MINUTE of the MEETING of the DEVELOPMENT AND …€¦ · Jackie Thomson, Development and Regeneration Manager (for Items 15 to 25) Stuart Allison, Economic Development Manager (for

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MINUTE of the MEETING of the DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE of ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL held in COUNCIL OFFICES, KIRKWALL on 10 SEPTEMBER 2013 at 10.30am Present: Councillors James W Stockan, Janice Annal,

Maurice C Davidson, Andrew Drever, James Foubister, T Stephen Hagan, Steven B Heddle, Gwenda M Shearer, William T Stout and David R Tullock Councillor Owen Tierney (who had been invited for Items 10 to 14)

Clerk to the Committee:

Angela Kingston, Committees Officer

In Attendance:

Gavin Barr, Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Gareth Waterson, Head of Finance Brian Archibald, Head of Transportation and Amenities Roddy Mackay, Head of Planning and Regulatory Services (for Items 1 to 14) Shona Croy, Strategic Advisor (for Items 14 and 15) Jackie Thomson, Development and Regeneration Manager (for Items 15 to 25) Stuart Allison, Economic Development Manager (for Items 15 to 25) Peter Bevan, Engineering Manager (for Items 1 to 3) Simon Butcher, Road Services Manager (for Items 1 to 8) Michael Morrison, Business Development Manager (for Items 24 and 25) Stuart West, Planning Manager (Development and Marine Planning) (for Items 9 to 14) Sheila Shearer, Solicitor Hazel Flett, Senior Committees Officer

Observing: Laura Cromarty, Transportation Manager (for Items 15 to 23) Maria Cuthbertson, Waste Service Manager (for Items 1 to 3) Jennifer Irvine, Committees Officer Rebecca McAuliffe, Press Officer (for Items 1 to 4 and 8 to 25)

Apologies: Councillors James W R Moar and Graham L Sinclair Councillor Robin W Crichton (who had been invited for Items 10 to 14)

Not Present: Councillor Alistair C Gordon (who had been invited for Item 19)

Declarations of Interest:

Councillor T Stephen Hagan – Item 23 Councillor Steven B Heddle – Item 21

Councillor James W Stockan in the Chair

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1 REVENUE EXPENDITURE OUTTURN REPORT 2012/13 After consideration of a joint report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Executive Director of Corporate Services, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Finance, the Committee:- NOTED:- 1.1 the revenue expenditure outturn statement in respect of Development and

Infrastructure for financial year 2012/13, indicating:- 1.1.1 a net General Fund underspend of £600,000; and 1.1.2 a net Non-General Fund underspend of £74,000; and

1.2 the explanations given and actions proposed, in respect of significant budget variances, as outlined in the Budget Action Plan, attached as Annex 2 to the joint report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Executive Director of Corporate Services.

Councillor M C Davidson joined the meeting during discussion of this item. 2 REVENUE EXPENDITURE MONITORING REPORT

1 APRIL TO 31 JULY 2013 After consideration of a joint report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Executive Director of Corporate Services, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Finance, the Committee:- NOTED:- 2.1 the revenue expenditure statement in respect of Development and

Infrastructure for the period 1 April to 31 July 2013, indicating:- 2.1.1 a net General Fund underspend of £512,000; and 2.1.2 a net Non-General Fund overspend of £256,000; and

2.2 the explanations given and actions proposed, in respect of significant budget

variances, as outlined in the Budget Action Plan, attached as Annex 2 to the joint report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Executive Director of Corporate Services.

3 PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR 2015/16 ONWARDS After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, the Committee:-

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NOTED:- 3.1 the wide range of capital project pressures within the Development and

Infrastructure Service, as outlined in section 5 and at Appendix 1a of the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure;

3.2 the project selection exercise which had been undertaken in order to identify the most time sensitive and affordable projects for consideration through the Capital Project Appraisal process, as detailed in Appendices 1a and 1b to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure; and

3.3 the Stage 1 Capital Project Appraisals, attached as Appendices 2 to 17 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council:-

3.4 that the priority ranking process of the proposed General Fund and Piers and

Harbours capital projects be deferred, to enable further discussion of the proposed capital projects at a Members’ Seminar, and thereafter a special meeting of the Committee be convened in order to prioritise the projects.

