Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Kelly, Kinniburgh, Lynch, Moffat, Ellen Morton, and Vennard.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 6 April 2017

The Minute of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Services Committee of 6 April 2017 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report presenting the Development and Infrastructure Services departmental performance report with associated scorecard for performance in FQ4 2016-17 (January to March 2017) and FQ1 2017-18 (April to June 2017) was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the Development and Infrastructure Services performance report and associated scorecards for Financial Quarters 4 and 1.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 7 September 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered the Roads Asset Management Plan (RAMP) which forms part of a suite of documents used to manage the roads asset and informs the Annual Status and Options Report and the Road Maintenance Manual by defining the targets and strategies used to develop annual works programmes when the Council’s budget for roads has been agreed.

Decision

The Committee  endorsed the Roads Asset Management Plan.

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee were advised that the Council currently operate four ferry services. The Scottish Ferries Plan (2013 – 2022) published by the Scottish Government indicated a willingness to work with local authorities to take over the responsibility of such ferry services, should a local authority so wish. The submitted report provided some background detail on the process to date between the Council and Transport Scotland on this issue.

Decision

The Committee noted the work that has been carried out to date, as outlined in the submitted report, and approve a) the continuation of negotiations with Transport Scotland and b) a move to further consultation with community groups.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 10 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which outlined how the Council will identify, assess and address bridges and sections of road requiring safety/crash barriers. The Council has in place a comprehensive asset management system for road surfaces and a number of other road assets. Producing an inventory and prioritising safety/crash barriers will further enhance the roads asset management process.

Decision

The Committee endorsed the terms of the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which presented the Winter Service Policy 2017/18 which remained in a similar format and covers a similar network to the Policy approved by Council in 2014 which is generally based on the network and times of the public bus service with additional priority and resources allocated to strategic high speed roads.

Decision

The Committee approved:-

a)     The 2017/18 Winter Maintenance Policy as detailed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report and ;

b)     The Salt Use Protocol at detailed at Appendix 4 to the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provided detail on the external amenity contracts across all areas.

Decision

The Committee endorsed the terms of the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provided information about the applications received for the Sustainable Community Initiatives Fund and detailed how the fund is to be disbursed.

Decision

The Committee noted the terms of the report and agreed to the disbursement of any left-over funds be allocated as detailed at paragraph 4.11 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 4 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which summarised the work of officers to date to give effect to the council decision of February 2016 to look at alternative, community led festive lighting delivery methods. The report also indicated potential alternative delivery methods, highlighting the work programme for this year, and set out potential alternative uses for the earmarked funds into Year three.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.     Noted the progress so far with community engagement and the positive indications of the ambitions for community led delivery models.

2.     Noted that festive lighting will be delivered in 2017 on the basis of historic arrangements.

3.     Agreed that a further report will come forward to EDI into the Spring of 2018 giving further detail on inventory, specification and single switch on scoping work, as well as the next phase of community engagement and the preferred route for the transfer of existing festive lighting assets.

4.     Agreed that individual reports on the financial position with the remaining earmarked funds, which will reduce if the council delivers festive lighting this December on the basis of historic arrangements, and their potential future uses in Year three, will go to the four area committees into the Spring of 2018.

5.     Agreed that should a community group wish to take on delivery this year (2017), and they wish to apply to the Council for funding to do so, any such application would be subject to the Council’s normal funding request process, and would be a matter for area committees to determine, on the basis that the budget has been delegated to them.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provided Members with an update on the progress of the Scottish Government policy review regarding the legal, policy and financial implications relevant to the future procurement of the Scottish Government’s ferry services.

Decision

Agree to delegate to the Executive Director of Development and Environment Services in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair of EDI and the Leader of the Council to determine the final wording as the response to the Policy.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 30 August 2017, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Services work plan as at September 2017.

Decision

The Committee noted the work plan as at September 2017.

(Ref: EDI work plan as at September 2017, submitted)