Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on
Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 9.30am. 

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. Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill 

The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 5 and 6, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

5. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring and Progress Updates Q4 2425 - Net Zero, Energy Investment and Innovation(NZEII) Portfolio     
Sgrùdadh Buidseit agus Cunntasan Adhartais a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh R4 24/25 – Neoni Lom, Tasgadh is Ùr-ghnàthachadh Lùtha  

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/11/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations as detailed in the report.

6. Procurement Strategy 
Ro-innleachd Solarachaidh

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/12/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations as detailed in the report.

7. Corran Ferry – Foot Passenger Fare
Aiseag a’ Chorrain – Faradh Choisichean

There is circulated Report No. ECI/13/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to agree the introduction of the Corran Ferry Foot Passenger Fare.

8. Early Adoption of 20mph Speed Limits in Highland – Final Traffic Regulation Order
Gabhail gu Tràth ri Crìochan Astair 20msu sa Ghàidhealtachd – Òrdugh Riaghladh Trafaig Deireannach

There is circulated Report No. ECI/14/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the background and supporting evidence for the proposed making of the permanent 20mph speed limit Order for Highland;
ii.  note the support that has been received by the Council for the making of the permanent 20mph speed limit Order;
iii. note the representer correspondence received by the Council regarding the making of the permanent 20mph speed limit Order;
iv.  consider the objections made to The Highland Council (Various Roads) (20 mph Speed Limit) Order 2024 in accordance with the regulations and not withdrawn; and
v.   Subject to (i - iv), approve the making of the Road Traffic Regulation Order.

9. Biodiversity Enhancement and Compensatory Planting – Upfront Scheme Endorsement for Developers
Leasachadh Bith-iomadachd agus Planntachadh Dìolaidh – Aonta do Sgeama Ro Làimh airson Luchd-leasachaidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/15/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree the principle of upfront endorsement of sites allocated by developers for compensatory planting and biodiversity enhancement;
ii.  approve a fee structure based on the Council’s existing pre-application fee scale for major development proposals (being £5,000 - £10,5000) with fees sought at the upper end of the scale; and
iii. delegate authority to the Assistant Chief Executive – Place, following consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee and the Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate Governance, to conclude, and thereafter enter into, a Memorandum of Understanding with developers seeking this service from the Council.

10. Planning Enforcement Charter
Cairt Co-èigneachadh Dealbhachaidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/16/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   agree to adopt the Enforcement Charter as set out in Appendix 2 of the report as the Council’s statement of planning enforcement policy and procedure; and
ii.  note the progress on building capacity within the Planning Enforcement Team.

11.Scottish Government Consultation on a potential local authority Cruise Ship Levy in Scotland                                
Co-chomhairleachadh Riaghaltas na h-Alba air mar a dh’fhaodadh ùghdarrasan ionadail Cìs Shoithichean Cuairt-mhara a bhuileachadh

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

The Committee is invited to approve the draft response to the Scottish Government's consultation on a potential Cruise Ship Levy.

12.    UK Shared Prosperity Fund: 2022-25 Delivery Plan Update & 2025/26 Proposed Delivery Plan 
Maoin Soirbheachas Co-roinnte na RA: Cunntas às Ùr mu Phlana Lìbhrigidh 2022–25 & Plana Lìbhrigidh ga Mholadh airson 2025/26

There is circulated Report No. ECI/18/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited :-

i.    note the update on the 2022-25 UKSPF Delivery Plan; and 
ii.    approve the 2025/26 UKSPF Delivery Plan

13. Development Delivery Plan
Plana Lìbhrigidh Leasachaidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/19/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the changes to the Highland Delivery Programme listed at Appendix 2 of the report in response to comments made on its public consultation draft;
ii. following committee and prior to publication, agree that the Assistant Chief Executive – Place, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee, make further factual and update changes to the Programme; 
iii. note progress in better defining the deliverability of Highland’s housing land supply as set out in the Deliverable Housing Land Pipeline at Appendix 3 of the report;
iv. agree that the criteria listed at paragraph 8.2 be applied to potential MCA sites/locations to select those which will be subject to further feasibility work, consultation with affected community bodies and landowners, and subsequent Committee consideration and approval; and 
v.  note and discuss the options described in section 8 and at Appendix 4 of the report for Masterplan Consent Area governance and process.

