Action Note of Ward Forum held on Monday 3rd December 2007, at the Town House at 7.30 pm.

 

 Attendees

 

 Cllr Elizabeth McAllister

Cllr Janet Campbell

Cllr Peter Corbett

Cllr Donnie Kerr

Jimmy Flint, Ward Manager –Inverness Central Ward

David Haas, City Manager

Jean Slater, Hilton, Milton & Castle Heather Community Council

Christina Cameron, Hilton, Milton & Castle Heather Community Council

James Fraser + 2, Merkinch Community Council

Pat Hayden, Crown Community Council

Inspector Ian Cox, Northern Constabulary

Barry Kane, Dalneigh & Columba Community Council

Murray Cochrane, Area Housing Manager

Iver Forsyth, Day Care Manager, Housing & Property Services

James Dunbar, General Manager, New Start Highland

  

Apologies:

 
 

 George Robertson, Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service
 
   

 

Cllr Janet Campbell in the Chair

 

Agenda

 

1.           Feedback on last Forum

The Ward Manager explained about Flood Prevention and announced that there was to be an exhibition to be held in the Merkinch Centre on Thursday 13th December between 11am and 6pm.  This was open to members of the public for consultation.

 

 

2.          A Presentation on Community Safety by Inspector Ian Cox 

Crime figures were presented for the Central Ward area.  Inverness is changing due to the influx of foreign nationalists with diverse cultures.

 

 

3.     A Presentation on “Tackling Homelessness” with Iver Forsyth and James Dunbar

         Request that Highland Council look at policies for Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO’s)        

                                                                                                              

4.          Questions from the public

         Q1.  Why is the Highland Council allowing HMO’s in conservation areas?  Other Local Authorities have policies on this and don’t allow this to happen.  Can the Council look at this as an urgent matter?

         Action:   Members to take this up with Chief Executive.

 

         Q2.  Why do the Community Police Officers not use bicycles to get around the Ward?  This would be more effective than using vehicles.

         Action:  Police are now using scooters for traffic issues and illegal parking.

 

         Q3.  Do the Police have any Polish-speaking officers?

         Action:  They bring in interpreters as and when required.

 

         Q4.  Why do the Council not use void properties to house the homeless on a short term basis.  On the presentation it was stated that there are around 50 void properties in the City.

         Action: Housing would look into this proposal but intimated that there were over 1000 families in the Inverness area looking for Council Housing.

 

 

5.           Date of next meeting

         To be confirmed.