Councillors to consider Highland Investment Plan update

24th March 2025

Highland Councillors will be asked to consider a new approach on the future of the Highland Investment Plan (HIP).

Approval is being sought for the allocation of funding for the first phase of proposed projects for 2024/25 to 2029/30 which will help improve local public facilities and sustain local communities and population.

The Highland Investment Plan commits to the establishment of a new generation of integrated community facilities (PODs) which will be complimented by a refreshed operating model for services across Highland Council and with key partners, such as NHS Highland.

A report to the meeting of The Highland Council on 27 March will provide Councillors with an update on the progress of the Council's ambitious Highland Investment Plan. The report outlines that the establishment of Community PODs is linked to plans to modernise service delivery and are a key driver for the future operating model of the Highland Community Planning Partnership.

The HIP commits £2.1 billion of capital funding over a twenty-year period based on the ring fencing of 2% council tax per annum, or an equivalent revenue stream.

The Plan will be used to tackle the major challenges that Highland Council faces with transport and roads; schools and community facilities; depots and public offices across Highland communities.  

Highland Council Leader Cllr Raymond Bremner said: "Included in the recommendations to Council, will be that Hub North Scotland Ltd be taken forward as the chosen Highland Investment Plan delivery partner; and that a Commissioning Approval Board be set up and chaired by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place. He added: "The wider context of the HIP is to establish a prospectus of investible developments that can attract private sector partners and gain more leverage for public sector investment in local communities."

The Committee will also be asked to agree the allocation of capital funding to the first group of Phase 1 projects at Beauly, Charleston, Dingwall, Dunvegan, Fortrose, Inverness High and Thurso and the proposed project delivery timescales. Councillors will also be asked to agree an option to move to a Community POD development for St Clement's and Dingwall Primary schools, on the basis that this provides the greatest educational benefits for both schools, and the maximum economic benefit for the wider community.

The report to Councillors invites them to note that ‘the relocation of St Clement’s School will require a statutory consultation to locate a replacement building for St Clement’s School on the new Dingwall Community POD site. If approved, the new Community POD development is prioritised for the earliest possible delivery, with construction commencing early in 2027 and the new building being operational by the end of 2028/29.

Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban added: “All work to date by the Council on the Highland Investment Plan has taken into account the views of local people and local issues and priorities. Members will have the opportunity to discuss the report on Thursday and if the recommendations regarding St Clement’s and Dingwall Primary schools are agreed, the Council will immediately commence an informal consultation period of engagement with relevant stakeholders from both schools. In addition, if agreed by Council, work will also start on a Strategic Outline Case for Lochaber Adult Care Provision."

Members will also be updated on the Thurso Place-Based review which will determine a preferred model for a Thurso Community POD. If agreed, this project’s recommendation is that it should be prioritised for the earliest possible delivery with an estimated operational timescale in 2029/30.

In addition to the ongoing development of the Tain Campus, Nairn Academy, Broadford and Tornagrain projects, five previously prioritised Phase 1 projects are being progress with the following earliest operational dates at: Beauly Primary (2027/28); Charleston Academy (2029/30); Dunvegan Primary (2027/28); Fortrose Academy (2029/30); Inverness High (2029/30).

Funding of the Highland Investment Plan formed part of the Council Tax and budget decisions on 6 March 2025 when Council agreed its revenue budget for 2025/26, within which 2% of council tax income was agreed to support the HIP.

More information on the Highland Investment Plan can be found on the Council’s website: 

https://www.highland.gov.uk/highlandinvestmentplan