5 November 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 5 November 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.

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.  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 Q1 and Q2 2026/27, together with a statement from the Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on strengthening Scotland’s preparedness for wildfire.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise and note the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Highland Performance Report for Q1 and Q2 2026/27; and
ii.    note the statement from the Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on strengthening Scotland’s preparedness for wildfire.

5.  Revenue Budget Monitoring Report to 31 August 2026
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach gu 31 Lùnastal 2026 

There is circulated Report No CP/27/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for 2026/27 as set out in the report and Appendices 1 and 2 of the report;
ii.   consider and note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed;
iii.  consider and note the update provided regarding savings delivery as set out in Appendix 3 of the report; and
iv.  consider and note the financial strategy document as set out in Appendix 4 of the report.

6.  Capital Monitoring Report – Q2 Monitoring to 31 August 2026
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Calpa – Sgrùdadh R2 gu 31 Lùnastal 2026

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for the year 2026/27 as set out in the report and Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii.   consider and note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed.

7.  Inverness Crematorium – Cremation Fees
Luaithreachan Inbhir Nis – Cìsean Losgaidh-chuirp

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

The Committee is invited to approve:-

i.    the reduction of the Direct Cremation fee from £820 to £565; and
ii.   the introduction of a new Reflection Service option at Inverness Crematorium, at the cost of the current Direct Cremation fee (£820).

8.  Inverness Crematorium Metal Recycling Scheme
Luaithreachan Inbhir Nis Sgeama Ath-chuairteachadh Meatailte

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the update on the metal recycling scheme; and
ii.   approve the Charity Nomination and Governance Policy for Inverness Crematorium metal recycling.

9.  Burial Management Plans
Planaichean Stiùiridh airson Thìodhlacaidhean

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

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed standard Burial Management Plan and the adoption and implementation of the nine area Burial Management Plans for the Highland area, in accordance with the Burial (Management) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.

10.  Reuse and Repair Fund
Maoin Ath-chleachd is Càirich

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the current projects that have been funded through the Reuse and Repair Fund; 
ii.   approve the award of up to £30,000 from the Repair and Reuse Fund for the preparation of the site at the Nairn Household Waste Recycling Centre; 
iii.  agree that the procurement of a suitable operator be commenced under the Council’s procurement regulations; and 
iv.  agree that further updates on the findings from the project be reported to a future Committee to evaluate the opportunity for expansion of the principles throughout the Highland area.  

11.  Abandoned Vehicles Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Charbadan Trèigte

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the update from Environmental Health on abandoned vehicles including the data from 2026/27; and
ii.   approve the proposed Policy on Abandoned Vehicles.

12.  Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages – Annual Report
Clàrachadh air Breith, Bas is Pòsadh – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise and note the work and performance achieved by the Registration team across the Highland area; and
ii.   consider and note the continued efforts to modernise and promote the Registration service in a competitive Marriage and Civil Partnership industry.

13.  Participation and Engagement Annual Report
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Com-pàirteachaidh is Conaltraidh

There is circulated Report No CP/35/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and note:-

i.    the update on the work ongoing to increase Council participation and engagement with communities across Highland; and
ii.   the progress against the Participation and Engagement Strategy set out at Appendix 1.

14.  Performance Monitoring Q2 2026/27
Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh R2 2026/27

There is circulated Report No CP/36/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the performance information for the Communities and Place Service.