Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board will be held in the Chamber, Council Offices, Sandwick Road, Stornoway on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025 at 12 noon. 

Your attendance at the meeting is invited and I append a note of the business to be transacted.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Clerk to the Board

Business

1.  Apologies
     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.  Minutes of Meetings
     Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan 

There are circulated, for approval, Minute of Meeting held on 18 February, 2025. 

4.  Matters Arising from the Minutes
     Gnothaichean Ag Èirigh on Gheàrr-chunntas

5.  Membership
     Ballrachd

Mr J McGillivray, Highland Council has been appointed as a substantive member replacing Ms M Smith. 

6.  Convener and Depute Convener Remuneration
     Cur an Dreuchd Neach-gairm agus Iar Neach-gairm

In terms of paragraph 2(2)(c) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Amendment (Amendment) Regulations 2025, it is recommended that the remuneration for the posts of Convener and Vice Convener for 2025/26 be as follows:-

Convener       £28,207  (2024/25 rate £26,686) (5.7% increase)
Vice-Convener  £26,797 (2024/25 rate £25,352) (5.7% increase)

7.  Departmental Report
     Aithisg Roinneil

There is circulated Report No VAL/8/25 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer.

The Board is invited to comment and otherwise note the recent activities of the department as set out in the report.

8.  Public Sector Equality Duty Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report April 2025

There is circulated Report No. VAL/9/25 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer.

The Board is invited to comment and otherwise note the contents of the report. 

9.  Service Plan

There is circulated Report No. VAL/10/25 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer. 

The Board is invited to comment and otherwise note the contents of the report. 

10.  Report to the Scottish Government

There is circulated Report No. VAL/11/25 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer. 

The Board is invited to comment and otherwise note the content of the report. 

11.  Unaudited Accounts 2024/25
      Cunntasan Neo-sgrùdaichte 2024/25

The Board are asked to note that the Unaudited Statement of Accounts for the financial year 2024/25 are close to being finalised and will be e-mailed to Members’ prior to them being submitted to the appointed auditor, Audit Scotland.

12.  Internal Audit Reports
       Aithisgean In-sgrùdaidh

12a  Internal Audit Report – Review of CiA Financials

There is circulated Report No. VAL/12/25 by the Strategic Lead (Corporate Audit), Highland Council.

The Board is asked to consider the Internal Audit findings and audit opinion provided, and to raise any relevant points with the Strategic Lead (Corporate Audit).

12b  Internal Audit Annual Report 2024/25
        Aithisg Bhliadhnail In-sgrùdaidh 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. VAL/13/25 by the Strategic Lead (Corporate Audit), Highland Council.

The Board is invited to consider the content of the report, the audit opinion provided and to raise any relevant points with the Strategic Lead (Corporate Audit).

12c  Internal Audit Annual Plan 2025/26
        Plana In-sgrùdaidh 2025/26

There is circulated Report No. VAL/14/25 by the Strategic Lead (Corporate Audit), Highland Council.

The Board is asked to approve the 2025/26 Internal Audit Plan.

13.  Scheme of Delegation

There is circulated Report No. VAL/15/25 by the Clerk. 

The Board is asked to:-

i  consider and agree the proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation as detailed in the Appendix to the report; and 
ii agree that it be delegated to the Clerk to make future changes in post titles to the Scheme of Delegation.

14.  Corporate Governance – Standing Orders Relating to the Conduct of Meetings

There is circulated Report No. VAL/16/25 by the Clerk. 

The Board is asked to consider and agree the proposed changes to the Standing Orders Relating to the Conduct of Meetings as tracked in Appendix 1 to the report.