Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Highland Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 12 May 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. Presentation – Commission on Highland Democracy
Taisbeanadh – Coimisean air Deamocrasaidh na Gàidhealtachd

Members are advised that Mr Rory Mair, CBE will be in attendance at the meeting and will undertake a presentation in relation to the work of the Commission on Highland Democracy.

4. 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 10 March and the Minutes of the Special Meetings held on 24 March as contained in the Volume which has been circulated separately.

5. 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:-

Education, Children & Adult Services Committee, 17 March

Notice of Amendment –   Item 12 – Management of Schools  
Brath Atharrachaidh – Cuspair 12 – Stiùireadh Sgoiltean 
            
With reference to the Minutes of Meeting of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee of 17 March as contained in the Volume and circulated separately, the following Notice of Amendment has been received in accordance with Standing Order 10.3 – 

“We, the undersigned, wish to challenge the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee decision with regard to recommendation iii which is shown below:

(iii) the development of a full business case for the transfer of catering, cleaning and janitorial services to High Life Highland to be considered at the May 2016 Highland Council Meeting.

We seek to amend the decision of the Education, Children and Adult Committee and urge the Council to agree to the following prior to commencing work on a Business Case to justify a Committee decision:

1. That a Seminar be held for Members on the concept of increasing High Life Highland’s  remit into new areas of service that are beyond the current services contracted to deliver;
2. That a Briefing be prepared by both Chief Executives for presentation to Members which will cover the impact of the proposed transfer of Catering, Cleaning and FM to an Arms-Length Organisation on High Life Highland as an organisation, the Council itself and the staff impacted by any changes; and
3. That the matter should form part of the deliberations in the ‘Re-design of the Highland Council’ and not be fast tracked solely for budget purposes”.

Signed: Mr A Christie, Mr J Gray, Ms M Smith, Mr A Graham, Mr K Gowans, Mr B Lobban, Mr C Fraser, Mr I Renwick, Mr D MacKay, Mr T Prag    

In this connection, there is re-circulated Report No. ECAS/25/16 dated 8 March 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning. 

*Communities and Partnerships Committee, 23 March
Audit & Scrutiny Committee, 24 March
Nairnshire Committee, 20 April
Caithness Committee, 25 April
Ross & Cromarty Committee, 27 April
Community Services Committee, 28 April

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

Members are asked to agree the following change to Committees – 

Education, Children & Adult Services Committee – Mrs M Davidson to replace Mr M Green

7. 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 – 

Mr H Fraser

To the Chair of the Education, Children & Adult Services Committee

“Given the Council’s commitment to GIRFEC and the Highland model with a commitment to every child having a named person, can the Chair reassure Highland families that this is not an intrusion by authorities into people’s private lives but is there to provide support to parents and families when they need it?”

The response is circulated.

Mr Fraser will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Chair of the Education, Children & Adult Services Committee.

Mr A Baxter

To the Chair of the Planning, Development & Infrastructure Committee

“What meetings have you had with Transport Scotland since your appointment and what were the substantive items of business at each of these meetings?”

The response is circulated.

Mr Baxter will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Chair of the Planning, Development & Infrastructure Committee.             

8. Notice of Motion
Brathan Gluasaid

The following Notice of Motion has been received in accordance with Standing Order 10.1 – 

“Agree that, at the earliest opportunity, an approach is made to Scottish Government Ministers with responsibility for housing and finance to request that local authorities are given the same level of grant as housing associations to enable the maximum number of council houses to be built.”

Signed: Mrs M Davidson, Mr D Millar

9. Progress Report from the Re-design Board
Ath-dhealbhadh Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. HC/17/16 dated 4 May 2016 by the Chief Executive which confirms that a Redesign Board has been established as agreed at the Special Council meeting on 24 March 2016 and provides an update on progress to date.

The Council is asked to note that the Redesign Board has been established and will have met twice by the time of this meeting. In this regard, the agreed Terms of Reference, including objectives, methods and operating arrangements, are appended for information and a verbal update on the Board meeting and workshop scheduled for 10 May will be provided at this meeting. 

10. Inverness City and Highland Region Deal – Local Governance Arrangements 
Cùmhnant Roinne Baile Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No. HC/18/16 dated 4 May 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides an update on the City-Region Deal Heads of Terms agreement and sets out proposed governance arrangements for taking forward the City-Region Deal.

The Council is asked to note the Heads of Terms Agreement for the City-Region Deal.

The Council is also asked to agree the establishment of a Programme Board (chaired by the Director of Infrastructure and Development which would report to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee) and a Member City-Region Deal Scrutiny Board (comprising the Group Leaders) and that the Highland Community Planning Partnership should provide a programme overview.    

11. Highland Health and Social Care Partnership 
Plana Ro-innleachdail airson Seirbheisean Chloinne agus Inbheach  
                                                                                                        
There is circulated Report No. HC/19/16 dated 28 February 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out and seeks agreement for revised governance arrangements for the delivery of adult social care and children’s services further to the meeting of the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership Joint Monitoring Committee held on 19 April 2016.

