Local Authority News
12/3/2016
Highland takes step towards local budgets for local decision-making
Localism and Community Empowerment have taken a huge leap forward with the decision taken by Members of The Highland Council, to ratify the disaggregation of the Community Services budget to the local areas along with the scheme of delegation to the relevant local committees. This decision was taken at a meeting of The Highland Council on 10 March.11/3/2016
Highland Council continues fight to protect coastal waters
Senior members of The Highland Council's Administration are met with the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to continue discussions on the future of the Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) in Scottish waters. This follows on from a Working Group meeting in February which resulted in the UK Government agreeing to extend the contract for the current vessel for 6 months to enable further discussions to take place.11/3/2016
£406 million for affordable homes
All 32 of Scotland's councils will share £406 million in grant subsidy in 2016/17 to deliver more affordable homes, over £100 million more than last years' allocation. It is part of the Government's overall investment of over £572 million to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in 2016/17, the funding is allocated for each local authority area, which the Scottish Government refers to as Resource Planning Assumptions (RPAs).10/3/2016
Council Leader to write to UK and Scottish Governments requesting urgent reinstatement of ETVs
Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson is to write to UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill and the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon requesting long term funding be identified to urgently reinstate two Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) for operational duty covering the waters surrounding the Northern and Western Coast of Scotland and Islands. Cross-party support was given by Members at a meeting of The Highland Council today (10 March) for Leader Davidson to write to the Ministers.10/3/2016
Council to consider summit on housing debt
The Highland Council is to consider inviting UK and Scottish Government Ministers and Highland MPs and MSPs to a summit on the area's housing debt. Housing debt relates to loans taken out by the Council to build and improve Council housing.9/3/2016
£22.5m Inverness West Link stage 1 contract awarded
The Inverness West Link project has reached another very important milestone in its delivery. The Highland Council has awarded the Inverness West Link Stage 1 and the Canal Parks Enhancement contract to Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd with a value of £22.5M.
4/3/2016
Council Leader welcomes flexibility in use of Council Tax income from empty and second homes
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy confirmed this week he has agreed to The Highland Council's request for flexibility in the use of Council Tax income from empty and second homes. Commenting on this agreement the Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: This is very welcome news and I appreciate the positive response from the Deputy First Minister.19/2/2016
Highland Council is set to achieve a balanced Budget
Highland Council is set to achieve a balanced Budget when Council meets on 25 February 2016 to agree proposals. The papers are published online at http://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/committee/52/the_highland_council Leader of the Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: I am relieved to say that we have managed to deliver proposals for a balanced budget to be considered at Council next Thursday.13/2/2016
Highland Opportunity Ltd to wind up.
The Board of Highland Opportunity Ltd (HOL) has agreed to commence the wind up of HOL and its subsidiaries and to transfer some of its services to The Highland Council. Chair of Highland Opportunity Ltd.13/2/2016
Budget discussions continue in the lead up to Highland Councils budget meeting on 25 February
Budget discussions between the Council's Administration and Political Groups and Unions are continuing in the lead up to The Highland Council’s budget meeting on 25 February. The Council held a special meeting on 21 January to consider the results of the budget consultation and the full range of savings proposals are being discussed prior to the finalisation of the Council’s papers next week.13/2/2016
Sustainable Drainage Systems survey
Scottish Natural Heritage and The Highland Council need your help with a short survey about Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) In the past drainage techniques have traditionally been below ground tanks and pipes, which transported water away as quickly as possible, leading to rivers becoming overloaded and causing flooding. SuDS are designed to act more like natural habitat.13/2/2016
Council Leader maintains pressure on Government over ETVs
The Highland Council Leader, Margaret Davidson, gave a cautious welcome to the engagement of key stakeholders in talks with the MCA over the future protection of Highland's coastal waters. Only weeks away from the threatened withdrawal of the last remaining Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) in the UK, she was joined by a wide range of interested parties all equally determined to make the case for the Highlands and Islands to be properly protected.8/2/2016
Environmental Improvement works to start at Dunnet
The Highland Council has awarded a contract to A & W Sinclair for the delivery of environmental improvement works at Dunnet Bay and Dunnet Head. Work on site will commence week beginning 15th February 2016 and is scheduled for completion by the middle of April.6/2/2016
Second round of Community Council Nominations
Following the second call for candidates wishing to serve on Highland Community Councils to come forward - a total of 19 Councils attracted sufficient interest to form a new Council. The uncontested community councils in the second round are: •Ardgay Community Council •Arisaig and District Community Council •Balintore and Hilton Community Council •Ballifer Community Council •Bower Community Council •Coigach Community Council •Conon Bridge Community Council •Dulnain Bridge Community Council •Inver Community Council •Kiltarlity Community Council •Kinlochleven Community Council •Kyle Community Council •Lochardil and Drummond Community Council •Morvern Community Council •Muirtown Community Council •Raasay Community Council •Sinclairs Bay Community Council •Strathpeffer Comunity Council •West Ardnamurchan Community Council.6/2/2016
Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan
For the first time the Highland Community Planning Partnership have endorsed a Development Plan published by The Highland Council and have agreed to working with the Council in monitoring its delivery. The Proposed Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan), was published for consultation on 22 January 2016 and will run until 18 March 2016.5/2/2016
The Highland Council has awarded £1.128 million to Community Transport schemes
The Highland Council has awarded £1.128 million to Community Transport schemes across the Highlands, spread over the next 3 years. This allocation allows £376,000 of grants to be made available to the listed community groups and organisations each year for the next 3 years, which enables some certainty in the medium term for these initiatives.5/2/2016
Council prepares for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement
The Highland Council is preparing for the implementation of a Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) Scheme this year. Remedial works have started, which includes sign and road markings replacement across the council to support of our Application to Transport Scotland for DPE authority.5/2/2016
Tenders invited for Cromarty-Nigg Ferry
Highland Council has invited tenders for a contract for a summer ferry service between Cromarty and Nigg. The previous operator terminated the service contract just before the start of the 2015 season due to difficulties with sandbanks building up off the slipways and berthing arrangements.5/2/2016
£2.7 million for roads, bridges and piers in 2016-17
The Councils Community Services Committee has approved an additional programme of £2.7 million for the coming year 2016/17. £2.3 million will be allocated this coming year to re-surfacing, surface dressing and road markings across the Highland network and £0.4 million to bridges in Sutherland (Kylesku) and Lochaber (A884 Achnagavin).5/2/2016
