Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Thursday 16 August 2018 at 10.30am. 

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

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

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.    Good News 
Naidheachdan Matha    

4.    Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh    

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at
its meeting on 28 June 2018 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Committee.

5.    Development and Infrastructure Service Revenue Budget                  
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach Seirbheis an Leasachaidh agus a’ Bhun-structair    
     
There is circulated Report No. EDI/41/18 dated 30 July 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 June 2018, and the actions which have been put in place to manage the budget over the remainder of the financial year.

6.    Capital Expenditure Monitoring Report     
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Caiteachais Chalpa    

There is circulated Report No. EDI/42/18 dated 7 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve:-

i.    the capital expenditure monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 June 2018; and
ii.   the allocation of £0.250m for roads improvements at Crask Junction.

7.    Planning Performance Framework and Quarter 1 Performance Review      
Frèam Coileanadh Dealbhaidh agus Ath-sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Cairteal 1    

There is circulated Report No. EDI/43/18 dated 10 July 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    approve the Planning Performance Framework (PPF) for submission to Scottish Government; and
ii.   note the performance updates for the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plans teams.

8.    Finalised Developer Contributions Supplementary Guidance    
Stiùireadh Leasachail Deireannach mu Thabhartasan Luchd-leasachaidh 

There is circulated Report No. EDI/44/18 dated 1 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the comments received on the draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Guidance (DCSG), agree the Council responses and the resultant amendments made in finalising the guidance as summarised at Appendix 1 of the report; 
ii.   agree to adopt the DCSG at Appendix 2 of the report as statutory Supplementary guidance to the Highland-wide Local development Plan (2012) subject to incorporating any feedback from Scottish Ministers during the statutory referral process for adoption and to make any incidental, factual or presentational amendments; and
iii.   note that following its adoption the new DCSG will supersede the existing 2013 DCSG and form part of the Development Plan.

9.    A9 Dualling – Tomatin to Moy Publication of Draft Orders     
Dùblachadh A9 – An Tom Aitinn chun na Moighe – Foillseachadh Dreachd Òrdughan 

There is circulated Report No. EDI/45/18 dated 3 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the contents of this report, in particular the need to enter new side roads in the list of public roads;
ii.   agree the proposed response to Transport Scotland and provide any comments or additions; and
iii.  agree to delegate the Director of Development and Infrastructure to submit the approved response.

10.    Proposals for the Future Management of Facility Lets    
Molaidhean airson Rianachd Aontaidhean Màil san Àm ri Teachd

There is circulated Report No EDI/46/18 dated 30 July 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the progress made with improving the lets booking process;
ii.   note the progress with rationalising which schools are open for evening community lets, including engagement with Head Teachers and an assessment of the use of out-of-school hours in Public/Private Partnership (PPP) schools as set out at section 5 of the report;
iii.  note the revised price structure as set out in section 6 and Appendix 2 of the report;
iv.  agree to continue current concessions of free lets as set out in section 7 of the report; and
v.   note the intention to develop marketing and promotion once these proposals are implemented.

11.    Economy and Regeneration     
Eaconamaidh agus Ath-ùrachadh

There is circulated Report No EDI/47/18 dated 3 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note the report and the key developments highlighted during quarter 1 and emerging activity.

12.    Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership     
Com-pàirteachas Ath-ùrachaidh Ghallaibh agus Chataibh a Tuath

There is circulated Report No EDI/48/18 dated 6 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note progress to date;
ii.   welcome news of funding for the proposed Sutherland spaceport; and
iii.  agree to support efforts designed to improve flight connectivity at Wick John O’Groats airport. 

13.    National Council of Rural Advisors Consultation    
Co-chomhairle Comhairle Nàiseanta nan Comhairlichean Dùthchail

There is circulated Report No EDI/49/18 dated 27 July 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree to homologate the consultation response prepared and submitted to the Scottish Government; and
ii.   offer comment on the issues raised.  

14.    Stability and Simplicity – Proposals for a Rural Funding Transition Period Post BREXIT                                                                                      
Seasmhachd agus Sìmplidheachd – molaidhean airson ùine eadar-ghluasaid airson maoineachadh dùthchail

There is circulated Report No EDI/50/18 dated 1 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree to homologate the consultation response prepared and submitted to the Scottish Government on 15 August 2017; and
ii.   highlight any further comments that will/can be submitted post the consultation deadline.  

15.    Preliminary Confirmation of the Caol and Lochyside Flood Prevention Protection Scheme (FPS)     
Dearbhadh Tòiseachail air Sgeama Casg Thuiltean a’ Chaoil agus Thaobh Lòchaidh 

There is circulated Report No EDI/51/18 dated 27 July 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    make a preliminary decision to confirm the proposed scheme without modifications; and
ii.   approve the draft planning conditions as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

16.    Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland                                 
Prògraman Lùth-èifeachdais airson na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No EDI/52/18 dated 30 July 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to: -

i.    note the progress and programme for the current scheme, the changes to be made to the funding and the actions required transforming to Energy Efficient Scotland activities;
ii.   approve a closer alignment between Council programmes and those targeted measures for householders and businesses to ensure that the programmes gain the maximum benefits for the Highlands.

