Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Communities and Place Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 6 November 2025 at 9.30 am.

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. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report
Aithisg Choileanaidh Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba airson na Gàidhealtachd

Under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the Local Authority has responsibility for monitoring and scrutinising performance of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service against the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for the area. The Local Plan was approved by the Committee in November 2020.

There is circulated the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report for Q1 and Q2 2025/26.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the report.

5. Revenue Budget Monitoring Report to 31 August 2025/26
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i. scrutinise and approve the current financial position for Quarter 2 2025/26 as set out in the report and Appendices 1 and 2 of the report;
ii. scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for 2025/26 as set out in the report and Appendices 1 and 2 report;
iii. consider and note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed; and
iv. consider and note the update provided regarding savings delivery.

6. Capital Monitoring Report for the period Q2 2025/26
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Calpa airson R2 2025/26

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

The Committee is invited to:-

I. scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for the year 2025/26 as set out in the report and Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. consider and note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed.

7. Participation and Engagement Update
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Chom-pàirteachaidh

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider and note the update on the work ongoing to increase participation and engagement with communities in Council activity across Highland;
ii. agree the Annual Participation Request report for the Scottish Government set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and
iii. consider the draft Participation and Engagement Strategy set out at Appendix 2 of the report and agree that it is circulated for wider engagement before being finalised.

8. Community Benefits from Procurement – Annual Report
Buannachdan Coimhearsnachd bho Sholar – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider and agree this annual Community Benefit update; and
ii. note the next steps in terms of undertaking a review and evaluation of the Community Benefit Policy following the first year of activity.

9. Enforcement Policy for Environmental Health and Waste Services
Poileasaidh Co-èigneachaidh airson Seirbheisean Slàinte Àrainneachdail is Sgudail

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

The Committee is invited to approve the updated Enforcement Policy for Environmental Health and Waste Services.

10. Joint Health Protection Plan 2025-2027
Co-Phlana Dìon Slàinte 2025–2027

There is circulated Report No CP/26/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to approve the Joint Health Protection Plan 2025-2027.

11. Area Place Planning – Progress Update and Next Steps
Planadh Àite Sgìreil – Cunntas air Adhartas agus na h-Ath Cheumannan

There is circulated Report No CP/27/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider and note this annual report, recognising the extensive engagement carried out across communities; and
ii. agree to support the targeting of service programmes and external funding to meet the Area Place Plan priorities when appropriate.

12. Fleet Traffic Commissioner Follow-up
Iar-aithisg Coimiseanair Trafaig Cabhlaich

There is circulated Report No CP/28/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the audit as supplied to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland; and
ii. the action plan included and steps being taken to improve compliance.

13. Waste Management Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Stiùireadh Sgudail

There is circulated Report No CP/29/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the progress that has been made to both Fort William and Portree Waste Transfer Stations and the role the new infrastructure plays in delivering improved services and meeting the Council’s statutory obligation;
ii. the position on the introduction of Industrial Waste Shredders; and
iii. the timescale for launching the Highland Re-use & Repair Fund.

14. Public Conveniences and Comfort Scheme Agreements 2026-2029
Aontaidhean airson Goireasan Poblach is Sgeama Cofhurtachd 2026–2029

There is circulated Report No CP/30/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the update from the Public Convenience team and the most recent survey of Comfort Schemes providers; and
ii. scrutinise and note the proposals for the new 3-year Comfort Scheme Agreements from 2026-2029.

15. Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages - Annual Report
Clàrachadh airson Breith, Bàs is Pòsadh – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No CP/31/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. scrutinise and note the work and performance standards achieved by the Registration team across the Highland area;
ii. consider and note the continued efforts to modernise and promote the registration service, ensuring Highland Council offers a cost effective, efficient, but professional service to the public in all aspects of registration business; and
iii. consider and note the details of the draft marketing strategy as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

16. Sustainable Business Travel - Update on Progress 2024/25
Siubhal Gnothachais Seasmhach – Cunntas air Adhartas 2024/25

There is circulated Report No CP/32/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. progress to date on reducing fleet, miles and emissions;
ii. progress with Pathfinder 2 and indicative timescale for implementation in Highland;
iii. the updates to the action plan detailed within Appendix 1 of the report; and
iv. that future reports will continue to align progress monitoring with the Net Zero, Energy Investment and Innovation Portfolio to ensure consistency in reporting and performance management.

17. Growing our Future: Annual Community Food Growing Report
A’ Fàs ar n-Àm Ri Teachd: Aithisg Bhliadhnail Fàs Biadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No CP/33/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the progress made to implement the Growing Our Future strategy and deliver the community food growing action plan.

18. Performance Reporting for Q2 June 2025 - September 2025
Aithriseadh air Dèanadas airson R2 Ògmhios 2025 – Sultain 2025

There is circulated Report No CP/34/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

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