Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Lochaber Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Lochaber House, High Street, Fort William on Tuesday, 24 November 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. Advice and Information Services – End of Year Monitoring              
Seirbheisean Comhairle agus Fiosrachaidh – Sgrùdadh Deireadh Bliadhna

There is circulated Report No LA/34/15 dated 7 August 2015 by the Director of Finance which explains that advice and information services are recognised as a critical approach in alleviating poverty in the Council’s Programme and Single Outcome Agreement.

In this regard, the report provides Members with the end of year monitoring of advice and information services in Highland for 2014/15.

The Committee is invited to consider:-

i.  the level of support provided to customers across Highland in 2014/15; the continued increase in demand for 
    these  services; and the pressures associated in delivering the intensive resource required to resolve complex
    cases;
ii. the positive impact of the Mental Health Project in addressing issues presented by vulnerable clients which has
    current funding until end of March 2016;
iii. the positive impact of the Reaching the Unreached service in preventing households being evicted and avoiding 
    additional pressures on the Council’s homeless services.  This service has Scottish Legal Aid Board funding until
    end of September 2016;
iv. the potential of the Midwifery project to support new and expectant mothers in the Highlands to maximise their
     incomes which has funding until end of May 2016; and
v. the outcomes being achieved in supporting Highland residents to mitigate the effects of poverty.

4.Lochaber High School Associated School Group Overview                  
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-Sgoil Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No LA/35/15 dated 4 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the Schools within the Lochaber High School Associated School Group (ASG) and useful updated links to further information in relation to these Schools. 

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

5.Education Scotland Report – Ballachulish Primary School and Nursery Class
Sgrùdaidhean le Foghlam Alba – Bun-Sgoil agus Clas Sgoil-àraich Bhaile a’ Chaolais

There is circulated Report No LA/36/15 dated 13 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides details on Education Scotland’s report of Ballachulish Primary School and Nursery Class dated 15 September 2015.

The Committee is invited to continue to note the Education Scotland report on Ballachulish Primary School and Nursery Class dated 15 September 2015.

6.Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2014 - 30 September 2015       
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2014 – 30 Sultain 2015

There is circulated Report No. LA/37/15 dated 9 November 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during 2014/15 and for the first half of 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2014 to 30 September 2015.

7.Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme Update      
Cunntas às Ùr mu Phrògram Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No. LA/38/15 dated 9 November 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides information to Members on the status of the 2015-16 Housing Revenue Account Capital Projects and the 2016-17 Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for the Lochaber Area.

The Committee is invited to note the:-

i.  status of the 2015-16 Lochaber HRA capital projects contained in this report;
ii. position regarding the 2016-17 Lochaber HRA Capital Programme and that
    the status of the 2016-17 programme will be reported to future Lochaber
    Area Committees; and
iii. position regarding completing external insulation work in Plantation, Fort  William.

8. Road Safety at East Tomonie, Banavie      
Sàbhailteachd Rathaid aig Tom Mòine an Ear, Banbhaidh

There is circulated Report No. LA/39/15 dated 12 November 2015 by the Director of Community Services which advises that concerns have been highlighted regarding the safety of the access road into East Tomonie, Banavie.  A road safety assessment has been prepared in order to address these concerns and  improvements to the existing infrastructure are recommended.

The Committee is invited to approve the implementation of:-

i. the introduction of a mandatory 20mph speed limit;
ii. a speed survey to determine the need for traffic calming measures;
iii. undertake footway repairs and localised widening where this is justified and land availability permits; and
iv. introduce road markings at passing places.

9. Carbon Clever Community Grant Fund 2015-16     
Maoin Thabhartasan Coimhearsnachd Càrboin Chiallaich 2015-2016

There is circulated Report No. LA/40/15 dated 4 November 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which sets out the applications received for the Carbon CLEVER community grant fund in Lochaber for 2015-16. It details the background to the fund, together with a summary of applications, the assessments and funding recommendations.

The Committee is asked to agree:-

i. funding recommendations as shown below;

Ref. No. Applicant Organisation                Recommended Award
11785  Isle of Eigg Community Association    £5,638.00
11802  Mallaig & District Swimming Pool       £1,127.62
                                                                 Total £6,765.62

ii.that the funding shortfall detailed at paragraph 3.2 should be considered under the Ward 12 Discretionary Budget at the next Ward Business Meeting.

10.Minutes                                                                                                       
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the:-

i.  Lochaber Area Committee held on 25 August 2015 which were approved by the
    Council on 3 September 2015; and
ii. special meeting of the Lochaber Area Committee held on 21 October 2015
    which were approved by the Council on 29 October 2015.