Local Authority News

Àirigh - Motorhome Stopover Sites Possible In Highland

The Highland Council is believed to be the first local authority in the UK to temporarily relax licensing regulations to enable landowners with suitable sites to provide continental style motorhome stopovers known as ‘Aire' - Àirigh (meaning Shieling in Gaelic).   Highland Council is adapting to the significant increase of motorhome ownership in the UK and the demand for self-contained holidays by creating an opportunity to offer small, simple and low-cost short stopovers for motorhome visitors.  

Revised rules for Highland burial grounds and crematorium commence 1 June 2021

Revised burial grounds and crematorium management rules are to come into place from 1 June 2021 for the next 10 years.   Following a public consultation that took place in February and March this year, Members of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have approved the revised management rules.  

Highland Council's Transformation Programme Progress Update

Members of today's Recovery, Improvement and Transformation Board were provided with an update of the early progress of the Transformation Programme, which consists of nine key projects that form a major part of the Council’s Health and Prosperity Strategy, which was approved in March 2021.   £3.7m will be invested over 24 months in these key projects, which are projected to generate an estimated £18.7m of savings, efficiencies, cost mitigation and cost avoidance.  

Committee Updated On Work Being Undertaken To Produce 20/21 Local Child Poverty Action Update Report

Members of Highland Council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, which met virtually yesterday, were informed of the work being undertaken to finalise the 2020/21 Local Child Poverty Action Update Report.   In 2017, the Scottish Government introduced the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, which outlined responsibilities on both the Scottish Government and local partners to address child poverty.  

New Voluntary Parking Charges Trial In Nairn To Support Local Infrastructure

New voluntary pay and display machines will be in operation in Nairn from Friday as part of a drive to raise funds to support local infrastructure.   The Parking ticket machines are located at The Harbour, Cumming Street and The Maggot Car Parks in Nairn with signs confirming voluntary parking charges.  

Funding Available To Community Groups Across Highland To Deliver Green Health Activities

Highland-based community groups are being invited to tender for funding to support delivery of small-scale activities and events that provide fun, engaging, nature-based opportunities for the benefit of our health and well-being.   High Life Highland (HLH) is a key member of The Highland Green Health Partnership, which aims to improve people's wellbeing through engagement with nature.  

Unified approach to Inverness recovery welcomed

Members of The Highland Council's Inverness City and Area Recovery Group have welcomed updates on various projects all with the joint aim of revitalising Inverness city centre and highlighting what a great place Inverness is to live in and invest.   Provost of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael said: "Councillors on the City and Area Recovery Group are unanimous in their support for these exciting and wonderful opportunities that have been presented before us.  

Council calls for a share for Highland in renewable energy profits

Members at today's full meeting of Highland Council agreed a motion from the Leader and Chair of Corporate Resources, which would call for a fairer share of income derived from the development of the region’s natural resources to establish a Highland Renewable Fund.   In the motion Highland Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Davidson, highlighted that at a time when private energy companies are making huge profits from the abundance of natural resources of wind and water in the Highlands the region’s roads were suffering.  

National Mòd Asks Highland Council For A Further £80,000 To Run The Inverness Mòd 2021

At the Highland Council Gaelic committee to beheld on 18th May 2021 the committee will be asked to agree that the National Mòd for Inverness in 2021 should be given a further £80,000.   The council has an agreement to pay £40,000 annually that aids the Mod to come to Highland every three years.  

Grant award allocated towards delivery of 20 mph programme in Highland

Members of the Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed to allocate up to £200k of the Council's Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes 2021/22 grant award to the delivery of a new Council 20mph programme, and 10% of this annual budget is to be used in future years.   The introduction of more 20 mph speed limits on Highland roads will help the Council to meet the challenging road casualty reduction targets set out in the new Scottish Road Safety Framework launched in February this year.