Agendas, reports and minutes

In relation to the agenda and papers circulated for the above Meeting of the Highland Council, please find attached the undernoted which it was indicated would follow:-

AGENDA ITEM 5

Question Time                                                                                        
Àm Ceiste

There are circulated Responses to the Questions on the Council Agenda which it was indicated would follow –

Public Question

Mr Ewing

To the Chair of Economy and Infrastructure“Despite having it in print that funding is available for a Pelican Crossing on the B9006 near the bus stops at Brinckman/Cradlehall, why has it not been installed, instead, why has money been wasted on pavement alterations which only encourage the public to cross at a more dangerous spot?” 

The request for a crossing at this point from some members of the community is being considered.  Ward Councillors, including myself, have been in contact with you during the term of the previous council in respect of this. As a result, action has been taken in line with an incremental approach.  
Working closely with officers from Safe Routes to School, traffic calming measures have been undertaken that will influence driver behaviour on the B9006 (Culloden Road). We are also undertaking signalisation of Tower Road and Culloden Road at the B9006 junction to support road safety and encourage active travel. A gradual reduction of speed limits for inbound traffic, from 60 to 50, to 40mph will also be introduced.
I can also confirm that improvements have been made to pedestrian crossing facilities in the area of Brinckman Terrace, an uncontrolled drop kerb crossing has already been installed.
As previously communicated to you, any additional road safety would benefit from being channelled through Cradlehall Primary School’s Travel Plan. To date there has been no such request from the school has been made.

Member Questions 

(1) Mr A Christie

To the Leader

“Please could the Leader share with us either estimated or clear timescales, the process by which the Administration intends to formulate, debate, and approve the new Administration Programme which will become the Highland Council Programme?”

Dedicated work is already underway to develop the Joint Administration’s programme, and this is continuing over the summer.  The intention is to engage with Members, staff and communities following the recess period and bring to the Council as soon as possible after that.

(2) Mr A Christie

To the Chair of Corporate Resources

“Could the Chair of Corporate Resources (or Budget Lead) please detail the impact both operationally and in financial terms that the Scottish Government Resource Spending Review published on 31 May 2022 will have on the Council with particular regard to the Fraser of Allender Institute assertion that the local government budget will decline by 7% in real terms between 2022/23 and 2026/27?”

The Scottish Government Resource Spending Review has provided a high-level overview of the funding available for the different Scottish Government directorates for the next 5 years. The Local Government directorate allocation sees a flat cash scenario with a small uplift in year five. At this stage it is not possible to say what the exact impact of this settlement will be at individual Council level.

When the Council set its budget for financial year 2022/23 in March of this year the focus was on delivering a balanced budget for 2022/23 only. Part of the budget paper (section 7) did however look to the medium term with a five-year medium-term scenario, based on flat cash funding settlements from government, showing a five-year budget gap from 2022/23 to 2026/27 of £114.5m.

As outlined in the annual accounts documents being considered by Council today Members will be aware that challenging financial times lie ahead of us. This Administration is firmly committed to delivering a medium-term financial strategy that will ensure the Council’s financial sustainability during this challenging period.

(3) Mrs T Robertson

To the Chair of Housing and Property Committee

“Artificial grass pitches are a significant source of microplastic pollution. The number of these is growing across HIGHLAND.

The weather, pitch maintenance and the shoes and clothes of players can dislodge and transport the microplastic granules away from the field. Each pitch requires replacement of up to 5 tonnes of micro crumb infill on a yearly basis to maintain the standard. 
Microplastic pollution has an impact on the soil, waterways and ultimately the ocean.

What practical steps are being taken to reduce or prevent microplastic loss from artificial pitches across our estate?”

Synthetic playing surfaces allow much more hours of usage than grass playing fields and therefore contribute to the general health and wellbeing of school pupils and the wider community.

The Council has an inspection and maintenance contract in place for all synthetic surfaces which reduces the need for significant topping up of the infill material. High use areas, such as goalmouths, corners, and penalty spots, require more regular replenishment but this may only be a relatively small amount each year. 

(4) Mr A Jarvie

To the Chair of Corporate Resources

“How many employees have taken the Council to employment tribunal in each of the last 5 years, broken down by high level reasons for lodging the action?”

Please see below the number of employees who have submitted Employment Tribunal claims in each of the last 5 years.  

The majority of the cases are resolved outwith Tribunal process and of the cases submitted over the last 5, there are 4 live cases submitted in the current year.