Local Authority News
24/5/2023
Council Reviews Inflatable Lets Bookings Guidance
The Highland Council has had further discussions about the health and safety requirements of inflatable lets bookings at its properties. The Council's approach seeks to balance the mitigation of risk with acting in a way that does not impact unnecessarily on community activities.23/5/2023
Analysis Reveals What Is Thrown Away In Household Bins In Highland
Recent analysis shows that that over a third of waste in the average household refuse bin could be recycled or composted at home! The Highland Council has conducted a Waste Composition Analysis of the waste that householders put in their refuse and recycling bins. Funded by Zero Waste Scotland as part of a national analysis of the waste in household bins across Scotland, the results will enable the Council to focus on waste prevention and increasing recycling.
23/5/2023
Regeneration Capital Grant Fund Open For Applications In The Highlands
The Highland Council is now accepting expressions of interest for the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for 2024-2025. The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government and COSLA.14/5/2023
Wick Community Council AGM
See poster for details..
14/5/2023
Treasurer For Wick Community Council
See poster.
12/5/2023
Committee Agrees To Levelling Up Funding Bid For New Electric Ferry
At a meeting of the Highland Council (Thursday 11 May 2023) members have agreed to put forward a bid for up to £50m of UK government funding towards the cost of providing a new electric ferry to operate across the Corran Narrows in Lochaber. The MV Corran and her replacement the MV Maid of Glencoul are still out of service waiting for parts to be fitted and repairs completed.4/5/2023
Grant funding support helps Highland Businesses remain buoyant
During the last year, over 2000 Highland businesses have been supported to start-up and grow by Highland Council. Supported by the Council's business development service, businesses have secured start-up and growth finance, and have accessed advisory support through the Council's Business Gateway service.
4/5/2023
Highland Community Regeneration Programme To Continue 2023/24
Today (Thursday 4 May 2023), Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed to continue to build on the success of the 2022/23 Community Regeneration Programme for 2023/24. Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful first year the new Highland Community Regeneration Programme model has been well received, bringing a streamlined application, grant award and claim processes to project applicants and grant recipients.4/5/2023
Highland Councillors Approves Employability Services Programme That Aims To Tackle Poverty And Barriers To Work
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee were today (Thursday 4 May) given an overview of the employability services delivered by the Council and its partners, and approved priorities for the coming year. Members heard that during 2022-23 The Council’s Employability team, together with public, private and third-sector partners delivered a suite of activity across Highland, supporting 680 people of whom 257 gained employment as a result.2/5/2023
Council Asked To Approve The Short Term Let Control Area For Ward 20
On Thursday 4 May 2023, Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to approve the establishment of a Short Term Let Control Area for Badenoch and Strathspey (Ward 20). Ward 20 may be the first area for Short Term Rent controls but is probable that other areas will follow so anyone renting property may want to study this report.2/5/2023
Developer Contributions on the agenda
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will consider updated developer contribution rates for education and community facilities when they meet on Thursday. Approval of the report will allow the Council to apply revised developer contribution rates for schools and community facilities in line with up to date construction costs and taking account of the latest evidence on the implications of housing development for schools and other infrastructure.29/4/2023
Highland 20 Mph Speed Limit Programme Benefits - Help Keep Your Community Safe
Introducing the new norm, the safety benefits of speed limit adherence and changing and informing driver behaviour will be key to the Highland Council's roll out of 20mph speed limits across the Highlands. A report going to the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will highlight additional actions and interventions the Road Safety Team are planning to support the new 20mph speed limits which are currently getting rolled-out to 121 villages and towns across Highland, fully funded by Transport Scotland.28/4/2023
Highland Council aims to build 3300 affordable homes 2023-2028
At yesterday's (Thursday 27 April 2023) Housing and Property Committee meeting, Members approved the draft Housing and Investment Plan 2023-2028 for submission to the Scottish Government. Members also agreed to the indicative five year investment programme to 2028.28/4/2023
Local Housing Strategy 2023- 2028 Approved But Long Waiting Lists Still Apply In Many Areas
At yesterday's (Thursday 27 April 2023) Housing & Property Committee meeting, Members approved the new Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 (LHS). The Strategy was produced following an extensive period of discussion with various stakeholders who have ensured that it meets legislative and regulatory requirements but also focuses on the key housing issues affecting communities across Highland.28/4/2023
£7.7m Capital Investment For Strategic Road Schemes Across Highlands - 3 Roads in Caithness
Members at next week's meeting of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be allocating the distribution of £7.7M of the £20.5M capital roads budget specifically for carriageway structural maintenance. Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Many of our roads are suffering from lack of attention due to limited resources over a number of years.5/4/2023
Knowledge Assets Explained
A short film explains what knowledge assets are, why they're so powerful, and how we can help you make the most of them. The Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) is on a mission to help colleagues in the Civil Service, arm's length bodies and public sector research establishments create value for the UK taxpayer by unlocking the full potential of knowledge assets.
5/4/2023
Progress Being Made With Highland Council's Road Improvement Project
At a recent meeting (Thursday 30 March 2023) of The Highland Council's Redesign Board members noted the progress being made on the Road Improvement project. The Roads Improvement project aims to redesign the service where necessary and deliver improvements for the effective, efficient, and sustainable delivery of all engineering and roads operations and improve road condition across the Highlands.4/4/2023
Travel For The Future: What Moves You?
The Highland Council is updating its Local Transport Strategy, which sets out how it will manage and modernise the transport network across the region. The Case for Change is the first stage in this process; the Council would like to hear your views and the document is now out for consultation.29/3/2023
Home energy products warning to householders
Highland Council's Trading Standards and the Climate Change & Energy Team are joining forces to warn unsuspecting householders to be on their guard if they are approached by traders offering funding for the installation of home energy products. This follows recent reports that there may be traders operating in the area, offering free insulation, and heating and funding for solar panels or air source heat pumps, under Government funded schemes, saying they are working on behalf of Highland Council when this is not the case.28/3/2023
