Local Authority News
12/7/2019
Public advised to avoid eating Shellfish from Loch Glencoul, Kylesku area
Highland Council's Environmental Health team have identified raised levels of naturally occurring algal toxins following routine monitoring in coastal waters at Loch Glencoul, Kylesku area. Eating shellfish such as cockles, mussels, oysters or razor fish from these areas may pose a health risk arising from the consumption of these algal toxins.4/7/2019
Public advised to avoid eating Shellfish from Loch Eishort and Loch Slappin, Isle of Skye
Highland Council's Environmental Health team has identified raised levels of naturally occurring algal toxins following routine monitoring in coastal waters at Loch Eishort. Eating shellfish such as mussels, cockles, oysters or razor fish from these areas may pose a health risk arising from the consumption of these algal toxins.1/7/2019
School Holiday Meals For Children
Funding for food and activities during the summer break. More children and young people will benefit from a nutritious meal and a place to play this summer holiday.28/6/2019
Discontinuation of education provision at Altnaharra Primary School
At a meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 27 June 2019, Councillors decided to discontinue the provision of education at Altnaharra Primary School, dividing its catchment area between Tongue Primary, Farr Primary and Lairg Primary schools. A copy of the consultation report, together with the original proposal paper and all relevant appendices can be viewed on the Council's website at: www.highland.gov.uk/schoolconsultations The Council is satisfied that implementation of closure is the most appropriate response to the reasons for formulating the original proposal identified by the authority.27/6/2019
Why Is Suicide So High In Highland - Research to inform suicide prevention
Suicide prevention is a key priority for The Highland Council. Members have agreed today, to take forward a piece of research with partners including NHS Highland and Police Scotland, to better understand the current evidence base and experience of suicide in Highland.27/6/2019
Councillor Struan Mackie Questions Delays on Thurso Asset Transfer
Councillor Mackie had a written question at today's meeting of Highland council. Item 12 - Question Time To the Chair of the Environment, Development & Infrastructure Committee "Official Highland Council guidance indicates that, unless extended, successful Community Asset Transfer requests should be completed by the Local Authority within a nine months' timeframe.27/6/2019
Highland Council Debt Highest Ever But Under Control
From highland council Meting today 27 June 2019. Item 12 - Question Time To the Chair of the Corporate Resources Committee "What are the current best estimates for present total Highland Council debt and the annual financial commitment required to service this debt?".27/6/2019
Counselling Service approved as part of range of wellbeing measures
The introduction of a service to support the mental health and wellbeing of Highland Council staff and councillors has been approved by the Council as part of a range of measures to improve wellbeing. An Employee Assistance Programme for staff and Members will be put in place to offer telephone and internet-based counselling 24 hours a day.27/6/2019
Highland Council supports UK Air Passenger Duty exemption for flights departing Highlands & Islands
Highland Councillors have unanimously agreed that the Council will support the continuation of the exemption from UK Air Passenger Duty for flights departing from airports in the Highlands & Islands; and Members also agreed that the Council will continue working with HiTRANS to present the case of the need for, and benefit arising from an exemption from the current UK Air Passenger Duty and any successor duty. The Council's stance comes this week as calls have been made by Aberdeen Airport for greater parity with Highlands & Islands.27/6/2019
Council to have public question time at future meetings
"Highland Council as agreed to allow a question time for members of the public at future Council meetings. The motion was presented by Depute Leader Cllr Alasdair Christie and means that from December 2019, Highland Council meetings will include a time allocation for questions from members of the public.26/6/2019
Road closures in Sutherland and Ross-shire
Several road closures are required for Network Rail, British Telecom and Muir of Ord Gala. Network Rail maintenance works will require the U3103 Dunrobin Glen Road for 100m either side of Golspie Tower Rail Bridge to be closed from 08:00 on Monday 01/07/2019 until 22:00 on Wednesday 10/07/2019 To avoid the road closure an alternative route will be available via - U3116 Sibell Road, A9 Trunk Road, U3140 Nursery Road and the U3166 Backies Road.26/6/2019
Substantial Budget Savings Already Achieved By Highland Council
Two thirds of agreed savings have already been achieved to date since the Highland Council set its budget in February 2019. On 14 February 2019 the Council approved its budget strategy and Change Programme "A Sustainable Highland" based around 4 themes: Making the Council More Efficient; Commercialism and Income Generation; Redesign and Improvement; and A Flexible and Well Managed Workforce, to deliver £37.456m of savings over the next three years.25/6/2019
Dlite-ful Graduation 2019 - New Teachers
Saturday 22nd June 2019 was the Highland celebration event for Highland Council's newest DLITE PGDE graduates. Fifteen students have graduated from the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education DLITE (Distance Learning ITE) course, with ten of them present for the celebration.
24/6/2019
Trading Standards supports Delivery Law website
The website www.deliverylaw.uk was one year old on Saturday (22nd June 2019) and Trading Standards officers at Highland Council are looking to highlight its importance in the battle for fair internet delivery charges. The site provides a one-stop-shop for consumers and businesses to receive all the information they need about internet delivery charges and to report bad practices that they might encounter.22/6/2019
Highland Council to consider Counselling Service
The introduction of a service to support the mental health and wellbeing of Highland Council staff and councillors is to be considered by the Council next week. A report to Councillors will seek Members' approval for the procurement of an Employee Assistance Programme for staff and Members which could offer telephone and internet-based counselling 24 hours a day.18/6/2019
Temporary road closures for Highland Cross event
Road users are advised that on Saturday 22 June 2019 part of the C1112 Glen Affric Road will be temporarily closed to vehicles from 11am to 5pm during the Highland Cross 2019 event. The area affected is between the road's junction with the C1110 Cannich - Fasnakle - Kerrow Wood Road and its end at the north side of the road bridge over the Abhainn Gleann nam Fiadh.17/6/2019
Businesses urged to sign up to Trades Services Framework events
People working in Highland trades businesses are being urged by The Highland Council to attend a supplier briefing roadshow event near them coming soon across the region if they wish to tender for future Council contracts. The Council has created a new Trades Services Framework for repair, maintenance and minor works to maintain and improve the Council estate and to help deliver the Council's property maintenance programme for domestic and non-domestic properties.13/6/2019
September start for new High Life Highland Chief Executive
Steve Walsh OBE has been appointed as the Chief Executive designate for High Life Highland, it was announced today by Donald McLachlan, the Chair of the charity's Board. Mr Walsh will take up post in early September 2019, following the retirement of current Chief Executive, Ian Murray.
11/6/2019
Highland Council Trading Standards warns consumers of new "authorised push payment scam" targeting bank customers
Highland Council Trading Standards have been made aware that cold call telephone scammers have recently changed tactics and are now targeting individual bank customers to gain access to bank accounts and clear bank accounts of cash. The so-called "authorised push payment scam" involves a fraudster impersonating a bank representative and phoning an unsuspecting potential victim by telephone.11/6/2019
