18 March 2026

Glenurquhart Road

Inverness

IV3 5NX

10 March 2026

Please ask for: Miss J MacLennan
E-mail: jane.macleannan@highland.gov.uk

To: Directors of the Board of High Life Highland

Dear Director

A meeting of the Board of High Life Highland will take place in Boardroom, Inverness Library, Farraline Park, Inverness on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 2.10 pm.

Yours faithfully

STEWART FRASER

COMPANY SECRETARY

BUSINESS

1.        Apologies for Absence

2.        Declarations of Interest

Directors are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Director making a declaration of interest should provide some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.        High Life Highland 2025-30 Strategy P.1

There is circulated High Life Highland Strategy for 2025-30.

4.        Confirmation of Minutes PP.2-19

The following Minutes are circulated for approval:-

i. Board Meeting held on 8 December 2025 (pp.2-7);
ii. Finance and Audit Committee held on 9 February 2026 (pp.8-10);
iii. Health and Safety and Environmental Compliance Committee held on 9 February 2026 (pp.11-14);

and for noting:-

iv. High Life Highland (Trading) held on 8 December 2026 (pp.15-19).

5.        Matters Arising – Board Meeting of 8 December 2025 P.20

There is circulated, for information, matters arising from the meeting of the Board held on 8 December 2025.

The Board is invited to note the position.

6.        Finance Report PP.21-28

There is circulated Report No. HLH/1/26 by the Chief Executive updating Directors on the financial performance of High Life Highland for quarter three 2025/26 and other relevant matters.

The Board is invited to note:-

i. the draft year-end outturn for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendices A-C reports a projected deficit of £52k;
ii. the updated deed of covenant to be signed by the Trading Company;
iii. that following the annual review of the Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders there are no issues to report;
iv. no breaches of internal controls in the past quarter;
v. no reportable data breaches have been reported in the past quarter; and
vi. the Anti Bridery policy has been reviewed with no changes required.

7.        2026/27 Budget Approval PP.29-34

There is circulated Report No. HLH/2/26 by the Chief Executive providing a summary of the operating budget for 2026/27, together with details of planned savings measures and price increases.

The Board is invited to:-

i. approve the operating budget for 2026/27 as summarised in Appendix A of the report;
ii. agree to the income, efficiencies, reductions and utilisation of undesignated reserves at Appendix B of the report;
iii. approve the Inverness Castle operating budget for 2026/27 as summarised in Appendix C of the report; and
iv. note the multi-year savings target from the Highland Council.

8.        Inverness Castle Experience Progress Report PP.35-41

There is circulated Report No. HLH/3/26 by the Chief Executive providing an update report on the Inverness Castle Experience.

The Board is invited to note the update.

9.        Update on Strathpeffer Pavilion Report to High Life Highland C.I.C. PP.42-48

There is circulated Report No. HLH/4/26 by the Chief Executive providing an overview of the report on High Life Highland ceasing to manage and operate the Strathpeffer Pavilion as of 31 March 2026 that will be presented to the Board of High Life Highland (Trading) C.I.C.

The Board is invited to note the content of the report and comment on any salient points.

10.      Quarter Three 2025/26 - Performance Report – HLH Strategy 2025-2030 PP.49-86

There is circulated Report No. HLH/5/26 by the Chief Executive presenting performance information for the outcomes identified in the High Life Highland Strategy 2025-2030.

The Board is invited to:-

i. note and comment on the quarter three performance information;
ii. note the Sport Development annual review in Appendix A of the report; and
iii. approve the Community Sport and Leisure Delivery Plan in Appendix B of the report.

11.      High Life Membership Update PP.87-93

There is circulated Report No. HLH/6/26 by the Chief Executive providing Directors with an update on the highlife membership performance.

The Board is invited to note the report and comment on any salient points.

12.      Human Resources Update PP.94-118

There is circulated Report No. HLH/7/26 by the Chief Executive providing an overview of the charity’s Human Resources performance.

The Board is invited to:-

i. note the HR performance information in Appendix A of the report;
ii. agree to follow the decision of The Highland Council on whether to adopt Monday 15 June 2026 as an additional one-off bank holiday;
iii. note and comment on the results of the Exit Survey Summary in Appendix B of the report; and
iv. note the changes to the Employment Rights Act 2025 and implications for High Life Highland.

13.      Chief Executive’s Update PP.119-120

There is an update from the Chief Executive providing information to Directors. The Board is invited to comment on and note the update.

14.      Marketing and Engagement Update PP.121-156

There is circulated Report No. HLH/8/26 by the Chief Executive providing a six month update on the Marketing and Engagement (M&E) activities and performance of High Life Highland and includes recent marketing activity for The Inverness Castle Experience.

The Board is invited to:-

i. note the M&E performance information for July to December 2025; and
ii. approve the updated M&E delivery plan for 2026/27, including separate sales and marketing delivery plan for The Inverness Castle Experience.

A G E N D A