Local Authority News

Roads In Caithness Will Get Worse Caithness Area Committee Admits As Funding Is Inadequate For 2024/25

The Council at the Caithness Area Committee agree the roads budget for 2024/25 with exactly the same amount as for 2023/24.   Clearly with rapidly increasing costs this will come nowhere near to maintaining the roads to even the poor condition they are now in.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.