Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Community Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 18 August 2016 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 

Business

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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 23 June 2016 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Community Services Committee.

4. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

• Outcome of Inspection Report, Inverness Crematorium, 12 January 2016 – Inspector of Crematoria, Scotland

Overall Assessment: 

A well run Crematorium by staff who display a caring and professional approach to their duties. The Inspection found no shortcomings in either the administration functions performed or the procedures in place within the Crematory.  Good practise was noted in respect of ensuring continuity of identity throughout, with safeguards in place to minimise the risk of error.  At the time of Inspection consideration was being given to the recently published revised Code of Practice which will require a number of changes to current procedures in respect of hospital arranged infant cremations and staff training.  These will be examined on a future visit.

• Jetpatchers

Use of the two Jetpatchers across Highland continues to receive favourable comments from communities and local road users.  Our own machine remains on schedule for delivery to us in October 2016.

• Highland Third Sector Awards – Partner of the Year

In autumn 2015, the Government announced that the UK would resettle 20,000 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees by 2020. The Highland Council has agreed with COSLA to take up to 25-30 families over the period of the national re-settlement programme.  The first 4 families arrived in Highland in May and another family is arriving in August.  A working group of officers and volunteers from the Highland Council, Police Scotland, NHS Highland and the Highland Third Sector Interface has been awarded the ‘Partner of the Year’ award by the Board of the Highland Third Sector Interface. This is in recognition of the hard work and excellent partnership working that has taken place over the last few months to ensure that the complex needs of the families are met.

Preparations are well underway for the arrival of more families in Autumn.

5. Revenue Budget – Final Outturn 2015/16 and Monitoring 2016/17
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Fior Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh 2016/17

There is circulated Report No COM/24/16 dated 4 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services inviting Members to approve the revenue budget outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2016 and the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to approve:- 

i. the revenue budget final outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2016; and
ii. the report and the attached monitoring statements which show the revenue position for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016 and the actions which have been put in place to manage the budget over the remainder of the financial year.

6. Capital Expenditure – Final Outturn 2015/16 and First Quarter Monitoring 2016/17
Caiteachas Calpa – Fior Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh 2016/17 

There is circulated Report No COM/25/16 dated 2 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services inviting Members to approve the capital expenditure outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2016 and the monitoring position for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to approve:- 

i. the capital expenditure outturn position for the year ended 31 March 2016; and
ii. the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.

7. Community Services Service Plan 2016-2017
Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd Plana Seirbheis 2016-2017

There is circulated Report No COM/26/16 dated 1 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services introducing the 2016-17 Service Plan for Community Services and detailing how the Service will contribute to the delivery of the Council’s Programme, Highland First. 

The Committee is invited to comment on the draft service plan for 2016-17 and to approve the plan.

8. Community Services Performance Report – 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016
Aithisg Coileanaidh nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd - 1 Giblean 2016 gu 30 An t-Òg mhios 2016

There is circulated Report No COM/27/16 dated 4 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services providing information on how Community Services performed in relation to performance indicators from 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016 and which includes performance targets for 2016/17. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the information provided on Community Services performance from 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016; 
ii. approve the performance targets for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and
iii. agree that Nos 32, 34, 36 and 38 Kennedy Terrace, Wick be declared surplus and placed on the market for sale.

9. Telematics for the Light Fleet 
Telematics airson na Feachd Aotrom

There is circulated Report No COM/28/16 dated 26 July 2016 by the Director of Community Services outlining plans for the implementation of vehicle telematics across the light fleet by 31 March 2017.

The Committee is invited to note the information provided.

10. Internal Audit Reports
Aithisgean In-Sgrùdaidh 

There is circulated Report No COM/29/16 dated 1 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services providing an overview of the Internal Audit reports:

• Administration of Fuel
• Grass Cutting Contract – Monitoring and contract Payment Arrangements (follow up)

relating to Community Services and previously considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 15 June 2016.   The report provides an update with progress on the related management actions that were agreed at that Committee.   

The Committee is invited to note:- 

i. the findings of the 2015/16 Internal Audit report into the Administration of Fuel and Grass Cutting Contracts; and
ii. progress with implementing improvements.

11. Household Recycling Charter and Code of Practice 
Cairt Sgudail Taigheadais agus Còd Cleachdaidh

There is circulated Report No COM/30/16 dated 4 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services informing Members that the Household Recycling Charter and accompanying Code of Practice sets out proposals for Local Authorities in Scotland to adopt and then work towards a standardised and consistent collection system for waste and recycling.  In this regard, Members are invited to approve adoption of the Charter and implementation of the Code of Practice, and work towards the standards in the Code, provided the appropriate levels of funding are made available by the Scottish Government or its agents.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the signing of the Household Recycling Charter; and 
ii. agree to adopt the accompanying Code, subject to approval of the transition plan and securing the required funding to undertake the required changes.

