Agenda
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A meeting of the Corporate Resources Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 27 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 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Corporate Resources Committee.
4. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha
The Committee is invited to note the good news as presented.
5. Appointments to Sub-Committees, Working Groups, etc
Cur an Dreuchd gu Fo-Chomataidhean, Buidhnean-obrach is eile
The Committee is invited to agree:-
i. a replacement for Mr S Kennedy on the Non Domestic Rates Appeal Committee (to be tabled);
ii. a replacement for Mr S Kennedy on the Employment Release Sub-Committee (to be tabled); and
iii. that the following Members be appointed to the Community Asset Transfer Review Panel which will be chaired by the Chair of Corporate Resources Committee:
Mr M Baird, Mr A Christie, Mr K Gowans, Mr G Mackenzie, Mr T MacLennan, Mr P Oldham, Mr M Prosser, Mrs M Reid and Mr M Reiss.
6. Corporate Revenue and Capital Monitoring Report
Aithisg Teachd-a-steach Corporra agus Sgrùdadh
a. Corporate Revenue Monitoring Out-turn for 2025/26 and Quarter 1 for 2026/27
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Corporra – Fìor shuidheachadh airson 2025/26 agus Ràith 1 airson 2026/27
There is circulated Report No RES/30/26 by the Chief Officer - Corporate Finance.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the out-turn position for 2025/26 based on draft unaudited accounts, as set out in the report;
ii. consider the forecast financial position for 2026/27 as set out in the report and appendices;
iii. consider the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed in response to the overspends forecast, including the more rigorous approach to cost reduction and non-essential spending; and
iv. note the consolidated assessment of savings delivery forecasts.
b. Corporate Capital Monitoring - Out-turn for 2025/26 and Quarter 1 for 2026/27
Sgrùdadh Calpa Corporra – Fìor Shuidheachadh airson 2025/26 agus Ràith 1 airson 2026/27
There is circulated Report No RES/31/26 by the Chief Officer - Corporate Finance.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. scrutinise and consider the near final outturn for the 2025/26 financial year and the funding profile;
ii. scrutinise and consider the net spend for Q1 2026/27, the forecast year end outturn and the funding profile; and
iii. note the review underway in relation to capital project monitoring, governance and delivery arrangements.
7. Corporate Cluster Budget Monitoring Reports - Out-turn for 2025/26 and Quarter 1 for 2026/27
Aithisgean Sgrùdadh Buidseit Buidhne Corporra – fìor shuidheachadh airson 2025/26 agus Ràith 1 airson 2026/27
There is circulated Report No RES/32/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Corporate.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. scrutinise and approve the final budget position for 2025/26 as set out in the report and Appendix 1 to the report;
ii. scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for 2026/27 as set out in the report and Appendix 2 to the report;
iii. consider and note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed; and
iv. consider and note the Corporate Cluster Financial Strategy 26/27 (Appendix 3).
8. Treasury Management
Rianachd Ionmhais
a. Annual Treasury Management Report 2025/26
Aithisg Stiùiridh Bhliadhnail an Ionmhais – 2025/26
There is circulated Report No RES/33/26 by the Chief Officer - Corporate Finance.
The Committee is invited to consider and note the Annual Treasury Management report for 2025/26.
b. Summary of Transactions for the Quarter to 30 June 2026
Geàrr-chunntas de Ghnothachasan airson na Ràithe gu 30 Ògmhios 2026
There is circulated Report No RES/34/26 by the Chief Officer - Corporate Finance.
The Committee is invited to consider and note the Treasury Management - Summary of Transactions report for the period from 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026.
9. Annual Report on Citizens Advice Contract
Aithisg Choileanaidh Bhliadhnail Biùro Comhairleachadh a’ Phobaill
There is circulated Report No RES/35/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to consider and note:-
i. nearly 25,000 residents were supported by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 with welfare, debt and housing advice services, resulting in more than 133,000 contacts (on average, 5 contacts per client). Assessing the volume of contacts offers valuable insights into workload and service throughout, providing essential context for evaluating the overall effectiveness and quality of the welfare services delivered;
ii. financial gains for clients who accessed support from the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice exceeded £30.3 million. This represents a £18.84 return for every £1 invested by the Council in these welfare services;
iii. value for money delivered by these services was highlighted in the Highland Poverty & Equality Commission’s final report which was considered at the Highland Council meeting on 25 June 2026:
“Highland Council’s Welfare Support team and Citizens Advice partnership served over 23,000 people in 2024-25. This led to £27.7M of financial gains mostly through benefit payments that had not been claimed or received, and £12.1M in debt management. Few other areas of funding generate a return on investment of 17 times. It is therefore a high priority for further funding”. Highland Poverty and Equalities Commission Final Report – page 18 refers.
