Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee will take place remotely, on Monday, 26 January 2026, at 10.00 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.    Police – Area Performance Report    
Poilis – Geàrr-chunntas Dèanadas Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No BIER/01/26 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 the report, for the period covering 01 April 2025 – 31 December 2025.

4.    Common Good Funds
Maoin Maith Choitchinn

a.    Cromarty Common Good Fund 
Maoin Math Coitcheann Chromba 

There is circulated Report No BIER/02/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

    The Committee is asked to:
i.        consider and agree the CCGF Statement of Accounts within Appendix 1 for 2024/25, subject to the approval of the 2024/25 Highland Council accounts; 
ii.    scrutinise and note the position of the CCGF as shown in the 2025/26 Q3 monitoring statement at Appendix 2; and
iii.    approve the proposed budget for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 3.

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

There is circulated Report No BIER/03/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is asked to:

i.    consider and agree the FRCGF Statement of Accounts within Appendix 1 for 2024/25, subject to the approval of the 2024/25 Highland Council accounts; 
ii.    scrutinise and note the position of the FRCGF as shown in the 2025/26 Q3 monitoring statement at Appendix 2; and
iii.    approve the proposed budget for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 3; and 
iv.    agree to delegate to the Community Support and Engagement Team power to approve expenditure up to £10,000 in relation to FRCGF within the annually set budget and following consultation with relevant Ward Members. This delegated power will be reviewed annually as part of the budget setting process.

c.    Invergordon Common Good Fund         
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ghòrdain 

There is circulated Report No BIER/04/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is asked to:
i.    consider and agree the Invergordon Common Good Fund Statement of Accounts as set out in Appendix 1 and Q4 monitoring report for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 2;
ii.    scrutinise and note the position of the Invergordon Common Good Fund as shown in the 2025/26 Q3 monitoring statement as set out in Appendix 3; and
iii.    approve the proposed budget for 2026/27 as set out in in Appendix 4

d.    Tain Common Good Fund             
Maoin Math Coitcheann Bhaile Dhubhthaich

There is circulated Report No BIER/05/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is asked to:
i.    consider and agree the Tain Common Good Fund Statement of Accounts as set out in Appendix 2 and Q4 monitoring report for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 3;
ii.    scrutinise and note the position of the Tain Common Good Fund as shown in the 2025/26 Q3 monitoring statement as set out in Appendix 4; and
iii.    approve the proposed budget for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 5.
 
5.    Education Attainment Reports            
Aithisgean Buileachadh Foghlaim

a. Invergordon Academy Associated School Group Overview
Foir-shealladh Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Acadamaidh Inbhir Ghòrdain                             

There is circulated Report No. BIER/06/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive, People Cluster. 
The Committee is asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

b.    Fortrose Academy Associated School Group Overview
Foir-shealladh Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Acadamaidh na Cananaich                                

There is circulated Report No. BIER/07/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive People Cluster.
The Committee is asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

c.    Alness Academy Associated School Group Overview
Aithisg Bhuileachaidh – Alanais            

There is circulated Report No. BIER/08/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive People Cluster. 
The Committee is asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

d.    Tain Royal Academy Associated School Group Overview
Aithisg Bhuileachaidh – Baile Dhubhthaich            

There is circulated Report No. BIER/09/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive People Cluster.
The Committee is asked to scrutinise and note the content of the report. 

6.    Area Roads Capital Programme    
Prògram Calpa Rathaidean na Sgìre

There is circulated Report No. BIER/10/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to:

i.    approve the rolling programme of Capital schemes as listed in Appendix 2, which will be a multi-year programme;
ii.    note that the Area budget will be available after the February 2026 Economy and Infrastructure (E&I) Committee; and  
iii.    note that the rolling programme may require to be updated once results from the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey have been received and considered. 

7.    Housing Repairs and Capital Report
Càraidhean Thaighean

There is circulated Report No. BIER/11/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2025 – 31 December 2025.

8.    Housing Revenue Account – Garage Rents
Màil Gharaidsean Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No. BIER/12/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is asked to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Black Isle  and Easter Ross Garages.

9.    Ward Discretionary Awards    
Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird    

There is circulated for noting, details of the Discretionary Budget applications that have been approved from1st April 2025 – 31st December 2025.

10.    Minutes    
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting minutes of the meeting of the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee held on 10 November 2025, which were approved by the Council on 11 December 2025.