The Council is asked to note the review of governance arrangements for the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership and to agree the proposals set out in the report at Annexe One. 

12. Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement   
Aithris Ro-innleachd Rianachd Roinn an Ionmhais agus Aithris Tasgaidh

There is circulated Report No. HC/20/16 dated 23 March 2016 by the Director of Finance which contains the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement for 2016/17.

The Council is asked to approve the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and the Investment Statement for 2016/17 in compliance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Code of Practice on Treasury Management in Local Authorities.

13. Banking and Related Financial Transactions – Authorised Signatories  
Gnothaichean Bancaidh agus Ionmhasail Co-cheangailte – Luchd-soidhnigidh Ùghdarraichte 

There is circulated Report No. HC/21/16 dated 13 April 2016 by the Director of Finance which addresses the matter of Officers appointed to authorise banking and related financial transactions on behalf of the Council. 

The Council is asked to approve the following as authorised signatories for banking and related financial transactions with immediate effect – 

Derek Yule – Director of Finance
Edward Foster – Head of Corporate Finance
Allan Gunn – Head of Revenues and Business Support
Michael Fraser – Finance Manager, Partnerships and Joint Ventures
Margaret Grigor – Finance Manager, Corporate Budgeting, Treasury and Taxation
Mike Mitchell – Finance Manager, Community Services and Development & Infrastructure
      
14. External Scrutiny: Local Scrutiny Plan Update 2016/17
Plana Sgrùdaidh Ionadail 2016/17

There is circulated Report No. HC/22/16 dated 15 April 2016 by the Chief Executive which provides information in relation to the annual Local Scrutiny Plan which has been produced by the Local Area Network and is based on a shared risk assessment undertaken by representatives of all the scrutiny bodies who engage with the Council. 

Members are asked to note the Local Scrutiny Plan attached as Appendix 1 to the report which highlights that no additional scrutiny of the Council is required for 2016/17.

Members are also asked to note the positive comments made about the Council’s Integrated Care (Adult Services) and Workforce Planning, the areas where monitoring is planned as outlined in Paragraph 2.2 and the areas of scheduled audit and inspection activity identified which contribute to national audit reports as outlined in Paragraph 2.4 of the report.  

15. NHS Highland Board – Council Representative
Cur an Dreuchd – Bord na Gaidhealtachd

The Leader, seconded by the Convener, will move on behalf of the Administration the nomination of Ms J Douglas as the Council’s representative to serve on the Board of NHS Highland.

In this regard, it is confirmed that this nomination will require to be approved by the Cabinet Secretary.

The Council is asked to agree the nomination of Ms J Douglas as detailed.  

16. Common Good Funds Officer 
Math Coitcheann 

There is circulated Report No. HC/23/16 dated 2 May 2016 by the Head of Corporate Governance which provides further details on the proposed funding arrangements for the temporary post to support the management of the various Common Good Funds and prepare for the coming into force of the new Community Empowerment duties. 

The Council is asked to consider the report and agree that the temporary post of Common Good Funds Officer be funded on a pro rata basis in respect of the work undertaken in developing a corporate approach to Community Empowerment legislation and on a fees basis in respect of work undertaken in connection with individual funds.  

17. Scheme of Delegation – Amendments                     
Sgeama Tiomnaidh – Atharrachaidhean 

There is circulated Report No. HC/24/16 dated 3 May 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which outlines proposals for amendment to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation and Administration to Committees and Sub Committees and to Officers following changes in management structures and to accord with the outcome of the Surveillance Commissioner’s last inspection.

There is also circulated Joint Report No. HC/25/16 dated 3 May 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development and the Director of Development and Infrastructure which outlines proposed amendments to sections relating to the Planning, Development & Infrastructure Committee in Part II of the Scheme and the City of Inverness Area Committee and Local Committees in Part III of the Scheme.       

The Council is asked to agree the proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegation as detailed and note that an updated copy will be circulated to all Members following the meeting.

18. Clerk and Depute Clerk of Highland Licensing Board
Clàrc agus Iar-Chlàrc Bòrd Ceadachd na Gàidhealtachd

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 requires the Council to appoint and employ an Officer to be Clerk of every Licensing Board with jurisdiction within its area.

On that basis, the Council is asked to agree that Ms Susan Blease, Principal Solicitor (Regulatory Services) should be appointed Clerk of Highland Licensing Board and that Ms Claire McArthur, Solicitor (Regulatory Services) should be appointed Depute Clerk to the Board with immediate effect. 
 
19. Timetable of Meetings 
Clàr-ama Choinneamhan 

Members are asked to agree the following changes to the Timetable of Meetings in the current year – 

Education, Children & Adult Services Committee – meeting to be re-scheduled from Wednesday, 9 November to Wednesday, 26 October.

Lochaber Area Committee – meeting to be re-scheduled from Thursday, 19 May to Friday, 10 June.      

20. 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 10 March 2016 is available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.