Agendas, reports and minutes

Highland Council

Date: Thursday, 10 March 2016

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Highland Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 10 March 2016 at 10.35am.

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 

Business

1. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus 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. Confirmation of Minutes
Dearbhadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There are submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the Council held on 17 December 2015 and the Minutes of the Special Meetings held on 21 January 2016 and 25 February 2016 as contained in the Volume which has been circulated separately.

4. Minutes of Meetings of Committees
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan Chomataidhean

There are submitted for confirmation as correct records, for information as regards delegated business and for approval as appropriate, the Minutes of Meetings of Committees contained in Volume circulated separately as undernoted:-
Caithness Committee, 13 January
*Education, Children & Adult Services Committee, 20 January
*Nairnshire Committee, 27 January
City of Inverness Area Committee, 28 January
Ross & Cromarty Committee, 3 February 
Community Services Committee, 4 February
Sutherland County Committee, 9 February
*Lochaber Area Committee, 11 February
Planning, Development & Infrastructure Committee, 17 February
Gaelic Implementation Group, 18 February
Pensions Committee & Pensions Board, 23 February
Badenoch & Strathspey Area Committee, 29 February
*Resources Committee, 24 February
Skye Committee, 29 February
City of Inverness Area Committee, 3 March

5. Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board 
Co-Bhòrd Luachaidh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean Siar

There are circulated for information Minutes of Meeting of the Valuation Joint Board held on 26 November 2015.

6. Appointment of Vice Chair – Communities and Partnerships Committee
Cur Iar-Chathraiche an Dreuchd – Comataidh nan Coimhearsnachdan agus nan Com-pàirteachasan

Nominations will be sought at the meeting – from within the membership of the Communities and Partnerships Committee – for the position of Vice Chair.

7. Membership of Committees, etc
Ballrachd Chomataidhean, is eile  

Members are advised that that Mr D MacKay and Mr D Bremner have confirmed that they have left the Independent Group and will now be non-aligned. In addition, Ms J Douglas has confirmed that she will be joining the Independent Group.  

On that basis, the political make-up of the Council is now as follows:-

Independent – 31/SNP – 20 /Liberal Democrat – 12 /Labour – 8 /Highland
Alliance – 5/Non Aligned - 4

The formula in respect of the number of places on Strategic Committees remains as 9/6/3/2/2.

8. Question Time 
Àm Ceiste

The following Questions have been received by the Depute Chief Executive/ Director of Corporate Development in terms of Standing Order 42 – 

(i) Mr A Christie

To the Leader of the Council

“What meetings have you attended (other than those internal to the Council), what apologies have been submitted and what meetings are planned for the next 3 month period?”

The response is circulated 

Mr Christie will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Leader of the Council. 

(ii) Mr A Christie

To the Depute Leader of the Council 

“What meetings have you attended (other than those internal to the Council), what apologies have been submitted and what meetings are planned for the next 3 month period?”

The response is circulated 

Mr Christie will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Depute Leader of the Council. 

9. Notices of Motion
Brathan Gluasaid

The following Notices of Motion have been received in accordance with Standing Order 10.1 –

“The Highland Council has been at the forefront of pressure to reinstate Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) cover to waters surrounding the Northern and Western Coast of Scotland and Islands. In partnership with Local Authorities from Aberdeenshire round to Argyll, including Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles, and further supported by KIMO UK, it is imperative that as a minimum this Council shall seek to have one ETV based in the Northern Isles and a second ETV in Stornoway or an alternative port along the North Western Mainland.

The announcement by the UK Transport Minister, Mr Robert Goodwill, to grant a six month extension of retention of the ETV based in the Northern Isles is very much welcomed. 

It is proposed that the Leader should write to Mr Goodwill and the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, requesting long term funding be identified to urgently reinstate two ETV’s for operational duty in these waters.”

Signed:   Mr R Greene   Mrs M Davidson   Mr A Henderson   Dr A Sinclair 

“We believe that the only way to progress the relief of the Highland’s Housing Debt is to get people round the table. So we ask for Council’s support to invite UK and Scottish Government Ministers and Highland MPs and MSPs to a summit on Highland’s Housing Debt in order to promote the benefits of debt write off for the Highland and Scottish economy.

Signed:   Mrs M Davidson   Mr A Henderson   Mr R Greene   Miss J Campbell   Mr R Balfour   Mr M Green   Mr G Ross    Mr M Finlayson

10. Outcomes from Members’ Seminar on the Scotland Bill and prospects for further devolution              
Bile na h-Alba – Toraidhean bho Cho-labhairt nam Ball

There is circulated Report No. HC/6/16 dated 29 February 2016 by the Chief Executive which provides an update on the outcomes from the Members’ Seminar held on 21 January to consider the Scotland Bill and possible areas for devolution to a local area level.

Members are asked to note the outcomes from the Seminar and agree that the Council Leader should engage at a local and national level as set out in Paragraph 7.1 of the report.   
11. Proposal to establish a Commission on Highland Democracy
Coimisean na Gàidhealtachd air Deamocrasaidh Ionadail

There is circulated Report No. HC/7/16 dated 29 February 2016 by the Head of Policy and Reform which seeks consideration of a Commission on Highland Democracy.

The Council is asked to note progress in establishing the Commission and to agree that further progress should be reported in May 2016.

12. Re-design of the Highland Council 
Ath-dhealbhadh Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. HC/8/16 dated 1 March 2016 by the Chief Executive which sets out an opportunity to redesign the Highland Council, matching priorities and ambitions to new funding levels. 

