Local Authority News
25/1/2021
Council Tenant Briefing focuses on support
As we continue to deal with Level 4 temporary lockdown restrictions, more and more people are experiencing an impact on their finances and wellbeing. The Highland Council Housing Tenant Participation team have produced a ‘Tenant Briefing' advising tenants what housing services are available, and where they can access help and support if they need it.
22/1/2021
Hydroelectric turbine to provide STEM learning opportunity for young people of Highland
The Highland Council has begun detailed designs works on a major £2.5m energy project, part-funded by the Scottish Government through Salix Finance. At a site on the River Ness, near Whin Park in Inverness, the council is preparing to install a 92kW ‘Archimedes Screw' hydroelectric power turbine.
22/1/2021
Wick regeneration project to benefit from additional funding
Members of The Highland Council's Caithness Committee have approved additional funding for a project to bring new life to the site of a former derelict building on Wick High Street. In September last year the Scottish Government announced extra funding through the Town Centre Fund as part of its national economic recovery stimulus package, particularly aimed at supporting construction activity across Scotland.22/1/2021
Digital presence vital for Inverness local business recovery
Inverness Councillors on The Highland Council's City and Area Recovery Group today discussed the importance of local businesses having an online digital presence for customer access during the pandemic and post-lockdown recovery. Good digital access via websites and social media was the common theme raised by two speakers from Business Gateway and the Highland Food and Drink Trail in presentations to Councillors.
21/1/2021
Learning during lockdown and digital inclusion progress in Highland
The Council's ICT in Learning team have been working hard to continue to support our school communities as we deliver remote learning to all children and young people across Highland. Chair of Education committee, Cllr John Finlayson said: "I want to thank all of our staff in Education who have worked incredibly hard to ensure that our school communities are receiving support and a quality education experience.
20/1/2021
Online Enrolment For All Early Learning And Childcare Places In Highland
Enrolment for all ELC providers, including local authority nurseries, partner settings and commissioned childminders, will take place online this year. Enrolment week for ELC places will take place on Monday 8 February to Friday 12 February 2021.
19/1/2021
£1,500 Grant for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers - Council Update
The Scottish Government has launched a £1,500 grant scheme to assist each individual licensed taxi or private hire driver with their fixed costs including licence plate fees, rental fees and insurance payments for taxis not on the road. The Highland Council's Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Trish Robertson said: "The Highland Council has been asked by the Scottish Government to deliver this grant scheme on their behalf.19/1/2021
Highland Council formally rejects Boundary Commission's proposals
Following discussions at the recent Council meeting, the Council Leader has formally written to the Local Government Boundary Commission on their proposals for councillor numbers and ward boundaries in the Highland Council area. She advised the Boundary Commission that the Council rejected the Commission's proposals in their entirety and formally requested that they halt this process immediately and review the whole issue of remote and rural area boundaries and councillor numbers in consultation with the Highland Council and other local authorities who have mainland councils with inhabited islands.15/1/2021
Business and personal bank accounts can now be use to apply for Temporary Business Closure Grant
Applicants for the Scottish Government's Temporary Business Closure Grant can now apply even if they do not have a formal business bank account. Businesses will now be able to use a personal bank account as evidence, if the account is mainly used for their business banking.11/1/2021
Extending Support For Hospitality, Retail And Leisure - January grants top-up announced.
A significant top-up to the grant support available for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses across Scotland closed by level 4 restrictions will be paid following an announcement by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. In addition to the grants businesses receive through the Strategic Business Framework Fund, eligible businesses will also get a one off grant of.
8/1/2021
Highland Council Members agreed to adjust full council agenda in light of COVID lockdown and Brexit
Members at yesterday's previously adjourned and re-scheduled meeting of Highland Council voted to carry a motion introduced to make adjustments to the agenda in light of the situation in relation to COVID-19 and Brexit. The urgent motion was proposed by Highland Council Leader Cllr Margaret Davidson and supported by the Leader of the official Opposition, Cllr Raymond Bremner.
7/1/2021
Business Closure Grant Scheme open for applications
The Highland Council today launched the Temporary Business Closure Grant. This grant is available for businesses who have had to close due to the COVID-19 protective measures introduced on Boxing Day.7/1/2021
Supporting Highland Council Winter Gritting and COVID Response Efforts
The Council wishes to provide re-assurance to communities that it's Winter Gritting teams are continuing to work extremely hard throughout the area during the current lock-down, providing a road and pavement gritting service following the Council's policy on prioritisation of routes. Details of the council's highland wide and local area gritting policies and maps are on the Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting.
7/1/2021
Learning under current Covid lockdown
The Highland Council has issued a letter to all parents providing an update regarding the reopening of schools and early learning and childcare settings following the announcement made yesterday by the First Minister that the country is now in a national lockdown. All Highland schools will remain open but the only pupils who should attend are those identified as vulnerable and the children of Key Workers when no other arrangements can be made.7/1/2021
Impact of Brexit discussed by Highland Councillors
The Highland Council met today (7 January 2021) and took the opportunity to discuss Brexit. A number of issues arising from the UK's exit from the EU were discussed and the complexity of the situation was recognised particularly since there are a number of other concurrent issues such as COVID.6/1/2021
More time for food consultation feedback
The Highland Council is giving more time for people to take part in it's draft food growing strategy - Growing Our Future. The extension, until the 28 February, will allow outcomes from the up-coming Highland Good Food Conversation to be incorporated in the strategy.3/1/2021
Still Time To Submit Your Cash Your Caithness Applications
Local groups in Caithness are reminded that the closing date for Your Cash Your Caithness applications is drawing near and to be in with a chance of receiving a share of £10,000.00, forms need to be received by 5.00pm on Sunday 2nd February 2020. £10,000 of funding is available to let the local community decide for themselves which projects are needed in their area.31/12/2020
Former Highland Councillor and staff among Highland awards in New Year Honours List 2021
Four people in The Highland Council area have been awarded in the Queen's New Year Honour's list for their services in health, community care, sport and athletics and response to their communities during COVID-19 response. Highland Council Convener Cllr Bill Lobban said: "I congratulate all four recipients of the Queen's New Year Honours this year for their services and commitment among their communities.
31/12/2020
Council Leader Reminds Everyone in Highland To Remain Vigilant As Case Numbers Triple
Following the announcement from NHS Highland yesterday that the number of positive cases of Covid in the Highlands had tripled in just a few days, the Leader of The Highland Council is reminding everyone to follow all guidance and to remain extra vigilant. Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Up until now the low Covid numbers we have had in our area has been due to very high levels of compliance with the restrictions and the excellent partnership work across Council, NHS Highland and Police to successfully deal with local outbreaks.31/12/2020
