Local Authority News

Addressing The Housing Challenge In Highland

Highland Council has agreed a number of strategic objectives with the aim of finding solutions to a Highland Housing Challenge.   It is anticipated that 24,000 new houses will be required in Highland in the next ten years.  

Local Government 2023-24 Provisional Outturn And 2024-25 Budget Estimates

The Chief Statistician has released figures on 2023-24 provisional outturn and 2024-25 budget estimates for revenue and capital services provided by local authorities.   In 2023-24, net revenue expenditure on local authority services was provisionally reported as £14,627 million in 2023-24 and budgeted as £15,005 million for 2024-25.  

Local Feedback Sought For The Highland Local Living Tool

Communities and businesses are being called on to help inform an interactive tool which assesses how well Highland places meet the principles of local living.   ‘Local living' aims to provide people the ability to meet the majority of their daily needs within a reasonable distance to their home.  

Final Business Case For Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Endorsed

Members of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have endorsed the Final Business Case (FBC) for the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, signifying another major step forward in the development of Highland as a global centre for Green Energy and inward investment.   Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans welcomed the report.  

Highland Voters Urged To Prepare For Upcoming UK General Election

Residents in the two Highland Constituencies - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross and Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire are being urged to prepare ahead of the UK parliamentary general election taking place on Thursday 4 July.   Anyone who wants to have their say in the UK general election must be registered to vote by Tuesday 18 June.  

Parents And Carers As Partners In Their Children's Education

The Parental Engagement Strategy aims to build on good practice and create further opportunities for partnership working between schools and parents/carers; supporting parents and carers as partners in their children's education and welcoming their involvement in school life.   Cllr John Finlayson, Education Chair said: "There are great benefits to parents/carers being involved in their children’s learning from helping them with homework and forming stronger connections with the school through events and volunteering opportunities.  

Visitor Levy Bill Passed By Scottish Parliament And Highland Council Welcomes It

MSPs have backed legislation giving councils a new power to introduce a visitor levy that would raise funding for local visitor facilities and services.   The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill will enable local authorities to apply a levy on overnight stays with all money raised to be reinvested in services and facilities largely used by tourists and business visitors.  

School Numbers Dropping According To Council Forecasts

On Thursday 30 May 2024 the Education committee of Highland Council will be updated on the 15-year School Roll Forecasts (SRFs) that were published in April 2024 and the recent work undertaken to support the roll forecasting and school capacity modelling processes.  There will be a presentation at the Committee meeting that will provide more information, including graphics to illustrate current statistics and future trends.  

Leader highlights investment opportunities in Highland to delegates at major international event

The Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner highlighted important investment opportunities in the region at this week's UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).   The Leader and Allan Maguire, Highland Council’s Head of Development & Regeneration attended this week’s event in Leeds as part of a delegation from the Scottish Cities Alliance.  

Helping Clear School Meal Debt In Scotland

First Minister John Swinney has confirmed the opening of a £1.5 million fund to support councils in removing the impact of school meal debt from families across the country.   Mr Swinney said this commitment will help ensure no child is penalised for struggling to pay for school meals as a result of the cost of living crisis.