The report recommends that this be done in an inclusive way which is aligned with the Council’s move towards more local decision making. The redesign work can be carried out in 2016 such that it provides the basis for a more strategic approach to future budget setting. 

Members are asked to agree:-

(i) that the Highland Council needs to take the opportunity now to work with stakeholders to refocus our mission, recalibrate our objectives and redesign our services;
(ii) that the approach should be led by the Council Chief Executive, directed by a politically balanced cross party Working Group of Elected Members and be generally inclusive of the views of Highland communities and the Council’s staff, partners and stakeholders;
(iii) that Groups identify Members to form the Working Group within one week as per the current formula;
(iv) that the work should start immediately and make a final report with recommendations to the Highland Council on 15 December 2016;
(v) that the work is considered a key investment in the future of the Highland Council and resourced with three full-time staff at a cost of £175,000 in 2016/17 only. As a one-off project cost, it is recommended that this be funded from non-earmarked balances; and
(vi) that the Member Working Group consider adopting the framework set out in Section 5 of the report.    

13. Highland Health and Social Care Partnership – Joint Strategic Plan  
Plana Ro-innleachdail airson Seirbheisean Chloinne agus Inbheach  
There is circulated Report No. HC/9/16 dated 28 February 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which introduces and seeks agreement to the Strategic (Commissioning) Plan for health and social care services which has been prepared in line with statutory requirements.  

The Council is asked to note the requirement for a Strategic Plan to be developed, consulted upon and published in line with legislation and to agree the attached Strategic Plan on the basis that should any final amendments be required, these are delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Council Leader. 

14. By-Laws on the Employment of Children 
Frith-laghan mu Fhastadh Chloinne
There is circulated Report No. HC/10/16 dated 24 February 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which seeks agreement to update the Council’s By-Laws on the employment of children to bring them into line with current Scottish Government guidance.

The Council is asked to approve the By-Laws on the Employment of Children 2016 as presented. 

15. Capital Discretionary Fund – Applications for Financial Support 
Iarrtasan do Mhaoin Chalpa fo Ùghdarras

There is circulated Report No. HC/11/16 dated 29 February 2016 by the Director of Finance which seeks approval for a number of applications for financial support from the Capital Discretionary Fund.

The Council is asked to consider the six funding applications and agree that any financial contribution is conditional on a full project funding package being in place.   

16. Digital Connectivity - Update  
Fios às Ùr mu Bhann-leathann agus Fòn-làimhe

There is circulated Report No. HC/12/16 dated 1 March 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides an update on digital connectivity across the Highlands.

The Council is asked to note the terms of the report and that a Workshop will take place in April to commence a mapping exercise to identify the not stops.

The Council is also asked to agree that digital connectivity remains a key priority for the Council as part of the Highland First Programme.    

17. Local and National Statutory Performance Indicators 2014/15 
Comharran Coileanaidh Reachdail Ionadail agus Nàiseanta 2014/15

There is circulated Report No. HC/13/16 dated 8 February 2016 by the Chief Executive which provides information on the outcome of local and nationally benchmarked Statutory Performance Indicators for 2014/15. 

The Council is asked to note and comment on the outturn of the Statutory Performance Indicators for 2014/15 and where relevant their national benchmark position.

The Council is also asked to agree that reports are submitted to Strategic Committees at the next cycle to provide detailed analysis of Statutory Performance Indicators and improvement actions.   

18. Common Good Funds Officer 
Math Coitcheann 

There is circulated Report No. HC/14/16 dated 26 February 2016 by the Head of Corporate Governance which seeks agreement for the establishment of a temporary post to support the management of the various Common Good Funds and to prepare for the coming into force of the new Community Empowerment duties. 

The Council is asked to agree to the establishment of a temporary post of Common Good Funds Officer for a period of 24 months.

19. Disaggregation of Community Services Budgets and Scheme of Delegation to relevant Committees
Sgeama Tiomnaidh agus Rianachd gu Comataidhean Ro-innleachdail agus Fo-chomataidhean agus gu Oifigearan

There is circulated Report No. HC/15/16 dated 29 February 2016 by the Director of Community Services which provides details of Community Services budgets which can be disaggregated to Local Committees and the policy basis for disaggregation.

The report also provides recommendations for changes to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to Committees in relation to disaggregated budgets.   

The Council is asked to agree:-

(i) the areas of discretion on local budgets contained in the report;
(ii) changes to the Scheme of Delegation to Committees as detailed in Appendices 2 to 4; and 
(iii) to hold local Member briefings on the detail of individual disaggregated budgets, including ongoing legal and policy commitments and the options for wider public participation in setting local priorities and scrutinising local service delivery. 

20. High Life Highland – Appointment of Independent Director
High Life na Gàidhealtachd – Comataidh Ainmeachaidh 

The Council is advised that a recommendation has been received from the High Life Highland Nominations Committee for Mr Mark Tate to be appointed as an Independent Director to join the High Life Highland Board.

The Council is asked to agree this recommendation as detailed. 

21. Timetable of Meetings 
Clàr-ama Choinneamhan 

Members will be aware that confirmation has now been received that the EU Referendum will take place on Thursday, 23 June 2016.

On the basis that this was the date originally scheduled for the Highland Council meeting, it is proposed to change the date of the Council meeting to Wednesday, 29 June 2016.

Members are asked to agree to change the date of the Council meeting as detailed. 

22. Deeds Executed
Sgrìobhainnean Lagha a Bhuilicheadh

Members are asked to note that a list of deeds and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 17 December 2015 is available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.