Local Authority News
31/10/2023
Scottish Government Delivers Hammer Blow To School Building Projects In Highland
Schools in The Highland Council's bid to the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Improvement Plan (LEIP) phase 3 have not been selected at this stage. The bid consisted of three primary schools; Beauly Primary, Dunvegan Primary and Park Primary, a separate bid for St Clement’s School (and a third bid for Tornagrain Primary).27/10/2023
Highland Council Projecting A Huge Budget Gap
The Highland Council has forecast a significant financial gap for the coming years, with a projected budget gap of £60-70 million for next year (2024/25). Members have a legal obligation to set a balanced budget and proposals will be developed and presented to Council for agreement at the end of February 2024.26/10/2023
New Highland Council Political Group - Highland Alliance
Two Caithness Councillors have joined the new Highland alliance political group. Councillors Andrew Jarvie and Mathew Reiss have joined the new group.24/10/2023
The Highland Council And BT Sign Multi-year Network Services Agreement
The Highland Council and BT have signed a multi-year agreement to deliver connectivity to over 340 sites, including nearly 200 schools, with new fibre provision delivered to over 100 sites in some of the most challenging locations in Scotland. BT will deliver services through the recently procured Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) Framework, and working with the Council will transition and transform the existing network services to a modern, fit for future infrastructure.23/10/2023
Highland Council Announces First Virtual Winter Jobs Fair Focusing On Skye And Raasay
Highland Council's Employability team has announced its first ever virtual jobs fayre which will take place on Wednesday 15 November 2023. The virtual event will enable those interested to log onto the session from the comfort of their own home.23/10/2023
Community-led Designs For Wick Lanes To Be Revealed
Designs based on the community's ideas for transforming some of the lanes connected to Wick High Street will be revealed at an event in the town in November. The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and The Highland Council successfully applied for Sustrans Scotland's Pocket Places Programme funding to improve the area.
20/10/2023
Council Urges Landowners To Check For Wind Damaged Trees And Drainage Issues
Following the high winds forecast and experienced this week due to Storm Babet, The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which may have been damaged. Landowners are also asked to check the drainage from their property that it is not blocked and overflowing onto public roads.20/10/2023
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Friday, 20 October
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.19/10/2023
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Thursday, 19 October
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.12/10/2023
The Highland Council Is Ready For Winter
The Highland Council's winter maintenance programme starts on 14 October 2023 and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,766km of roads for which it has responsibility. Chair of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "We have the supplies and resources in place to provide a winter service according to the Council's policy.
10/10/2023
Community Council Elections 2023 - Postal Ballots To Take Place - Thurso And Watten Among Others - Bower Failed To Get Enough Candidates
Following the close of the withdrawal period today at 12 noon (Tuesday 10 October 2023), an election will be held for the 10 contested community councils across Highland. The contested community councils are: Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Croy and Culloden Moor Dunvegan Glengarry Kiltearn Melvich Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry Thurso Watten Wester Loch Ewe Ballot papers are being posted out second class on Tuesday 31 October 2023.6/10/2023
Council Look To External Funders To Help Tackle Fuel Poverty & Meet Energy Efficient Home Standards
Highland Council has been investigating ways in which it can harness external funding to help meet its statutory obligations around energy efficient social housing and at the same time tackle fuel poverty. Members at yesterday's (5 October 2023) Climate Change Committee were asked to note opportunities to expand Energy Company Obligation funding to Council housing stock.
6/10/2023
Climate Change Committee Members Note Progress On Council's New Non-domestic Building Heating Policy
Highland Council is working on a new and defined policy/guidance for the provision of heating within schools, offices, leisure facilities and other types of non-domestic buildings. Although many buildings already operate within normal parameters, there are known instances where temperature setpoints and operational hours have been found to be out with expected parameters, to the detriment of good energy performance, budget management and comfort.
5/10/2023
28 Community Councils Including Bower In Caithness Fail To Get Enough Nominations
The election day is scheduled for Monday, 27 November 2023 and voting is by means of a postal vote. The maximum membership of each of the Highland Community Councils is determined by the population it serves and varies from 7 to 13 members.5/10/2023
Have You Got Short-term Letting Licenses Sorted - Possible £2500 Fines
From 1 October 2023 you must have a licence before you offer short-term lets. You must have a licence before you can take bookings or receive guests Operating without a short-term let licence is a criminal offence.5/10/2023
Highland Council Launches Local Authority's Net Zero Strategy
Highland Council's Net Zero Strategy was launched at today's (5 October 2023) meeting of the local authority's Climate Change Committee. The Strategy sets out the Council's approach to addressing the climate emergency and contributes towards Scotland's national legally binding target to become Net Zero by 2045. Highland Council has adopted the Scottish Government's Net Zero by 2045 target, aiming to achieve this sooner.
2/10/2023
Licensing scheme for short-term lets Effective from Today
The new licensing scheme for short-term lets has come into force across Scotland. The legislation, which aims to deal with the rapid growth of Airbnb-style properties, has been subject to numerous delays and consultations.2/10/2023
Chance To Comment On Review Of Highland Polling Districts And Places
The Returning Officer, The Highland Council's CEX Derek Brown, said: "It is important that our polling places are in appropriate locations and can cater for everyone, especially those with particular needs. "We want to hear any concerns people may have and particularly want the views of those with an interest in accessibility.".
29/9/2023
Highland Council - Tain & Easter Ross By-election Result - Independent Win
The by-election to elect a councillor to represent Ward 7 - Tain and Easter Ross on The Highland Council has been won by Maureen Ross (Independent) who was one of seven candidates who contested the vacancy. One of three seats in the Tain and Easter Ross ward became vacant on the resignation of Sarah Rawlings (Scottish Libertal Democrat).
26/9/2023
