Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on
Thursday, 13 February 2025 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.

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

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. Presentation – Gro For You Project Tain 
Taisbeanadh – Pròiseact Gro For You Bhaile Dhubhthaich

Ms S MacKenzie, Mr R Jones and Ms A Ross from Gro for You Community Innovation Campus, will deliver a presentation at the meeting about The Gro for You Project, a pioneering project set to open in the heart of Tain in Summer 2025. This transformative Community Innovation Campus, the first of its kind in the Highlands, focuses on delivering triple impact in the following key areas: Sustainability and Net Zero Technologies, Community Learning and Development, and Health and Wellbeing.

5. Quarterly Revenue and Performance Monitoring Report Q3 2024/25
Aithisg Ràitheil Teachd-a-steach agus Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh R3 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. ECI/01/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider and approve the Service’s revenue monitoring position; and
ii. scrutinise and note the Service’s performance and risk information.

6. Capital Monitoring Q3 2024/25
Sgrùdadh Calpa R3 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. ECI/02/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial position as at 31 December 2024 and note the estimated year end forecast.

7. Community Wealth Building Strategy
Ro-innleachd Togail Saidhbhreas Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/03/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and note updates on progress against the CWB action plan;
ii.  note the updates; and 
iii. agree that a stand-alone Highland Social Value Charter update report be brought to the 29 May 2024 meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee.  

8. UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Delivery Plan Progress Update
Maoin Soirbheachas Co-roinnte na RA – Cunntas air Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh

There is circulated Report No. ECI/04/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the UKSPF Delivery Plan progress update; and 
ii. agree that the proposals for projects to ensure the spend of the 2025/26 allocation of funds are brought for agreement to the May 2025 Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

9. Regional Economic Strategy – Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIRE)
Ro-innleachd Eaconamach Roinneil – Com-pàirteachas Eaconamach Roinneil na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean

There is circulated Report No. ECI/05/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the contents of the Draft HIREP Draft Regional Economic Strategy; and    
ii. agree to endorse the Regional Economic Strategy attached as Appendix 1 to this report. 

10. Delivery Plan Budget Monitoring & Progress Update – Q3 2024/25
Sgrùdadh Buidseit & Cunntas air Adhartas a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh – R3 2024/25

There is circulated joint Report No. ECI/06/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place and Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note the progress provided in the Programme and Project updates in this report.

11. Highland Draft Local Transport Strategy
Dreachd Ro-innleachd Còmhdhail Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. ECI/07/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the content of the Case for Change Report within Appendix 3 of the report;
ii.  note the content of the Engagement Report within Appendix 4 of the report;
iii. approve the Draft Local Transport Strategy within Appendix 2 of the report; and 
iv.  agree officers progress with the Delivery Plan and development of a Full Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

12. National Speed Limit Review Consultation
Co-chomhairleachadh mu Ath-sgrùdadh air Crìoch-astair Nàiseanta

There is circulated Report No. ECI/08/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note and agree Highland Council’s response to the National Speed Limit Review as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  note the deadline for consultation response submission is 5 March 2025; and 
iii. agree that should there be any amendments to the consultation response as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, due to timescales, sign off of the final Highland Council response is delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

13. Council Response to Review of Ofgem – Call for Evidence    
Freagairt na Comhairle do dh’Ath-sgrùdadh Ofgem – Gairm airson Fianais

There is circulated Report No. ECI/09/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i.   the Highland Council’s formal response to the Ofgem review as in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  to endorse the Council’s recommendations for enhanced regional equity, improved consumer protections and streamlined regulatory processes; and
iii. that continued engagement with Ofgem and other stakeholders is critical to addressing the systemic challenges faced by the Highlands in energy pricing and infrastructure development.

14. Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited Annual Accounts 2023/24
Cunntasan Bliadhnail Coimhearsnachd Tuathanas-gaoithe na Beinne Tarsainn Earranta 2023/24
    
There is circulated Report No. ECI/10/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the activities of Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited; and 
ii. agree to accept, on behalf of Highland Council, the Financial Statement of Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited for year ending 31 March 2024.

15. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for:-

i.   South PAC – 1 October 2024;
ii.  North PAC – 29 October 2024; 
iii. South PAC – 19 November 2024;
iv.  North PAC– 4 December 2024;

and, for approval:-

v.   Harbours Management Board held on 15 November 2024;
vi.  Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Monitoring Group held on the 3 December 2024;
vii. City Region Deal Monitoring Group held on 4 February 2025.