Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Monday 19 May 2025 at 10.00am.

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
Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate Governance

Business

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

2.  Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statemen
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/Aithris Fhollaiseachd

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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.  Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Area Performance Report
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba – Aithisg Coileanaidh Sgìreil

There will follow Report No CIA/13/25 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.

4.  Inverness Common Good Fund: Discretionary Scheme for Winter Payments 2025/26
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis: Sgeama fo Ùghdarras airson Pàighidhean Geamhraidh 2025/26

There is circulated Report No CIA/14/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Corporate.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.     agree to provide an Inverness Winter Payments Discretionary Scheme for 2025/26 having regard to the financial support available from Social Security Scotland (SSS) and other sources as set out in sections 6 and 7 of the report;
ii.    agree to accept applications from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026 inclusive;
iii.   agree to provide a total budget of £0.237m inclusive for the 2025/26 Scheme noting that payments for Landward Areas will be sourced from available income within the Inverness Benevolent Funds first, with the ICGF being utilised for the Landward Areas, in the event that officers decide it financially prudent to do so; 
iv.    decide whether to apply a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase to the £111 award rate for 2024/25 in order to determine the 2025/26 single tier payment rate;
v.     should Members agree to apply a CPI increase as set out in 2.1 (iv) above, agree to use the annual CPI of 3.4% (March 2025 rate), noting this will establish the 2025/26 award amount at £115 for eligible applicants;
vi.    agree that the criteria utilised for the 2024/25 scheme as set out in paragraphs 8.2 to 9.6 shall be used as the basis for the 2025/26 Scheme; 
vii.   agree this discretionary scheme is to be made available to residents in the City of Inverness and the Landward areas of the seven City Wards; and 
viii.  note BACS payments are used for this discretionary scheme as this is the most secure method of payment for recipients of the payment and the Council alike.

5.  Community Regeneration Fund – Approval of Process
Maoin Ath-bheòthachadh Coimhearsnachd – Pròiseas Aontachaidh

There is circulated Report No CIA/15/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i.     to utilise the existing delegated powers granted to Inverness Common Good Fund Sub Committee (ICGFSC) to make recommendations to CIAC on final funding awards for the sifting of expressions of interest and assessment of applications; and  
ii.    that the priority outcome for CRF funding in the City of Inverness and Area should be projects that meet the outcome of reducing poverty and inequality.

6.  Scottish Government Play Park Funding
Maoineachadh Phàircean-cluiche Riaghaltas na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No CIA/16/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i.    in Ward 12 £102,336 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.5 of the report;
ii.    in Ward 13 £72,225 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.6 of the report;
iii.    in Ward 14 £55,000 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlines at 6.7 of the report;
iv.    in Ward 15 £73,304 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.8 of the report;
v.    In Ward 16 £56,000 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.9 of the report;
vi.    in Ward 17 £93,187 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.10 of the report;
vii.    in Ward 19 £60,000 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.11 of the report; and
viii.    Ward 19 £60,000 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined at 6.11 of the report.

7.  Inverness Waiting and Loading Restrictions Consideration of Objections
Beachdachadh air Gearanan mu Bhacaidhean Feitheimh is Luchdachaidh   Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/17/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the extents of the proposed Variation Eight;
ii.    note the intention to remove the changes proposed for: Greig Street, Balnain Street from the Order;
iii.    note the intention to remove the changes proposed for: Limited waiting disabled bays, Old Mill Road and Station Lane from the Order to be considered after further engagement activity;
iv.    consider the impact assessment in Appendix 1 of the report;
v.    consider the outstanding objections received to The Highland Council (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading and Parking Places) (Decriminalised Parking Enforcement and Consolidation) Variation Eight Order 2024; and 
vi.    subject to i-iv, approve the making of the Road Traffic Regulation Order.

8.  Inverness Common Good Fund (ICGF)
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Nis

a) Grants Applications over £10,000
Iarrtasan Tabhartais thar £10,000

There is circulated Report No. CIA/18/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to consider the applications for funding detailed in Booklet A.

