Local Authority News
The Highland Council is taking part in the 2025 Welcome to Your Vote Week campaign run by the Electoral Commission which launches today (Monday 10 March). Every year the Electoral Commission asks schools, colleges, youth groups and universities to celebrate democracy by teaching democratic education with their students and young people.
A £4.3m investment for education was agreed in Highland Council's 2025/26 budget. This investment is a key indicator of change for Highland schools, its 31,000 pupils and their 2,000+ teachers and support staff that will further consolidate the Council's on-going path to improvement.
Highland council agreed a 7% increase in Council Tax, one of the lowest increases in Scotland, with 2% of this allocated to create capital investment fund for schools and roads as part of the Highland Investment Plan. Members agreed a budget which will see over £4.5 million of revenue investments for 2025 - 2026, over £17 million additional reserves investment for major developments and the creation of over 100 jobs across the Highlands.
As part of The Highland Council's proposed three-year Medium Term Financial Plan, £14 million has been allocated for expansion of bus company operations across the Highlands and shared investment in renewable energy opportunities. £6 million is proposed to be allocated for an ‘Investment in Community Transport’ programme to build on the success of the Council’s in-house bus service by expanding its services to benefit more communities across the Highlands.
Highland Council at its special meeting on 3 March 2025 will propose to raise council tax by 7%, with 5% for core service provision and 2% for investment in schools and roads through the Highland Investment Plan. The SNP led administration has a majority so the proposals are likely to be passed at the council meeting.
The Highland Council is delighted to announce a significant increase in positive destinations for school leavers in the academic year 2023/2024. An impressive 96.5% of Highland leavers have secured a positive destination, up 1.2% from last year.
After receiving numerous complaints from businesses and the public, Highland Council Trading Standards has seized a significant quantity of illicit tobacco products from a retailer in the Highlands. This operation underlines the Council's commitment to protecting consumers and supporting legitimate businesses.
Members of The Highland Council's Licensing Committee have agreed that the Council will undertake a public consultation before deciding whether to introduce knowledge testing for private hire car (PHC) drivers in The Highland Council area. Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, Highland Council has long imposed knowledge testing requirements on applicants for a taxi driver’s licence.
Construction work is taking place on the new Nairn Academy which is programmed to be operational in August 2026. The school has a planning capacity of 800 pupils and is part of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).
Scottish councils are agreeing their council tax levels and it is not good news as some are going up by as much as 10%. Following another council tax freeze for 2024/25 councils can now set the council tax level that they agree.
Following the deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm that the following community councils have received sufficient nominations and will form uncontested:. Carrbridge Community Council Kilmuir and Logie Easter Portree and Braes Resolis Sinclairs Bay Tannach and District. Unfortunately, the following four Community Councils failed to form: Bower Conon Bridge Lochalsh Smithton There will another opportunity to try and form these in August 2025 when the next Notice of Election will be published. .
An 8% rent increase has been agreed for council homes in 2025/26, in order to meet increasing costs and the need to provide future housing options while keeping rent affordable for tenants. An attempt by a group of councillors to keep he rise to 6 % was voted down by the SNP led administration.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee have had the opportunity to be updated on progress being made for the Community Wealth Building action plan when they met on Thursday 13 February 2025. They have given their backing to a stand-alone Highland Social Value Charter update report coming to their May 2025 committee.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed the council’s response to the National Speed Limit Review Transport Scotland is currently running on behalf of the Scottish Government. The review seeks views on proposed changes to speed limits in Scotland.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have unanimously endorsed the Regional Economic Strategy produced by the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership. The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) is a partnership of public, private, third sector and academic organisations, working together to realise the regions' economic potential in a sustainable and inclusive way.
# 13 February 2025 Update on UK Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Plan progress An update on the progress being made across a range of interventions under the UK Government funded UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) priorities of Communities and Places, Supporting Local Business and People and Skills was noted by Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (Thursday 13 February 2025). The report included reference to the Highland UKSPF allocation for 2025/26 and the work being progressed to establish a Delivery Plan for the coming financial year.
The public will be invited to submit their views on how to make the Council Tax system fairer, as part of wider efforts to explore options and build a consensus for potential reform. As part of a joint programme of engagement by the Scottish Government and COSLA, independent analysis will also be commissioned to examine the Council Tax system accounting for market changes, reforms, and improvements.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will have the opportunity to discuss progress being made for the Community Wealth Building action plan when they meet next week. The Council's Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024 - 2027 provides an alternative approach to economic development and a practical response that aims to keep wealth within a local area.
Yesterday (Tuesday 4 February) the Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner along with the Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee Cllr Ken Gowans visited the depot of D&E Coaches. This followed the completion of the deal for the council to acquire the business.
Several public drop-in sessions are being held across Caithness during February with displays of options for the future masterplanning for the area. Council officers will be on hand to explain the proposals and answer any questions.