Agendas, reports and minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the Highland Council held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 18 May 2017 at 10.30am.

1. Interim Chair
Cathraiche Eadar-amail

In terms of Section 4 (4) of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, it was AGREED that the Returning Officer (in this case the Chief Executive) should preside until the Council elected its Convener which was the first substantive business to be transacted.

2. Membership of the Council
Ballrachd na Comhairle

There had been circulated Report No. HC/14/17 by the Returning Officer which provided the names and addresses of the candidates returned to membership of the Highland Council at the election held on 4 May 2017 which was NOTED as follows:-

Ward 1:  North West and Central Sutherland

Kirsteen Currie, Rowanwood, Lamington, Kildary, Invergordon, IV18 0PE
Hugh Morrison, Orcadia, Lerin, Durness, Sutherland, IV27 4QB
Linda Munro, 8 Munro Place, Bettyhill, By Thurso, KW14 7TD

Ward 2: Thurso and Northwest Caithness

Donnie Mackay, 2 Wilson Terrace, Thurso, KW14 8AH
Struan Mackie, 28 Ravenshill Road, Thurso, KW14 7PX
Matthew Reiss, Langland House, Hill of Forss, Thurso, KW14 7XQ
Karl Rosie, 8 Sir Archibald Road, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8HN

Ward 3:  Wick and East Caithness

Raymond Bremner, 1 Baikie Place, Thrumster, Caithness, KW1 5TE
Willie Mackay, 36 Oldhall, Watten, Caithness, KW1 5XL
Andrew Sinclair, 53 Broadhaven Road, Wick, Caithness, KW1 4RF
Nicola Sinclair, Inglevaar, 20 Sinclair Terrace, Wick, Caithness, KW1 5AB

Ward 4:  East Sutherland and Edderton

Richard Gale, Suilven, Golspie Tower, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6SE
Deirdre Mackay, 2 Muirfield Road, Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6QY
Jim McGillivray, Struay Villa, School Street, Embo, Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3PZ

Ward 5:  Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh

Isabelle Campbell, The Coach House, Glenshiel, By Kyle, Ross-shire, IV40 8HW
Dr Ian Cockburn, Hillcrest, Tarvie, Strathpeffer, IV14 9EJ
Derek MacLeod, Polisard, Lonemore, Strath, Gairloch, IV21 2DA
Kate Stephen, Sgurr Alasdair, Main Street, Lochcarron, IV54 8YB

Ward 6:  Cromarty Firth

Mike Finlayson, Amberlea, Glenskiach, Evanton, Ross-shire, IV16 9UU
Pauline Munro, Caplich House, Alness, Ross-shire,  IV17 0TW
Maxine Smith, 5 Calrichie Cottages, Invergordon, IV18 0LN
Carolyn Wilson, 6 Dalmore Farm Cottages, Alness, IV17 0UX

Ward 7:  Tain and Easter Ross

Derek Louden, Abbian House, Tower Street, Tain, IV19 1DY
Fiona Robertson, Tigh-na-Sonas, Newton, By Tain, IV20 1RU
Jamie Stone, Knockbreck House, Tain, IV19 1LZ

Ward 8:  Dingwall and Seaforth

Graham A MacKenzie, 19 Drumdyre Road, Dingwall, IV15 9RW
Alister Mackinnon, Maybury, 17 Braes of Conon, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire, IV7 8AX
Angela MacLean, 21 Grant Crescent, Maryburgh, Ross-shire, IV7 8EW
Margaret Paterson, Craiglea, Craig Road, Dingwall, IV15 9LF

Ward 9:  Black Isle

Gordon Adam, Ruadh-Ard, Charleston, North Kessock, IV1 3YA
Jennifer Barclay, 15 Barclay Drive, Fortrose, Ross-shire, IV10 8AA
Craig Fraser, West Wing, Bellvue House, Church Street, Cromarty, IV11 8XA

Ward 10:  Eilean a’ Cheò

John Finlayson, Seabank, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, IV41 8PL
John Gordon, 3 Mill Park, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EY
Ronald MacDonald, Coille Ghiuthais, Viewfield Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EU
Calum MacLeod, 2 Arddorch, Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AJ

Ward 11:  Caol and Mallaig

Allan Henderson, The Gantocks, Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RN
Billy MacLachlan, Woodside, Roy Bridge Road, Spean Bridge, PH34 4EU
Ben Thompson, 2 Erracht, Banavie, Fort William, PH33 7PD