4 RE-POWERING OF MV GRAEMSAY After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Transportation and Amenities, with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 4 June 2013, paragraph 8.1, the Committee:- NOTED:- 4.1 that the MV Graemsay was suffering reduced reliability due to a number of

mechanical and electrical breakdowns and that her powerplant, which was not replaced during her recent lengthening, was increasingly unreliable and costly to repair, with spares becoming almost impossible to source;

4.2 that the MV Graemsay, at 17 years of age, was only half way through her useful life but her obsolete engines would curtail that life in the near future unless replaced;

4.3 the outline engineering assessment in respect of the shortfalls in the MV Graemsay, together with the technical solution, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 respectively to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure;

4.4 that work to improve the MV Graemsay could be undertaken without undermining any other elements of STAG 2 or the future provision of ferry services generally;

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4.5 that a review of the requirements for enhanced pier facilities and provision of a back-up vessel for the Graemsay and Papa Westray services was the subject of a proposed capital project, included within paragraph 3 above;

4.6 the options to address the shortfalls in respect of the MV Graemsay, as outlined in section 7 of the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, with the preferred option being option 2, namely to re-power the MV Graemsay;

4.7 the Stage 1 Capital Project Appraisal in respect of re-powering the MV Graemsay, attached as Appendix 3 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure;

4.8 that the Ferries Replacement Fund was currently fully committed towards the Hoy Head lengthening project and to the Ferry Replacement Programme Study, which was costed at £590k; and

4.9 that the Ferry Replacement Programme Study project was unlikely to be capital in nature and had not progressed as originally planned and, accordingly, funds currently earmarked within the capital programme towards that Study could be released for redeployment to other priorities.


4.10 that, as an exception to the Capital Project Appraisal process, the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure should submit, to the next meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, a Stage 2 Capital Project Appraisal in respect of re-powering the MV Graemsay.

The Committee resolved to RECOMMEND to the Policy and Resources Committee:-

4.11 that, subject to due consideration of the Stage 2 Capital Project Appraisal

referred to at paragraph 4.10 above and as an exception to policy, the proposed re-powering of the MV Graemsay be considered for inclusion in the capital programme for financial year 2014/15 at an estimated cost of £250,000, inclusive of contingency; and

4.12 that the works, referred to at paragraph 4.11 above, should be undertaken at

the first appropriate refit opportunity.

5 REVIEW OF QUARRY SERVICES ASSET NEEDS After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Transportation and Amenities, with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held on 20 March 2007, paragraph 22, the Committee:-

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NOTED:- 5.1 that the recoverable reserves of stone in Cursiter Quarry were estimated to be

995,000 tonnes, with the average tonnage of stone extracted from the quarry over the 10 year period 2003/04 to 2012/13 being 78,800 tonnes per annum;

5.2 that, based on the rate of extraction, referred to at paragraph 5.1 above, Cursiter Quarry had a remaining useful life of approximately 13 years;

5.3 that, in order to extend the life of Cursiter Quarry beyond 2026, additional land

would require to be purchased; 5.4 that the existing tar plant was installed in 1993 and was now reaching the end

of its serviceable life; 5.5 that, should the Council wish to continue to supply coated stone for road

maintenance purposes and to the construction industry in Orkney, the tar plant should be replaced within the next two years;

5.6 that a stage 1 Capital Project Appraisal in respect of the replacement tar plant

was included within the proposed capital projects for 2015/16 onwards, referred to at paragraph 3 above;

5.7 that, in order to allow for future development of Cursiter Quarry, the new tar

plant should be sited on the new quarry extension; 5.8 that, in addition to Cursiter Quarry, the Council owned quarries at Loth,

Sanday, and Rapness, Westray, both of which were active quarries in terms of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954, with planning permission for the extraction of stone;

5.9 that, given the limited demand for materials in Sanday and Westray and the

high production and operation costs of quarries in the isles, it was not considered to be commercially viable to return the assets, referred to at paragraph 5.8 above, to production; and

5.10 that the assets, referred to at paragraph 5.8 above, were therefore considered

to be surplus to the operational requirements of the Quarry service.


