Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Communities and Partnerships Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 10 December 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.

Community Safety
Sàbhailteachd Phoblach

3. Public Performance Survey 2015: Responses to questions on Community Safety
Suirbhidh Coileanadh Poblach 2015: Freagairtean do cheistean mu Shàbhailteachd Phoblach

There is circulated Report No CP/01/15 dated 30 November 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which provides a summary of the responses from the Citizens’ Panel on questions about attitudes to community safety in the 2015 Public Performance and Attitudes Survey.

The Committee is invited to note that:

i. the survey shows 96.8% of respondents rated their area within 15 minutes’ walk of their home as either “very” or “fairly safe”; 
ii. in keeping with previous years, the top two community safety concerns were road safety and alcohol abuse. The newly considered issue in the survey of drug misuse was ranked 3rd, replacing concern about anti-social behaviour which this time was ranked 4th. Partnership efforts to improve road safety and reduce anti-social behaviour are reported separately to this meeting; 
iii. the majority of respondents (61.3%) were either not concerned about or had not considered being a victim of crime. Where crimes were a concern, those of most worry were vandalism/deliberate damage to home property or car and having their home broken into; and making sure homes and cars are adequately secured remain the top two precautions people reported taking; 
iv. notable differences in responses were reported for disabled people, those unable to work, council house tenants and women. This information will be shared with partners to target appropriate responses; 
v. this feedback from the public is one source of evidence in agreeing and reviewing our community safety priorities with partners.

4. Fire and Rescue Service Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter 2 2015/16
Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil airson Ràith 2 2015/16

There is circulated Report No CP/02/15 dated 29 November 2015 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue, together with accompanying quarterly performance report (QPR) for Quarter 2, 2015/16, which provides detail on Fire and Rescue Service performance across a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities for Quarter 2, 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and comment on service delivery and performance contained within the Report and accompanying QPR for Quarter 2, 2015/16.

5. Performance Against the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-2017
Coileanadh mu Choinneamh Plana Obair-phoilis Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd 2014-2017

There is circulated Report No CP/03/15 dated 30 November 2015 by the Divisional Commander for Police which provides an update on the progress with reference to the objectives outlined in the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-2017.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the performance report against Highland Policing Plan Objectives April 2015 - October 2015.

6. Scottish Ambulance Service Report
Aithisg Seirbheis Charbadan-eiridinn na h-Alba

There is circulated for noting performance report by the Scottish Ambulance Service for the Highland area for the period September to November 2015.

7. Scottish Police Authority – Review of Police Governance
Ùghdarras Poilis na h-Alba – Ath-sgrùdadh a thaobh Riaghladh Poileis

There is circulated Report No CP/04/15 dated 1 December 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which includes proposals for feeding into the national review of governance for policing, while acknowledging the positive working relationships with local officers.

The Committee is asked to welcome the invitation to feed in views to the review of governance for policing and agree that the response includes:

i. our acknowledgment of the effective arrangements in place for scrutiny of local policing and the good working relationships with local officers; 
ii. a request for local impact assessment to be carried out to identify positive and negative impacts of any changes proposed in policy or practice nationally, with flexibility enabled for local adjustments to be made where needed and possible and in advance of any change being implemented; 
iii. sharing our approach to rural proofing; 
iv. four additional ways for engaging with the Scottish Police Authority as outlined in paragraph 5.1 of the report.

8. Road Safety Partnership - Annual Update
Cunntas Bliadhnail na Sàbhailteachd Rathaid

There is circulated Report No CP/05/15 dated 2 December 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides an update on the progress in achieving the road casualty reduction targets set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 entitled ‘Go Safe on Scotland’s Roads it’s Everyone’s Responsibility’.

The report highlights the work of the Highland Road Safety Group (HRSG) in relation to the Scottish Government priority areas and details the work undertaken by Highland Council Road Safety Unit to ensure a lasting reduction in Road Casualties on Highlands Roads. A particular focus is placed on young drivers and motorcyclists in line with the Highland Single Outcome Agreement. All casualty figures are sourced through Transport Scotland’s national statistics publication entitled ‘Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2014’.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the Road Safety Targets as set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 and the results for the first 4 years of these targets; 
ii. note the Scottish Government priority areas and the work of the Highland Road Safety Group in relation to these; 
iii. note the work of Highland Council Road Safety Unit, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and North Safety Camera Unit; 
iv. welcome the reduction in 17 – 25 year old drivers involved in injury accidents from 1998 – 2014 and the general downward trend; 
v. welcome the downward trend in motorcyclist casualties from 2002 – 2014; and 
vi. agree that a Road Safety seminar be held in Spring 2016 for elected Members and Community Council representatives.

9. Partnership Report on Antisocial Behaviour
Aithisg Chom-pàirteachais – Aithisg Bhliadhnail mu Dhol-a-mach Mì-shòisealta

There is circulated Report No CP/06/15 dated 29 November 2015 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue which provides an update in relation to progress in responding to and managing antisocial behaviour in Highland area. The report also sets out planned future direction for supporting a sustained reduction in reported antisocial behaviour in line with the Highland Antisocial Behaviour Strategy, Action Plan and partnership protocol.

