Local Authority News

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.  

Highland Council Fund Energy Advisors To Help Tenants Affected By Rising Energy Prices

Housing and Property Committee Members met today (Wednesday 31 August) and agreed to fund two specialist advisors to help offer advice and support to tenants that are adversely affected by rising energy prices.   Housing and Property Committee chair, Cllr Glynis Sinclair said: "Fuel poverty continues to rise across Highland due to the combined cost of living and energy crisis.  

Ambitious Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan Approved

Economy and Infrastructure Committee Members (Thursday 25 August) approved the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan (STIDP).  Its purpose to direct future national and local area-based Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) spend.  

Highland's trauma-informed practice ambition takes step forward with two new appointments

Members of today's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee have made two appointments to the newly-developed role of Trauma Champion.   Councillors Liz Kraft and Morven Reid were successfully appointed to the role and will represent the Council on both local and national Trauma Champion networks.  

Highland Council Invites New Applications For The Nature Restoration Fund

The Highland Council is inviting communities to apply for a share of the 2022/23 allocation of the Nature Restoration Fund.   Established by the Scottish Government, the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a capital fund designed to help support projects that will deliver nature restoration, safeguard wildlife, and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss due to climate change.  

Opportunity To Represent Your Local Community With Interim Community Council Elections

Nominations are being invited from people seeking election to 15 Highland community councils covering areas in Caithness Sutherland, Easter Ross, Wester Ross, Isle of Raasay, the Black Isle, Inverness, Nairnshire, Badenoch and Strathspey and Lochaber.   Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.  

Businesses Urged To Apply For Planning And Building Warrants Before Relaxation Controls End On 30 September 2022.

The Highland Council is urging businesses - particularly those in the tourism and hospitality sectors - to be prepared for the end of relaxation of planning and building warrant controls on 30 September 2022.   In line with changes to the COVID-19 guidance from the Scottish Government many of the pandemic mitigations that were put in place in terms of the provision of temporary structures and their uses – are no longer required.  

Levelling Up Fund Bid For North Coast 500 And Portree Harbour

At the Highland Council meeting held on, 30 June 2022, elected Members agreed to progress the submission of two separate bids for round two of the UK Levelling Up Fund, these include the North Coast 500 (Transport Bid) and Portree Harbour (standalone Heritage bid).   Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "The Levelling Up Fund offers Highland an opportunity to bid for funds that will make a transformational impact across our communities.