5.11 that the requirement for provision of quarrying services and the associated requirement to purchase additional land to extend the life of Cursiter Quarry beyond 2026, be endorsed;

5.12 that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure should submit, to the meeting of the Committee to be held on 1 April 2014, an updated business plan for the operation of the Quarry service; and

5.13 that the existing quarries at Loth, Sanday and Rapness, Westray, be declared

surplus to the operational requirements of the Quarry service.

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6 PROPOSED DISABLED ON-STREET PARKING PLACES After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, together with an Equality Impact Assessment, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Transportation and Amenities, with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 2 April 2013, paragraph 8.6, the Committee:- NOTED:- 6.1 that no responses were received during the consultation process carried out in

respect of the proposal to provide disabled on-street parking bays at the following locations:- 6.1.1 39 Clay Loan, Kirkwall; 6.1.2 5 Cromwell Road, Kirkwall; 6.1.3 76 Victoria Street, Kirkwall; and 6.1.4 4 Station Square, St Mary’s;

6.2 the plans of the proposed disabled on-street parking bays, referred to at

paragraph 6.1 above, as detailed in Appendices 1 to 4 respectively to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure;

6.3 the draft Traffic Regulation Order, attached as Appendix 5 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure; and

6.4 the statement of reasons for making the Traffic Regulation Order in respect of

the proposal referred to at paragraph 6.1 above, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure.

The Committee RESOLVED, in terms of delegated powers:-

6.5 to make The Orkney Islands Council (Disabled On-Street Parking Places) Order 2013; and

6.6 that the traffic order, referred to at paragraph 6.5 above, should come into effect on 1 October 2013 and provide disabled on-street parking bays at the locations referred to at paragraph 6.1 above.

7 GREAT WESTERN ROAD (SOUTH) CAR PARK, KIRKWALL After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Transportation and Amenities, with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 4 June 2013, paragraph 3.8, the Committee:-

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NOTED:- 7.1 that, on 4 June 2013, the Committee resolved that parking charges be

introduced in respect of a total of 70 spaces located nearest to Pickaquoy Road, in the car park at Great Western Road (South), Kirkwall;

7.2 that the introduction of 70 pay and display parking spaces, referred to at paragraph 7.1 above, would fit the existing layout of parking bays in the car park closest to Pickaquoy Road, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure;

7.3 that the layout, referred to at paragraph 7.2 above, would not provide a physical barrier between the two sections of the car park without significant alterations to the whole car park, making it difficult to clearly differentiate the two areas of the car park thereby creating confusion for motorists and difficulty for enforcement; and

7.4 alternative options for the introduction of pay and display parking charges at the Great Western Road (South) car park, Kirkwall, as outlined in section 6 and detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, with the preferred option being Option 2.

The Committee suspended Standing Orders and thereafter Councillor J W Stockan, seconded by Councillor D R Tullock, moved that pay and display parking charges should apply to approximately 49 spaces located nearest to Pickaquoy Road, in the car park at Great Western Road (South), Kirkwall, in accordance with Appendix 2 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, subject to the spaces marked for motorcyles being removed to provide further pay and display spaces. Councillor J Foubister moved an amendment that pay and display charges, equivalent to those at the car parks at Great Western Road North and Burgh Road, Kirkwall, should apply to the entire car park at Great Western Road (South), Kirkwall. On receiving no seconder, his amendment fell. Councillor T S Hagan, seconded by Councillor A Drever, moved an amendment that pay and display charges should not be applied to the car park at Great Western Road (South), Kirkwall. On a vote being taken 3 members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion, and the Committee:- RESOLVED, in terms of delegated powers:- 7.5 that pay and display parking charges should apply to approximately 49 spaces

located nearest to Pickaquoy Road, in the car park at Great Western Road (South), Kirkwall, in accordance with Appendix 2 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, subject to the spaces marked for motorcyles being removed to provide further pay and display spaces.