12. Update on Waste Strategy 
Fios às Ùr mu Ro-innleachd Sgudail

There is circulated Report No COM/31/16 dated 4 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services outlining the current situation regarding residual waste disposal and proposing the preparation of a final business case to enable Members to decide on the medium term option for residual waste treatment to ensure that the Council meets its obligations in terms of the ban on the landfill of biodegradable municipal waste on 1 January 2021.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the preparation of a final business case to develop detailed proposals for residual waste treatment for all Highland at a plant(s) located in Highland; and
ii. note that the corporate saving of £2.8M attributable to Energy from Waste from 2018/19 is not achievable and alternative savings will have to be sought.

13. Environmental Health Operational Plan 2016/17 
Plana Sgioba Slàinte Àrainneachd 2016/17

There is circulated Report No COM/32/16 dated 1 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services providing the Environmental Health Operational Plan 2016/17. 

The Committee is invited to approve the Environmental Health Operational Plan 2016/17, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

14. Contaminated Land – Inspection and Development Control 
Talamh Truaillichte – Smachd Sgrùdaidh agus Leasachaidh 

There is circulated Report No COM/33/16 dated 26 July 2016 by the Director of Community Services inviting Members to agree an update to the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy.

The Committee is invited to agree to amend the Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy to focus on the development control role as an effective means of meeting the Council’s obligations as regards contaminated land, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

15. Annual Monitoring Report: Housing Allocations Policy 
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Bhliadhnail: Clàr Taigheadais na Gàidhealtachd 

There is circulated Report No COM/34/16 dated 4 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services providing annual monitoring information on the operation of the Highland Housing Register (HHR) allocations policy for 2015/2016 and highlighting key issues in relation to the supply and demand for social rented housing in Highland.  The Report also identifies areas for further policy review.

The Committee is invited to note the information contained in the Annual Monitoring Report on housing allocations and that the policy is achieving its objectives in relation to meeting housing needs.

16. Update on Homeless Initiatives 
Fios às Ùr nan Iomairtean Dìth Dachaigh

There is circulated Report No COM/35/16 dated 8 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services providing updates on initiatives which aim to improve the lives of homeless people in Highland.  It provides further details on costs and charges for temporary accommodation as agreed at Committee on 28 April 2016 and presents a policy on promoting positive behaviour in temporary accommodation, for approval.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the positive progress made on these initiatives; 
ii. approve the following approach to temporary accommodation:
- continue to increase the use of Council-owned properties as temporary homeless accommodation.
- reduce the use of privately leased properties for temporary accommodation, focussing on leases where rents exceed Local Housing Allowance rates.
- continue to reduce the use of framework rooms as temporary accommodation; and
iii. approve the approach to promoting positive behaviour in temporary accommodation as detailed in the report.

17. HRA Capital Plan 2017/18 
Plana Calpa HRA 2017/18

There is circulated Report No COM/36/16 dated 3 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services containing details of the overall level of HRA capital resources for 2017/18 based on the 5 year capital plan and recommendations for investment priorities and the distribution of HRA Capital Programme resources to Local Committees. 

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the overall HRA Capital Budget of £26.024m for 2017/18;
ii. approve the investment priorities set out in section 2.2 of the report;
iii. approve the distribution of resources to Local Committee level; 
iv. agree that discussion be held with Local Members of the specific projects and local priorities with a report on the final details programme for 2017/18 being provided to the Community Services Committee on 3 November 2016; and
v. approve the revised Improvement Standards set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

18. Grass Cutting Contract 
Cùmhnant Gearradh Feòir

There is circulated Report No COM/37/16 dated 4 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services giving the background to the current grass cutting contracts and service delivery model and proposing that an Options Appraisal is undertaken, given the changes to Community Services and the Council’s reporting and budgetary structure, with a view to providing a service which fits the needs of both.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the scope of the Options Appraisal as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report;
ii. approve the amenity service to be delivered by in-house staff on Skye and Lochalsh from 1 April 2017 within the existing budget available to Skye and Lochalsh at this time; and
iii. note that a timetable for meetings with local Members to more closely define the scope will be developed and distributed to Ward Managers with a view to the options appraisal being presented to Community Services committee in spring 2017.

19. Transport Programme 
Prògram Còmhdhalach

There is circulated Report No COM/38/16 dated 18 August 2016 by the Director of Community Services presenting a recommendation for the award of a Community Transport Grant for the two year period 1 April – 31 March 2019.

The Committee is invited to approve a Community Transport Grant of £13,000 to Partnerships for Wellbeing on behalf of Inverness Voluntary Transport Scheme.

20. Minutes 
Geàrr-chunntas 

The Minutes of the Harbours Management Board of 8 June 2016 are circulated for approval.