Asset Management is a catalyst for change for The Highland Council

29th January 2026

At the Housing & Property Committee (Wednesday 28 January 2026), Members approved the introduction of a new framework to guide decisions on the future of its assets, supporting a more efficient, sustainable and future-ready approach to service delivery. The Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) will help streamline the estate, embed new ways of working, and contribute to significant savings set out in the Council's Delivery Plan.

Housing & Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: "The scale of the financial challenges the Council faces, requires bold and collaborative action. By transforming how we use our property estate to support a modern, flexible workforce, we can deliver services more efficiently, reduce costs, and create spaces that better serve our communities. This is about ensuring a resilient, sustainable and thriving future for the Highlands.

"The Council manages over 20,000 assets, including schools, offices, harbours, leisure facilities, housing and heritage sites, all critical to supporting communities and driving economic growth. Some of our assets are no longer fit for purpose and under occupied in some areas, therefore we need to continue to review our estate to ensure we have the right buildings across the Highlands to meet the needs of our services and our communities.

“The SAMP gives us a clear framework that formalises our policy, responsibilities, and processes. It will guide how we plan, maintain, and optimise our assets in the years ahead, ensuring they continue to meet the needs of our communities."

Capital investment is already being taken forward through the Highland Investment Plan - a 20-year vision involving over £2.1b in capital investment, with a current five-year commitment of £756m. HIP projects include the innovative Points of Delivery (PODs) model, integrating education, health, leisure, and childcare into flexible community hubs.

Major initiatives are already underway, such as the £100m Thurso Masterplan, which in 2026 will deliver a new high school and community POD, the first new school build in Thurso since the 1960s. Other priorities include upgrading over 90 schools, modernising community facilities, and improving transport networks to strengthen regional resilience.

This will be closely aligned to the Highland Investment Plan which sets out a plan for the development of communities across Highland, with over £1bn of capital investment in local service provision, including schools and roads, over the first 10 years.

New or repurposed Community Points of Delivery (PODs) will support the delivery of services for the “Council of the Future" as well as co-locating public bodies, other partners and community facilities. The Council agreed the allocation of over £300m of capital funding in March 2025 to the first group of HIP Phase 1 projects at Beauly, Charleston, Dingwall, Dunvegan, Fortrose, Inverness High and Thurso.

Strategic Priorities

The plan identifies key drivers shaping the future of the estate, including:

Alignment with Strategic Goals - ensuring property decisions support the Highland Investment Plan priorities.
Asset Lifecycle Management - maximising value from acquisition to disposal.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact – supporting Net Zero commitments.
Data and Information Management – strengthening asset data to inform decisions.
Risk Management – ensuring reliability, safety, and compliance.
Best Value – minimising costs without compromising quality or service delivery.

The Council will continue to engage with communities and partners as projects progress, ensuring investment decisions reflect local priorities and deliver maximum benefit for residents and businesses. Targeted area reviews will identify opportunities for reconfiguring assets, improving service alignment, releasing sites with housing potential, and maximising community and financial value.

A calendar of area review updates and upcoming Ward Business Meeting engagements is set out, detailing progress and next steps across Nairnshire, Easter Ross, Black Isle, Inverness, Skye & Raasay, Dingwall & Seaforth, Lochaber, Sutherland, Badenoch & Strathspey, Caithness, and Wester Ross, Strathpeffer & Lochalsh.

The report can be found a -
https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5295/housing_and_property_committee