Local Authority News

Committee welcomes extra Town Centre funding

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have welcomed the extra funding made available from The Scottish Government to boost town centres and confirmed that the decision on how this will be spent will be taken at a local level by area committee members.   The Council has been allocated an additional £1,066,000 ring-fenced to stimulate local construction activity and support employment across Highland.  

Five year Draft Strategic Housing Plan approved

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has approved a draft Strategic Housing Plan for 2021-2026 that sets out The Council's key housing investment priorities and demonstrates how they will be delivered for development across Highland.   The Plan, which will be submitted to the Scottish Government for their approval, also identifies the resources required to deliver new homes and outlines the partnership approach with housing associations and developers to achieve the Council’s commitment to providing more quality affordable housing across the Highlands.  

Council encourages staff to be aware of stress and its potential impact at work

Highland Council is encouraging its workforce to be aware of stress during working life and its potential impact as part of National Stress Awareness Day, which takes place on Wednesday, 4 November 2020.   A key focus for National Stress Awareness Day this year is to tackle the anxiety and emotional pressure which many may be feeling as a result of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from concern for family and close friends to financial worries.  

Short Term Lets To Require Licences - Fee Charges For Landlords To Be Decided Later

Members at yesterday's meeting of Highland Council homologated its response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the proposals for the regulation of short-term lets in Scotland.   The response was submitted by the 16 October deadline following consultation with the chairs of the Tourism and Licensing committees.  

Call for urgent sick pay reform receives backing of Highland Council

At today's meeting of The Highland Council members gave their backing to a motion that highlights the need for the UK Government to review the sick pay system and reform it as a matter of urgency.   Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair of the Council's Recovery Board who put forward the motion along with Councillor Alex Graham said: "It has become more obvious than ever during the current Covid 19 crisis that there are clear and substantial long-standing inadequacies in the sick pay system.  

Grant secures school leaders commitment to scrap sandwich option and return to serving cooked meals

REGIONAL Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has welcomed a commitment from Highland Council to return all schools to a hot meal service.   In a letter to the MSP this week, the local authority confirmed more than 60 per cent of schools have gone back to serving hot meals already and it said all schools are expected to follow suit "shortly".  

Council Consulted On Five Level Covid Protection System

The Leader and the Chief Executive of The Highland Council earlier today took part in a meeting of COSLA focussing on the Scottish Government's new five level protection system for Covid.   The meeting gave council leaders the opportunity to examine in more detail the mechanism outlined by the Scottish Government along with the framework of how the tier system will be implemented.  

Caithness Councillors Unanimously Backs Business Case For Wick John OGroats Airport PSO

At the Caithness Area Committee on 22 October 2020 members unanimously confirmed their full support to the business case for Wick John O'Groats Airport to receive Public Service Obligation (PSO) status by putting forward a motion and reinforcing their commitment to working with stakeholders and partners to deliver this as a matter of urgency.   The motion lodged recognises the fundamental strategic importance of Wick John O’Groats Airport to the economy of the region, and the energy, business and tourism sectors in particular.  

Friends Against Scams FASathon Campaign

Highland Council Trading Standards supports FASathon - the Friends Against Scams marathon day Highland Council Trading Standards is encouraging Highland residents to take part in ‘FASathon', the Friends Against Scams marathon day, on 21st October 2020.   The aim of the FASathon campaign is to get as many people as possible to complete the free Friends Against Scams online awareness session to learn about the different types of scams and how to protect yourself and others against scams.  

Tourism Committee Tackles Motorhomes And Wild Camping

In advance of the 2021 tourism season, Members of The Highland Council's Tourism Committee have agreed that the local authority will continue to work and engage with partners, national agencies and local communities to meet the challenges and opportunities that exist in the region for motorhomes and wild camping tourism.   Councillor Maxine Smith, Tourism Committee Chair said: "While coronavirus and the increased demand for staycations in the UK have played a large part in the massive increase in demands placed on the Highlands of Scotland from across the UK, the evidence does show that motorhome ownership and hire has been increasing over recent years.