Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Communities and Place Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 22 May 2025 at 9.30 am.

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 Statement
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. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha

4. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report
Aithisg Choileanaidh Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba airson na Gàidhealtachd    

Under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the Local Authority has responsibility for monitoring and scrutinising performance of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service against the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for the area.  The Local Plan was approved by the Committee in November 2020.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report will follow.

5. Equalities Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report 2025    
Aithisg Bhuilean Co-ionannachd agus Àbhaisteachaidh

There is circulated Report No CP/6/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:- 

i.  consider and note the Outcome and Mainstreaming Progress Report for the Highland Council covering the period 2023 – 2025 (and incorporating the Education Authority and Licensing Board) as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. consider and agree a revised set of Equality Outcomes for the Council for the period 2025 – 2029 as detailed in section 8 of the report.

6. Environmental Health Performance 24/25 and Operational Plan 25/26    
Cunntas às Ùr mu Ghnìomhan Slàinte Àrainneachdail 

There is circulated Report No CP/7/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the Environmental Health performance in 24/25 to date including delivering statutory duties to over 6000 properties on private water supplies, over 5000 food businesses, and receiving over 13,500 service requests on a wide range of public health, nuisance, licensing, safety, dog control, animal health and incivility issues;  and
ii. consider and approve the Environmental Health Operational Plan to 31 March 2026 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

7. Fleet Traffic Commissioner Response    
Freagairt Coimiseanair Trafaig a’ Chabhlaich 

There is circulated Report No CP/8/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the action plan as supplied to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland; and
ii. the progress to date on implementing the action plan.

8. Service Workforce Plan Annual Progress Report    
Aithisg Dealbhadh Feachd-obrach 

There is circulated Report No CP/9/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the Communities and Place workforce planning progress report and updated action plan; and
ii. the positive outcomes from the report, including:-
     a.    team redesigns and restructures improved efficiency, service delivery and supported staff development opportunities within the service; and
     b.    specific training commitments were given to areas such as Environmental Health and Fleet.

9. Highland Outcome Improvement Plan (HOIP) - Update    
Cunntas às Ùr mu Phlana Leasachadh Bhuilean na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No CP/10/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the HOIP Delivery Plan and Performance Framework which can be found at Appendices 1 and 2 of the report;
ii.  the progress update against the HOIP Delivery Plan; and
iii. that the annual progress update on the HOIP will be considered at the Council meeting in October.

10. Service Performance Reporting for Q4 January 2025 to March 2025    
Aithisg Coileanadh Seirbheis R4 Faoilleach – Màrt 2025

There is circulated Report No CP/11/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Service’s performance information.

11. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring and Progress Update Q4 2024/25 - Person Centred Solutions Portfolio – Capacity Building – Community Led Service Delivery    
Cunntas às Ùr mun Phlana Lìbhrigidh

There is circulated Report No CP/12/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the report, including progress to date and next steps.

12. Minutes of Waste Strategy Working Group    
Geàrr-chunntas de Bhuidheann-obrach na Ro-innleachd Sgudail

There are circulated, for approval, the Minutes of the meeting of the Waste Strategy Working Group held on 28 April 2025. 

13. Membership of Waste Strategy Working Group
Ballrachd de Bhuidheann-obrach na Ro-innleachd Sgudail 

The Committee is invited to agree the following changes to the membership of the Waste Strategy Working Group:-

• Mr S Coghill to replace Ms M Smith
• Mr C Ballance to replace Mr A Baldrey

14. Presentation: International Commando Heritage Trust
Taisbeanadh: Urras Dualchais nan Comandothan Eadar-nàiseanta

A presentation by the International Commando Heritage Trust will take place at 12.45 pm or at the end of the agenda, whichever is the earlier, to provide an overview of the Trust's mission and aspirations ahead of the charity's formal launch at Achnacarry, Spean Bridge, in June 2025.