9.  Potential Heat Network Development in Inverness
Leasachadh Lìonra Teasa a dh’Fhaodadh a Bhith ann an Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No CIA/19/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note progress to date.

10. Housing Management Performance Report – 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Aithisg Coileanaidh Stiùireadh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2024 gu 31 Màrt 2025

There is circulated Report No CIA/20/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025

11. Environmental Health - Annual Report & Activity 2024/25
Slàinte Àrainneachdail – Aithisg Bhliadhnail & Gnìomhachd 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. CIA/21/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note and provide any feedback on:-

i.    the variety and volume of work being undertaken locally by the environmental health team; 
ii.    the Highland wide issues; and
iii.    the report format and content.

12. Environmental Health - Air Quality Report
Slàinte Àrainneachdail - Càileachd an Adhair

There is circulated Report No. CIA/22/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note and provide any feedback on:-

i.    the acceptance by Scottish Government (SG) of the 2024 AQMA Action Plan;
ii.    the general improvement in air quality in the city centre;
iii.    the Revocation of the Inverness City Centre Air Quality AQMA;
iv.    the project work carried out in Primary Schools to monitor air quality and raise awareness;
v.    the proposed delivery of a city centre anti-idling campaign on Clean Air Day 2025;
vi.    the continued provision of Local Site Operator (LSO) service to the UK Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN); and
vii.    the report format and content.

13. Bereavement Services – Project Updates
Cunntas às ùr mu sheirbheisean bàis

There is circulated Report No CIA/23/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the progress of burial ground extensions in the Inverness area; and 
ii.    the challenges with identifying and developing suitable land for burial ground development.

14. Associated School Group Attainment Overview
Foir-shealladh air Buileachadh Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte 

There is circulated Report No CIA/25/25, No CIA/25/25, and No CIA/26/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - People.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the reports related to Charleston Academy, Glen Urquhart High, Inverness High School.

15. Ward Discretionary Budget Applications
Iarrtasan Buidseat fo Ùghdarras Uàird 

The Committee is asked to note that the following City of Inverness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 3 February 2025:-

Ward 12
- Balnain Primary School Parent Council: Playground Update £750
- Beauly Gala: Gala Weekend  £990
- Beauly Community Council: Maple Vale Beauly Playpark Planting  £1,628
- Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre: ELC Room Provisions Upgrade  £703

Ward 13
- N/A

Ward 14
- Crown Connects SCIO: Hill District Place Plan  £461.04
- Partnership for Wellbeing: Friendship Bus / Club Expansion  £1,200
- Inverness Foodstuff: Public Diner Feasibility  £1,000

Ward 15
- Westwing + Core (Inverness Royal Academy ASN Support Bases):Annual Outdoor Education Trip  £1,000
- Inverness Royal Academy: Bothy Nature Base  £2,000
- Partnership for Wellbeing: Friendship Bus/Club Expansion  £1,200
- Ness Castle Primary School Parent Council: Health and Happy-Ness  £6,840.50

Ward 16
- Hilton Primary Parents & Friends: P7 School Trip  £5,115.93
- Partnerships for Wellbeing: Friendship Bus/Club Expansion  £1,200

Ward 17
- HLH Culloden Active Schools: Culloden ASG School Football Groups  £2,592.94
- Culloden Community Council: New Benches & Bench Replacement  £4,500
- Cameron Drive Play Park  £2,968.06

Ward 19 
- Partnership for Wellbeing: Friendship Bus/Club Expansion  £1,200
- Inshes Library: Fèis a' Bhaile and Inshes Library Community Piano Project  £1,428
- Play Parks  £4,553

16. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate:-

i.    City of Inverness Area Committee held on 3 February 2025 for noting; 
ii.    Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group held on 20 February and 19 March 2025 for approval; and 
iii.    Inverness Common Good Fund Sub-Committee held on 6 May 2025 for approval.