Agendas, reports and minutes

Lochaber Committee

Date: Monday, 9 August 2021

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Lochaber Committee will take place Remotely on Monday 9 August, 2021 at 10.30am.
 
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
 
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. Police Scotland Local Committee Performance Report
    Aithisg Choileanaidh Comataidh Ionadail Poileas Alba
 
There is circulated Report No LA/14/21 by the Lochaber Area Inspector.
 
Members are invited to note progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2020 – 2023 Year 1, attached as Annex A to the report, for the period covering 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. 
 
4. Update on Fort William 2040 - Presentation
    Fios às Ùr mu Ghearasdan 2040
 
5. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021
    Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2021 gu 30 Ògmhios 2021
 
There is circulated Report No LA/15/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.
 
The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance for the period 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021.
 
6. Place Based Investment Funds – Proposed Funding Allocations
    Maointean Tasgaidh Stèidhichte air Àite – Riarachaidhean Maoineachaidh a Thathar a’ Moladh
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/16/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.
 
Members are asked to consider and agree the proposed allocations of Place Based Investment Funds as follows:
 
i. Ward 21 – Fort William and Ardnamurchan
 
a. Investment in play provision in Kinlochleven - £50,000
b. Investment in feasibility study for Upper Achintore Community Hub - £20,000
c. Investment in mental well-being projects - £30,000
d. Total = £100,000
 
ii. Ward 11 – Caol and Mallaig – projects under the themes of play provision, youth facilities and physical and mental well-being are currently being developed.  These will be reported to a future Area Committee. PP.17-19
 
7. Commando Memorial – Garden Extension
    Carragh-cuimhne nan Commando – Leudachadh Gàrraidh
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/17/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.
 
Members are asked to:
 
i.   note the proposed works to the site which have been agreed with the Commando 
     Association and the Royal Marines.
ii.  agree to allocate up to £65,000 from the Commando Memorial Garden Fund
iii. note the intention to carry out further works to the Memorial which will be the subject of a future report.
 
8. Mallaig Associated School Group Overview
    Foir-shealladh Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Mhalaig
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/18/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
 
Members are asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report.
 
9. Lochaber Area Roads Winter Maintenance Plan 2021/22
    Plana Cumail Suas Rathaidean Geamhraidh Sgìre Loch Abar 2021/22
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/19/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.
 
Members are asked to approve the Winter Maintenance Plan for the Lochaber Area in reference to Appendix A of the report.
 
10. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas
 
There is circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Lochaber Committee held on 19 April 2021 which were approved by the Council on 13 May 2021. 
 
11. Corran Ferry Project (Outline Business Case) Update
      Fios às Ùr mu Phròiseact Aiseag a’ Chorrain (Dreachd Cùis Gnothachais)
 
There is circulated Report No. LA/20/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment & Economy.
 
Members are invited to note the recommendations below from Appendix A: - 
 
i. note that The Highland Council (as opposed to the Scottish Government) must find the capital cost for the replacement vessels and slipways prior to any potential future transfer of responsibility discussion;
 
ii. note that a meeting took place between Kate Forbes MSP and a Corran Ferry lobbying group (12 March 2021) which led to a further meeting between Kate Forbes and Paul Wheelhouse regarding the Council’s request for financial support to bridge the funding gap by covering half (£0.8M) of the feasibility and preliminary design costs (£1.6M);
 
iii. note that unfortunately Transport Scotland did not sign off the requested £0.8M but they have agreed that synergies between the Council’s Corran Ferry project and Transport Scotland’s Small Vessels Replacement Programme (SVRP) should be explored, with consideration given to examining what Transport Scotland can do to maximise support in kind. A copy of the letter from Transport Scotland can be found here attached as a separate report Appendix B;
 
iv. note that a key milestone was reached when the Council approved the funding of £1.6M (Highland Council 24 June 21) to enable the project to commence work on the feasibility and preliminary design of:–
 
• 2 new vessels (in conjunction with Transport Scotland /CMAL’s SVRP); and
• 2 new slipways and supporting infrastructure;
 
v. note that CMAL are in the process of appointing a naval architect and the SVRP is currently on course to move to procurement of the first tranche of vessels in the next 12 months, subject to the completion and approval of an outline business case; 
 
vi. note that the Council’s Project Design Unit is currently progressing a public service contract through the Scotland Excel framework to procure an external source to commence feasibility and preliminary design work for the Corran Ferry slipways / infrastructure; 
 
vii. note the high-level review (attached as a separate document Appendix C) for the slipways / infrastructure proposals;
 
viii. note a suggested Corran Ferry - High Level Preliminary Programme (attached as a in separate document Appendix D); and  
 
ix. note that Stantec will deliver a presentation on the Corran Narrows Socio-economic Study to members following this report.