Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams, on 3 November 2025, at 11am.

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. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No WRSL/20/25 by the Local Senior Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.  

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and comment on the attached Area Performance Report.

4. Housing Management Performance Report – 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025
Aithisg Coileanaidh Stiùireadh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2025 gu 30 Sultain 2025

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

The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2025 – 30 September 2025.

5. Community Regeneration Fund Assessment of Applications
Measadh Iarrtasan Maoin Ath-nuadhachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No WRSL/22/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider the CRF applications presented and agree whether to approve, defer or reject each application.  An approval of funding should detail the amount approved and outline any conditions of funding that Members wish to attach to the approval over and above the required technical conditions.  A deferral would allow an applicant to resubmit the current application at a future date with updated information or for the project to be approved subject to further funding becoming available.  A rejection would mean that the application will not proceed and any future application to the fund should be brought forward initially as a new expression of interest or application; and
ii. agree the approved CRF grant award for each application up to the value of the available area allocation.

6. Invitation To Pay Income    
Teachd-a-steach bho Chuireadh gus Pàigheadh

There is circulated Report No WRSL/23/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note the earmarked funds for this committee from the Invitation To Pay Parking of £24,417.31.

7. Short Term Let Control Area
Sgìre Smachd Màil Gheàrr-ùine

There is circulated Report No WRSL/24/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and note the evidence presented demonstrating the degree of prevalence of Short Term Lets within Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh;
ii.  note that this evidence, demonstrates that the housing market within parts of Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, is subject to significant pressure, exacerbated by high rates of potential dwellings being converted to Short Term Lets;
iii. note that the designation of any new Short Term Let Control Area will have no retrospective impact on existing Short Term Lets where no material change of use had occurred at the time of establishment, and will therefore only require planning permission from new Short Term Lets established after a Short Term Let Control Area comes into force;
iv.  note that should the Economy and Infrastructure (E&I) Committee formally commence the process of introducing a Short Term Let Control Area, this will initiate a process of further evidence gathering and public consultation with communities;
v.   consider and agree that the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Area Committee therefore seeks to progress with the process of considering the introduction of a Short Term Let Control Area covering all or part of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Area and in so doing; and
vi.  agree that progressing with consideration of a Short Term Let Control Area enables communities within the area to participate in that consultation at the appropriate stage.

8. Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Ward Discretionary Budget 
Buidseat fo Ùghdarras Uàird Rois an Iar, Shrath Pheofhair agus Loch Aillse

The Committee is invited to note that the following Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Ward Discretionary Fund applications have been approved from 1 June – 30 September 2025:-

- Artic Convoy Museum - Space to Curate - £2,000.00
- CFINE - Fairshare in Highland - £693.00

9. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated, for noting, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee held on 4 August 2025, which were approved by the Council on 18 September 2025.