Local Authority News
15/6/2017
Welfare Support Helps Highland People To £4.651 Million
Welfare Support provided by The Highland Council helped customers to a record financial gain of £4.651 million over the past year (2016-17). Over this period, the Welfare Support team supported 1,560 customers to maximise their benefits.14/6/2017
Thinking of a career in teaching?
People living in the Highlands who are thinking of a career change to Primary teaching are being urged by The Highland Council to consider a distance learning course (DLITE) with the University of Aberdeen. Training for the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education DLITE (Distance Learning ITE) starts on 20 January 2018 and the deadline for applications is 21 August 2017.14/6/2017
Consultation commences on The Highland Council's third iteration Gaelic Language Plan
The Highland Council is pleased to introduce the third, iteration draft Gaelic Language Plan 2017-2022 which is being submitted for a 6 week public consultation. The Highland Council draft Gaelic Language Plan has been prepared as a statutory document for submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig in response to the formal notice of requirement to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan and with regard to the requirements set out in Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.13/6/2017
£1.42M for six sustainable timber transport road projects in Highland
SIX timber transport projects that benefit communities and the environment on rural roads in Highland are to receive £1.42 million of funding announced today. These projects will improve rural infrastructure and greatly reduce the impact of timber haulage on local communities.8/6/2017
Rock Works On The A890 Stromeferry Bypass
The Highland Council has appointed Geo-Rope Ltd to undertake planned maintenance works to the rock face above the A890 Stromeferry Bypass. Works are programmed to begin on the 10th of July for approximately 8 weeks.6/6/2017
Highland Council And Police Highlight Role Of Communities In Countering Terrorism
The Highland Council took part in observing a minute's silence at 11:00 today Tuesday 6 June, in respect of the terrorist attack in London on Saturday 3 June 2017. Leader of the Highland Council, Margaret Davidson said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those affected by these most recent horrific incidents.6/6/2017
Highland Council pays respect to lives lost in London
A minutes silence was held today at 11am in all Highland Council premises in tribute to the victims of the London terrorist attack. At the Council's headquarters on Glenurquhart Road in Inverness, staff joined the Members to observe the silence.5/6/2017
Remember, Remember To Licence For 5th November - New Rules
The Highland Council is urging all organisers of community fireworks events that they will need to get their public entertainment licence application submitted soon to the Council if they wish to have a licence in place for Bonfire Night. With only 5 months to 5th November, organisers of community fireworks events are urged to make early applications for public entertainment licences to ensure that they can be processed and granted in time for their events.
2/6/2017
Snp Opposition Leader Fails To Back The Highlands
In extraordinary scenes during yesterday's Highland Council meeting, Leader of the Opposition Councillor Maxine Smith, attempted to block the council from having a higher profile at a national level. Along with her SNP colleagues she refused to back a suggestion to nominate Council Leader, Margaret Davidson, as a Vice President of COSLA.
2/6/2017
New Committee structures agreed for Highland Council
The Highland Council has agreed a new strategic committee structure at its meeting on 1 June 2017. No top positions for Caithness on new committee structure.1/6/2017
Sun Shines On The Highlands' Beach Standards
Clean beaches celebrated ahead of bathing season. Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, has announced that 12 beaches from across the Highlands have been recognised for the high standards provided to users - from keeping sand litter free to providing excellent information and accessible amenities.
1/6/2017
Over 14,000 Households Signed Up To Brown Bin Service
To date over 14,000 households have made payment for their brown bin collections and it is anticipated this figure will rise as we near the deadline for applications. The Highland Council's new brown bin collection service is due to start on 3rd July 2017.18/5/2017
Highland Council elects Leaders
The Highland Council has elected Councillor Margaret Davidson as Council Leader at its meeting today, 18 May 2017. Councillor Alasdair Christie was elected Depute Leader and Councillor Bill Lobban was elected Convener of the Council.15/5/2017
Moray Firth Radio Cash for Kids joins forces with Trading Standards in the Real Deal Scheme
MFR Cash for Kids Charity Car Boot Sale is the latest recruit to be signed up by Highland Council Trading Standards to join the Real Deal scheme. The scheme was launched six years ago in a bid to stamp out the illegal trade in fake goods at markets and to ensure businesses are fully compliant with the relevant laws.
12/5/2017
Highland Council rail concessions change on 21 May 2017
From 21 May 2017, people aged 60 and over who currently benefit from Highland Council’s rail concessionary travel scheme are being advised that half fare rail concessions for the majority of entitled Highland residents will cease. Free travel remains available by bus, and card holders are advised to keep their entitlement cards which can still be used on bus routes throughout Scotland.10/5/2017
Highland Council - New Administration of Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour Councillors
Councillor Margaret Davidson announced today that an agreement had been reached to form anew administration to run Highland council for the next five years. Councillor Davidson will once again be the leader of the council and she said,"We are pleased to announce that a coalition of Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour Councillors have formed an Administration to take Highland Council forward for the next five years.8/5/2017
Conference highlights transformation of learning in Highland schools
The transformation of future learning in Highland schools was discussed by around 100 head teachers at a Science and Technology Conference last week in Inverness. Key speakers from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Wood Foundation, Education Scotland, FIRST Scandinavia and the Science and Skills Academy addressed the conference on the importance of STEM experiences and qualifications for young people in the Highlands.5/5/2017
Highland Council Election Results
The results for the 2017 Highland Council elections have been declared. They are as follows: Independent 28 Scottish Conservative and Unionist 10 Scottish Green Party 1 Scottish Labour Party 3 Scottish Liberal Democrats 10 Scottish National Party (SNP) 22 Total elected 74 The first meeting of the new Council will be held on Thursday 18 May when the office-bearers will be confirmed.
5/5/2017
Delivery of writs marks start to three General Election contests in the Highlands
The official process to elect Members of Parliament to represent the three UK Highland constituencies has begun. Returning Officer, Steve Barron, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, was yesterday (Thursday 4 May) hand delivered three writs, instructing him to conduct an election for the Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies.
28/4/2017
