Agenda
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A meeting of the Highland Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 17 September 2026 at 9.35am.
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. Vote of No Confidence
Bhòt Cion-earbsa
4. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh
Members are asked to note that the recess powers granted at the meeting on 25 June 2026 did not require to be used in relation to the full Council.
The following item will be taken at 12.45pm.
5. Presentation – Director of Public Health – Annual Report
Taisbeanadh - Stiùiriche Slàinte Phoblaich – Aithisg Bhliadhnail
There is circulated Report No HC/24/26 by the Deputy Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Highland which will be supported by a presentation. A copy of the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025 is available at the link below:
Director of Public Health annual report | NHS Highland
The Council is asked to note the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025.
6. Poverty & Equality Commission - Next Steps
Coimisean Bochdainn & Co-ionannachd – Ath Cheumannan
There is circulated Report No. HC/25/26 the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Council is asked to:-
I. note the strands of work already underway that will support delivery of the Commission’s Calls to Action and that progress against these will continue to report to the relevant strategic committee;
ii. note the strands of work that require further exploration to consider potential implementation approaches, including the work planned with partners to consider the findings from the Commission; and
iii. agree the initial areas for action, and associated spend, detailed at section 8 of the report.
7. Programme for Government – Public Sector Reform (including Models of Integration Phase 2 Review Update)
Prògram an Riaghaltais – Ath-leasachadh na Roinne Poblach (Cunntas air Ath-sgrùdadh Ìre 2 a’ Mhodail Amalachaidh)
There will follow Report No. HC/26/26 by the Chief Executive.
8. Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill
The Council is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for Item 9 only on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
9. Public Transport Proposal
Moladh Còmhdhail Phoblaich
There is circulated to Members only Confidential Report No. HC/27/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Council is asked to agree the recommendations as set out in the report.
The Council will return to public proceedings for the following items.
10. UK City of Culture Bid 2029 - Update
Cultar Cathair-Bhaile na RA 2029 - Cunntas às Ùr
There is circulated Report No. HC/28/26 by the by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
The Council is asked to note the update on the UK City of Culture 2029 bid for Inverness-Highland.
11. Annual Corporate Performance Report 2025/26
Aithisg Choileanaidh Chorporra Bhliadhnail 2025/26
There is circulated Report No. HC/29/26 by the Chief Executive.
The Council is asked to note:
i. the report which outlines the performance for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026;
ii. that any data not yet available, including the Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) will be reported to Members through the Quarterly Performance Reports to the relevant Strategic Committees once published; and
iii. the reference table at Appendix 2 (to the report) - Delivery Plan Projects and Programmes that link to Performance Plan Commitments.
12. Annual Review of Standing Orders Relating to the Conduct of Meetings
Ath-sgrùdadh Bliadhnail de Ghnàth-riaghailtean a’ Buntainn ri Stiùireadh Choinneamhan
There is circulated Report No. HC/30/26 by the Chief Officer – Legal and Corporate Governance.
The Council is asked to approve the revised wording of Standing Orders Relating to the Conduct of Meetings as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.
13. Membership of the Council
Ballrachd na Comhairle
The Council is asked to note that Mr Willie MacKay tendered his resignation as a Highland Council Member with effect from 4 July 2026 and a By-election for Ward 3 (Wick and East Caithness) will be held on 1 October 2026.
The political make-up of the Council is now as follows:-
SNP – 18 / Highland Independent – 18 / Scottish Liberal Democrats – 15 / Highland Alliance – 8 / Scottish Conservative and Unionist – 6 / Scottish Green Party – 3 / Labour – 2 / Non-Aligned – 3 / Vacant – 1.
The formula in respect of the number of places on Strategic Committees remains unchanged – 5 / 5 / 4 / 2 / 2.
14. Membership of Committees, etc
Ballrachd air Comataidhean, msaa
At Council on 26 May 2022, it was agreed that the Highland Licensing Board would comprise of 10 Members drawn from the membership of the Highland Licensing Committee. The Council is invited to agree that the membership of Highland Licensing Board will be drawn from the Council.
It should also be noted that mandatory training for Licensing Board Members will be required. There are two reserved dates for the Board training (29 September 2026), which would be a full day with an external provider and an exam (8 October 2026) at the end.
The Council is asked to agree the new appointments (highlighted) to Committees as tabled.
15. Appointments to Companies
Cur an Dreuchd gu Companaidhean
(a) Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited
Cothrom dhan Ghàidhealtachd (Tasgaidhean) Earranta
Following the resignation of Mrs M Reid and Mr T MacLennan, the Council is asked to agree the appointment of two new Directors for Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited.
In this regard, there is circulated a copy of the Role Profile and Skills Set for Directors.
(b) High Life Highland
High Life na Gàidhealtachd
The Council is advised that recommendations have been received from the High Life Highland Nominations Committee in relation to the position of Independent Directors as follows:–
- Ms V Graham
- Ms D Steel
The Council is asked to agree these recommendations as detailed.
16. Timetable of Meetings
Clàr-ama Choinneamhan
The Council is asked to agree that:
i. a Special meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee is held on Monday 15 March 2027; and
ii. an additional meeting of the Highland Licensing Committee is held on Tuesday 24 November 2026.
17. Deeds Executed
Sgrìobhainnean Lagha a Bhuilicheadh
There is circulated for noting a list of deeds and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 25 June 2025.
18. Confirmation of Minutes
Daingneachadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais
There are submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the Council held on 25 June 2026 and the Special meetings held on 4 August 2026 and 25 August 2026 as contained in the Volume which has been circulated separately.
