Local Authority News

Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Monday 20 January 2025

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.  

Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Tuesday 7 January 2025

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.  

Tax Scheme Hits £4 Billion Milestone

Households across Scotland have received £4.1 billion in relief since the Council Tax Reduction scheme was introduced in 2013.   People on low incomes are eligible for the benefit if they live in Scotland - there is no equivalent in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.  

The Highland Council Asset Mapping For A Sustainable Future

The ambitious yet focused ‘Highland Investment Plan' is committed to addressing our asset challenges over the next twenty years.  By using a place based approach, to ensure a more integrated community offering through the creation of new community facilities.  

Improvement Works In Thurso

The Highland Council is preparing to carry out improvement works in Thurso at Ormlie Road and at The Mall riverside path adjacent to Janet Street.   The scope of works on Ormlie Road will include junction improvements between Castlegreen Road and Juniper Drive with new drop kerbs and tactile paving and some surface repairs.  

An Advantage Of A Big Common Good Fund - Inverness Winter Payments Already Awarded To Over 1,000 Households

Applications to the Inverness Winter Payments Scheme, which is fully funded by the Inverness Common Fund, have already been awarded to 1,035 eligible households within the 7 specified Inverness Wards.   Leader of Inverness Area, Councillor Ian Brown said: "Since the Scheme was opened to applications for this winter, already £114,885 has been awarded to people who live in the eligible Wards of Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South Wards.  

Success Of First Highland-wide Virtual Jobs Fair

The first Highland-wide virtual jobs fair held last month has proved to be a hit with participants and businesses.   The week-long virtual event, which was delivered by the Local Employability Partnership for the West - The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Department for Work and Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce and UHI North West and Hebrides was timed to coincide with Scottish Careers Week 2024.  

Highland Visitor Levy Scheme Consultation Period Extended

In November, The Highland Council launched a public statutory consultation to seek views on the proposed introduction of a Visitor Levy scheme across the Highlands.   The Council has announced an extension to this consultation period, which will now give businesses, visitors and communities until 31 March 2025, an additional seven weeks, to take part and have their say.  

Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Monday 2 December 2024

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.  

2024 State Of Local Government Finance In Scotland

A report published on 27 November 2024 by LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) looks at the state of funding for councils by the Scottish Government.   Confidence in the sustainability of council finances is critically low.