Agendas, reports and minutes

15. Appointments to Other Bodies
Cur an Dreuchd gu Buidhnean Eile

(a) HiTRANS
HiTRANS

It was noted that HITRANS was the statutory Regional Transport Partnership for the Highlands and Islands and its membership included representatives from the five Councils – Highland, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Orkney, Moray and Argyll and Bute. HITRANS works with Councils, the Scottish Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, transport operators and other stakeholders to improve transport services in the Highlands and Islands. In addition to the Council appointments, there were three non-Council members who were appointed by the Scottish Government following an open advertisement and selection process.  

The Council had been invited to appoint 1 Member (with substitute) to HITRANS.

In this regard, nominations were received as follows:-

Mr A Henderson (as Chair of the Places Committee) with a Vice Chair as Substitute
Mr R Bremner

On a vote being taken, Mr Henderson received 44 votes and Mr Bremner received 20 votes, with 1 abstention, the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr Henderson
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J Finlayson, Mr M Finlayson, Mr L Fraser, Mr R Gale, 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, Mrs I MacKenzie, 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 l Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs T Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Mr B Thompson

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

Abstention
Mr G Cruickshank

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint the Chair of the Places Committee – with a Vice Chair as Substitute – to HiTRANS.     

(b) Highland Housing Alliance
Caidreachas Taigheadais na Gàidhealtachd

It was noted that the Highland Housing Alliance had been formed to help address the need for affordable housing in the Highlands with the objectives of operating a revolving landbanking fund to facilitate the construction of affordable housing, carrying out infrastructure works to enable sites to become available as feasible building sites, developing projects to provide housing (for sale and rent) at market or near market levels, organising, packaging and managing joint developments with housing associations and others and undertaking research, development and other work to improve the housing procurement process in the Highlands with specific reference to the sustainable use of locally sourced products.

The Council had been asked to appoint 1 Member to the Highland Housing Alliance.

In this regard, nominations were received as follows:-

Mrs T Robertson
Mr R MacWilliam

On a vote being taken, Mrs Robertson received 44 votes and Mr MacWilliam received 20 votes, the votes cast having been as follows:-

Votes for Mrs Robertson
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B Campbell, Mr A Christie, Mr G Cruickshank, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J Finlayson, Mr M Finlayson, Mr L Fraser, Mr R Gale, 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, Mrs I MacKenzie, 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 T Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Mr B Thompson

Votes for Mr MacWilliam
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Ms K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, Ms E Knox, Mr R Laird, 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

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Mrs T Robertson to the Highland Housing Alliance. 

(c) Comunn na Gaidhlig Ltd
Comunn na Gàidhlig Eta

It was noted that Comunn na Gaidhlig Ltd had been established as a co-ordinating Gaelic Development Agency, operating at a local, regional and national level, and the Board of Directors included representatives from Highland Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, An Comunn Gaidhealach and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

The Council had been invited to appoint 1 Member to the Board of Directors as detailed.

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Mr R Bremner to the Board of Directors. 

(However, subsequent to the meeting, it was confirmed that Comunn na Gaidhlig Ltd no longer required Council representation within the organisation).  

(d) An Comunn Gaidhealach

It was noted that that a Service Delivery Contract with An Comunn Gàidhealach provided for the Royal National Mod to be held in the Highland area in 2017 and 2020. In this respect, the Service Delivery Contract contained the following clause in relation to representation - the Service Provider is required to permit an elected representative from the Purchaser to sit on the Board of the Service Provider’s organisation and participate fully in all discussions and decisions relating to the Royal National Mods taking place in Highland, to provide the elected representative with all relevant Board agendas, papers, reports and minutes, to invite the elected representative to attend and participate in Board-led reviews, evaluations or other appraisals and to invite the elected representative to sit on both the National and Local Organising Committees.

The Council had been asked to appoint 1 Member as the representative on An Comunn Gaidhealach.

In this regard, nominations had been received as follows:-

Mrs I Campbell
Ms K Currie

On a vote being taken, Mrs Campbell received 45 votes and Ms Currie received 21 votes, the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mrs Campbell
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B 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, Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr A Jarvie, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mrs I MacKenzie, 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 l Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs T Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Mr B Thompson

Votes for Ms Currie
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Ms K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, Mrs P Hadley, Ms E Knox, Mr R Laird, 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

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Mrs I Campbell as the representative on An Comunn Gaidhealach.  

