Local Authority News
5/6/2017
Remember, Remember To Licence For 5th November - New Rules
The Highland Council is urging all organisers of community fireworks events that they will need to get their public entertainment licence application submitted soon to the Council if they wish to have a licence in place for Bonfire Night. With only 5 months to 5th November, organisers of community fireworks events are urged to make early applications for public entertainment licences to ensure that they can be processed and granted in time for their events.
2/6/2017
Snp Opposition Leader Fails To Back The Highlands
In extraordinary scenes during yesterday's Highland Council meeting, Leader of the Opposition Councillor Maxine Smith, attempted to block the council from having a higher profile at a national level. Along with her SNP colleagues she refused to back a suggestion to nominate Council Leader, Margaret Davidson, as a Vice President of COSLA.
2/6/2017
New Committee structures agreed for Highland Council
The Highland Council has agreed a new strategic committee structure at its meeting on 1 June 2017. No top positions for Caithness on new committee structure.1/6/2017
Sun Shines On The Highlands' Beach Standards
Clean beaches celebrated ahead of bathing season. Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, has announced that 12 beaches from across the Highlands have been recognised for the high standards provided to users - from keeping sand litter free to providing excellent information and accessible amenities.
1/6/2017
Over 14,000 Households Signed Up To Brown Bin Service
To date over 14,000 households have made payment for their brown bin collections and it is anticipated this figure will rise as we near the deadline for applications. The Highland Council's new brown bin collection service is due to start on 3rd July 2017.18/5/2017
Highland Council elects Leaders
The Highland Council has elected Councillor Margaret Davidson as Council Leader at its meeting today, 18 May 2017. Councillor Alasdair Christie was elected Depute Leader and Councillor Bill Lobban was elected Convener of the Council.15/5/2017
Moray Firth Radio Cash for Kids joins forces with Trading Standards in the Real Deal Scheme
MFR Cash for Kids Charity Car Boot Sale is the latest recruit to be signed up by Highland Council Trading Standards to join the Real Deal scheme. The scheme was launched six years ago in a bid to stamp out the illegal trade in fake goods at markets and to ensure businesses are fully compliant with the relevant laws.
12/5/2017
Highland Council rail concessions change on 21 May 2017
From 21 May 2017, people aged 60 and over who currently benefit from Highland Council’s rail concessionary travel scheme are being advised that half fare rail concessions for the majority of entitled Highland residents will cease. Free travel remains available by bus, and card holders are advised to keep their entitlement cards which can still be used on bus routes throughout Scotland.10/5/2017
Highland Council - New Administration of Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour Councillors
Councillor Margaret Davidson announced today that an agreement had been reached to form anew administration to run Highland council for the next five years. Councillor Davidson will once again be the leader of the council and she said,"We are pleased to announce that a coalition of Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour Councillors have formed an Administration to take Highland Council forward for the next five years.8/5/2017
Conference highlights transformation of learning in Highland schools
The transformation of future learning in Highland schools was discussed by around 100 head teachers at a Science and Technology Conference last week in Inverness. Key speakers from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Wood Foundation, Education Scotland, FIRST Scandinavia and the Science and Skills Academy addressed the conference on the importance of STEM experiences and qualifications for young people in the Highlands.5/5/2017
Highland Council Election Results
The results for the 2017 Highland Council elections have been declared. They are as follows: Independent 28 Scottish Conservative and Unionist 10 Scottish Green Party 1 Scottish Labour Party 3 Scottish Liberal Democrats 10 Scottish National Party (SNP) 22 Total elected 74 The first meeting of the new Council will be held on Thursday 18 May when the office-bearers will be confirmed.
5/5/2017
Delivery of writs marks start to three General Election contests in the Highlands
The official process to elect Members of Parliament to represent the three UK Highland constituencies has begun. Returning Officer, Steve Barron, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, was yesterday (Thursday 4 May) hand delivered three writs, instructing him to conduct an election for the Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies.
28/4/2017
Digital Café challenges Highlanders to save money
People in the Highlands are being invited to drop in to new Digital Café sessions which could save them significant amounts of money. The Highland Council in partnership with other Highland Social Landlords and the social enterprise company Libertie are hosting a series of mobile Digital Café events during May 2017.20/4/2017
Highland Council Signs New Deal To Save Millions
Mears signs new cost savings deal on PPP Highland schools project. Mears has signed a new deal with the Highland Council which will see millions of pounds saved over the lifetime of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) Highland Schools Project.13/4/2017
Motorists advised of temporary traffic restrictions for Etape Loch Ness 2017
The Highland Council and partners are advising motorists of temporary road closures and speed restrictions which will be in place next weekend (22 - 23 April) during the Etape Loch Ness cycling event. The restrictions and prohibitions which are being put in place are for participants' safety and to allow the Etape to take place on public roads.12/4/2017
Trading Standards take action against Fireplace Business
A Local business has been found in contempt of court after breaching an Enforcement Order previously issued following action taken by Highland Council Trading Standards. On the 12th April 2017 at Inverness Sherriff Court Ms Diane Urquhart, Director of Inverness Fireplace and Heating Centre and Mr Michael Armour also of Inverness Fireplace and Heating Centre were found in breach of an Enforcement Order issued under the Enterprise Act 2002 and in contempt of court.12/4/2017
Non-domestic Rates 2017/2018 - Transitional Relief (TR) scheme
The Highland Council advises that Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) bills for 2017/18 are now being issued. NDR is also known as Business Rates.10/4/2017
Council Elections - Registration and postal voting deadlines imminent
Voters are reminded of the deadlines for both registering to vote and applying to vote by post in the forthcoming Highland Council elections on Thursday 4 May. Registration: To be able to vote in the elections, voters must be 16 years or over on 4 May 2017 and must be registered to vote.7/4/2017
165 Candidates To Contest 21 Council Multi-member Wards
The elections for the 74 seats on The Highland Council, being held on Thursday 4 May, will involve 165 candidates contesting all of the 21 multi-member wards. Caithness will now only have two wards instead of three.4/4/2017
