Inverness West Ward Forum

Action Note of Ward Forum held on Thursday 8th May, 2008, at the Projectile Hall, Inverness Leisure, Bught Park at 6.30 p.m.

Attendees (NB Highland Council unless stated otherwise)

Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive
Councillor Sandy Park, Convener
Councillor Jean Urquhart, Vice Convener
Councillor Pauline Munro
Councillor Alex Graham
David Haas, City Manager
Iain Wallace, Area Roads and Community Works Manager
Shane Manning, Principal Traffic Officer, TEC Services
David Summers, Transport Development Officer, TEC Services
Gerry Reynolds, Education, Culture & Sport
Jimmy Flint, Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Office
Chief Inspector Julian Innes, Northern Constabulary
David MacCallum, Stagecoach

Apologies:

Councillor Jimmy Macdonald

1. Welcome and Introductions

David Haas, Inverness City Manager, introduced the meeting.

2. Community Safety (Standing Item)

Chief Inspector Julian Innes, Northern Constabulary. Julian has recently taken up the post of Area Commander for Inverness.     As it was his first visit to Inverness West Ward Forum Julian described his background in policing over the years before briefing the Forum on community safety issues.

His immediate priority is tackling the problem of under-age drinking, which is of major concern across the city. The Chief Inspector listened to local concerns of youngsters jumping from the bridge at General Booth’s Well, and using motorbikes in Torvean quarry. Julian assured the audience that his officers would respond quickly to calls from the area to deal with such issues.

3. Ward Discretionary Budget – City Manager

David Haas provided an updates on the Ward Discretionary Budgets available. David advised that an increase of around 5% on the 07/08 budget of £56k was expected*.

David invited applications for funding, and advised on the guidance material available (in paper format at the Forum and from the Council web site) on the application process. Some projects will be given priority, including those which attract funding from other sources. However, any reasonable applications, normally from community groups and organisations, will be considered. The Budget will not be able to support projects which require an ongoing commitment.

Application form were also available at the Forum and through the website. Anyone who wished to discuss a potential project was invited to contact the Ward Manager.

4. Theme - Roads and Buses in our Community

Our Roads – what works are we planning in the next year?

The first speaker on the Theme was Iain Wallace, Area Roads and Community Works Manager for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey. He explained what activities were planned for the year ahead, including general roads and grounds maintenance and street cleaning.

There would be resurfacing work, road and pavement reconstruction on the A862 Clachnaharry Road until September 2008. Surface dressing work, which was dependent on good weather, was planned until the end of August 2008 and included Overton Avenue, Muirtown Terrace and Park Road. Traffic calming work in Canal Road was planned for completion in April 2009.

For encyclical works such as litter picking and street cleaning, Iain plans to dedicate squads to particular Wards, to encourage increased ownership by Council staff for work done in the area.

How is what we have planned for the City going to affect transport in our Community?

Shane Manning set out plans to change the system of roads and traffic lights in Inverness City Centre. He concentrated particularly on changes proposed for Tomnahurich Street, Ness Bridge, Bridge Street, Ness Walk and Ardross Terrace all of which were recognised as important routes from the Ward to the City.

Using a computer-simulated, traffic model Shane demonstrated how different options for one-way systems and deployment of traffic lights might affect traffic. As an example he explained why there are proposals to change the direction of one-way traffic on Ness Walk, by showing the likely impact of the changes on traffic elsewhere.

Shane described how the traffic lights were controlled using a computer system called “SCOOT”. The system contained a great deal of information, including the times the lights were in action when the canal bridges were closed.

Public transport provision – private and public sectors working together.

David Summers with David MacCallum of Stagecoach explained how bus services were provided in the Ward, and how the Council worked with the private sector. The distinction was made between routes that were funded by the Council and those that weren’t. The Council-funded routes might not be financially viable but were regarded as essential, while the unfunded routes were commercial concerns.

Stagecoach claimed to operate one of their “youngest” fleet of buses in Inverness.

5. Questions from the public

In response to questions, Iain committed to work to drainage-clearance work and to investigate alleged damage to Leachkin Road due to lorry traffic to a building site.

David MacCallum was asked about the lack of a bus service to Kinmylies after 7pm in the evenings. David suggested that there might be opportunities to improve the service in future, including new circular routes and the idea of a “shoppers’ bus” was mooted.

David Summers confirmed that buses could not currently access SNH from the A82 due to the road forming part of the Robertson’s Homes site.

There was a suggestion from the floor that officials attending the Forums should wear name badges so that the public may easily identify who they are talking to.

6. Inverness Highland Games, presentation

Gerry Reynolds from Education, Leisure and Sport gave a presentation on the forthcoming 2008 Games, likely to be the largest and most spectacular ever staged. The Games is to take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July.

The Games programme is to feature world-class heavy events, Highland dancing, Piping and traditional music. The programme is due to climax with the final concert of the Proclaimers World Tour. Gerry was also keen to emphasise the high level of local participation in the Games, in sports, music and the general fun.

7.     Date of Next Meeting

To be confirmed.