21 May 2026: Communities and Place Committee

A meeting of the Communities and Place Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 21 May 2026 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 Statements
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/ Aithrisean 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 Performance Report    
Aithisg Choileanaidh Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

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 Q3 and Q4 2025/26.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the report.

5. Integrated Weed Control Strategy and Action Plan    
Ro-innleachd agus Plana Gnìomha Amalaichte airson Smachd air Luibheanaich

There is circulated Report No CP/07/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the contents of the report;
ii.  agree and adopt the Integrated Weed Control Strategy and Action Plan 2026; and
iii. note that an annual update on progress will be reported to the Communities and Place Committee. 

6. Participation & Engagement Strategy    
Ro-innleachd Com-pàirteachaidh

There is circulated Report No CP/08/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and note the extent of the engagement and responses received;
ii.  note how consideration of these responses has been incorporated into the strategy;
iii. agree to support the content of the Action Plan contained within the strategy; and
iv.  agree the strategy, noting that reports on progress will be submitted to this Committee as part of the wider Participation and Engagement annual update.

7. Waste Strategy Development Plan    
Plana Leasachaidh Ro-innleachd Sgudail

There is circulated Report No CP/09/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the forthcoming potential changes to the waste regulations and the operational and financial implications; 
ii.  approve the approach to developing the Council’s Waste Strategy; and
iii. agree that the award of funding under the Reuse and Repair Fund be delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive for Place in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Communities and Place Committee.

8. Environmental Health Performance and Strategic Plan 2026-2029    
Coileanadh agus Plana Ro-innleachdail Slàinte Àrainneachdail 2026–2029

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and approve the Environmental Health Strategic Plan 2026-2029 as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report; 
ii.  note the Environmental Health performance in 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report including delivering statutory duties to over 6000 properties on private water supplies, over 5000 food businesses, and receiving over 13,500 service requests on a wide range of public health, nuisance, licensing, safety, dog control, animal health and incivility issues; and
iii. consider and approve the Food Safety Plan to 31 March 2027 as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report.

9. Bereavement Services Update    
Cunntas air Seirbheisean Call Neach-gaoil

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

The Committee is invited to:- 

i.    note the progress of current projects within the burial ground extension programme;
ii.    note the progress of the cremator replacement project at Inverness Crematorium; and
iii.    approve the updates to the Burial Ground Management Rules in accordance with recent regulation changes.  

10. Place Cluster Workforce Plan Annual Progress Report    
Aithisg Adhartais Bhliadhnail Feachd-obrach na Buidhne Àite

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

The Committee is invited to note the Place Cluster workforce planning progress report.

11. Highland Outcome Improvement Plan Update    
Cunntas air Plana Leasachadh Thoraidhean na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No CP/13/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note the progress update on delivery of the 2024–2027
Highland Outcome Improvement Plan.

12. Performance Reporting for Q4 January 2026 – March 2026     
Aithris Coileanaidh airson R4 Faoilleach 2026 – Màrt 2026

There is circulated Report No CP/14/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   scrutinise and note the service performance information;
ii.  note the change to absence reporting to align with Chief Officer structure; and
iii. note the change to Freedom of Information reporting to align with Chief Officer structure.

13. Membership of the Waste Strategy Working Group 
Ballrachd de Bhuidheann Obrach na Ro-innleachd Sgudail

The Committee is invited to agree the revised membership of the Waste Strategy
Working Group as tabled.