Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, High Street, Dingwall, on Wednesday, 5 August 2015, 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
Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development 

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. Police – Area Performance Summary
Poilis – Geàrr-chunntas an Dèanadais Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No SRC/029/15 dated 23 July 2015 by the Area Commander for Police which updates Members on progress with reference to the local priorities within the Highland 2014-2017 Policing Plan. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and discuss the progress report and updates in relation to the 5 Priorities: Road Safety, Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Misuse, Antisocial Behaviour/Disorder, Crimes of Dishonesty and Protecting People.

4. Fire and Rescue Service
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn

There is circulated Report No SRC/030/15 dated 23 July 2015 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue setting out, in separate booklets A and B:

i. Area Committee Plan for Skye, Ross and Cromarty for 2014-15 (previously circulated); and

ii. Performance Report for Skye, Ross and Cromarty for the period Dec 2014 - June 2015, together with an overview of performance figures for years 2010/11-2013/14 (Appendix 1 – Booklet A). 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and comment on both the Plan and Performance Report. 

5. Road Repair Method
Dòighean Càraidh Rathaidean

A presentation will be given on the Road Repair Method by Mark Crowe, Assistant Area Manager (Community Services).

6. Winter Maintenance Priority Network - 2015/16
Lìonra Prìomhachais Obair-càraidh Geamhraidh – 2015/16

There is circulated Report No SRC/031/15 dated 20 July 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on winter maintenance service provision for the 2015/16 winter period.

The Committee is invited to agree the priority network of Primary and Secondary routes within Skye, Ross and Cromarty.

7. Grounds Maintenance Programme
Prògram Gleidhidh Thalmhainn

There is circulated Report No SRC/032/15 dated 12 July 2015 by the Director of Community Services which details performance management information for the Grounds Maintenance Services from April to June 2015.

The Committee is invited to:-  

i. scrutinise the performance management and remedial action information on the grounds maintenance service, as set out in the report;

ii. note the management action taken to address the performance issues identified; and

iii. agree to review required service standards at future Ward Business meetings.

8. Housing Performance Report 
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais 

There is circulated Report No SRC/033/15 dated 15 July 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides Members with information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to the Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during 2014/15 and for the first quarter of 2015/16. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period from 1 April 2014 to 31 June 2015. 

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

There is circulated Report No SRC/034/15 dated 30 June 2015 by the Director of Community Services which invites Members to approve the projects delivered through the Scottish Government funding for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets for the Skye, Ross and Cromarty area, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. 

The Committee is invited to:- 

i. approve the Safer Routes to School (SRTS) Projects listed in Appendix 1 to the report; and

ii. note that the Road Safety Unit will continue to work with schools to develop further SRTS Projects for future years.

10. Street Naming – New Housing Developments
Ainmeachadh Sràide - Leasachaidhean Ùra Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No SRC/035/15 dated 17 July 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform concerning the creation of addresses, following consultation with the respective Community Councils and local Members, for new housing developments at Bellfield and Lettoch Farm, North Kessock.

The Committee is invited to:- 

i. homologate the naming of the road in Phase D, Ness Road Housing development, Fortrose as Cornwell Crescent; and

ii. homologate the naming of the new street in Phase 6, land at Bellfield and Lettoch Farm, North Kessock as Yairs Rise.

11. Investing in Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area – Capital Projects
Tasgadh ann an Inbhir Nis agus a Sgìre – Pròiseactan Calpa 

There is circulated Report No SRC/036/15 dated 17 July 2015 by the Director of Finance listing the capital projects included in the Council’s capital programme being delivered in the Skye, Ross and Cromarty area in financial year 2015/16 and the in-year budgets for these projects.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the budgeted capital programme for Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area.  

12. Common Good Funds
Maoin Maith Choitchinn 

There are circulated Report Nos SRC/037/15 – SRC/041/15 dated 16, 17 and 21 July 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which provide information on the following Common Good Funds:-

a. Cromarty Common Good Fund SRC/037/15;
b. Dingwall Common Good Fund SRC/038/15;
c. Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund SRC/039/15;
d. Invergordon Common Good Fund SRC/040/15; and
e. Tain Common Good Fund SRC/041/15

The Committee is invited to note the updated information provided in relation to each Fund.  

13. Associated School Group Overviews
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte  

a) Ullapool High School Associated School Group Overview 

There is circulated Report No SRC/042/15 dated 21 July 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Ullapool High School Associated School Group (ASG) and provides useful updated links to further information in relation to these schools. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report. 

b) Tain Royal Academy Associated School Group Overview 

There is circulated Report No. SRC/043/15 dated 21 July 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Tain Royal Academy Associated School Group (ASG) and provides useful updated links to further information in relation to these schools. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report. 

14. Education Scotland Reports
Sgrùdaidhean le Foghlam Alba 

There is circulated Report No SRC/044/15 dated 26 July 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides details of Education Scotland’s inspections in the area during the period March-June 2015, for Members’ scrutiny and monitoring for the following schools: 

i. Milton Primary;
ii. Alness Academy; 
iii. Tain Royal Academy and 
iv. St Clements School and Nursery Class, Dingwall.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and monitor the Education Scotland reports through this report. 

15. Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund
Sgeama Thabhartasan Coimhearsnachd Càrboin Ciallaich

There is circulated Report No SRC/045/15 dated 22 July 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform setting out the applications received for the Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund for Skye, Ross and Cromarty.

The Committee is invited to: 

(i) Agree the funding recommendations as shown below:

11048 – Lochalsh and Skye Swimming Pool Association Ltd - £13,449
11446 – Black Isle Bicycles - £5,862
11447 – Muir of Ord (Tarradale) Community Council - £22,415
11448 – Sleat Community Trust - £7,257
11449 – Lochbroom Woodfuels - £8,517

(ii) Agree that the funding shortfall detailed at paragraph 3.3 should be considered under individual Ward Discretionary budgets at Ward Business Meetings.

16. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Skye, Ross and Cromarty Area Committee held on 22 April 2015, which were approved by the Council on 14 May 2015.