Council Consultation – noted that the first phase of a review of Community Council arrangements in Highland is about to start, with phase 1 focusing on boundaries. The views of all of the Community Councils is being sought.
b) Homecoming leaflets – leaflets with details of events available for distribution
c) Statutory Performance Information – noted that the Council, Northern Constabulary and the Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service have recently published information on the performance in 2008/9 – copies available or can be accessed via the Councils website
www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/howyourcouncilperforms/statutoryperformanceindicators.htm
8. Dates of Next Meeting
The next Ward Forum is due to take place on Thursday 10th December at 7.30, venue to be confirmed. It was also agreed that dates for forums in 2010 should be set on similar pattern to 2009.
Post meeting Note:
The Ward Forum on 10th December will be held in Evanton, venue to be confirmed
Ward Forum dates for 2010 are as follows:
Thursday 25th February 2010 in Ardross Community Hall. Topic is education and the head teachers of both Alness and Invergordon Academies will be attending
Thursday 22nd April 2010, venue and topic to be confirmed
Thursday 24th June 2010, venue and topic to be confirmed
Thursday 16th September 2010, venue and topic to be confirmed
Thursday 9th December 2010, venue and topic be confirmed