Expectations are high that a new operator for the Wick - Aberdeen PSO service will be secured very soon. Today the Emergency Tender has gone live, giving prospective operators 72 hours to apply.
Wick Street Design project is currently underway, and its total value is around £2.1 million. There are misgivings by local town centre businesses if traffic cannot move smoothly through the main streets.
Council confirms letter of concern sent to Home Office regarding proposals to accommodate asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks. Council Leader Raymond Bremner, Convenor Bill Lobban and Leader of the Opposition Alasdair Christie have written to the Home Secretary outlining concerns at proposals to accommodate 300 adult male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.
The Highland Council is taking a significant step forward in addressing the region's housing needs and unlocking development potential by progressing plans to establish three to four Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) across Highland. MCAs are a legal planning tool that enable advance consent for large development sites, significantly reducing the time it takes to deliver housing and infrastructure.
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has today (Thursday 13 November 2025) approved a comprehensive report outlining the condition of its road bridge stock, the inspection regime, and the works required to maintain vital road structures across the region. The report highlights the scale of the Council's responsibility for bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and associated structures on the public road network, and sets out plans for future investment under the Roads and Infrastructure Capital Programme.
At last week's meeting of the Communities and Place Committee, progress updates were provided on Highland Council’s ongoing work to increase participation and engagement with communities across the Highlands. Members also considered a draft Participation and Engagement Strategy and agreed the Annual Participation Request Report for the Scottish Government.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (Thursday 13 November 2025) noted the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal Annual Report for 2024/25. The Inverness & Highland City-Region Deal, a ten-year partnership between The Highland Council, UK Government, Scottish Government, and key partners, continues to deliver transformative investment across the region.
An annual update on the work of Highland Council's Registration Service was given at last week’s meeting of the Communities and Place Committee, with plans in place to modernise and further promote the service throughout the Highlands. Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, said: "Highland Council’s Registration Service provides a vital statutory role to record life events for our communities.
It is time for a new crusade for devolution within Scotland, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander will say today. In a speech to council leaders, the Secretary of State for Scotland will make clear that there is no route to a decent and prosperous Scotland without strong and effective councils.
Lochaber Short Term Let Control Area agreed as justified by local members. 'Lochaber has significantly higher short term let properties than the Highland wide average and demonstrates justification for a review to assist with the Highland Housing Challenge.' Following a detailed review of current housing data and short term let (STL) activity, the Lochaber Area Committee unanimously agreed that there is justification for consulting on the introduction a Short Term Let Control Area in Lochaber.
‘From empty properties to homes: Bringing houses back into use for Highland communities' The Highland Council's, Housing & Property Committee met today (Wednesday 5 Nov 2025) and agreed a new strategic action plan titled ‘From Empty Properties to Homes', aimed at addressing the issue of long-term empty homes across Highland. The Council’s plan outlines a coordinated approach to bring these homes back into use for individuals and families in need.
Members of Highland Council's Climate Change Committee have welcomed continued progress across a range of projects within the Council’s Net Zero Programme, alongside the approval of four new initiatives to further accelerate action towards a climate-resilient and sustainable Highland. At the meeting, updates were provided on key areas of delivery under the Built Estate & Energy and Social Housing & Housing Revenue Account (HRA) workstreams.
ollowing a detailed review of current housing data and short term let (STL) activity, the Caithness Area Committee has agreed that there is currently no justification for establishing a Short Term Let Control Area in Caithness. The report presented to members at their meeting held on Monday 3 November 2025 shows that only 2% of potential dwellings in Caithness are licensed as STLs - significantly below the Highland-wide average of 6%.
The Highland Council's latest Revenue Budget Monitoring Report (Q2 2025-26) paints a picture of cautious progress amid ongoing financial strain. The Health Social Care & Wellbeing Committee meets on 12 November 2025 to scrutinise progress and agree ongoing monitoring of placement numbers and service transformation.
Highland Council's Climate Change Committee has agreed the Council’s 2024/25 Annual Report under Public Bodies Climate Change Duties, reaffirming its commitment to achieving Net Zero while recognising the complex balance between service delivery, community needs, and long-term decarbonisation. The report shows that total operational emissions for 2024/25 were 34,893 tonnes of CO₂e — a 5% rise compared to the previous year.
The Housing and Property Committee met today (Wednesday 5 Nov 2025) and agreed a new Domestic Abuse Housing Policy that clearly sets out its approach to assisting victim-survivors of domestic abuse. The Policy strengthens the Council's role in preventing homelessness caused by domestic abuse, while ensuring a person-centred and safety focused response.
# 05 November 2025 The Highland Council Strategic Housing Investment Plan priorities ‘The Highland Council's plan to accelerate Affordable Housing Programme with increased Investment and strategic planning that aligns with the priorities set out in the Highland Housing Challenge'. At today’s meeting of the Housing and Property Committee (Wednesday 5 November 2025), Members welcomed an increase in Scottish Government funding for affordable housing.
The Highland Council is encouraging community groups and organisations to apply for a share of £500,000 that has been made available through a new Highland Reuse & Repair Fund. Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "I am very pleased to be able to announce the opening of this new fund.
The Highland Council are calling on all businesses to take part in a wide-scale survey about housing shortage and its impact on the Highland economy. The survey is a part of the Highland Housing Challenge Action Plan agreed by the Council in 2024, to tackle the impact of housing shortage on Highland communities, as well as meeting future demand for housing as a result of opportunities to grow the Highland economy.
Following media reports early this week that Eastern Airways has filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator, and subsequent confirmation from the Civil Aviation Authority that Eastern has suspended all operations across the United Kingdom, The Highland Council has now issued an update on the situation for the attention of all affected passengers and stakeholders. The Highland Council has a contract with Eastern Airways to operate air services between Wick and Aberdeen under a Public Service Obligation (PSO).
