Councillors scrutinise Common Good Funds and welcome update on Bouchardon Bust.

The 2023/24 Annual Accounts and Final Monitoring reports for Cromarty, Fortrose and Rosemarkie, Invergordon and Tain Common Good Funds have been approved by Members of the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee. 

Committee Chair Cllr Lyndsey Johnston said: “The Highland Council administers 13 Common Good Funds across the region of which we have four in our Area. It’s important that Members have regular updates and opportunities to scrutinise the funds which can be used for projects that benefits our communities. The importance of this scrutiny is not only reflected by the outstanding value of the Bouchardon Bust but is also significant across all Common Good Funds that these assets are managed effectively for future generations.” 

Revenue surpluses for each of the Common Good Funds 2023/24 reports were noted by Members with the following being added to reserves: 

• Cromarty Common Good Fund £4,202 

• Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund £27,779 

• Invergordon Common Good Fund £1,090 

• Tain Common Good Fund £19,962. 

Members also approved proposed budgets for the same 4 Common Good Funds for 2025/26 with the Forecast Year End Reserves for each as follows: 

• Cromarty Common Good Fund £55,098 

• Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good Fund £248,806 

• Invergordon Common Good Fund £88,940 

• Tain Common Good Fund £261,619. 

In addition, Councillors agreed to delegate to the Council’s Community Support and Engagement Team the power to approve expenditure of up to £10,000 in relation to Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good within the annually set budget and following consultation with relevant Ward Members. This delegated power will be reviewed annually as part of the budget setting process. 

Members welcomed an update in an Invergordon Common Fund report on the progress of the disposition and sale of the Bouchardon Bust. They were informed that the ongoing process will continue to take around 8 months or longer and that Members would continue to be updated in future reports to committee.  

Each of the Common Good Fund reports and budgets can be viewed on the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee agenda for 27 January on the council’s website.