(e) Health & Social Care Committee
Comataidh Slàinte & Cùraim Shòisealta

It was noted that the Health & Social Care Committee had responsibility for co-ordinating the planning, development and provision of services by NHS Highland with a view to improving these services where possible. This included the provision of quality, safe and effective care as close to home as possible and ensuring that frontline staff had the opportunity and resources to achieve that objective. The Committee was also closely involved in community planning, with an emphasis on health & quality improvement, and played a key role in the modernisation of health care services along with vital participation in partnerships, integration and re-design. 

The Council had been invited to appoint 3 Members to the Health & Social Care Committee.

In this regard, nominations were received as follows:-

Ms N Sinclair
Mr R MacDonald
Ms K Stephen
Mr B Boyd
Mrs M Cockburn

On a vote being taken, Ms Sinclair received 45 votes, Mr MacDonald received 46 votes, Ms Stephen received 46 votes, Mr Boyd received 22 votes and Mrs Cockburn received 22 votes, the votes cast having been as follows:-

Votes for Ms Sinclair
Mr G Adam, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B 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, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr A Mackinnon, Ms A MacLean, 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 T Robertson, Mrs F Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Ms K Stephen, Mr B Thompson 

Votes for Mr MacDonald
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B 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 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, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr A Mackinnon, Ms A MacLean, Mr D MacLeod, Mr D Macpherson, Mr J McGillivray, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Mrs M Paterson, Mr I Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs T Robertson, Mrs F Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Ms K Stephen, Mr B Thompson 

Votes for Ms Stephen
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B Campbell, 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, Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr A Jarvie, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mrs I MacKenzie, 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 l Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs T Robertson, Mrs F Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Ms K Stephen, Mr B Thompson

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

Votes for Mrs Cockburn
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Ms K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, 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, Ms M Smith

At this point, Mr Boyd and Mrs Cockburn withdrew.

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Ms N Sinclair, Mr R MacDonald and Ms K Stephen to the Health and Social Care Committee.

It was also AGREED that the Leader of the Council should write to the Chair of the NHS Highland Board to request that the allocation of places on the Committee for Members of the Council be increased from 3 to 4 Members in future.       

(f) Highland Culture Strategic Board
Bòrd Ro-innleachdail Cultar na Gàidhealtachd

It was noted that the remit of the Highland Culture Strategic Board was to maximise the opportunities to enhance the cultural sector of the Highland Council area through effective collaboration with other organisations.

In this regard, the Council had been invited to appoint 3 Members to the Board and it was proposed that this should be the Leader of the Council, the Depute Leader and a Member of the People Committee.

Decision

It was AGREED that the Leader and Depute Leader of the Council should be appointed to the Highland Culture Strategic Board, together with a Member of the People Committee (who was to be appointed at the first meeting of that Committee).    

(g) Children’s Hearings Scotland – Highland & Moray Area Support Team 
Èisteachdan Chloinne Alba – Sgioba Taic Sgìreil na Gàidhealtachd & Mhoireibh

It was noted that the Highland & Moray Area Support Team was responsible for overseeing the functions of the Highland and Moray Children’s Panels and the Council had been asked to appoint 1 Member to this Team.

In this regard, nominations were received as follows:-

Mrs J Barclay
Mrs P Munro

On a vote being taken, Mrs Barclay received 43 votes and Mrs Munro received 24 votes, with 2 abstentions, the votes cast having been as follows:-

Votes for Mrs Barclay
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B 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 , Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D 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 l Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs T Robertson, Mrs F Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Ms N Sinclair, Ms K Stephen, Mr J Stone, Mr B Thompson

Votes for Mrs Munro 
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Ms K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, Mrs P Hadley, Mr A Jarvie, 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, Mr C Smith, Ms M Smith

Abstentions
Mr G Cruickshank, Mr A Sinclair

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Mrs J Barclay to the Highland & Moray Area Support Team.        

(h) The Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association 
Comann Fheachdan & Chaideatan Glèidhte na Gàidhealtachd

The Council had been invited to appoint 3 Members to the Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association which was tasked with representing the Reserve Forces (Royal Naval Reserve, Army Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force) and the three service cadet organisations (Sea, Army and Navy) in the area north of the Forth/Clyde line. The Association provided accommodation (TA centres and cadet buildings), support to recruiting, support to employers of reservists and support to the cadets and wider youth initiatives.

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Mr R Balfour, Ms C Caddick and Mr C Smith to the Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association.

(i) Scottish Councils Committee on Radioactive Substances 
Comataidh Chomhairlean na h-Alba air Stuthan Rèidio-beò

It was noted that the Scottish Councils Committee on Radioactive Substances had been set up by CoSLA, following discussion with the Scottish Government, as a group to co-ordinate the views of Scottish Councils on matters relating to radioactive substances. 

