News
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group played a pivotal role in defueling Hunterston B on time and on budget. On 24 April 2025 EDF announced Hunterston B nuclear power station has been successfully defueled on time and on budget, in less than three years, following rigorous checks by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
An ambitious plan to improve transport, roads and buildings, as well as a greater shift to using digital to deliver services, has the potential to transform the Highland Council's services over the next 20 years. Delivering its capital programme could prove challenging.
Anyone wishing to gain Council endorsement of a significant building project in Highland should consider responding to the current Call for Development Sites. Every 10 years, each council in Scotland must, for its area, prepare a planning document called a local development plan.
The Highland Council has appointed Bernadette Scott as Chief Officer Education - Primary and Early Years. The appointment completes the new senior management structure of the Council's People Service Cluster under the leadership of Kate Lackie, Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The timetable for the election of one Councillor to represent Ward 6 Cromarty Firth and one Councillor for Ward 10 Eilean a' Cheò on The Highland Council has been confirmed. The by-elections are being held following the resignations of former Councillors Maxine Smith from Ward 6 and Calum Munro from Ward 10.
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that from Monday 21 April it's in-house bus team will be delivering the 918 Wick to Berriedale service. This is the first venture for the in-house bus company outside of the Inverness area since the successful introduction and launch of Highland Council Buses.
The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) is due to end on Monday 30 June 2025. If your electricity meter uses RTS, it must be replaced.
Loch Fyne company Otter Ferry Seafish Limited to increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs. A £350,000 expansion project at a seafood company in Argyll will increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs.
Following the conclusion of the public consultation on the possible introduction of a visitor levy for the Highlands, the Council Convener has thanked everyone who submitted responses and confirmed the next steps to be taken. The Council held a series of webinars, community drop-in events, face to face public sessions and business events as part of the consultation process.
Spot, the robot "dog," recently assisted colleagues in Dounreay's Fuel Cycle Area by reactivating a crucial building crane in a reprocessing plant. The crane had been deactivated at the switchboard in 2023 due to concerns about the ageing asset.
At the recently held meeting of the Educational Trusts Sub Committee, the trustees made awards of over £105,000 to a wide variety of individuals and organisations from The Highland Council Charitable Trusts. The awards ranged from a few hundred pounds to £10,000.
Continuing with the trend over the past few years, Highland has seen the highest ever direct spend recorded for filming in The Highland Council region. In 2024, figures surpassed previous years to reach over £3.5million in direct spend.
Highland Council is implementing several changes to service charges in 2025: Council Rent Charges: An 8% increase has been agreed for council homes to address rising costs and fund housing improvements. The average weekly rent for council homes will rise to £82.84, which is still below the national average.
Highland Council have agreed to boost senior councillor pay by between £5-11k this year. The move adds almost £500k to the councillor wage bill, bringing it to a new total of £2.3 million.
A family run agriculture company in Moray has embarked on a major growth project that will increase production and efficiency, improve product quality and create jobs. James Taylor & Son, operating at Kintessack near Forres, has secured up to £161,446 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards total project costs of £403,616.
Highland Councillors will be asked to consider a new approach on the future of the Highland Investment Plan (HIP). Approval is being sought for the allocation of funding for the first phase of proposed projects for 2024/25 to 2029/30 which will help improve local public facilities and sustain local communities and population.
Businesses in the tourism sector and its supply chain in the Highland Council area are being encouraged to secure a place on the Digital Tourism Support Programme. The programme is offering support to eligible businesses and social enterprises of up to three days of free, personalised, one-to-one digital advice from industry experts.
The Inverness Castle Experience is delighted to announce the appointment of three senior roles, adding to its leadership team ahead of its highly anticipated opening later this summer. The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
Members of today's Corporate Resources Committee (Thursday, 20 March) were presented with and approved the organisation’s Talent Strategy and Talent Action Plan These have been designed to support initiatives to grow and retain talent within the Council, ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future. The Talent Action Plan includes initiatives such as developing apprenticeship programmes, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and promoting flexible work models.
A further phase of development is getting under way at Wick Business Park in a move that will support economic growth and strengthen population retention in Caithness. Park owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded a £1.8m contract to Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure Ltd to build a further four new business units.