Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Housing and Property Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 5 November 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

The Committee is asked to note the good news as presented.

4. Property & Facilities Management Services Revenue Monitoring Statement to 31 August 2025
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Teachd-a-steach Sheirbheisean Rianachd Cuid-seilbh & Ghoireasan gu 31 An Lùnastal 2025

There is circulated Report No HP/35/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. scrutinise and approve the budget position to the end of August 2025/26 (Period 5), and the estimated year-end position, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report; and
ii. consider and note the update provided regarding budget savings delivery as set out at Appendix 3 to the report.
 
5. Property Capital Monitoring Statement and Progress Update
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Calpa Seilbhe agus Cunntas às Ùr air Adhartas    

There is circulated Report No HP/36/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to scrutinise and approve:

i. the capital budget position at the end of the second quarter of 2025/26, including project progress, the estimated year-end position, and the main financial variances outlined in the report; and
ii. progress in the exercise to establish how the Council’s previously stated intention to bring all our school buildings up to at least a “B” rating for condition and suitability could be achieved.

6. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Non-HRA Budget Monitoring Statement 1 April to 31 August 2025
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais agus Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Neo-thaigheadais 1 An Giblean gu 31 An Lùnastal 2025

There is circulated Report No HP/37/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to:

i. scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for 2025/26 as set out in the report and appendices to the report; and
ii. consider and note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed.

7. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Monitoring Report to 31 August 2025
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais gu 31 An Lùnastal 2025

There is circulated Report No HP/38/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and approve the expenditure to 31 August 2025 and the projected outturn for the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2025/26.

8. Establishing a Financial Strategy for the Housing Revenue Account and Rent Strategy for 2026-2031
A’ Stèidheachadh Ro-innleachd Ionmhasail airson a’ Chunntais Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais agus Ro-innleachd Màil airson 2026-2031

There is circulated Report No HP/39/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to 

i. note the context which sets out the current and historical position of the HRA and the rationale for establishing a Financial Strategy;
ii. approve the principles of the Financial Strategy, which would also guide the 5-year Rent Strategy which will enable the expansion of the social rented housing stock alongside improving the financial sustainability of the existing HRA estate;
iii. approve the tenant rent consultation which will commence by 17 November and run for one calendar month; and
iv. note that the Financial Strategy, including the 5-year Rent Strategy, will be submitted to Committee in January 2026 for approval and that this will include details on how the rental increase will be allocated in the 2026/2027 HRA budget.

9. Strategic Housing Investment Programme 2026-2031
Prògram Tasgadh Taigheadas Ro-innleachdail 2026-2031

There is circulated Report No HP/40/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) as attached as Appendix 2 to the report, for submission to the Scottish Government;
ii. note that local projects will be discussed with Members in Area Business Meetings;
iii. agree the indicative planned investment programme to 2031 contained in Appendix 3 to the report; and
iv. note that a full review of the SHIP will be undertaken in 2026 to take into account the agreed HRA Financial Strategy and findings from the Housing Need Demand Assessment.

10. Empty Homes Strategy
Ro-innleachd Thaighean Falamh

There is circulated Report No HP/41/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. approve the Empty Homes Strategy as detailed at Appendix 2 of the report;
ii. note the outcomes of activities in 2024/25 as set out in Section 7 of the report; and
iii. note that recruitment is underway for an additional Empty Homes Officer to assist with delivery of the Strategy actions, as agreed at Housing and Property Committee on 13 August 2025.

11. Domestic Abuse Housing Policy
Poileasaidh Taigheadais Droch-dhìol Dachaigheil

There is circulated Report No HP/42/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. approve the Domestic Abuse Housing Policy as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;
ii. note the alignment of the policy with the Council’s statutory duties and expectations set out in the Housing Scotland Bill; and
iii. note that implementation of the policy will be supported by staff training, service development and partnership working.

12. Tenant Participation Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chom-pàirteachadh Luchd-màil

There is circulated Report No HP/43/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i. note the ongoing activities and commitment to tenant engagement demonstrated by tenant volunteers and officers; and
ii. consider and agree the progress made on the Tenant & Customer Engagement Action Plan detailed in the report and at Appendix 1 to the report.

13. Housing Performance Report 1 April 2025 – 30 September 2025
Aithisg Choileanaidh Taigheadais 1 Giblean 2025 – 30 t-Sultain 2025 

There is circulated Report No HP/44/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to scrutinise and note the information provided on Housing performance in the period 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025.

14. Delivery Plan
Plana Lìbhrigidh

There is circulated Report No HP/45/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note progress to date and forward plans as outlined in the report.

15. Performance Monitoring Update
Cunntas às Ùr mun Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh

There is circulated Report No HP/46/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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

16. 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 for the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

17. Housing Development Initiatives
Iomairtean Leasachaidh Taigheadais

There is circulated to Members only Report No HP/47/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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

18. Property Transactions Monitoring
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ghnothachasan Seilbhe

There is circulated to Members only Report No HP/48/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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

19. Land and Property
Fearann agus Seilbh

There is circulated Report No HP/49/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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