The remit of the Group was to act as an interface with the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and regulatory bodies as they consulted on radioactive waste management and clean-up policy and practice and to influence national policy on radioactive waste management in the interests of the communities affected.

The Council had been asked to appoint 1 Member to the Scottish Councils Committee on Radioactive Substances.

In this regard, nominations were received as follows:-

Mr M Reiss
Mr N McLean

On a vote being taken, Mr Reiss received 47 votes and Mr McLean received 22 votes, the votes cast having been as follows:-

Votes for Mr Reiss
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mr J Bruce, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B 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 A Jarvie, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mrs I MacKenzie, 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 l Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs T Robertson, Mrs F Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Ms N Sinclair, Mr C Smith, Ms K Stephen, Mr B Thompson

Votes for Mr McLean
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Mr G Cruickshank, Ms 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 

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Mr M Reiss to the Scottish Councils Committee on Radioactive Substances.  

(j) Armed Forces and Veterans Champion 
Curaidh nan Seann Ghaisgeach

It was noted that the purpose of the Armed Forces and Veterans Champion was to create links to proactively make contact with veterans organisations and maintain contact with the Cross Party Group on Armed Forces Veterans within the Scottish Parliament, promote interests to advance veterans interests at a local authority level through assessing the impact that Council initiatives had on veterans and to be a public advocate for veterans in the local authority area. 

The Council had been invited to nominate 1 Member as Armed Forces and Veterans Champion.

Decision

The Council AGREED to appoint Mr R Balfour as Armed Forces and Veterans Champion.  

(k) Highlands & Islands European Partnership  

It was noted that the Council was a member of the Highlands & Islands European Partnership (HIEP) which comprised Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the University of the Highlands & Islands and all 7 Local Authorities in the Highlands & Islands. HIEP had traditionally pursued priorities common to all Partners with Europe but, as Brexit approached, their role had widened to include domestic engagement to ensure the needs of the Highlands & Islands were recognised as alternative arrangements were developed. HIEP’s activity was overseen by the HIEP Board, which consisted of Council Leaders or senior members and senior representatives from HIE & UHI, and met quarterly. 

It was further noted that twice a year the HIEP Board meeting dates coincided with meetings of the Scottish Government Highlands & Islands Territorial Committee (HITC) which allowed a Highlands & Islands input to the monitoring of European Funding and current practice was that the HIEP Director also attended these meetings immediately before or after the Board meeting. 

The Council had been asked to nominate 1 Member (with Substitute) to the Partnership who would also attend two HITC meetings per year.

In this regard, nominations were received as follows:-

Mr J Gray (with the Depute Leader as Substitute)
Mr K Gowans
Mr S Mackie

On a vote being taken, Mr J Gray received 42 votes, Mr K Gowans received 22 votes and Mr S Mackie received 8 votes – the votes cast having been as follows:-

Votes for Mr Gray
Mr G Adam, Mr R Balfour, Mrs J Barclay, Mr A Baxter, Mrs C Caddick, Miss J Campbell, Mrs B 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, Mr T Heggie, Mr A Henderson, Mr B Lobban, Mr R MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D 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 l Ramon, Mr M Reiss, Mrs T Robertson, Mrs F Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr P Saggers, Ms N Sinclair, Ms K Stephen, Mr J Stone, Mr B Thompson

Votes for Mr Gowans
Mr B Allan, Mr B Boyd, Mr R Bremner, Mr I Brown, Mrs M Cockburn, Dr I Cockburn, Ms K Currie, Mr C Fraser, Mr K Gowans, 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, Ms M Smith

Votes for Mr Mackie
Mr J Bruce, Mr G Cruickshank, Mr A Jarvie, Mrs I MacKenzie, Mr D MacLeod, Mr P Saggers, Mr A Sinclair, Mr C Smith

At this point, it was confirmed that Mr J Gray had received an absolute majority of the votes cast and there was therefore no requirement for any further vote to be taken.  

Decision 

The Council AGREED to appoint Mr J Gray (with the Depute Leader as Substitute) to the Highlands & Islands European Partnership.

16. Timetable of Meetings for the remainder of 2017 
Clàr-ama Choinneamhan airson na tha air fhàgail de 2017

There had been circulated amended Timetable of Meetings for the remainder of 2017 for approval. 

In this regard, it was confirmed that a proposed Timetable for Meetings in 2018 would be circulated for consideration at the September Council meeting.

Decision

It was AGREED that the scheduled meetings for the month of June should proceed on the basis that the timetable would be further amended for the remainder of the year (in order to avoid two or more Strategic Committee meetings being held in the same week) and re-submitted to the next meeting on 29 June for approval. 

The meeting ended at 2.20pm.