Local Authority News
25/4/2010
Increased Interest In Postal Voting
The number of people in the Highlands seeking to vote by post at the General Election has increased again. Across the three parliamentary constituencies, 21,908 voters have registered their interest in voting by post, 9,734 more than at the General Election in May 2005, and 16,224 more than in June 2001.20/4/2010
Nominations For 2010 General Election In Highland Announced
A total of 21 candidates are seeking election on Thursday 6 May in the three Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Constituency has attracted five candidates; Ross Skye and Lochaber Constituency, seven candidates; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency, nine candidates.20/4/2010
Offenders In Community Service Clean Up
Offenders subject to community service orders across the whole of Scotland will be busy collecting litter and cleaning up local areas this weekend to support the Keep Scotland Beautiful Spring Clean campaign. In Highland 75 offenders who are being supervised by the Criminal Justice Service within The Highland Council's Social Work Service are scheduled to take part in the first national-wide Community Service clean up event.7/4/2010
UK Parliamentary Election 2010
Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, is the Returning Officer for the following three parliamentary constituencies:- * Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (8,752 sq km) - 47,263 electors; * Ross, Skye and Lochaber (12,779 sq km.) - 51,934 electors; * Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (4,953 sq km.) - 72,390 electors. He will be assisted in running the election by Senior Depute Returning Officer, Michelle Morris, as well as Depute Returning Officers, Ian Hargrave, Bob Cameron, William Gilfillan and John Bruce.30/3/2010
Community Council Review - Phase 2 Consultation
The Highland Council is launching the second phase of a major review of Community Councils, which focuses on a proposed new Scheme for Community Councils, including a model constitution, standing orders and code of conduct for Community Councillors. The consultation, which runs until 30 June, also provides the opportunity for communities to further consider any potential boundary changes, which featured in the first phase of public consultation from September to December 2009.29/3/2010
New Byelaws Prohibit Alcohol Consumption in Streets Of Thurso And Wick
THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL BYELAWS PROHIBITING CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR IN DESIGNATED PLACES (THURSO) 2009 THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL BYELAWS PROHIBITING CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR IN DESIGNATED PLACES (WICK) 2009 TAKE NOTICE that the Scottish Ministers in terms of section 202 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 have confirmed the above named byelaws made by the Highland Council. The byelaws came into operation on 29 March 2010.28/3/2010
Highland Council Commits £80,000 To Marketing The Highlands
Highland Council and VisitScotland have concluded the 2010-11 Service Level Agreement which commits council funds to VisitScotland, specifically for the delivery of Visitor Information and marketing the Highlands via VisitScotland's national campaigns. Last week's Highland Council Planning Environment and Development Committee meeting approved the 2010 funding for VisitScotland, committing £80,000 directly, to ensure additional representation of the Highlands in VisitScotland's award-winning national marketing campaigns, including Winter White, Autumn Moments and Perfect Day.25/3/2010
Wick Children's Centre Manager Wins Award
Social work award for Tracey Taylor The "outstanding leadership skills" of a Highland children's centre manager have been recognised with an award. Tracey Taylor, Unit Manager of The Highland Council's Wick Children's Centre, was highly commended in the "Residential Care Worker of the Year" category of the annual awards held by the British Association of Social Workers in Scotland.
24/3/2010
Highland Counts The Cost Of Winter Maintenance
The coldest winter in the Highlands since 1962 has resulted in an estimated overspend on The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Services budget by £1.497 million (2.2%) by the end of the financial year. Figures presented to the Council's TEC Services Committee have shown that the Highland Winter Maintenance budget is estimated to be overspent by £2.276 million by the end of the financial year.24/3/2010
Flood Team Proposed For The Highlands
The creation of a Flood Team of six staff has been welcomed by members of The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Service Committee. Members of the TEC Services Committee welcomed the allocation of around £240,000 per year from the Scottish Government to set up a dedicated Flood Team within the Council.24/3/2010
Highland Outlines Waste Awareness Campaign For 2010/11
A campaign aimed at encouraging Highland householders to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste has received continued support from members of The Highland Council's TEC Services Committee. Commending the efforts of a six-strong team of waste awareness staff Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council's TEC Services Committee said: "Our officers do a magnificent job educating people of all ages about how to deal with their waste.23/3/2010
Battery Recycling Now Available
New facilities to recycle household batteries are now in place at all Recycling Centres across Highland. AAA's normally used for TV remote controls and AA's used for many children's toys, as well as mobile phone, camera and electronic batteries are just some of the types suitable for this latest service.
4/3/2010
Highland Council Budget Consultation Timetable Agreed
The Highland Council has agreed proposals for consulting with the public over options to identify major savings in 2011/12 and 2012/13. At its meeting on 11 February, the Council identified more than £12 million of savings in 2010/11 and more than £11 million of savings in 2011/12 and 2012/13.23/2/2010
Creating a Highland Citizens' Panel
The Highland Council has this week written to a random sample of 14,000 Highland households, with the aim of securing agreement from 2,300 volunteers to serve on a Citizens' Panel. The Panel will be used on an ongoing basis by the Council as one method of consultation with the public.16/2/2010
Enhanced ePlanning goes live in the Highlands on Tuesday 23rd February
An enhanced online system enabling people to submit planning applications, appeals against decisions, and track progress of proposals in the Highlands goes live on Tuesday 23rd February. Applications will be processed electronically by a team of seven staff based at the Council's electronic processing centre in Inverness.28/1/2010
Call For Greater Benefits From Marine Developments
In its response to the UK Government's review of the management of the Crown Estate in Scotland, The Highland Council has highlighted its eagerness to achieve substantial change which will result in greater local community benefit from marine developments, such as renewable energy projects. The Council has warmly welcomed the inquiry by the Treasury Sub-Committee because it has campaigned for major reform of the Crown Estate in Scotland for many years, seeking a strategic shift in the ownership of marine resources away from the Crown Estate.27/1/2010
"Drop in and drop them in It" 
- Highland Council Trading Standards "Scam Watch" Campaign launched Throughout February 2010, Highland Council Trading Standards are taking part in the 'Scamnesty 2010' national campaign in a bid to end the scourge of mass marketed scams mailings targeting UK consumers. The 'Scamnesty' national campaign, organised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), is entering its third year.
26/1/2010
Over 700 Businesses Registered For Council Contracts By The Deadline
Council pleased with call on companies to register for Framework Agreement An open invitation for consultants, contractors and skilled trades businesses to submit an application to work for The Highland Council on contracts with an individual value of up to £25,000 and consultancy work for projects of all values has received a considerable response. Over 700 (476 contractors and 242 consultants) submitted an application by the deadline of Friday 22 January for the Council's framework agreement which will begin in April 2010 and will last for two years, with the option of a one-year extension.26/1/2010
Highland Council Calls On Landowners To Check Snow Damaged Trees
Following the recent spell of severe winter weather The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which have been damaged by the weight of snow. Landowners are being asked to check that there are no weakened, damaged, bent or broken boughs suspended at height which may subsequently fall onto roads or footways and should make arrangements to have boughs removed and obstructions cleared without undue delay.22/1/2010