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8 ROADS FOR ADOPTION After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, the Committee:- NOTED:- 8.1 that construction consent was previously granted in respect of the following

new roads:- 8.1.1 Jewadale Drive, Finstown; 8.1.2 Buckle’s Road, Finstown; 8.1.3 Damsay View, Finstown; 8.1.4 Taftingus, St Margaret’s Hope; 8.1.5 Breckan Brae, St Mary’s; 8.1.6 Storehouse Place, St Mary’s; 8.1.7 Park of Ayre, St Mary’s; and 8.1.8 Knockhall Drive, Stromness;

8.2 that, following completion of the works in accordance with the conditions of the construction consent, applications had been received from the developers requesting that the new roads, listed at paragraph 8.1 above, be added to the list of publically maintained roads; and

8.3 that the terms of the construction consents, referred to at paragraph 8.1 above, had been met.


8.4 that the roads, referred to at paragraph 8.1 above and detailed in Appendix 1 to this Minute, be adopted and added to the list of publicly maintained roads.

9 NAMING OF ROADS

9.1 Garson Development After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, the Committee:- Resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council that the section of roads within the Garson housing development, Stromness, detailed on the location plan attached as Appendix 2 to this Minute, be regarded as extensions to the existing roads and therefore named Copland’s Road and Copland’s Drive.

9.2 Lower Grainbank Development After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, the Committee:-

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NOTED:-

9.2.1 that the land owner had failed to instigate the road naming process at an early date and, following the sale of individual plots within the Lower Grainbank housing development, Kirkwall, one property was due for completion in early July 2013, for which an address was urgently required; and

9.2.2 that, in order to secure an address for the property, referred to at

paragraph 9.2.1 above, prior to occupation, the Chief Executive exercised emergency powers to name the new roads Jubilee Court and Queen Elizabeth Way, and for the third road to be regarded as an extension to the existing road and therefore named Peerie Sea Loan.


9.2.3 that the decision of the Chief Executive, referred to at paragraph 9.2.2

above, be homologated.

10 PLANNING ENFORCEMENT CHARTER After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, together with an Equality Impact Assessment, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Planning and Protective Services Committee held on 1 September 2010, paragraph 12, the Committee:- NOTED:- 10.1 that, in terms of section 158A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)

Act 1997, as amended, the Planning Authority was required to prepare and publish an Enforcement Charter which must be kept under review; and

10.2 that the existing Enforcement Charter, approved by Council in October 2010, was still current with respect to legislation but minor changes had been made to reflect changes in the Council’s management structure.


10.3 that the Enforcement Charter, attached as Appendix 3 to this Minute, be approved.

11 DRAFT SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY AND NATIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK 3

After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Planning Manager (Development and Marine Planning), the Committee:-

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NOTED:- 11.1 that the National Planning Framework set the context for development

planning in Scotland and provided a framework for the spatial development of Scotland as a whole;

11.2 that Scottish Planning Policy was a statement of Scottish Government policy on nationally important land use;

11.3 the National Planning Framework 3 Main Issues Report and the draft Scottish Planning Policy, attached as Appendices 1 and 2 respectively to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, which were released for public consultation on 30 April 2013, with a deadline for responses of 23 July 2013;

11.4 the officer responses to the draft documents, referred to at paragraph 11.3 above, attached as Appendices 3 and 4 respectively to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, which had been submitted to the Scottish Government by the response deadline; and

11.5 that the Scottish Government had confirmed that a further representation detailing any additional comments made by the Council, in particular regarding any potential disagreement with specific elements of the officer responses, referred to at paragraph 11.4 above, would be considered.


