Governance arrangements approved by Council

Governance arrangements for the new Council, including senior councillor structure and associated remuneration have been agreed today (9 June 2022) at The Highland Council meeting.

The following Office Bearers were appointed to Strategic Committees by agreement of Council.

• Communities and Place Committee – Chair Cllr Graham Mackenzie and Vice Chair Cllr Hugh Morrison
• Corporate Resources Committee  - Chair Cllr Derek Louden and Vice Chair Cllr Calum Munro
• Economy and Infrastructure Committee – Chair Cllr Ken Gowans and Vice Chair Cllr Michael Green
• Education Committee  - Chair Cllr John Finlayson and Vice Chair Cllr Drew Millar
• Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee – Chair Cllr David Fraser and Vice Chair Cllr Muriel Cockburn. Cllr Cockburn was also elected to be the Council’s representative on NHS Highland Board.
• Housing and Property Committee – Chair Cllr Glynis Campbell-Sinclair and Vice Chair Cllr Laurie Fraser

The following Office Bearers were appointed to other Committees:

• Audit and Scrutiny – Chair Cllr Trish Robertson and Vice Chair Cllr Andrew Jarvie
• Gaelic Committee – Chair Cllr Calum Munro and Vice Chair Cllr Raymond Bremner
• Pensions Committee – Chair Cllr Thomas MacLennan and Vice Chair Cllr Derek Louden

Given the strategic significance of the climate and ecological emergency on a Highland, national and international level, the Climate Change Working Group is to become a formal Council Climate Change Committee. Cllr Karl Rosie was elected as Chair and Cllr Kate Willis elected as Vice Chair of the committee.

The structure and remuneration of Senior Councillors is regulated by The Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 and subsequent updates. The total remuneration of office bearers was set below the maximum total amount payable under the legislation.

Membership of the Council committees was also agreed. The details of committee memberships and all office bearers will be published on the Council’s website  https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20003/committee_information/496/overview_of_committee_membership_and_office_bearers