The Committee is invited to note the update provided by partner agencies in supporting this multi-agency approach in responding to and managing antisocial behaviour in Highland.

10. Highland Area - Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes
Sgìre Ionadail Poilis na Gàidhealtachd – Tachartasan Gràin agus Eucoir Gràin

There is circulated Report No CP/07/15 dated 30 November 2015 by the Divisional Commander for Police which provides an update on the partnership approach to address hate crime and hate incidents in Highland.

The Committee is invited to note the progress made by the Safer Highland Partnership to address and tackle hate incidents and hate crime in Highland.

Equalities
Co-ionannachdan

11. Violence Against Women Update
Fòirneart An Aghaidh Bhoireannach

There is circulated Report No CP/08/15 dated 1 December 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which details actions achieved over the last year in the Violence Against Women (VAW) work plan and outlines other areas of work being taken forward in the next year.

The Committee is invited to note the actions achieved in the work plan and the areas of work for the next year.

12. Violence Against Women Strategy Group - Minutes
Buidheann Ro-innleachd Fòirneart An Aghaidh Bhoireannach– Geàrr- Chunntas

There are circulated for noting minutes of meeting of the Violence Against Women Strategy Group held on 28 April 2015.

13. Annual Survey of Performance and Attitudes 2015: Equalities Analysis and Attitudes to Prejudice and Discrimination
Suirbhidh Bliadhnail de Dhèanadas agus Bheachdan 2015: Mion-sgrùdadh air Co-ionannachdan agus Beachdan a thaobh Claon-bhreith agus Lethbhreith

There is circulated Report No CP/09/15 dated 1 December 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on public attitudes to prejudice and discrimination in Highland. The report also summarises notable differences in views in the Council’s public performance survey by some equality groups. This information results from an analysis of responses to questions included in the Council’s Citizen’s Panel Survey 2015.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. that generally we have seen a positive trend with regard to attitudes about prejudice and diversity in Highland; 
ii. notable differences in responses to the Public Performance Survey were reported for some equality groups, in particular disabled people, and women, and some age groups. This information will be shared with services and partners to target appropriate responses; and 
iii. this information helps us improve our understanding of different experiences and views of different groups within the community, and identify areas for service improvement. Such evidence will support the Council’s Fairer Highland Plan and the commitment to ensure that people are treated fairly and with respect.

14. Employee Survey: Fairer Highland Elements
Suirbhidh Luchd-obrach: Clàr Gàidhealtachd nas Cothromaiche

There is re-circulated Report No CPE/17/15 dated 22 September 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which provides a summary of the analysis of a set of questions that measures employees’ views of the Fairer Highland element of the Council’s 7th Employee Survey.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the generally positive results of the Employee Survey which give regard to equality of opportunity; and 
ii. agree to further analysis of the equality data by protected characteristic to be taken to the equalities working group to consider at service level.

Community Empowerment and Localism
Ùghdarrachadh Coimhearsnachd agus Ionadaileachd

15. Participatory Budgeting – Experience so far in Highland
Buidseatadh Com-pàirteach – Eòlas gu ruige seo sa Ghàidhealtachd

(a) Presentation on Participatory Budgeting in Caithness
Taisbeanadh mu Bhuidseatadh Com-pàirteach ann an Gallaibh

A presentation will be made by Mr David Sutherland, Ward Manager for Thurso, Wick and Landward Caithness on Participatory Budgeting in Caithness.

(b) Lochaber Participatory Budgeting Experiment
Buidseatadh Com-pàirteach ann an Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No CP/10/15 dated 30 November 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which provides an overview of the Lochaber Participatory Budgeting experiment which led to over 1200 local people voting to select projects to be funded for young people. The outcome and key points of learning from the process are highlighted to assist further consideration of the use of Participatory Budgeting and the various methods of delivery that can be used.

The Committee is invited to note:

i. the success of the on-line method used in the Lochaber Wards 12 and 22 participatory budgeting experiment focusing on projects for young people; and 
ii. that the learning from the Lochaber approach can be applied to any other Wards where Members wish to pursue participatory budgeting methods.

16. Amendments to the Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2015
Atharrachaidhean do Sgeama nan Sgìrean Bhòtaidh agus nan Àiteachan Bhòtaidh 2015

There is circulated Report No CP/11/15 dated 10 November 2015 by the Chief Executive advising the Committee of a partial review of the current Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places, approved in December 2014 in light of experiences at the UK parliamentary Election in May 2015.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the suggestions to amend Polling Districts and Polling Places as detailed in paragraphs 2.1 – 2.6 of the report; and 
ii. agree to continue to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener, Leader and Depute Leader of the Administration, Leader of the Opposition and appropriate Local Members, to make any necessary changes to the Scheme should circumstances arise prior to the next review

17. Community Challenge Fund Applications Panel -Minutes
Maoin Dùbhlain Coimhearsnachd – Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for approval Minutes of Meeting of the Community Challenge Fund Applications Panel held on 30 November 2015.

18. Community Planning Board - Minutes
Bòrd Dealbhaidh Choimhearsnachd – Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting minutes of meeting of the Community Planning Board held on 11 September 2015, which were approved by the Board at its meeting on 2 December 2015.