Agendas, reports and minutes

A Special Meeting of the Highland Council will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Invernesson Thursday, 21 January 2016 at 10.30am.

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.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris

Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development

1. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
A’ Gairm a’ Chlair agus Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pairt

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 indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Revenue Budget 2016/17
Buidseat Teachd-a-steach

There is circulated Report No. HC/1/16 dated 11 January 2016 by the Director of Finance which provides an update on the latest developments regarding the budget forecast position for 2016/17 and highlights the scale of the budget deficit.

Formal decisions will require to be taken by the Council in order to achieve a balanced budget by 25 February 2016.

At this stage, the Council is asked to acknowledge the updated budget position as presented.

4. Budget Consultation for 2016/17
Toraidhean an Fhios-air-ais bho Cho-chomhairle leis a’ Phanal Shaoranaich

There is circulated Report No. HC/2/16 dated 8 January 2016 by the Head of Policy and Reform which details the feedback from the Citizen’s Panel to the Budget Consultation Survey for 2016/17.

The Council is asked to consider and note the results of the Budget Consultation Survey for 2016/17 as circulated.

5. Voluntary Redundancy Scheme – Delegation of Decisions
Sgeama Sgaraidh Saor-thoileach - Buidhean Riochdachaidh

There is circulated Report No. HC/3/16 dated 12 January 2016 by the Chief Executive which seeks approval for a change to the Scheme of Delegation to support the implementation of the Council’s Voluntary Redundancy Scheme.

The Council is asked to agree to amend the Scheme of Delegation from the current arrangements described in Paragraph 2.4 to the revised arrangements described in Paragraph 2.5 with immediate effect.

6. Remuneration of Senior Councillors
Ìochdadh de Sheann Chomhairlichean

There is re-circulated Report No. HC/60/15 dated 8 December 2015 by the Director of Finance which reviews and seeks approval for a revised list of Senior Councillor posts.

The Council is asked to approve the list of Senior Councillor posts as detailed in Annex 1 to the report.

7. High Life Highland – Appointment of Independent Directors
High Life na Gàidhealtachd – Comataidh Ainmeachaidh

The Council is advised that a recommendation has been received from the High Life Highland Nominations Committee for Mrs Ella MacRae and Mr Donald Somerville to be appointed as Independent Directors to join the High Life Highland Board with effect from the next Annual General Meeting.

The Council is asked to agree this recommendation as detailed.

8. Veterans Champion
Laoch nan Seann-ghaisgeach

The Leader, seconded by the Convener, will move that Mr R Balfour should be appointed as the Veterans Champion.

9. 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 the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 & 13 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

10. Freedom of Lochaber
Saorsa na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated to Members only Report No. HC/4/16 dated 8 January 2016 by the Head of Policy and Reform which invites Members to consider conferring the Freedom of Lochaber.

The Council is asked to agree the recommendation as detailed.