Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee will take place remotely, on 11 August 2025, at 10 am.

Recording Notice: This meeting will be recorded and uploaded to the Council’s YouTube channel.

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

1.  Apologies for Absence
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.  Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2025 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Committee.

4.  Police – Area Performance Report
Poilis – Geàrr-chunntas Dèanadais Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No BIER/16/25 by the Area Commander (North Highland Area Command). 

The Committee is asked to note progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2023-2026 Year 1, attached as Annex A to this report, for the period covering 01 April 2024 – 31 March 2025.

5.  Housing Repairs Performance Report – 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025 
Aithisg Choileanaidh Càraidhean Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2025 gu 30 Ògmhios 2025

There is circulated Report No. BIER/17/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.  
Members are asked to note the information provided on housing repairs performance in the period 1 April 2025 – 30 June 2025.

6.  Environmental Health - Annual Report & Activity 2024/25
Slàinte Àrainneachdail – Aithisg Bhliadhnail & Gnìomhachd 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. BIER/18/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to note and provide any feedback on the:

i.   range and volume of work being undertaken locally by the environmental health team;
ii.  Highland wide issues; and
iii. report format and content.

7.  Scottish Government Play Park Funding
Maoineachadh Phàircean-cluiche Riaghaltas na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No. BIER/19/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Committee is asked to Members are asked to agree £182,294 to be allocated to the agreed projects as outlined in sections 6.5 and 6.6.

8.  Winter Service Plan 2025/26
Plana Seirbheis a’ Gheamhraidh 2025/26

There is circulated Report No. BIER/20/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to approve the Winter Service Plan for 2025/26.

9.  B817 Saltburn 30mph Speed Limit Order Report
Aithisg air Òrdugh Teorainn Luas 30msu B817 Saltburn

There is circulated Report No. BIER/21/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to:- 

i.   note the background to the proposed 30mph speed limit order for Saltburn, in particular the collision history, speed data and the representations received;
ii.  approve the making of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) within Appendix 2, and 
iii. note the intention to carry out after speed counts to determine the effectiveness of the reduced speed limit. 

10.  Tain Common Good Asset Register Review 
Ath-sgrùdadh Clàr So-mhaoin Math Coitcheann Bhaile Dhubhthaich
There is circulated Report No. BIER/22/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Corporate and the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   consider and Note the investigations undertaken to review the Tain Common Good Asset Register;
ii.  confirm the reclassification of the assets noted in 7.2 – 7.5; and 
iii. note the consequent impact on the financial position for the General Fund and Tain Common Good Fund.

11.  Common Good Funds
Maoin Maith Choitchinn

a.  Cromarty Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Chromba 

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

The Committee is asked to scrutinise and note the position of Cromarty Common Good Fund as shown in the end of year statement for 2024/25 Quarter 4 and 2025/26 Quarter 1 Monitoring Statements.

b.  Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann na Cananaich agus Ros Maircnidh 

There is circulated Report No BIER/24/25 by the Chief Officer Housing & Communities and the Chief Officer Corporate Finance.

The Committee is asked to scrutinise and note the position of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund as shown in the 2024/25 Quarter 4 and 2025/26 Quarter 1 Monitoring Statements.

c.  Invergordon Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ghòrdain 

There is circulated Report No BIER/25/25 by the Chief Officer Community and Housing, and the Chief Officer Corporate Finance.

Members are asked to scrutinise and note the Quarter 4 2024/25 and Quarter 1 2025/26 monitoring statements for the Invergordon Common Good Fund.

d.  Tain Common Good Fund
Maoin Math Coitcheann Bhaile Dhubhthaich

There is circulated Report No BIER/26/25 by the Chief Officer Community and Housing, and the Chief Officer Corporate Finance.

Members are asked to scrutinise and note the Quarter 4 2024/25 and Quarter 1 2025/26 monitoring statements for the Tain Common Good Fund.

12.  Ward Discretionary Awards    
Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird

There is circulated for noting, details of the Discretionary Budget applications that have been approved.

Cromarty Firth Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1st April 2025 – 31st July 2025
Alness Gala & Events – The Alness Gala    £2,000.00
Saltburn & Westwood Community Council – Annual Community Flowers £700.00
Invergordon Lunch Club – Invergordon Lunch Club    £400.00
Highland Action for Little Ones – Bright Futures £1,000.00
    
Tain and Easter Ross Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1st April 2025 – 31st July 2025
Tain YMCA – Assistance for Running Costs £1,500.00
Tain Task Force – Tain Environmental Improvements Worker £3,000.00
Seaboard Memorial Hall – Village Care Assistance Scheme £3,500.00
Tain Gala Association – Talk Car Rally & Gala £2,000.00

Black Isle Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1st April 2025 – 31st July 2025
Cromarty & District Community Council - Reed Loop Path Maintenance £700.00
Go Flourish - Community Open Days £773.00
Fortrose Academy - Young Enterprise Team Scottish Finals £823.00
Black Isle Cares - Fortrose Community Larder £400.00
Black Isle Cares - Meals at Home service £300.00
Cromarty & District Community Council - Tidy up Townland £580.00
Knockbain Community Council - North Kessock Community Youth Art Project £950.00

13.  Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting minutes of the meeting of the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee held on 12 May 2025, which was approved by the Council on 26 June 2025.