Local Authority News
28/5/2020
Water scarcity and Highland Council support for users of private water supplies
The Highland Council's Environmental Health Team is advising consumers to use their water wisely and check their private water supply systems for any signs of water leaks or risks of contamination. A private water supply is a property that does not have a Scottish Water mains water connection.28/5/2020
Back to school and learning - ‘carefully and gradually'
The Highland Council is assessing the implications of the First Minister's announcements made on the 21st May about the first stage relaxation of lockdown, concerning teachers and other education staff returning to the workplace during June to prepare for the return to school and settings on 11th August. Highland Council's Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "The return to workplace and Highland schools for our Education staff will have to be undertaken carefully and gradually.26/5/2020
Council confirms details for Household Waste Recycling Centres to reopen
The Highland Council can now confirm which of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) across the region will re-open from Monday 1st June 2020. A phased approach to re-opening the sites will be adopted with strict controls in place to help manage social distancing and to ensure the anticipated high number of visitors and volume of waste can be handled safely and efficiently.26/5/2020
Council's Garden Aid Service to start
The Highland Council's Housing Service currently operates an annual garden aid scheme, cutting grass in approximately 1,300 council house gardens. The Garden Aid service is for older or disabled tenants who don't have anyone to help them cut their grass.25/5/2020
Highland Council awarded over £750,000 to roll out network of safe walking and cycling routes in response to Coronavirus pandemic
Following an ambitious bid by Highland Council supported by NHS Highland, to deliver rapid active travel interventions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, The Highland Council has been awarded £752,954 from the Scottish Government's Spaces for People fund, which is administered by Sustrans. Over the coming weeks towns across Highland and the City of Inverness will see a roll-out of temporary walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure along priority routes.25/5/2020
Highland Council publishes decisions made during COVID-19 emergency
Public assurance is being provided by Highland Council that the organisation is fully transparent and accountable during the COVID-19 emergency response as it publishes decisions made by its group of senior officers - or Gold Group* - under emergency procedures. The list of decisions made since 19 March 2020 is on the Council's website at the following link and will continue to the added to and updated as further decisions are made using emergency procedures.25/5/2020
£56m COVID-19 Business Grants awarded in Highland
The COVID-19 small business and self-catering grant scheme, set up to help companies stay in business during the coronavirus crisis, has now paid out £56,286,250 million to 5135 Highland businesses. The Highland Council's Head of Development and Regeneration, Allan Maguire, said: "We now are processing applications and approving payment within days of a business submitting a complete online application form and its accompanying evidence.21/5/2020
Highland Council prepares for phased return to new normal
Highland Council's Recovery Board Chair, Cllr Alasdair Christie has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government's road map phasing the way out of lockdown, which was published earlier today. The First Minister revealed that Phase 1 of the Government's new four phase plan, could come into effect on 28 May, however the advice remains stay home, protect the NHS and save lives for now.21/5/2020
Preparations underway for phased re-opening of Highland Household Waste Recycling Centres
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that preparations are well underway for re-opening many of the Household Waste Recycling Centres across the region to the public from Monday 1 June 2020. The sites in Highland, along with all other Scottish Local Authorities, have been closed since the end of March due to the government's Covid-19 restrictions on non-essential travel.20/5/2020
Highland Council Notes Home Farm Outcomes - 10 Deaths
The Highland Council has noted the outcomes at Inverness Sherriff Court this morning regarding Home Farm Care Home on the Isle of Skye. The Sheriff made no decision on the Care Inspectorate's application to suspend registration but has adjourned the matter until 10 June 2020 on the basis that the collaborative approach being taken will continue to be monitored.18/5/2020
Garden waste collection service off to a great start
The Highland Council would like to remind Garden Waste Collection Service permit holders that the service resumed last Monday (11th May 2020) after being suspended due to the impact of COVID-19 on staff resources. Carron McDiarmid, Executive Chief Officer for Communities and Place said: "Feedback from our crews from the first week of collections is that the quality of the material collected from the brown bins was excellent with very little contamination which is really positive and I would like to thank the public for making a concerted effort to ensure that only the correct material was put into their bins.15/5/2020
Update on COVID-19 grants issued by Highland Council
The COVID-19 small business and self-catering grant scheme, set up to help companies stay in business during the coronavirus crisis, has now paid out £48.9m million to 4359 Highland businesses. This now includes payments to owners of multiple premises following the expansion of the scheme on 5th May 2020.14/5/2020
Highland Council Recovery Board Established
A Highland Council Recovery Board has been established to lead and plan the Council's emergence from lockdown and provide strategic coordination for a Recovery Action Plan for Council services. The Board will also provide oversight and direction for the Council's partnership with communities and partners to support the Highland Region’s return to wellbeing, prosperity and economic success.11/5/2020
Limited grass cutting to resume in Highland with adherence to physical distancing
Highland Council has announced it is to begin a restricted grass cutting service across the region. Despite significant challenges in terms of staffing, the local authority is pleased it is in a position to deliver a limited service at this time.8/5/2020
Highland Council Budget Details Showing A Huge Covid 19 Deficit Submitted To Cosla
The Highland Council has, along with other Scottish Local Authorities, submitted details to COSLA of the potential impact of COVID 19 on its revenue and capital budgets. The Council has estimated potential income losses and additional costs up to £87.5 M which would be off-set in part by savings across a variety of service areas.8/5/2020
Highland Council support to families in time of need
Help is at hand for bereaved families in Highland who may find the unexpected cost of funerals out of their reach during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Highland Council has provided funeral directors in the region with information leaflets to ensure that they are aware of the financial support that is available to relatives for some funeral costs in specific circumstances.6/5/2020
Council Covid Helpline Passes 5000 Calls Handled
The Highland Council's COVID helpline 0300 303 1362 which has been up and running since 25th March has now handled over 5000 calls. The helpline provides support for those needing urgent help including those shielding or otherwise vulnerable and anyone interested in volunteering.4/5/2020
Army Sets Up Mobile Corona Virus Testing Units In Thurso
The UK Government has mobilised the army to set up Corona Virus Test Centres In Scotland. Mobile testing units travel around the UK to increase access to coronavirus testing.1/5/2020
Regeneration Capital Grant Fund opens for applications in the Highlands
The Highland Council is now accepting applications for the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for 2021-2022. The fund, which is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government, supports locally developed regeneration projects for communities, helping with job creation and support, and in building sustainable communities.1/5/2020