11.6 that the following amendments to the officer responses, referred to at paragraph 11.4 above, be made:- 11.6.1 NPF3 Question 9 – delete the last sentence of Paragraph 4; 11.6.2 NPF3 Question 15 – insert an acknowledgement which highlighted the

importance of ferries which provide lifeline services; and 11.6.3 SPP Principle 2 – delete the first sentence of Paragraph 3; and

11.7 that the responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the National Planning Framework 3 Main Issues Report and the draft Scottish Planning Policy, incorporating the amendments detailed at paragraph 11.6 above and attached as Appendices 4 and 5 respectively to this Minute, be approved as the Council’s official response.

12 HEART OF NEOLITHIC ORKNEY WORLD HERITAGE SITE After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Planning Manager (Development and Marine Planning), with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Education, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on 3 September 2008, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.7, the Committee:-

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NOTED:- 12.1 that the Council was a signatory to the current Heart of Neolithic Orkney World

Heritage Site Management Plan 2008-13, which became operational in 2008;

12.2 that a review of the existing Management Plan, referred to at paragraph 12.1 above, commenced earlier in 2013, with public consultation taking place in February and March 2013, as detailed in sections 5.7 and 5.8 of the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure;

12.3 that a preliminary draft of the revised Management Plan was discussed by the World Heritage Site Steering Group in June 2013 and the informal feedback received would inform the next draft of the Management Plan;

12.4 that a Members’ Seminar with Historic Scotland would take place on 1 October 2013 where the review of the Management Plan would be discussed in advance of the consultative draft of the revised Plan being finalised;

12.5 that an eight week period of formal public consultation on the revised Management Plan was expected to commence in mid October 2013;

12.6 that it was anticipated that the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Management Plan 2014-19 would be published and launched before the end of the current financial year;

12.7 the current management arrangements for the World Heritage Site, outlined at section 5.3 of the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure; and

12.8 that there might be a requirement for Development and Marine Planning staff to take a more active role in delivering the aims and objectives of the emerging Management Plan, as a result of the World Heritage Site Co-ordinator relocating to Edinburgh at the end of 2013 and assuming a wider remit beyond solely Orkney’s World Heritage Site.


12.9 that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure should submit a report, to the next meeting of the Committee, detailing a draft response to the consultative draft of the revised Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Management Plan 2014-19, together with any implications in respect of additional staff time required as a result of the revised Management Plan; and

12.10 that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure should submit a further report, to a meeting of the Committee during 2014, presenting a final version of the revised Management Plan, together with a proposal that the Council continued to be a signatory to its aims and objectives.

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13 HOUSING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCE After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, together with an Equality Impact Assessment, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Planning Manager (Development and Marine Planning), with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 2 April 2013, paragraph 3, the Committee:- NOTED:- 13.1 that public consultation had been undertaken in respect of the draft Housing in

the Countryside Supplementary Guidance;

13.2 the Participation Statement and Consultation Report, attached as Appendix 2 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, which recorded the steps taken to ensure full and proper consultation was undertaken, the comments raised by members of the public and stakeholders and the response by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure to those comments;

13.3 the revised draft Housing in the Countryside Supplementary Guidance, attached as Appendix 1 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, which had been amended to respond to material planning matters raised through the consultation process, referred to at paragraphs 13.1 and 13.2 above; and

13.4 that, once approved, the Housing in the Countryside Supplementary Guidance had status as a material consideration in planning decision making.