iv. a total of £10.714m of debt (including £0.583m relating to mortgage/other secured loans) was presented by households who were supported by skilled advisers in these welfare services to prioritise their bills, reduce and manage their debts, and wherever possible to lower the interest charges they were due to pay. Advisers also engaged with multiple creditors to establish amounts due. Where appropriate, skilled advisers put in place debt recovery moratoriums on behalf of their clients. These moratoriums provide a temporary legal six-month protection for debtors and prevent creditors from taking enforcement action, such as arresting bank accounts or wages, while formal debt solutions can be considered for clients, including bankruptcy or a Debt Arrangement Scheme for example;
v. support was provided for 2,076 clients (including social rented, private rented and homeowners) seeking housing-related advice, thus highlighting the demand for consistent accessible support on these critical issues. The advice provided supports the Council’s homelessness commitments and helps to support those in need of housing. Housing-related advice supports tenants to maintain their tenancies and for all clients accessing housing advice and support to remain in their homes whether that be social rented, private rented or home ownership;
vi. as included in Highland Council’s Revenue Budget 2025/26, dated 6 March 2025, there was an estimated £70 million of unclaimed benefits in the Highland area, including £6.9 million unclaimed pension credits affecting 3,000 people. Following approval by Members when setting the 2025/26 budget (INV/6), the Revenues & Commercialisation section has delivered digital transformation through the implementation of the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT), developed by Policy in Practice. LIFT utilises intelligent data analytics software to help maximise residents’ income and reduce their costs. Data analytics analyse, identify, engage and track financially vulnerable households to help maximise income and avoid costs by preventing vulnerability and to quickly identify and obtain insights about households who may need support. This service is being delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice and aims to improve residents' financial resilience and reduce poverty gaps by using independent data-led evidence; and
vii. as previously reported, and integral to the Council’s commitment to reduce poverty and alleviate financial hardships, the Council has also launched a Better Off Calculator on its website at https://www.highland.gov.uk/benefits-money-help/find-benefits-mayentitled. This calculator enables residents to self-serve to check entitlements that may be available to them, and to understand the impacts of life events, changing working hours, and other circumstances which may impact their income. Since its introduction, the Better Off Calculator has been used by 191 households across Highland. Of these, 160 households (84%) were identified as potentially entitled to additional financial assistance, with a total of £187,566 in potential benefit entitlement. Analysis of the results indicates that 138 households may be missing out on benefits, with an estimated £87,774 in unclaimed entitlement identified to date. This digital solution also provides residents with an option to be supported by skilled advisers within the Welfare Support Team.
10. Standby Policy
Poileasaidh Fuireachais
There is circulated Report No RES/36/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the findings of The Standby Working Group;
ii. approve the revised corporate Standby Policy in line with Option 3 as set out in the report; and
iii. note the Standby Guidance document developed to support consistent implementation of the revised policy.
11. Mileage Rate Revision
Ath-sgrùdadh air Reata Astar Mhìltean
There is circulated Report No RES/37/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. agree that the Council should adopt the revised HMRC mileage rate of 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles;
ii. agree that the change should be backdated to cover travel relating to 1 April 2026 onwards;
iii. note that backdated claims will be calculated and paid by the end of the calendar year;
iv. agree that any approved change should apply equally to both employees and Elected Members in order to maintain consistency across the organisation; and
v. agree to reinforce the requirements of the Council's Travel and Subsistence Policy and Travel Hierarchy to minimise avoidable travel and reduce reliance on private vehicle use.
12. Pensions Guarantee to SPPA for High Life Highland Instrumental Music Instructors
Barantas Pheinnseanan gu SPPA airson Oidean Innealan-Ciùil High Life na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No RES/38/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the contents of the report and the background changes relating to pension arrangements for High Life Highland music instructors; and
ii. agree to provide a Letter of Comfort guarantee to the Scottish Teachers Pension Scheme for the reasons and on the basis as set out within the report.
13. Corporate Service – Performance Monitoring Quarter 1 2026/27
Seirbheis Chorporra - Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh Ràithe 1 2026/27
There is circulated Report No RES/39/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to note the:-
i. performance information for the Corporate Cluster; and
ii. change to Invoice reporting to align with the Corporate Cluster structure.
14. Corporate Systems Update – HR & Payroll Programme
Cunntas air Siostaman Corporra – Prògram Ghoireasan Daonna & Rola Pàighidh
There is circulated Report No RES/40/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to note:-
i. progress, financial position, and risk management of the HR & Payroll Programme; and
ii. the summary in section 4.5 of the report to support the decision-making process.
15. Delivery Plan – Corporate Solutions and Income Generation Portfolio Update
Plana Lìbhrigidh – Ùrachadh air Pasgan Fuasglaidhean Corporra agus Gineadh Teachd-a-steach
a. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring & Progress Update – Corporate Solutions
Sgrùdadh Buidseit & Cunntas air Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh – Freagairtean Corporra
There is circulated Report No RES/41/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to note the:-
i. project/programme updates provided in the report; and
ii. revised format of the report, which includes the use of Portfolio Board project dashboards from the Performance and Risk Management system (PRMS), with accompanying project narrative sections aligned to the content of these.
b. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring & Progress Update – Income Generation
Sgrùdadh Buidseit & Cunntas air Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh - Togail Teachd-a-steach
There is circulated Report No RES/42/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive -Corporate.
The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the project/programme updates provided in the report.
16. Minutes of Meetings
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan
The following Minutes of Meetings are circulated for:
i. approval - Central Safety Committee held on 15 June 2026;
ii. approval – Fuel Poverty Working Group held on 19 June 2026;
iii. noting – Appeals and Disputes Sub Committee on 29 June 2026; and
iv. noting – Non-Domestic Rates Appeals Committee held on 10 August 2026.