20 August 2026: Economy and Infrastructure Committee

A meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on
Thursday, 20 August 2026 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.

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. 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 Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

4. Good News 
Naidheachdan Matha

5. Revenue Budget Monitoring Report for the period Q4 2025/26 and Q1 2026/27
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach airson R4 2025/26 agus R1 2026/27

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   scrutinise and approve the final budget position for 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 2026/27 as set out in the report and Appendices 3 and 4 of the 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 Q1 2026/27
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Calpa R1 2026/27

There is circulated Report No. ECI/27/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and approve the financial position to 30 May 2026 and note the estimated year end forecast.

7. Reducing Light Pollution: Draft Good Practice Guidance
A’ Lùghdachadh Truailleadh Solais: Dreachd Stiùireadh Deagh Chleachdaidh

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the positive impacts of reducing light pollution outlined in the report;
ii.  approve the Guidance within Appendix 2 of the report as a basis for public consultation;
iii. agree that prior to public consultation, officers add further illustrative material and Gaelic language content to the Guidance to enhance its readability and appearance; and 
iv.  note that there will be a policy on reducing light pollution in the new Highland Local Development Plan which will be subject to future committee approval.

8. Integrated Transport Team Update
Cunntas Sgioba na Còmhdhalach Amalaichte

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

The Committee is invited to:-

I.   note the progress made by the Integrated Transport Team in delivering active and sustainable transport and road safety initiatives across the Highland area;
ii.  note the progress made to the 2030 national road casualty reduction targets;
iii. note the successful securing of external funding to support low-carbon transport infrastructure and associated programme delivery; and
iv.  agree the continued delivery of active and sustainable transport and road safety initiatives aligned with the Council’s strategies and national priorities.

9. Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership
Com-pàirteachas Leasachaidh Seirbheis nam Busaichean

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the progress made in developing the Highland Bus Service; Improvement Partnership (BSIP) since the previous report to Committee in February 2023;
ii.  note the continued progression of the draft Highland BSIP Partnership Plan, Bus Service Improvement Plan and supporting Scheme Area documentation;
iii. agree that officers proceed to a 12-week consultation on the draft BSIP; and
iv.  note that a further report is expected to be brought back to Committee following consultation, further legal review and operator engagement before any final decision is taken to make the BSIP or associated Scheme(s).

10. Balnaan Bridge - Options Report    
Drochaid Bheul an Àthain – Aithisg Roghainnean

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the available options for Balnaan Bridge; and 
ii. approve the do minimum option.

11. Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey 2025/26
Suirbhidh Staid Cumail Suas Rathaidean na h-Alba 2025/26

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

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the results of the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey for 2025/26 and the Highland Councils ranking has remained at 28th position amongst Scottish Local Authorities, with a road condition index (RCI) of 38.9% which represents the percentage of the road network   needs maintenance treatment; and    
ii. that the 2025/26 results are already published on the refreshed version of the Council’s website, as agreed at the 4 May 2023 Economy & Infrastructure Committee.  

12. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring and Progress Update Q1 2026/27    
Sgrùdadh Buidseit agus Cunntas air Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh R1 2026/27

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

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the project/programme updates provided in this report.

13. Performance Monitoring Report Q1 2026/27
Aithisg Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh R1 2026/27

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

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the service performance information.

14. Appointment to the Flow Country Partnership
Cur an Dreuchd gu Com-pàirteachas nam Flobhachan

The Peatlands Partnership was formed at the end of 2006 following the completion of the EU LIFE funded Peatlands Project and aimed to develop and build on that project. The Partnership changed its name in 2021 to the Flow Country Partnership to emphasise the wider links in the landscape and its focus on the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland.

The Committee is invited to appoint Ms Leslie-Anne Niven as a Trustee of the Flow Country Partnership.

15. Membership of the Harbours Management Board
Ballrachd Bòrd Stiùiridh nan Calachan

The Committee is asked to appoint Mr Russel Jones to replace Mr Willie MacKay as a member of the Harbours Management Board.

16. Membership of the City Region Deal Monitoring GroupBallrachd Buidheann-sgrùdaidh a’ Chùmhnaint Baile Roinne

The Committee is asked to appoint Mr Duncan McDonald to replace Mr Ruraidh Stewart as a member of the City Region Deal Monitoring Group.
    
17. Minutes 
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for:-

i.   North PAC – 11 March 2026; 
ii.  North PAC– 23 April 2026;
iii. South PAC – 13 May 2026;
iv.  South PAC – 17 June 2026;

and, for approval:-

v.   City Region Deal Monitoring Group held on 28 April 2026;
vi.  Community Regeneration Fund Strategic Subgroup held on 2 June 2026; and
vii. Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Monitoring Group held on the 5 June 2026.

18. 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 be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

19. Awards of Contract for Passenger and School Transport Services: Lochaber & Caithness
Toirt Seachad Chùmhnantan airson Seirbheisean Còmhdhalach Luchd-siubhail is Sgoile: Loch Abar & Gallaibh

There is circulated to Members only Report No. ECI/35/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

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