The Committee resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council:- 13.5 that the Housing in the Countryside Supplementary Guidance, attached as

Appendix 6 to this Minute, be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance. Councillor D R Tullock left the meeting during discussion of this item. 14 DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS AND GOOD NEIGHBOUR AGREEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCE After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, together with an Equality Impact Assessment, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Planning Manager (Development and Marine Planning), with reference to the Minute of the Meeting of the Development and Regeneration Committee held on 5 February 2013, paragraph 9, the Committee:-

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NOTED:- 14.1 that public consultation had been undertaken in respect of the draft Developer

Contributions and Good Neighbour Agreements Supplementary Guidance;

14.2 the Participation Statement and Consultation Report, attached as Appendix 2 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, which recorded the steps taken to ensure full and proper consultation was undertaken, the comments raised by members of the public and stakeholders and the response by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure to those comments;

14.3 the summary of key consultation responses, as detailed at section 5 of the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure; and

14.4 the revised draft Developer Contributions and Good Neighbour Agreements Supplementary Guidance, attached as Appendix 1 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, which had been amended to respond to material planning matters raised through the consultation process, referred to at paragraphs 14.1 and 14.2 above.


14.5 that the Developer Contributions and Good Neighbour Agreements Supplementary Guidance, attached as Appendix 7 to this Minute, be approved as Supplementary Guidance.

15 ONSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENTS After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Strategic Advisor, the Committee:- NOTED:- 15.1 that a new transmission cable, all contracted to marine energy, was due to be

installed between Mainland Scotland and Orkney in 2018; 15.2 that the timing of the new transmission cable remained subject to the

technology risk which still existed with marine energy, and thus there could be risk of further delay;

15.3 that the case for the cable would be greatly strengthened by the commitment

of onshore wind projects to it; 15.4 that the Council had indicated a willingness to invest in developing local

energy resources for the benefit of the local community;

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15.5 that, as part of the electricity market reform currently making its way through Parliament, the Department for Energy and Climate Change had announced draft strike prices to support investment in renewable generation across the UK;

15.6 that proposals brought forward by UK Government included consideration of a

separate strike price for renewables projects located on the Scottish islands which, in effect, offered additional revenue for island renewable energy to compensate for the higher transmission charges; and

15.7 that Orkney, and its community, had the potential to gain economically if it took

advantage of the market opportunity that could arise from the proposed higher island strike prices.

On the motion of Councillor S B Heddle, seconded by Councillor J W Stockan, the Committee resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council:- 15.8 that the principle of the Council establishing, developing or investing in an

onshore wind farm project, be endorsed; and 15.9 that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure should submit a

report, to the next meeting of the Committee, setting out options for the Council to develop or invest in an onshore wind farm project.

Councillor D R Tullock rejoined the meeting during discussion of this item. 16 AIR SERVICE TIMETABLE

SUMMER 2014 After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Head of Transportation and Amenities, the Committee:- NOTED:- 16.1 that the inter-isles air service timetable for Summer 2014 was scheduled to

operate during the period 3 March to 26 October 2014;

16.2 that the Air Services Consultative Committee met on 21 August 2013 to discuss the Summer 2014 timetable, with details of the main issues arising outlined at section 5 of the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure; and

16.3 the proposed timetable for operation in summer 2014, as detailed in Appendix

1 to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, which was comparable with the service operated during 2013.


16.4 that the Summer 2014 Inter-Isles Air Service timetable, attached as Appendix 8 to this Minute, be approved.

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17 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

BUDGET MONITORING

After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Economic Development Manager, the Committee:- NOTED:-

17.1 that the approved budget for Economic Development Grants in 2013/14 was

£761,500, including the capacity to over-commit by 20% in line with Council policy;

17.2 spending to 31 July 2013, in relation to Economic Development Grants, totalling £160,201, of which £141,615 related to grant commitments made in previous financial years, £14,070 to current year commitments and £4,516 to other non-grant spending;

17.3 grant approvals made in the period 1 April to 31 July 2013, totalling £174,779, as detailed in Annex C to the report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure; and

17.4 that, as at 31 July 2013, the Budget Available for Approval from the Economic Development Grants budget amounted to £582,205.

