Local Authority News
1/10/2020
Members agree to distribution of funding for counselling, additional teacher resource and digital inclusion in Highland schools
At yesterday's (30 September2020) meeting of the Council's Education Committee, Members agreed on the approach to the distribution of Counselling funding, and on the approach to use additional funding to support Education Recovery through additional teaching resource and digital inclusion for the financial year 2020/2021. Chair of the Education Committee, Councillor John Finlayson, said: "It is great that Members have agreed our approach to utilise the monies we have received from funding streams to support our young people and our education recovery.1/10/2020
Highlands Secondary Schools See Significantly Improved Attainment Results In S4, S5 And S6 Sqa Awards
Secondary schools in Highland saw a significant improvement in attainment results in S4, S5 and S6 SQA results in August 2020. Chair of the Education Committee, Councillor John Finlayson, said: "I wish to congratulate our young people, their families and our school staff across Highland for the significant improvement trends in attainment in S4, S5 and S6 year groups.28/9/2020
New route for Council staff to whistleblow confidentially with confidence
Proposals that could provide Highland Council employees with a new ‘independent, dedicated and confidential route' to report malpractice and wrongdoing concerns have received support from Highland Councillors. Following robust discussion, Members of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee have endorsed the movement of the management of the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy and its processes to the Council’s Fraud Team.28/9/2020
Consultation On Removal Of Another 107 Phone Boxes In Highland
Second phase of Consultation on BT's 2020 proposal to remove 107 public payphones from across Highland/ With just two weeks to go before the consultation closes, Highland Council is seeking final feedback from the public on BT's proposal to remove 107 public payphones from across the Highland region. This second phase of consultation will close on 10/10/2020.24/9/2020
Councillors commend carbon reduction measures being achieved in Highland
Highland Councillors have commended the Council's ongoing efforts to reduce carbon consumption over the past year. Members have welcomed the information that the Council has saved over 6,000 tonnes of carbon this year.23/9/2020
Virtual Education In Highland - Supportive, Interactive, Engaging
Virtual education in Highland - Supportive, Interactive, Engaging. The Highland Council can support and deliver education to any pupils who are asked to self-isolate by the Health Protection Team, in all of our 203 schools across the region.
21/9/2020
School Access For Highland Highlife Offers Support To Young People
Young people at school are the winners as a result of discussions between High Life Highland and The Highland Council that will see the Charity's staff phased back into schools after the October break. Speaking about the arrangement, High Life Highland Chairman, Ian Ross said, "I am delighted that once again our partnership working arrangements with colleagues in The Highland Council mean that High Life Highland staff will be able to recommence their work with young people during the school day and within school buildings.
18/9/2020
Highland Council Calls On UK Government To Use Its Powers To Help Reduce Fuel Poverty
The Highland Council is calling on the UK Government to help resolve the inequity of fuel poverty experienced in the Highlands of Scotland where people pay more for fuel and energy than other regions in the UK. Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson has written to the UK Government's Minister of State (Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth) The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP calling on the government to replace the current electricity distribution system with one that replicates that of gas and telecoms and share the cost of energy distribution equally across the UK.
15/9/2020
High Life Highland swimming provision bounces back
High Life Highland is continuing its bounceback campaign with additional swimming provision planned during September and October. Graeme Ross, Principal Facilities Manager said, "In getting our locations reopen, our priority was, and continues to be to make our premises safe and welcoming for customers and staff.
14/9/2020
Highland Council Trading Standards warns of hoax lottery scam mailings
Highland residents are being warned that letters claiming they have won a share of £425,000 in a ‘postcode lottery' is a scam. The letters appear to be targeting the Skye area but are likely to be sent to various addresses across the Highland area.14/9/2020
Highland Council Appoints Interim Executive Chief Officer - Health And Social Care
Fiona Malcolm, has been appointed by The Highland Council as Interim Executive Chief Officer with immediate effect for Health and Social Care, pending recruitment of the permanent ECO post which is currently taking place. A qualified solicitor, Fiona has worked within the legislative and policy frameworks in place for both children's care and adult social care since joining The Highland Council in 2001.14/9/2020
Highland Council to Support Climate Week 2020
To mark Scotland's Climate Week for 2020, which runs from today until the 20th September, The Highland Council has organised a range of virtual events to share information and seek views from Highland residents and Council employees on climate related topics. Whilst the circumstances for Climate Week 2020 are very different to previous years, it still provides an important opportunity for organisations and communities to celebrate and showcase what they are doing to tackle climate change.12/9/2020
Highland Councillors agree proposed distribution of Crown Estates revenue funding
Communities in The Highland Council area are to benefit from Crown Estates funding to be disbursed by the local authority. Councillors have agreed a funding distribution model to enable the disbursement of over £3million Crown Estates funds across the region.11/9/2020
Council agrees urgent motion calling for local Covid-19 information sharing
Council today agreed an urgent motion by Cllrs Margaret Davidson, Andrew Jarvie, Alasdair Christie and Jimmy Gray with a call for more detailed local information sharing on Covid-19 for members in local government. The motion is as follows: "Throughout the pandemic we have received information on national and Highland wide numbers infected with Covid 19.10/9/2020
Highland Council Confirms Council House Building Targets Will Be Met Despite Covid-19 Lockdown
At the meeting on 9 September 2020 of the Council's Housing and Property Committee, Officers confirmed that house building targets will be met despite lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Chair of the committee, Cllr Ben Thompson, said: "I am delighted that we are able to continue to meet our targets for the Council house building programme.8/9/2020
Councillors to debate rejection of Boundary Commission's proposed electoral changes for 2022
Highland Council members will debate rejecting electoral arrangement proposals put forward by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland at a meeting of The Highland Council later this week. The Boundary Commission wrote to the Council's Chief Executive earlier this year with proposals for new electoral boundaries from 2022.
7/9/2020
New Blueprint Is The Menu For Change That Local Government Requires Says Cosla
COSLA has today (Monday 7th September 2020) launched a new Blueprint for Scottish Local Government. The Blueprint will allow Local Government to build around an ambitious vision for Scotland's future - one based on the empowerment of people and communities.
7/9/2020
Mutual exchange policy - Housing tenant consultation
Highland Housing partners are asking their tenants to have their say on proposed changes to the mutual exchange policy. Mutual Exchanges help tenants to move by swapping their homes with other tenants.
7/9/2020
Last Chance To Form A Community Council For Tannach And District And Other Areas
Deadline for people to represent their community with Interim Community Council elections. The deadline for completed nomination forms from people seeking election to thirteen Highland community councils covering areas in Caithness, Ross and Cromarty, Wester Ross, Lochaber, the Isle of Skye and Inverness is tomorrow Tuesday 8 September 2020.
3/9/2020
