Local Authority News
28/1/2022
Audio Visual Content Partner Announced For Spirit Of The Highlands And Islands Project
On behalf of The Highland Council, High Life Highland this week announced Smartify as the successful partner for the audio and visual input to Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project. Director of the Inverness Castle Project, Fiona Hampton, said: "The audio and visual content will see the creation of an interactive story map to encourage our visitors to explore all areas of the Highlands and Islands.
26/1/2022
Wick Community Company Teams Up With Hlh Libraries Taking Tech For Disadvantaged Youngsters' Scheme
Donations of old laptops and PCs are being accepted at High Life Highland (HLH) libraries to help give children access to technology. HLH has teamed up with Budding Engineers, a local Community Interest Company based in Wick that provides a scheme called Tech4Tots & Teens.24/1/2022
Bignold House located on Bignold Park, Wick to Wick Academy Football Club
What is proposed? A disposal, by lease, of Bignold House which is located on Bignold Park, South Road, Wick to Wick Academy Football Club. Bignold Park has been identified as Common Good property of the former Burgh of Wick.
24/1/2022
Council To Consult On Proposal To Lease Wick Common Good Land - House
The Highland Council has launched a Common Good consultation giving the Wick community until 21 March 2022 to respond to a proposal to lease Bignold House located on Common Good land in the town to Wick Academy Football Club. Bignold House is currently vacant, and Wick Academy Football Club have approached the Council regarding a lease of the property.
24/1/2022
Young People Across The Highlands Are Encouraged To Register To Vote During Welcome To Your Vote Week
This week (24-30 January 2022) is Welcome to Your Vote week which is the ideal time to start conversations with young people about democracy, politics, and all aspects of voting. The Electoral Commission has created a set of online resources for young people, and those who work with them, to get the discussion started and help young people find out how to get and use their vote.
21/1/2022
Leisure Businesses Invited To Apply For Covid-19 Business Grant
Grants of up to £3,150 are available to Leisure businesses who have been affected by measures to control the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. These businesses will have had to introduce further physical distancing and capacity limits following the new rules that came into force the day after Boxing Day.21/1/2022
Below Inflation 1% Rise In Highland Council House Rents
Members of the Highland Council's Housing and Property Committee on 20 January 2022 approved a below inflation rise (1%) in council house rents for 2022/23 to help tenants during challenging financial times. Note - inflation rate announced this week by the Office for National Statistics was 5.4% with expectations it will rise to over 6 % in coming months.18/1/2022
Local government unions call for a fair and decent pay increase as they submit joint pay claim
Local government trade unions have today (Tuesday 18 January 2022) submitted a joint pay claim to COSLA calling for a ‘fair and decent' pay increase to make up for decades of cuts and to recognise the vital role these workers have played during the pandemic. The three trade unions - UNISON, Unite and GMB - submitted the pay claim calling for: • A £3,000 flat rate increase to all spinal column points (based on a 35 hr working week).17/1/2022
Highland Hospitality Businesses Invited To Apply For Funding
Hospitality businesses who lost bookings during the Christmas/New Year period are to secure grant support from the Scottish Government. Business will receive either a grant of £4,500 or £6,800 depending on their rateable value.16/1/2022
Council To Purchase Houses From Owners Who Would Like To Help Make A Difference In Their Community
The Highland Council is piloting a new open market purchase scheme to buy directly from owners in a bid to bolster its housing stock to meet the need for additional affordable housing and provide new homes and futures for families, young and old in communities across the Highlands. The Council is asking anyone considering selling a house to contact them and help make to make a difference to families who are in need of home.16/1/2022
Highland Digital Learning Hops Into 2022 With New Content
Highland's Online Primary School (HOPS) has launched for P4-P7 pupils to enhance children's learning through a weekly timetable of daily lessons with engaging content. The resource is available on the already established Highland Schools Digital Hub.15/1/2022
Highland Council Appeals To The Scottish Government To Reverse Budget Reductions
The Highland Council is calling on the Scottish Government to provide greater transparency in relation to its budget settlement for local government and is seeking further funding to address a range of significant external budget pressures. The Council has asked the Government to examine the analysis of the budget settlement which shows less money will be flowing into the Highlands from Edinburgh.14/1/2022
Prioritising Essential Social Care Services
Maximising efforts to protect and maintain critical and essential services. Support for social care is to be intensified as a national priority alongside the NHS and emergency services, as staffing pressures and increased demand reflect the extent and nature of the spread and effect of Omicron.14/1/2022
Local Government Pay Settlements Financial Year 2021/2022
During November and early December, COSLA agreed pay settlements with our Unions for three groups of Scottish Local Government Employees. A summary of the agreed settlements is provided below.14/1/2022
Time Is Right For A Realistic Remuneration For Councillors, Says Cosla
With the role of the Councillor changing dramatically over the last few years, the time is right to review the job - and its pay, COSLA has said. COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison says there has to be a ‘realistic' review of remuneration for the role, and called for the Scottish Government to look at Councillors’ salaries.2/1/2022
Newton Park children and staff - another photo
Children and staff at Newton Park Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in Wick have been enjoying marvellous mealtimes! Dedicated staff, supported by the Excellence and Equity leads Heather Sutherland and Natalie Mackay, began looking at the lunch experience through the eyes of their children. They then made contact with Gemma Patterson, a fellow Equity and Excellence lead, who was also working to develop the ‘marvellous meals project' within a number of Falkirk nurseries.
2/1/2022
Newton Park Children And Staff Love Their Marvellous Mealtimes!
Children and staff at Newton Park Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in Wick have been enjoying marvellous mealtimes! Dedicated staff, supported by the Excellence and Equity leads Heather Sutherland and Natalie Mackay, began looking at the lunch experience through the eyes of their children. They then made contact with Gemma Patterson, a fellow Equity and Excellence lead, who was also working to develop the ‘marvellous meals project' within a number of Falkirk nurseries.
31/12/2021
Highland Council Service Arrangements Over Festive Period 2021/2022
The Highland Council advises its service users and customers of its opening hours and service arrangement over the festive period. The Service Centre will close at 4pm on 24 December, re-opening on 29, 30 and 31 December (opening times 10am to 4pm).31/12/2021
Highland Council has been working hard in response to the climate emergency and there's much more to come
Highland Council's Climate Change and Energy Team have had a productive year and say their crucial work will continue apace in the New Year. As 2021 draws to a close, the team has taken time to reflect on the progress made in 2021 in the Highland region.31/12/2021
