Local Authority News

Members Agree Council Will Sign Edinburgh Agreement To Underline Commitment To Climate Change Action

Highland Council members today agreed that the local authority will sign the Edinburgh Declaration and underline its commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency it announced in 2019.   The decision to sign the declaration was made by members at today's inaugural meeting of the Climate Change Committee in Inverness.  

Launch of Free Building Maintenance Guide

The Highland Council, working in partnership with Inverness City Heritage Trust, has created a free to download guide to help promote essential, regular inspection and maintenance of all traditional buildings.   Throughout the Highlands there are many examples of commercial, retail, business, public and privately owned properties built from high quality, natural materials, which need to be cared for in the right way.  

Council Agrees In-year Funding Support For A Range Of Partners

The Highland Council has been engaging with key public, private and third sector partners to understand the shared impact of the current financial crisis and the action that can be taken to maximise combined resources and minimise the impact of the financial challenges.   They agreed a range of supports in a detailed report brought to Council today, 27 October including the following: One-off support funding is to be provided for ELC Partners in the current financial year, based on the payment of an additional funding amount calculated as 32p per hour for 3-5 year old provision, and 53p per hour for 2 year old provision, which is to apply from August 2022.  

Highland Council And High Life Highland Working Together During Financial Crisis

The Council is working closely with key public, private and third sector partners to understand the shared impact of the current financial crisis and the action that can be taken to maximise combined resources to deliver core services across Highland, through collective budget strategies and redesign.   As part of this work, The Highland Council and High Life Highland (HLH) have been working together to address the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing financial crisis.  

Highland Community Organisations Invited To Apply For Cost Of Living Support Grant

At a meeting of The Highland Council on 22 September 2022, Councillors approved the creation of a Highland-wide grant fund of up to £450,000 to help alleviate the cost-of-living crisis for vulnerable households through community-led initiatives.   Third Sector voluntary and community organisations are invited to apply for grants under the value of £10,000.  

Hydro Ness project commended with Merit at prestigious national steel awards

Highland Council's renewable energy installation, Hydro Ness, has been commended with a Merit from judges at the prestigious, national Structural Steel Design Awards 2022.   The Archimedes Screw installation on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness was shortlisted for the main awards earlier this year.  

High Life Highland Encourages Low-cost Ten-day Exercise Binge For Only £10

During the month of October High Life Highland is offering individuals resident in Highland the opportunity to use all of its Highland leisure facilities for £1-a-day over ten consecutive days.   High Life Development Manager, Emma Thomson said, ""Over the month of October, High Life Highland is giving people who live in Highland the option to take part in any of its swimming pools, gyms, fitness classes and strength and conditioning rooms for just £10 for ten consecutive days.  

Learning Estate Improvement Plan Phase Three Submission Agreed

At a meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 22 September, Members agreed five schools be nominated for consideration to the Scottish Government - Learning Estate Improvement Plan (LEIP) phase 3 bid, applications will be taken forward in three separate submissions by 31 October 2022.   The phase 3 submission will be presented as follows: A bid consisting of a bundle of three primary schools; Beauly Primary, Dunvegan Primary and Park Primary, a separate bid for ASL school, St Clement's School and a third bid for Tornagrain Primary.  

Highland Council Sets Out Proposals To Help Alleviate The Cost-of-living Crisis For Communities

Highland Council is to consider a £3.223m package of proposals to help alleviate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on Highland residents.   In the latest published figures from the Scottish Household Survey Report 2019, 33% of Highland households were in fuel poverty, compared with a Scottish average of 24%, and 22% of Highland households were in extreme fuel poverty compared with a Scottish average of 12%.  

Highland Council Observes Period Of National Mourning

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, The Highland Council is observing the period of national mourning which has now commenced and will last until the end of the day of the State Funeral.   The Council is following national protocols which are approved by both the UK and Scottish Governments.