17.    Community Services Revenue Budget                                           
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd     

There is circulated Report No EDI/53/18 dated 16 August 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the revenue monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 June 2018

18.    Community Services Performance Report – 1 April to 30 June 2018    
Aithisg Choileanaidh nan Seirbheisean Coimhearsnachd – 1 Giblean gu 30 Ògmhios 2018    

There is circulated Report No EDI/54/18 dated 16 August 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on Community Services performance for the period 1 April to 30 June 2018.

19.    Progress Update on Implementation of the Council’s Preferred Option for Managing its Biodegradable Municipal Waste                               
Cunntas Adhartais mu Bhuileachadh Roghainn na Comhairle airson Rian a Chumail air a Sgudal Bailteil Bith-chnàmhach     

There is circulated Report No EDI/55/18 dated 30 July 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.      note the contents of the Report; and
ii.     agree that officers pursue the site identified at the former Longman Landfill Site in Inverness as the Council’s preferred location for its Materials Recovery Facility, in consultation with the Common Good Fund as landowners.

20.    Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey 2017                     
Suirbhidh Staid Gleidhidh Rathaidean na h-Alba 2017     

There is circulated Report No EDI/56/18 dated 24 July 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.     note the results of the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey for 2017; and 
ii.    consider additional investment in the road network.

21.    Winter Service Review 2018                                                             
Ath-sgrùdadh Seirbheisean Geamhraidh 2018     

There is circulated Report No EDI/57/18 dated 26 July 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.     note the actions being taken to improve the winter service;
ii.    note the outcomes of the survey with Community Councils; 
iii.   agree to extend the winter survey to include the general public; 
iv.   agree to adjust the weekend service as per section 8 in the report; and
v.    agree to amend the Winter Service Policy accordingly.

22.    Review of Road Construction Consent Inspection Fees              
Ath-sgrùdadh air Cosgaisean Sgrùdaidh Aonta Togail Rathaidean    

There is circulated Report No EDI/58/18 dated 24 July 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    approve the proposed revised scale of fees for Road Construction Consent Inspections, which will be applied retrospectively from 1 April 2017; and
ii.   note that a 12 month validation trial will be undertaken to assess the appropriateness of the new fees and that a subsequent report will be presented to this committee in November 2019. 

23.    Parking Services                                                                               
Seirbheisean Parcaidh     

There is circulated Report No EDI/59/18 dated 2 July 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.     note the update on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement; 
ii.    approve the adoption of the attached five year Parking Policy; and
iii.   approve the service review of resources including staffing and structure required to deliver Parking Redesign outcomes

24.    Scottish Water Section 7 - Memorandum of Understanding        
Uisge na h-Alba Earrann 7 – Meòrachan Tuigse    

There is circulated Report No EDI/60/18 dated 24 July 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.     approve the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding between The Highland Council and Scottish Water with regard to the ability to enter into individual Section 7 agreements;
ii.    note that funding for maintenance of sites with a Section 7 agreement may result in budget pressures, which should be recognised, as continued maintenance of these sites is essential to reduce the risk of localised flooding; and
iii.   note the current position in Highland in relation to the legacy surface water drainage systems. 

25.    Northern Roads Collaboration    
Co-obrachadh nan Rathaidean a Tuath     

There is circulated Report No EDI/61/18 dated 3 August 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the progress of the Northern Roads Collaboration Joint Committee;
ii.   note that decisions on whether to participate in potential roads collaboration projects will be reserved to the Council; and
iii.  note that it is intended that EDI Committee will receive an annual report on performance, activities and achievements of the Joint Committee.

26.    Harbours Management Board – Change of Membership    
Bòrd Stiùiridh nan Calaidhean – Atharrachadh Ballrachd

The Committee is invited to agree that Mr D Rixson is appointed to the Harbours Management Board to replace Mrs T Robertson.

27.    Minutes     
Geàrr-chunntas    

There is circulated:-

(a) Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for noting:-

i.     North PAC – 17 April 2018 
ii.    South PAC – 24 April 2018
iii.   North PAC – 5 June 2018 
iv.   North PAC – 20 June 2018 

(b)    Minutes for noting:- 

i     Tourism Working Group of 13 June 2018
ii    Education Transport Entitlement Review Sub-Committee of 20 June 2018

(c)  And, for approval Minutes of:-

i.    the Harbours Management Board of 15 June 2018 and 3 August 2018; and
ii.   the Waste Strategy Working Group of 10 August 2018.

28.    Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill    

The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act, the relevant paragraphs being shown.

29.    Restructuring of Waste Services’ Management Team     
Ath-structaradh Sgioba Stiùiridh nan Seirbheisean Sgudail

Paragraph 1

There is circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/62/18 dated 16 August 2018 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations as detailed in the report.

30.    Land and Property     
Fearann is Cuid-seilbhe

Paragraphs 6 and 9

There is circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/63/18 dated 7 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations contained within the report.

31.    Property Transactions Monitoring Report     
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

Paragraphs 6 and 9

There is circulated to Members only Report No. EDI/64/18 dated 1 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note the monitoring statements for General Fund and Property Account transactions as approved by the Head of Development and Regeneration under delegated authority as well the Budgeted Sales for 2018/19 and beyond.

32.  Housing Development Initiatives                                                   

Paragraphs 6 & 9

Report No. EDI/65/18 dated 15 August 2018 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to approve the recommendations contained within the report.