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Local Authority News


25/1/2024
PPP Accounting Flexibility To Be Considered - Short Term Benefit But Long-Term Pain
A briefing has been provided to all members of the Council on an accounting flexibility introduced by Scottish Government and available to Councils to utilise in 2022/23 or 2023/24.   A number of reports to Council in recent months have covered this topic, and a number of other Councils have utilised the flexibility in 2022/23 or are considering doing so in 2023/24.  
19/1/2024
Thurso and Wick High Schools Closed on Friday 19th January
Weather is still hitting school transport services around the county.   Wick Unfortunately we have made the decision to close the school tomorrow, Friday 19th January, due to the ongoing snowfall and hazardous road conditions.  
18/1/2024
Highland Road Conditions Report - Thursday 18 January 2024 - Caithness Main Roads PassableThumbnail for article : Highland Road Conditions Report - Thursday 18 January 2024 - Caithness Main Roads Passable
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
17/1/2024
Launch Of New Access To Trades InitiativeThumbnail for article : Launch Of New Access To Trades Initiative
The Highland Council's Employability Service and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are delighted to announce an exciting collaboration to offer a pre-employability programme which seeks to support out-of-work young people on a pathway to the trades.   Supported through the Scottish Government's No One left Behind Employability Funding, the Access To Trades initiative will provide a pathway for young people up to the age of 29 years to progress on to the CITB's Scottish Academy for Construction Opportunities (SACO) Programme.  
17/1/2024
Many Schools Closed Today 17 January 2024
The Highland Council has posted today that the following schools are closed on 17 January 2024.   Make sure to check the schools closed listing on the Highland council web site each day.  
17/1/2024
Highland Road Conditions Report - Wednesday 17 January 2024Thumbnail for article : Highland Road Conditions Report - Wednesday 17 January 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
16/1/2024
Highland Road Conditions Report - Tuesday 16 January 2024Thumbnail for article : Highland Road Conditions Report - Tuesday 16 January 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
5/1/2024
Community Council Notice Of Election To Go Live On 15 January 2024Thumbnail for article : Community Council Notice Of Election To Go Live On 15 January 2024
The Highland Council can confirm that in a final attempt to reform the 30 Community Councils that failed to form in 2023, a Notice of Election will go live on Monday 15 January.   Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.  
30/12/2023
Still Time To Take Part In Highland 20mph ConsultationThumbnail for article : Still Time To Take Part In Highland 20mph Consultation
The Council is reminding the public and community groups that there is still time to submit feedback on the Highland-wide 20mph roll-out project.   125 Highland settlements are part of the project which equates to around 610km of roads across the Highlands, 590km of which are on Local Authority Roads.  
30/12/2023
Lights, Camera, Action - Filming In The Highlands Brings Welcome Boost
With the eagerly awaited next series of Traitors due to be aired on BBC 1 on the 3 January, The Highland Council is taking the opportunity to highlight the economic boost filming across the Highlands has and the role its film office staff play in attracting productions.   The Highland Film Commission, run by Highland Council, assists productions filming in the region by offering free and confidential guidance and support from the pre-production stage right through until filming is complete.  
28/12/2023
Council Tax Reduction Scheme Helps Households Save £3.5bn
Minister urges those eligible to apply for support.   Scottish households have saved more than £3.5 billion in council tax since the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme was introduced a decade ago.  
28/12/2023
Highland Road Conditions Report - Thursday 28 December 2023
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
27/12/2023
Storm Gerrit Causing Disruptions in Highland
Partner agencies have been meeting to discuss the impacts of Storm Gerrit.   There are multiple trees and power lines down blocking numerous routes across the Lochaber area including the A82 trunk road.  
24/12/2023
A Visitor Levy In Scotland Looks Almost Certain As The Bill Passes The First StageThumbnail for article : A Visitor Levy In Scotland Looks Almost Certain As The Bill Passes The First Stage
MSPs on a Holyrood committee have backed calls for the introduction of a visitor levy in local authorities, and have said that it would be 'unlikely' to deter tourists.   Also known as the tourist tax, the legislation would allow councils to introduce an overnight accommodation levy - which Highland Council has been in support of.  
22/12/2023
Highland Road Conditions Report - Friday, 22 December 2023
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
22/12/2023
Councils Predict Cuts And Job Losses Following Closer Examination Of The Scottish Budget
he Scottish Government has delivered a major blow to communities and has put councils at financial risk with a cash cut to Local Government in its draft Budget (published on 19th December) and no provision for inflation or pay increases, COSLA said.   COSLA Leaders described the draft Budget as not only leaving councils at real and significant financial risk for the coming year, but as it stands, it will mean cuts in every community in Scotland and job losses across Scottish Local Government.  
18/12/2023
Highland Council Service Arrangements Over Festive Period 2023/2024
The Service Centre will close at 4pm on 22 December, re-opening on 27, 28 and 29 December (opening times 10am to 4pm).  It will be closed on 1 and 2 January and open 8am to 5pm from 3 January 2024.  
16/12/2023
Response To Education Reform Bill Consultation By Highland Council
The Highland Council is supportive of the Scottish Government's Education Reform Bill, however the local authority stresses the need for adequate funding, resources and a focus on place-based solutions in the area to meet its vision.   Cllr John Finlayson, Education Chair said: "It is important that we look to the future of Scottish Education from a Highland perspective.  
15/12/2023
Highland Council approves new Polling Scheme
Changes to a number of Polling Districts and Polling Places in the Highlands were agreed today (Thursday 14 December 2023) at the meeting of The Highland Council.   Following the formal review of the Highland Polling Districts and Places, Members approved a new Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places that will be in place for the next elections.  
15/12/2023
Hundreds Of Responses Received To Budget Engagement of Highland Council
Hundreds of people have responded to the Highland Council's programme of engagement, completing a survey or taking part in the budget simulator challenge.   The Council is facing an estimated budget gap of around £62m in 2024-25 and is expected to need over £100m over the next 3 years to balance the books with current expenditure.