18 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC RESOLVED, on the motion of Councillor J W Stockan, seconded by Councillor S B Heddle, that, under section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

19 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

APPLICATIONS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED POWERS RESOLVED that, under section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 4 and 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act. After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, the Committee:- NOTED that the following applications had been approved in terms of delegated powers:-

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Flexible Business Development Grant 19.1 0/5/2/1304

The applicant had requested assistance towards training for new staff, marketing costs and the purchase of equipment, at a total estimated cost of £16,091, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum sum of £5,000, had been offered.

19.2 0/5/2/1884

The applicant had requested assistance towards extending a workshop, at a total estimated cost of £8,000, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum sum of £4,000, had been offered. 19.3 0/5/2/1902

The applicant had requested assistance towards the purchase of equipment and exhibiting at a London trade show, at a total estimated cost of £5,495, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum sum of £2,747, had been offered. New Business Start-up Scheme 19.4 0/5/2/1898 The applicant had requested assistance towards the purchase of equipment and the provision of an electrical supply, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 100%, up to a maximum sum of £1,500, had been offered.

19.5 0/5/2/1899

The applicant had requested assistance towards the purchase of software and equipment, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 100%, up to a maximum sum of £1,500, had been offered.

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19.6 0/5/2/1900

The applicant had requested assistance towards the purchase of a kiln and other equipment, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 100%, up to a maximum sum of £1,500, had been offered.

19.7 0/5/2/1901

The applicant had requested assistance towards the purchase of equipment, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 100%, up to a maximum sum of £1,500, had been offered.

19.8 0/5/2/1903

The applicant had requested assistance towards the purchase of equipment, work clothing and business cards, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of 100%, up to a maximum sum of £1,472, had been offered. Miscellaneous 19.9 0/5/2/1800

Papay Development Trust had requested assistance towards the cost of insulation works at Morven House, Papa Westray, and the Committee:- NOTED that, in terms of powers delegated to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, a grant of £13,000 had been offered.

20 PROPOSED STRATEGIC LAND AND PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS RESOLVED that, under section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6, 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act. After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Development and Regeneration Manager, the Committee:-

689

Resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council what action should be taken with regard to proposed strategic land and property acquisitions. The above constitutes the summary of the Minute in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 section 50C(2) as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

690

21 PROPERTY AT HATSTON, KIRKWALL Councillor S B Heddle declared a non-financial interest in this item, in that the existing tenant was known to him, and was not present during discussion thereof. RESOLVED that, under section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act. After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Economic Development Manager, the Committee:- Resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council what action should be taken with regard to property at Hatston, Kirkwall. The above constitutes the summary of the Minute in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 section 50C(2) as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

691

22 REQUEST TO PURCHASE LAND AT LYNESS AND HATSTON RESOLVED that, under section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 6, 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act. After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, and after hearing a report from the Economic Development Manager, the Committee:- Resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council what action should be taken with regard to a request to purchase land at Lyness and Hatston. The above constitutes the summary of the Minute in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 section 50C(2) as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

692

23 ORKNEY FERRY SERVICES

ENGAGEMENT WITH SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ON FERRY REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME

Councillor T S Hagan declared a non-financial interest in this item, being a non-executive director of David MacBrayne Limited, but concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

693

RESOLVED that, under section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act. After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, the Committee:- Resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council, on page 693 to part of page 695, what action should be taken with regard to engagement with the Scottish Government on internal ferry services and the ferry replacement programme. The above constitutes the summary of the Minute in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 section 50C(2) as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

694

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695

24 OIL AND GAS RELATED POTENTIAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

RESOLVED that, under section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

696

After consideration of a report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, copies of which had been circulated, the Committee:- Resolved to RECOMMEND to the Council, on page 696 to part of page 698, what action should be taken with regard to oil and gas related potential business developments. The above constitutes the summary of the Minute in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 section 50C(2) as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

697

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698

25 CONCLUSION OF MEETING At 4.10pm the Chair declared the meeting concluded.

Signed: James Stockan

Documents

MINUTE of the MEETING of the DEVELOPMENT AND …€¦ · Jackie Thomson, Development and Regeneration Manager (for Items 15 to 25) Stuart Allison, Economic Development Manager (for