19. Minutes of Meetings of Committee
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan Chomataidhean
There are submitted for confirmation as correct records, for information as regards delegated business and for approval (assessments relating to starred items are available in Booklet A) as appropriate, the Minutes of Meetings of Committees contained in Volume circulated separately as undernoted:-
Caithness Committee
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer & Lochalsh Committee 3 August 2026
Black Isle and Easter Ross Committee 3 August 2026
Lochaber Area Committee 10 August 2026
Housing and Property Committee 10 August 2026
*Climate Change Committee 12 August 2026
Item 5i Net Zero Programme Update
i. AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that, across the next two scheduled meetings of the Climate Change Committee, the senior officer leads for the Council’s Place, People and Corporate service clusters be invited to present their respective plans for contributing to the Council’s Net Zero targets and addressing the climate and ecological emergencies. These presentations should set out:
a. the actions, programmes and measurable outcomes being delivered or planned within each cluster;
b. how climate mitigation, adaptation, energy, ecological and community-resilience considerations are being integrated into service, financial, workforce, asset and investment planning;
c. the cluster’s arrangements for engaging with the Climate Change and Energy Team and the relevant Net Zero thematic groups;
d. opportunities to secure external investment, generate savings and reinvest benefits in further delivery, including estate retrofit, fleet transition and other spend-to-save projects;
e. how the cluster’s plans contribute to tackling fuel poverty, inequalities and the differing needs of Highland’s rural, island and vulnerable communities;
f. the principal gaps, barriers and resource or specialist-support requirements affecting delivery; and
g. the arrangements for performance monitoring and future reporting to the Climate Change Committee;
ii. AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that the presentations include updates on the following areas of particular interest to the Committee:
a. the continuation and further development of collaboration between Housing and Property and the Climate Change and Energy Team, including opportunities arising from energy savings, identified underspends, external funding and further investment in housing and property projects;
b. opportunities to attract external investment and accelerate energy-efficiency and low-carbon retrofit across the Council’s existing school and wider operational estate, alongside delivery of new facilities through the Highland Investment Plan;
c. the funding and delivery plan for the Council’s fleet transition;
d. progress on sustainable food and school-meal activity previously requested by the Committee;
e. progress arising from Education’s commitment to engage with the Scottish Youth Parliament following its presentation to the Committee; and
f. the Council-wide response to increasing climate risks, including coastal change, flooding, extreme weather and wildfire; and
iii. AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that, following consideration of the three cluster presentations, officers bring a consolidated report to the Committee identifying shared priorities, gaps in delivery, opportunities for greater integration and any matters requiring recommendation to Full Council or another strategic committee.
Item 6 Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2026-2040 – AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that, in light of the implications of Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2026–2040 and building on the Council’s Net Zero Strategy and programme-led approach to climate change, energy and community resilience, a report be brought to Full Council no later than December 2026 setting out:
a. how the national Climate Change Plan aligns with the Council’s Net zero target and programme;
b. any additional actions, responsibilities or delivery pressures arising for the Council;
c. the implications for the capacity and resourcing of the Climate Change and Energy Team and other relevant Council services;
d. the external funding, invest-to-save, income-generation and other sustainable funding opportunities available to support delivery; and
e. any staffing, financial, governance or organisational proposals requiring Council approval, in sufficient time to inform the Council’s budget and workforce planning for 2027/28.
Item 7 Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment – Independent Assessment
i. AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that the findings of the Technical Report and A Well-Adapted UK be used to inform the continued development of the Council-wide Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan and related adaptation activity, where relevant and appropriate; and
ii. AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that screenings of the National Emergency Briefing on climate and nature in the UK be organised for staff and Elected Members to inform the continued development of the Council-wide Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan and resilience activities across Council services.
Item 8 Highland Adapts Update and Funding Request – AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council the approval of £15,000 of funding towards the Highland Adapts Partnership for 2026/27 to support continued delivery of regional climate adaptation and resilience activity across Highland.
Communities and Place Committee 13 August 2026
City of Inverness Area Committee 17 August 2026
Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee 19 August 2026
Audit Committee 19 August 2026
*Economy and Infrastructure Committee 20 August 2026
Item 10 Balnaan Bridge - Options Report
ii. AGREED to RECOMMEND to the Council that adoption of Option 2, the bridge overlay, as the preferred option, with the objective of reopening Balnaan Bridge to traffic.
Economy and Infrastructure Committee
Dingwall, Seaforth Committee 24 August 2026
Nairnshire Committee 24 August 2026
Education Committee 26 August 2026
Gaelic Committee 26 August 2026
Comataidh na Gaidhlig 26 An Lunasdal 2026
Corporate Resources Committee 27 August 2026
Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee 31 August 2026
Sutherland County Committee 31 August 2026
Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee 31 August 2026
Minutes of Meetings not included in the Volume are as follows:-
I. Community Planning Board – for noting – held on 12 June 2026 (approved by the Board on 11 September 2026);
ii. Recruitment Panel – for noting – held on 22 June 2026 and 2 September 2026;
iii. Governance Review Steering Group – for approval - held on 17 August 2026; and
iv. Redesign Board – for approval – held on 27 August 2026.
20.Question Time Booklet A
Àm Ceiste
There is circulated separately in Booklet A Member Questions received by the Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate Governance.
For Member Questions, one supplementary question will be allowed in each case which will be answered by the recipient of the original question.
21. Notices of Motion Booklet A
Brathan Gluasaid
There is circulated separately in Booklet A Notices of Motion received by the Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate Governance.