Local Authority News
11/7/2016
Restored Thurso building to throw open its doors
The Highland Council is to throw open the doors of 30 Princes Street on the corner with St John Square in Thurso on Saturday 16th July 2016 to give members of the public, councillors and community councillors the chance to see how it has restored and brought back into use this iconic Category B listed building which sits a prime position within the conservation area of the town. Originally constructed in the early 1800s, over a period of time, lack of maintenance led to the demolition of the chimney head and the rear stair tower.
5/7/2016
Take a stand against scams urges Highland Council Trading Standards
As part of the Highland Consumer Partnership, The Highland Council's Trading Standards team and Highland Citizens Advice Bureaux want to encourage everyone to take a stand against Scams this July and to raise awareness of this debilitating crime. Every year UK consumers lose millions of pounds through scams, not to mention the devastating psychological effects on the victims they leave behind.3/7/2016
DLITE in Highland - student teachers graduate using distance learning programme
Eleven Highland students graduated as teachers (Saturday 25 June 2016) through the University of Aberdeen in partnership with The Highland Council following an eighteen month distance learning PGDE (Primary) Programme. The Distance Learning Initial Teacher Education (DLITE) PGDE Primary Programme is completing its second session in June 2016, seeing these students enter their Probation year in Highland schools this August.
3/7/2016
Inverness Tilting Pier Project Sinks Under Weight Of Public Opinion
The City of Inverness Committee today voted in favour of an amendment to cancel the tilting pier in favour of an alternative project to meet the brief of the Gathering Place project. The remaining projects in the Inverness Arts Programme are to go ahead.
1/7/2016
Highland Council issues a statement setting out its position on the EU
The HIGHLAND Council on Thursday 29th June 2016 considered the impact of last Thursday's vote for the UK to leave the European Union. Members noted the expected implications for Highland of the UK decision to leave the European Union and agreed to meet as appropriate to consider possible scenarios and initiate contingency planning.1/7/2016
Redesign Board proposes new values and purpose for the Highland Council
The Redesign Board for the Highland Council has drafted proposals for a new Council purpose, values and outcomes, which were presented to full Council on 29 June 2016. The proposals made to the Council are recognised as draft with scope for further amendment, depending on views gathered from staff, partners and the general public.27/6/2016
Highland Council to consider impact of EU Referendum result for Highland
The HIGHLAND Council is to bring a paper to its meeting on Wednesday which will allow members to discuss possible impact of Thursday's vote for the UK to leave the EU. Leader of the Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "The result of the referendum on Thursday will have considerable consequences for us all over the coming months and years.24/6/2016
Highland votes Remain in EU referendum
Michelle Morris, Senior Depute Counting Officer for Highland has declared the results of the European Union Referendum 2016 count in Highland. Highland voters have voted to Remain in the European Union.23/6/2016
Additional Support Needs Funding Sustained
The Highland Council can confirm that it will sustain the current funding for Additional Support Needs in Primary and Secondary Schools for the new school year - 2016/17. While the Council has taken measures to address a £40m budget gap, it will not require to reduce the funding to schools for children with additional needs.10/6/2016
Food consignment was taken under control of Highland Council and destroyed
Food Delivery Company ignored food safety rules. Officers from The Highland Council's Environmental Health Team are warning food businesses that frozen and chilled foods must be handled, prepared and transported within safe temperatures, and that failure to meet food safety requirements, may result in officers detaining or seize the food.
9/6/2016
Seater Recycling Centre to be closed for 60 weeks
The Recycling Centre at Seater Landfill Site will be closed to the public from Saturday 18th June 2016 to allow for the construction of landfill cells. Local contractor John Gunn & Son has been awarded the construction contract, which will involve building the final two landfill cells for the site.8/6/2016
Trading Standards Supports World Anti-Counterfeiting Day
June 8th is World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2016 and Trading Standards are warning Highland consumers to beware of buying bogus imitation products. The theme for this year's event is "Fakes in the sports industries", to coincide with the EURO 2016 football.6/6/2016
Raw Meat Kebabs, Poultry and Dairy Products Destroyed By Environmental Health
Officers from The Highland Council's Environmental Health Team are warning food businesses that frozen and chilled foods must be handled, prepared and transported within safe temperatures, and that failure to meet food safety requirements, may result in officers detaining or seize the food. This advice follows a recent incident when intelligence from Police Scotland led the Council's Environmental Health Service to inspect a van that was transporting a large consignment of raw meat kebabs, poultry and dairy products to food businesses in Inverness without the use of a freezer compartment.4/6/2016
New Jetpatcher Set To Repair Potholes Faster On Highland Council Roads
The Vice Chair of Highland Council's Community Services Cllr Richard Greene and Badenoch and Strathspey Ward Member Cllr Jaci Douglas recently viewed a Jetpatcher in operation at Grantown on Spey. Following trials with neighbouring Local Authorities the Council's Community Services Committee in February this year, approved the purchase of a Jetpatcher with £150,000 from the capital programme.
4/6/2016
Have you received your voting guide? - You can't miss it!
With the EU referendum fast approaching, The Highland Council is urging residents to make sure they are registered to vote by the 7 June deadline, and to check the Electoral Commission's voting guide for advice on how to take part. The referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union will take place on Thursday 23 June 2016.2/6/2016
Choice Based Lettings extended throughout Caithness
Anyone who wants to rent a council or housing association house in Thurso now has greater choice. This is because homes are now being allocated through ‘Choice Based Lettings'.2/6/2016
Councillor Bill Fernie welcomes Scotland Excels Living Wage boost
Local Wick Councillor Bill Fernie has welcomed Scotland's centre for procurement expertise for local government, gaining Living Wage accreditation. Scotland Excel's accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation affirms the organisation's commitment to leading by example on the issue of fair pay.
2/6/2016
Public opinion to be sought on Approaching Inverness project
Three ‘demonstration' projects that will improve the visual impact of approach roads to Inverness and provide a sense of place for visitors, residents, businesses and investors have met the approval of Members of The Highland Council's City of Inverness Area Committee. A city gateway structure will be created for the approach to Clachnaharry on the Beauly-Inverness road; and the A82 Telford roundabout and A82 Longman central reservation will be improved in partnership with Transport Scotland.30/5/2016
26 Scottish councils join forces on digital transformation
A consortium of twenty-six local authorities in Scotland are joining forces to improve council services using digital technology. The Local Government Digital Transformation Board are set to recruit a chief digital officer and team who will be expected 'to shape and lead a programme of change to radically improve how local services work and how the councils serve citizens.' The consortium represents most of the 32 Scottish councils including Glasgow, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Highland Council.27/5/2016
