Local Authority News
29/11/2023
Highland Winter Roads Report - Wednesday 29 November 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.
27/11/2023
Maximising Achievement For Young People
An insightful presentation on the approach to maximise the achievements of young people was heard at the Council's Education Committee. Dr James Vance, Head Teacher at Culloden Academy, explained his school’s raising attainment strategy.21/11/2023
Deadline Approaches For Ten Contested Community Councils
With a week to go until the Highland Community Council elections The Highland Council is reminding anyone who has not yet posted their ballot paper that there is still time to do so. Postal ballots for the ten contested community councils must be completed and returned by the deadline of 12 noon on Monday 27 November 2023.21/11/2023
Cost Of Living Campaign Urges Parents And Carers To Seek Help Before Reaching Financial Crisis Point
The cost-of-living crisis has led to very tough times for many families in the Highlands and throughout Scotland. Rocketing food and energy prices have been very challenging for everyone, but especially for families on low incomes who already have money worries.21/11/2023
Highland Council's First Ever Virtual Jobs Fair Hailed A Success
Highland Council's Employability Team say the local authority’s first Virtual Jobs Fair held last week was a great success. The event, which was held on Wednesday 15 November, targeted winter work opportunities on the Isle of Skye and Raasay, following the end of many seasonal roles to cover the busy visitor period.20/11/2023
Highland Highlife Facilities Again Under The Microscope As Budget Deficit Continues
The latest Highland Highlife report to the Highland council Education Committee on Thursday 23 November 2023 sets out the current financial position and actions taken to address many issues. Since its inception in 2011 Highland Highlife as a registered charity has saved the Highland council many millions of pounds.20/11/2023
Community, Sports And Leisure Facility Strategy For Highland
The Education Committee of Highland Council will on Thursday 23 November 2023 discuss an updated strategy on Community, Sports And Leisure Facilities. This report proposes a two-stage approach to the development of vibrant community hubs in Highland communities incorporating community, sports, leisure, library, and other services as follows: i.18/11/2023
Take Part In The Council's Budget Challenge - Council Budgets Are Facing Huge Problems
Highland Council's engagement with communities and staff will help to inform the budget proposals and consequent decisions which will be made in February 2024. This includes allocating resources to deliver the Council's strategic priorities and enable the best outcomes across the Highlands.
18/11/2023
Highland Council Agrees Support For 2024 Mountain Bike World Cup Event
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee on 16 November 2023 agreed to use up to £100,000 from its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support costs associated with the hosting of the 2024 Fort William Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup Event. Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: "In August this year, Fort William very successfully hosted the UCI Cycling World Championships downhill mountain bike event at Nevis Range, drawing a huge number of competitors and spectators and showcasing what the region has to offer through its world-wide media coverage.
17/11/2023
Committee Updated On Highland 20mph Roll-out - Some Roads May Revert To 30mph
A report presented on Thursday 16 November 2023 at the Environment and Infrastructure Committee of Highland Council provided members with an update on the overall 20mph programme in Highland ahead of a planned public consultation which will be launched in December. The report included the consideration for reverting some roads or sections of them back to 30mph speed limits.
17/11/2023
Grant Funding For Highland Community Transport Providers Confirmed
Twenty eight community transport initiatives across the Highlands have been awarded a share of £358,850 by The Highland Council to support them with the important role they play in delivering lifeline services to their local communities. Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans highlights the valuable work undertaken by providers.
17/11/2023
Councillors Endorse Disability Services Exercise
Members of The Highland Council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing have endorsed a scoping exercise currently being carried out on services available for children with disability in Highland. Included within the exercise is the consideration of Self-Directed Support and residential and respite provision which provides short break accommodation for children and young people with complex health and disability needs.16/11/2023
New Video Aims To Attract And Retain Social Workers In Highland
Highland Councillors have welcomed a positive shift in the recruitment and reduction of Children's Services vacancies by 7% while noting an on-going recruitment and retention challenge across all social work services in the region. To help address this challenge a recruitment video was launched today by Highland Council aimed at encouraging potential applicants to think about ‘Being a Social Worker in Highland’ and promoting it as a rewarding and exciting career opportunity.
15/11/2023
Strengthening Support For Young Carers And Families In Highland
Work is ongoing to strengthen support being offered to young carers and their families in Highland through the provision of Young Carers Statements. Members of The Highland Council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee were updated on progress being made to ensure that Young Carers and their families receive appropriate support.10/11/2023
Early Intervention Encouraged For Rent Arrears During Cost Of Living Crisis
Housing and Property Committee met today (Thursday 9 November 2023) and discussed the impact that the ‘cost of living' crisis and other global factors has had on tenants experiencing rent arrears. Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: "The Highland Council Housing Service works closely with our Welfare Support Team to ensure early intervention and inform tenants of rent arrears as soon as they arise.10/11/2023
Property Capital Programme Update Confirms Big Reduction To Building Schools Programme
Housing and Property Committee met on Thursday 9 November 2023 and noted the position at the end of the second quarter of the 2023/24, and the estimated year-end financial position. Members also noted the progress of the major works programme, including the revised school programme and the remedial work due to RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) at Charleston Academy and Nairn Academy.10/11/2023
Highland Housing Register Policy Continues To Prioritise Those In Greatest Housing Need
Members of the Housing and Property Committee met today (Thursday 9 November 2023) and noted the annual performance review of the Highland Housing Register (HHR) Policy for 2022/2023 on housing allocations. The report demonstrates that despite significant challenges the HHR policy is achieving its objectives.10/11/2023
‘Siuthad! Tachartas Dhreuchdan Gàidhlig A' Tilleadh Gu Eden Court - ‘siuthad!' (go On!) Gaelic Careers Event Returns To Eden Cour
Thàinig luchd-labhairt òg na Gàidhlig bho àrd-sgoiltean air feadh sgìre Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd còmhla ri Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba (SDS) agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air Diardaoin 9 Samhain san Eden Court ann an Inbhir Nis, airson a' chiad Siuthad! aghaidh ri aghaidh bho 2019. Tha an tachartas eagraichte le Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus SDS le maoineachadh a' tighinn bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean (HIE) agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
8/11/2023
New Members Wanted For Local Access Forums
The Highland Council is looking for new members to fill vacancies on the six local outdoor access forums in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness & Nairn, Skye & Lochalsh and Lochaber. There are currently at least 2 vacancies on each group.4/11/2023
