10 August 2026: Lochaber Committee

 A meeting of the Lochaber Committee will take place remotely on Monday, 10 August, 2026 at 10.30 a.m. 

Recording Notice: Please note this meeting will be recorded and uploaded to the Council’s YouTube channel.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Chief Officer Legal & 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.    Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 25 June 2026 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Lochaber Committee.    
        
4.    Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Local Committee Performance Report
Aithisg Choileanaidh Comataidh Ionadail Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No LA/27/26 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.

The Committee is invited to comment and scrutinise the Area Performance Report.    
        
5.    Fort William Common Good Fund - Q4 2025/26 and Q1 2026/27 (to 31.05.26 only) Monitoring Report
Maoin a’ Mhaith Choitcheann a’ Ghearasdain - Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Cairteal 4 2025/26 agus Cairteal 1 2026/27 (gu 31.05.26 a-mhàin)

There is circulated Report No. LA/28/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive Place.

Members are asked to scrutinise and note the position of Fort William Common Good Fund as shown in the end of year statement for 2025/26 and Quarter 1 2026/27 (to 31.05.26 only) Monitoring Statement.    
        
6.    Short Term Let Control Area – Post Consultation Update
Sgìre Smachd Màil Gheàrr-ùine – Cunntas às Ùr às Dèidh Co-chomhairleachaidh

There is circulated Report No. LA/29/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive Place.

Members are asked to:-

i.    consider the consultation feedback and the potential implications that a STLCA will have on communities within Lochaber as set out in Appendix 2 and summarised in Sections 8, 9 and 10; and
ii.    agree to recommend to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee that Lochaber be included within the proposed Highland Rural STLCA, should any decision to submit a proposal for designation to Scottish Ministers be taken.    PP.26-103
        
7.    Winter Service Plan 2026/27
Plana Seirbheis Geamhraidh 2026/27

There is circulated Report No. LA/30/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive Place. 

Members are asked to approve:-

i.    the Winter Service Plan for 2026/27; and
ii.    the additional roads on route maps Appendix B.    PP.104-113
        
8.    Community Regeneration Fund Assessment of Applications
Measadh Iarrtasan Maoin Ath-bheòthachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No. LA/31/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive Place. 

Members are asked to:-

i.    note the Community Regeneration Funds currently available in Lochaber;
ii.    consider the application presented and agree whether to approve, defer or reject the 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 the 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; and
iii.    agree the approved CRF grant award, subject to any conditions, up to the value of the available area allocation.    PP.114-132
        
9.    Fort William 2040 Bi-Annual Update
Cunntas Leth-bhliadhnail a’ Ghearasdain 2040

There is circulated Report No. LA/32/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive Place. 

Members are asked to:-

i.    note the progress that has been made with the individual projects within the FW2040 Masterplan as summarised at Appendix 1: FW2040 Bi-annual Masterplan Project Update, July 2026;
ii.    note the findings from the Greater Fort William Culture and Leisure Options Appraisal as per section 6.2 of the report;
iii.    note the public consultation on the Fort William Integrated Transport Plan (FW ITP).  Further detail is provided in section 6.4 of the report; and
iv.    support identified priority FW2040 work areas for the coming year also summarised in section 6 of this report.    PP.133-165
        
10.    Corran Ferry Update
Cunntas air Aiseag a’ Chorrain

There is circulated Report No. LA/33/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive Place.

Members are asked to note the:-

i.    Corran Ferry Infrastructure Improvement Scheme & Corran Ferry New Electric Vessel updates; and
ii.    Corran Ferry Service update.    
        
11.    Housing Repairs and Capital Report – 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026
Aithisg Choileanaidh Taigheadais- Càradh Thaighean agus Prògram Calpa – 1 Giblean 2026 gu 30 Ògmhios 2026

There is circulated Report No. LA/34/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive Place.

Members are asked to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2026 – 30 June 2026.    
        
12.    Lochaber Local Access Forum 
Fòram Inntrigeadh Ionadail Loch Abar

The Council has a statutory duty under Section 25 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to establish Local Access Forums for its area. There are currently six Local Access Forums in the Highland area which advise on matters in relation to the exercise of access rights, the existence of delineation of rights of way or the drawing up and adoption of the Core Path Plan. In addition, they also offer and give assistance to parties in terms of the resolution of any disputes in this respect.

There is currently a vacancy for Ward 11 on the Lochaber Local Access Forum and the Committee are asked to agree that Councillor S Cameron is appointed to the Forum.  

         
13.    Ward Discretionary Fund 2026/27
Buidseat fo Ùghdarras Uàird

The Committee is invited to note the following Ward Discretionary Fund grant awards since the last Committee meeting:-

Ward 11
    Isle of Eigg Resident Association - Community Orchard - £300
    Mallaig Football Club - Mallaig All Weather Pitch - £2,000
Ward 21
    Nether Lochaber Community Association - Maintain and enhance floral displays - £982.60 
    Morvern Community Development Company - Improvements Lochaline Harbour - £600
    National Trust for Scotland, Altnafeadh parking design Devil’s Staircase & Buachaille Etive Mor - £2,000    
        
14.    Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for information, Minutes of Meeting of the Lochaber Committee held on 11 May 2026 which were approved by the Council on 25 June 2026.