Local Authority News

Communities get 2nd chance to form a Community Council

The Highland Council has today (Monday) published on its web site: www.highland.gov.uk a notice of election seeking nomination of candidates to serve on the 19 Community Councils in the Highlands which were forced to disband from Wednesday 16 November as the result of not attracting sufficient nominations at the first time of calling.   The deadline for nominations is 4 pm on Friday 9 December.  

Lookout For Fake Goods and Web Sites

"Watch out for fake goods and bogus websites this Christmas" warns Highland Council Trading Standards.   The Highland Council Trading Standards Service is warning consumers not to be duped into buying counterfeit sports clothes and equipment from bogus websites, as part of the National Consumer Week 2011 campaign entitled "Good Sports Don't Fake it".  

Highland Leader chosen as Scottish Local Politician of the Year

This year's award for Local Government Politician of the year, sponsored by Improvement Service and Robertson Group, was won by the Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Michael Foxley, for his campaigning on issues such as the threat to coastguard stations and emergency tugs and for reform of the Crown Estate.   Councillor Foxley received his award at a ceremony in Edinburgh, sponsored by the Herald newspaper.  

Launch of Internet delivery charges survey

In order to understand the extent of the problem of Internet delivery charges, The Highland Council's Trading Standards team are looking to gather evidence from Highland consumers and small businesses about any malpractice they have experienced and to trace and tackle those businesses that fall foul of internet trading law.   They are launching a web survey from The Highland Council's web site: www.highland.gov.uk/deliverycharges to gauge the experiences of Highland consumers and small businesses about what often seems like excessive delivery charging for goods bought online.  

Caithness Wards Discretionary Budget Awards

Caithness Members of The Highland Council have pledged to support this year's "DA DOONIE DAY" Viking Festival which will take place in Wick on Friday 25 November.  The event, which is run by Thurso Rotary Club, will receive financial support of up to �3,000 from each of the three ward discretionary budgets to assist with the cost of staging the event.  

Reshaping Care for Older People

Almost 100 delegates from voluntary groups, carer support groups, independent care providers, NHS Highland and The Highland Council met last week (2nd November) in Inverness to plan how older people can be better cared for in their communities in the future.   The event had been arranged by the Highland Third Sector Partnership, a group of local organisations funded by the Scottish Government to support voluntary activity and volunteering.  

Shops Pass Under-age Fireworks Sales Tests

Trading Standards of The Highland Council are praising the vigilence of Highland retailers following a recent test-purchasing exercise in which no sales of fireworks were made to an under-age volunteer.   The 15-year-old volunteer attempted to buy rockets when he visited over a third of retailers registered with the local authority to store and sell fireworks.  

Appointment of Director of Finance in Highland

Derek Yule was Head of Finance and Section 95 Officer in Aberdeenshire Council, has been appointed Director of Finance with The Highland Council.   He started in his new post with highland Council opn m,onday 31st October 2011 He will take over as Director of Finance from Alan Geddes, who retires at the end of September after 40 years in local government and 13 in his current post.  

Council highlights adverse impact of UK welfare changes

Highland Councillors have voiced their grave concerns at "Draconian" changes in welfare payments planned by the UK Government through the Welfare Reform Bill.   Councillors David Chisholm (Dingwall and Seaforth) and Bill Barclay (Black Isle) successfully presented a motion to the Council requesting that a letter be sent to the Scottish Government asking them to refuse to legislate on those aspects of the Bill which relate to devolved matters.  

Gaelic Plan Consultation Meetings Begin In Thurso

Monday, 24 October, sees The Highland Council embarking on eight consecutive evening consultation meetings on its second generation draft Gaelic Language Plan.   The consultation meetings are taking place in the following areas: � Thurso at the High School on Monday 24 October, � Portree at the Fingal Centre on 25 October, � Ullapool Macphail Centre on 26 October, � Inverness at Bun-sgoil Inbhir Nis on 27 October, � Fort William at Lochaber House on 28 October, � Dingwall at the Community Centre on 31 October, � Aviemore, on 1 November at the International Starters, and finally � Golspie on 2 November at the High School.