Ward 12:  Aird and Loch Ness

Helen Carmichael, Hawthorn, 25 Ferry Road, Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7EA
George Cruickshank, Glendal, Coiltyside, Lewiston, Drumnadrochit, Inverness, IV63 6UJ
Margaret Davidson, Abriachan Nursery, Loch Ness Side, Inverness, IV3 8LA
Emma Knox, Derin, St Mary’s Road, Kirkhill, IV5 7NX

Ward 13:  Inverness West

Bill Boyd, 15 Royal Ness Court, Inverness, IV3 5TE
Alex Graham, 9 Rangemore Road, Inverness, IV3 5EA
Graham Ross, 5 Ardness Place, Inverness, IV2 4QJ

Ward 14:  Inverness Central

Janet Campbell, 39 Leachkin Avenue, Inverness, IV3 8LH
Richard Laird, 4 Maple Drive, Inverness, IV3 5RJ
Bet McAllister, 17 Harris Road, Damfield, Inverness, IV2 3LS

Ward 15:  Inverness Ness-side

Alasdair Christie, 7 Balnakyle Road, Lochardil, Inverness, IV2 4BW
Ron MacWilliam, Mullinfenachan, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown on Spey, Inverness-shire, PH26 3LZ
Callum Smith, 26 Davis Drive, Alness, Ross-shire, IV17 0ZD

Ward 16:  Inverness Millburn

Ian Brown, 5 Eastfield Avenue, Inverness, IV2 3RR
Jimmy Gray, 18 Beaufort Road, Inverness, IV2 3NP
Isabelle MacKenzie, 52 Crown Drive, Inverness, IV2 3QG

Ward 17:  Culloden and Ardersier

Roddy Balfour, Torran Gorm, Cantray, Croy, By Inverness, IV2 5PS
Glynis Campbell-Sinclair, St Clair's House, Cantray, Inverness, IV2 5PW
Trish Robertson, Meru, Nairn Road, Ardersier, IV2 7SE

Ward 18:  Nairn and Cawdor

Laurie Fraser, Fallowdene, Marine Road, Nairn, IV12 4EA
Tom Heggie, Largo, 1 Caledonian Street, Nairn, IV12 4PA
Liz MacDonald, Druimoak, Lochloy Road, Nairn, IV12 5LF
Peter Saggers, 6 Leanach Court, Westhill, Inverness, IV2 5DE

Ward 19:  Inverness South

Carolyn Caddick, Torbreck, Easter Muckovie, Westhill, Inverness, IV2 5BN
Ken Gowans, 9 Woodlands Grove, Westhill, Inverness, IV2 5DU
Andrew Jarvie, 16 Grant Road, Balloch, Inverness, IV2 7JN
Duncan MacPherson, 19 Towerhill Avenue, Cradlehall, Inverness, IV2 5FX

Ward 20:  Badenoch and Strathspey

John Bruce, Lodge of Finlarig, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown on Spey, PH26 3NU
Muriel Cockburn, Hillcrest, Tarvie, Strathpeffer, IV14 9EJ
Pippa Hadley, 26 Dunbarry Terrace, Kingussie, PH21 1LL
Bill Lobban, Pawprints, Dalfaber, Aviemore, PH22 1QD

Ward 21:  Fort William and Ardnamurchan

Blair Allan, 2 Glasdrum Grove, Fort William, PH33 6DE
Andrew P Baxter, 12 Riverside Road, Kinlochleven, Argyll, PH50 4QH
Niall McLean, Druimandaraich, West Laroch, Ballachulish, PH49 4JQ
Ian Ramon, Caol Muile, Kilchoan, Acharacle, PH36 4LH

3. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan

Present:
Mr G Adam, Mr B Allan, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Mrs I Campbell, Miss J Campbell, Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mr I Cockburn, Mrs M Cockburn, Mr G Cruickshank, Ms K Currie, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J Finlayson, Mr M Finlayson, Mr C Fraser, Mr L Fraser, Mr R Gale, Mr J Gordon, Mr K Gowans, Mr A Graham, Mr J Gray, Mrs P Hadley, Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr A Jarvie, Ms E Knox, Mr R Laird, Mr B Lobban, Mr D Louden, , Mrs L MacDonald, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mr W MacKay, Mr G MacKenzie, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr S Mackie, Mr A Mackinnon, Mr B MacLachlan, Ms A MacLean, Mr C MacLeod, Mr D MacLeod, Mr D Macpherson, Mr R MacWilliam, Mrs B McAllister, Mr J McGillivray, Mr N McLean, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Ms P Munro, Mrs M Paterson, Mr I Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs F Robertson, Mrs T Robertson, Mr K Rosie, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair (via VC), Mr C Smith, Ms M Smith, Mrs K Stephen, Mr J Stone, Mr B Thompson, Mrs C Wilson,

In Attendance:
Chief Executive
Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development
Director of Development & Infrastructure, Director of Finance
Director of Community Services

There were no apologies of absence.

4. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

There were no declarations of interest.

5. Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Foillseachadh Gabhail ri Oifis

It was NOTED that all Members present had signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

6. Convener of the Council – Appointment
Neach-gairm na Comhairle – Cur an Dreuchd

In terms of Section 4(1) of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, the Council was advised that it was required to appoint a Convener.

At this point, Mr B Lobban was nominated by Mrs M Davidson and this was seconded by Mr A Mackinnon.

Mrs L MacDonald was nominated by Ms M Smith and this was seconded by Mr R Laird.

In a vote between the two candidates, Mr Lobban received 52 votes and Mrs MacDonald received 22 votes - with no abstentions.

It was therefore AGREED to appoint Mr B Lobban as Convener of the Council – the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr B Lobban
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Mrs I Campbell, Miss J Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mr G Cruickshank, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J Finlayson, Mr M Finlayson, Mr L Fraser, Mr R Gale, Mr J Gordon, Mr A Graham, Mr J Gray, Mrs P Hadley, Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr A Jarvie, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mr W MacKay, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr S Mackie, Mr A Mackinnon, Ms A MacLean, Mr D MacLeod, Mr D Macpherson, Mrs B McAllister, Mr J McGillivray, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Mrs M Paterson, Mr I Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs F Robertson, Mrs T Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Mrs N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Mrs K Stephen, Mr J Stone, Mr B Thompson, Mrs C Wilson

Votes for Mrs L MacDonald
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Mr K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, Ms E Knox, Mr R Laird, Mr D Louden, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr B MacLachlan, Mr C MacLeod, Mr R MacWilliam, Mr N McLean, Ms P Munro, Mr K Rosie, Ms M Smith

The Convener then took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

7. Leader of the Council – Appointment
Ceannard na Comhairle – Cur an Dreuchd

The Council AGREED to establish the post of Leader of the Council.

In this regard, Mrs M Davidson was nominated by Mr A Christie and this was seconded by Mr J Gray.

Ms M Smith was nominated by Mr R Laird and this was seconded by Mr K Gowans.

In a vote between the two candidates, Mrs Davidson received 52 votes and Ms Smith received 22 votes - with no abstentions.

It was therefore AGREED that Mrs M Davidson should be appointed as Leader of the Council – the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mrs M Davidson
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Mrs I Campbell, Miss J Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mr G Cruickshank, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J Finlayson, Mr M Finlayson, Mr L Fraser, Mr R Gale, Mr J Gordon, Mr A Graham, Mr J Gray, Mrs P Hadley, Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr A Jarvie, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mr W MacKay, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr S Mackie, Mr A Mackinnon, Ms A MacLean, Mr D MacLeod, Mr D Macpherson, Mrs B McAllister, Mr J McGillivray, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Mrs M Paterson, Mr I Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs F Robertson, Mrs T Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Mrs N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Mrs K Stephen, Mr J Stone, Mr B Thompson, Mrs C Wilson

Votes for Ms M Smith
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Mr K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, Ms E Knox, Mr R Laird, Mr D Louden, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr B MacLachlan, Mr C MacLeod, Mr R MacWilliam, Mr N McLean, Ms P Munro, Mr K Rosie, Ms M Smith

8. Depute Leader of the Council – Appointment
Iar-Cheannard na Comhairle – Cur an Dreuchd

The Council AGREED to establish the post of Depute Leader of the Council.

In this regard, Mr A Christie was nominated by Mrs M Davidson and this was seconded by Mr J Gray.

Mr R Laird was nominated by Ms M Smith and this was seconded by Dr I Cockburn.

In a vote between the two candidates, Mr Christie received 43 votes and Mr Laird received 22 votes - with 9 abstentions.

