News

Highland Council Tenants - Are you missing out on money you are entitled to, or worried about paying your rent?

Many Highland Council tenants may be missing out on help towards their rent from Universal Credit because they have not notified the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of their annual rent increase which came into effect on the 30th March 2020.   Those tenants who have not yet reported their rent increase could be facing a shortfall in the help they receive towards their rent, putting them at risk of rent arrears.  

Final Phase of Child Care Expansion Put On Hold In Highland

The Highland Council is updating parents and carers of its position on early learning and childcare (ELC).   In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Scottish Government removed the statutory requirement for Local Authorities to deliver 1140 hours of ELC from August.  

Council Relaxes Some Controls For Covid-19 Business Recovery

Following on from the recent publication of Highland Council's Supporting Economic Recovery in Highland - A Guide for Businesses - the Council is announcing relaxation of some controls that will assist tourist accommodation providers have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.   In recognition of this where there are specific planning and licensing controls in relation to occupancy, for example: a restriction on the occupancy of any caravan for a continuous 12 month period; or where conditions restrict occupancy for specific periods of time, ...these will be relaxed by the Council up to and including April 2021.  

Committee focuses on Covid-19 actions taken in Caithness

The Caithness Committee met virtual today for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic and it's agenda focused on the actions taken by the Council and the third sector to deal with the effects of Coronavirus in Caithness.   The Executive Chief Officer for Education and Learning, Paul Senior, gave members an update on the plans and preparations underway to prepare for the return of pupils and staff to Caithness schools in August.  

Digital Learning success for Highland Council schools and staff

The Highland Council was one of the first local authorities in Scotland recognised to develop a Schools Digital Learning Hub, which provides a resource for staff, parents and pupils to support home learning.   Prior to Covid-19, we had an estate of 27,000 Chromebooks that were already a part of our ICT in Learning Strategy.  

Beware the Sassenachs are coming!

By Peter Body - an Englishman and owner of Thermohaus, the Caithness based company which will design and supply highly energy efficient timber frame kit homes, throughout the UK.   According to the National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA) the Highlands is one of the most popular places to build your own home.  

Executive Chief Officer For Health And Social Care, Lesley Weber Is To Leave The Highland Council In September 2020

Lesley, who previously worked for Hackney Local Authority in London, expressed how much she has enjoyed working for the Council.   Lelsey started with highland council on 13 August 2019.  

Private water supply advice to tourist accommodation providers

As Scotland prepares for the easing of lockdown and the re-opening of the tourism and hospitality sector, The Highland Council's Environmental Health are advising holiday accommodation providers to make sure their private water supplies are safe to drink.   A large number of self-catering and tourist accommodation in the Highlands are served by private water supplies and with these being closed during the lockdown period, the water supply system may not have been maintained and could create a risk to the quality and safety of the drinking water.  

Finally Two Derelict Buildings In Wick's High Street To Be Demolished

Two prominent derelict buildings in Wick High Street are to be demolished following decades lying empty.  Numbers 30 and 126 (known locally as Dominoes (the former cinema) and Sloans are to benefit from demolition and site clearance, before ownership is returned to the local community.  

Go-ahead For Space Hub Sutherland Starts Countdown To Launch Of Orbex Prime From Scotland

The first orbital spaceflight from the United Kingdom has come a step closer following the Highland Council's decision to give the go-ahead for the Space Hub Sutherland spaceport.  Orbex, the UK-based space launch company, has confirmed that Orbex Prime will be the first vertical launch vehicle to fly into orbit from the Space Hub, which will be constructed near Melness on the northern coast of Scotland.