Local Authority News

How will you rate your meal out this Valentine's Day?

After flowers or chocolates, the next big question that's usually on the agenda for Valentine's Day is whether to go out to that romantic restaurant or enjoy a quiet meal in.  However you rate a meal out, this Valentine's Day, make sure you choose one of the 85% of eateries in The Highland Council area with a PASS.  

Planning Chairman clarifies Council clamp down on roadside signage

The Chairman of The Highland Council�s Planning Environment and Development Committee has clarified the Council�s clampdown on roadside signage, stressing that the main targets for action are unauthorised adverts which are long-standing, those which have a substantial adverse impact on amenity and those that give rise to road safety concerns.   Councillor Thomas Prag stressed that short-lived signage promoting community events, which did not impact on road safety, were not the focus of the Service�s enforcement action.  

Funding available for Highland Fishing Communities

The Highland Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) has recently been successful in securing further funding to support fishing communities in Highland under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund.   Funding of �198,642 is available to help communities where fishing requires supporting measures to build skills and knowledge and increase the capacity of local fishing communities and business networks through innovation, collaboration and diversification.  

Council funds approved for Inverness Botanic Gardens

An Inverness visitor centre is to receive a new name and make-over to help attract more tourists through its doors.   Highland councillors have supported the re-branding and re-launch of the Inverness Floral Hall by approving �39K funds towards a development plan.  

Local Food and Drink Events for Caithness and Sutherland Producers and Buyers

Local food and drink producers and retailers in Caithness and Sutherland are being invited to two events in Thurso and Dornoch to explore and discuss future opportunities for closer collaboration.   The events, which will both be held on Tuesday 21 January, are part of a series of local meetings taking place across the Highlands organised by the Think Local project which aims to facilitate constructive discussion about forging closer partnerships in the local food and drink sector.  

Council Leader welcomes Scottish Government's progress on Berriedale Braes project

The Leader of The Highland Council Councillor Drew Hendry has welcomed the progress being made by the Scottish Government to upgrade the Berriedale Braes, Caithness.   Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has advised Councillor Hendry that public consultation on the preferred alignment is scheduled to take place soon and he hopes to publish the trunk road orders by the summer of this year, allowing construction to commence just as soon as funding becomes available.  

Census figures show population of the Highlands on the up but down in Wick and Thurso

A report for Highland Councillors has highlighted the early results from the 2011 Census which shows that the population of the Highlands has grown over the last decade by 11.1%, with the strongest population growth taking place in the Inverness South and Aird and Loch Ness Wards.   The report also highlights that across the Highlands there is a large number of people in the 55 to 65 age group which means the area should see a steady increase in the number of retired people over the coming years.  

Council steps up security at Council HQ

The Highland Council is to step up security at its Inverness headquarters as the result of a recent break-in.   The Council has commissioned a security firm to patrol the building during the day and through the night to deter intruders.  

Parking management talks ensure continuity of enforcement

The Highland Council is continuing discussions with Police Scotland to ensure continuity of parking management and enforcement in the Highlands following the full withdrawal of the Highland traffic warden service from 3 February next year.   Council Leader, Drew Hendry, assured members of the Council at its meeting in Inverness on Thursday that responsibility for enforcement of parking offences post 3 February would lie with Police Scotland, who have given the Council assurances that police officers will respond to parking incidents and take the appropriate action.  

Survey seeks tenants� views on council homes

Survey seeks tenants� views on council homes Tenants of council houses in the Highlands are being asked for their views on the services provided by The Highland Council, as their landlord.   The Council is offering ten �50 vouchers in a free prize draw for those tenants who respond by the deadline of 13 January 2014.