The Council therefore AGREED to appoint Mr A Christie as Depute Leader of the Council – the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr A Christie
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mrs C Caddick, Mrs I Campbell, Miss J Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J Finlayson, Mr M Finlayson, Mr L Fraser, Mr R Gale, Mr J Gordon, Mr A Graham, Mr J Gray, Mrs P Hadley, Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mr W MacKay, Mr A Mackinnon, Ms A MacLean, Mr D MacLeod, Mr D Macpherson, Mrs B McAllister, Mr J McGillivray, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Mrs M Paterson, Mr M Reiss, Mrs F Robertson, Mrs T Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mrs N Sinclair, Mrs K Stephen, Mr J Stone, Mr B Thompson, Mrs C Wilson

Votes for Mr R Laird
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Mr K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, Ms E Knox, Mr R Laird, Mr D Louden, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr B MacLachlan, Mr C MacLeod, Mr R MacWilliam, Mr N McLean, Ms P Munro, Mr K Rosie, Ms M Smith

Abstentions
Mr J Bruce, Mr G Cruickshank, Mr A Jarvie, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr S Mackie, Mr I Ramon, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair and Mr C Smith.

9. Leader of the Opposition – Appointment
Ceannard nan Dùbhlanach – Cur an Dreuchd

The Council AGREED to establish the post of Leader of the Opposition.

In this regard, Ms M Smith was nominated by Mr R Laird and this was seconded by Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair.

At this point, Mr C Smith was nominated by Mr A Jarvie and this was seconded by Mr G Cruickshank. In this respect, it was confirmed that this nomination could only proceed if a suspension of Standing Order 38.1.7 (which stated that nomination of the Leader of the Opposition should come from the largest political group in opposition to the Administration which in this case was the SNP Group) was moved and agreed.

Thereafter, Mr A Jarvie, seconded by Mr G Cruickshank, MOVED the suspension of Standing Order 38.1.7.

Mr R Laird, seconded by Ms M Smith, moved as an AMENDMENT that there should be no suspension of Standing Order 38.1.7.

On a vote being taken, the MOTION received 11 votes and the AMENDMENT received 24 votes- with 13 abstentions – the votes having been cast as follows:-

For the Motion
Mr R Balfour, Mr J Bruce, Mr G Cruickshank, Mr A Jarvie, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr S Mackie, Mr D MacLeod, Mr I Ramon, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair and Mr C Smith.

For the Amendment
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Mr K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, Mr A Graham, Mrs P Hadley, Ms E Knox, Mr R Laird, Mr D Louden, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr B MacLachlan, Mr C MacLeod, Mr R MacWilliam, Mr N McLean, Ms P Munro, Mr K Rosie and Ms M Smith

Abstentions
Mr G Adam, Mr R Gale, Mrs C Caddick, Mr A Christie, Mr  J Gray, Mrs D Mackay, Mrs A MacLean, Mrs B McAllister, Mrs L Munro, Mrs T Robertson, Ms N Sinclair, Ms K Stephen and Mr J Stone.

The Council therefore AGREED to appoint Ms M Smith as Leader of the Opposition.

10. Powers Taken
Cumhachdan a Ghabhadh

It was NOTED that the recess powers granted at the meeting held on Thursday, 9 March 2017 were exercised on behalf of the Council as follows:-

Strathpeffer Pavilion – Chief Executive – confirmation of a three year discounted lease agreement at a rental of £10,000 per annum between Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and the Council – with High Life Highland taking on an operational role over this period with the clear objective of supporting a community buy out. The Council would continue to maintain the Pavilion under the terms of the lease and Local Members were supportive. 

11. Confirmation of Minutes – Highland Council
Dearbhadh Geàrr-chunntais – Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There had been circulated for confirmation the Minutes of Meeting of the Highland Council held on Thursday, 9 March 2017 and of the Special Meeting (Planning) held on 7 March 2017 - which were APPROVED.

12. Deeds Executed
Sgrìobhainnean Lagha a Bhuilicheadh

It was NOTED that a list of deeds and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 9 March 2017 were available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.

13. Timetable of Meetings up to the Summer Recess
Clàr-ama Choinneamhan gu Fosadh an t-Samhraidh

It was AGREED that further meetings of the full Council up to the Summer Recess should be held as follows –

• Thursday, 1 June – 10.35am
• Thursday, 29 June - 10.35am

It was also NOTED that Time for Prayer and Reflection would continue to take place before the start of meetings of the full Council at 10.30am on each occasion.

The meeting ended at 10.55am.