14. The Flow Country World Heritage Site Planning Position Statement
Aithris Suidheachadh Dealbhachaidh Làrach Dualchas na Cruinne anns na Flobhachan

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the updated versions of the Planning Position Statement and associated, tailored Heritage Impact Assessment Toolkit for The Flow Country World Heritage Site, published on the Council’s website; and
ii. agree that an Article 4 Direction be prepared for The Flow Country World Heritage Site, covering Permitted Development classes 8, 18A, 19, 20, 40, 53, and 67, and note the process outlined for doing so.

15. Highland Social Value Charter Update 
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chairt Luach Sòisealta na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/21/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and note updates on progress against the Highland Social Value Charter;
ii.  agree that the Council continues to engage with Scottish and Southern Energy Transmission to sign up to the Charter and Agree the areas of initial commitment;
iii. agree that the Council continues to finalise the commitment from other renewables developers to sign up to the Charter in the coming weeks;
iv.  note the draft Partnership Agreement template detailed in Appendix 1 of the report which, once finalised, will be trialled over the next 6 months; 
v.   agree that the Council will continue making representations to both the Scottish and UK Governments on the need for mandatory community benefit;
vi.  note that the Chair of the Committee has written formally to Scottish Renewables seeking their immediate engagement with the Social Value Charter; and 
vii. note that Scottish Renewables Draft Maximising Net Socio-Economic Benefit Guidance will be trialled alongside the Charter over the next 6 months to support developers in progressing their Partnership Agreements.    

16. Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Planq
Plana airson Freagarrachadh air Atharrachadh air Cladaichean Sgìreil  

There is circulated Report No. ECI/22/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the contents of the Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan;
ii.    agree to the Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan; and
iii.    agree to making the Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan available to the public on the Council’s website.

17. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring & Progress Update Q4 2024/25
Sgrùdadh Buidseit & Cunntas Adhartais a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh R4 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. ECI/23/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

I.  consider, scrutinise and approve progress to date of projects as outlined in this report; and 
ii. approve changes to Workforce for the Future portfolio structure – refreshed approach detailed in Section 5 of the report, leading to changes reflected in future reporting schedule.

18. Performance Monitoring Report Q4 2024/25    
Aithisg Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh R4 2024/25     

There is circulated Report No. ECI/24/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

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

19. Service Workforce Plan Annual Progress Report
Aithisg Adhartais Bhliadhnail Plana Feachd-obrach Seirbheis

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

The Committee is invited to note the Infrastructure, Environment and Economy
(IE&E) workforce planning progress report and updated action plan.

20. Membership of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) and North Sea Commission (NSC)
Ballrachd Co-labhairt Roinnean Mara Iomallach na Roinn Eòrpa agus Coimisean a’ Chuain a Tuath

The Committee is invited to appoint Mr K Gowans to the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) and North Sea Commission (NSC).

21. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for:-

i.   South PAC – 10 December 2024;
ii.  North PAC – 25 January 2025;
iii. South PAC – 2 April 2025;
iv.  North PAC– 12 March 2025;
v.   South PAC – 2 April 2025;

and, for approval:-

vi.  Community Regeneration Strategic Fund Sub Group held on 13 February 2025 and 29 April 2025; 
vii. Harbours Management Board held on 28 February 2025;

Starred Item – Item 4 – Harbour Dues - Schedule of Rates and Dues for 2025/26 – agreed to recommend to the Environmental and Infrastructure Committee to approve the publication of Schedule of Rates and Dues for Highland Council Harbours for the financial year 2025/26.

viii.  City Region Deal Monitoring Group held on 24 April 2025.