Highland council hold their Special Meeting on 3 March 2022 to agree the 202223 budget. A Council Tax increase of 3 per cent has been agreed with the main parties so it looks like a foregone conclusion to pass.
As the world begins to hesitantly open up, it's no surprise that the past two years have taught us the value of shopping local. But have you ever thought about banking local? "A credit union is rooted in the community, especially as it is owned by its members and not external shareholders," said David Mackay, General Manager of HI-Scot Credit Union.
Members of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have agreed to keep the £20 administration charge for the reapplication of a Blue Badge until such time as the Scottish Government reviews its policy on the Blue Badge Scheme which local authorities administer on its behalf. Under The Highland Council’s Petitions Procedure, Councillors considered a petition that had been lodged with the Council seeking to abolish the administration charge for the reapplication of a Blue Badge.
Collaborative engagement sessions are planned with Head Teachers to raise attainment and achievement in Highland primary schools. Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "Improving attainment and achievement is one of our priorities and while this is important, we must also recognise and celebrate the hard work that is currently being undertaken in our schools.
Members of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have endorsed a response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy. The response recognises the benefits that could be achieved by carrying out research to understand the influences on littering behaviour and supports a collaborative national anti-littering behaviour change campaign.
Expanded scheme will use dormant funds from insurance, pensions, investment and wealth management, and securities sectors. Public consultation will launch in the summer to consider good causes to benefit from additional £880 million Proposals to include boosting investment in youth programmes, social enterprises and money management support Youth activities, community projects and other good causes could benefit from an additional £880 million, following government action to unlock cash tied up in dormant assets.
The higher education system in England will be made fairer for students and taxpayers thanks to major reforms announced by the government today. Student finance will be put on a more sustainable footing by ensuring more students are paying back their loan in full, and there will be a clampdown on poor-quality university courses that don't benefit graduates in the long-term.
A recent study shows that 58% of Brits have handed over their personal information that has cost them financially through new online scams, and almost a third of those who said they were successfully targeted are under 35 year olds. Dating apps and the Domino Pizza scams were most popular with 22% of those successfully targeting victims.
Education Committee Members approved the Council's plan titled ‘My Future, My Success' which sets out the vision and plans for ambitious and sustained destinations for children and young people in Highland. Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "This ambitious plan will help to empower our young people to make the right decisions at the right time for their future.
Delivering a low tax, higher growth economy is set to form the cornerstone for the Chancellor's economic vision when he delivers the Mais lecture on 24 February 2022. Chancellor Rishi Sunak will set out his vision for a lower tax, dynamic market economy, when delivering his first major speech at the annual Mais lecture on 24 February.
The Highland Council is proposing a below inflation council tax increase of 3% for 2022-23. The increase together with a range of efficiency and management savings will be required to close the budget gap of £34m.
7,195 new cases of COVID-19 reported. 16 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has set its budget for 2022/23. The Comhairle agreed a Council Tax increase of 3%, or 69p per week for a Band D taxpayer.
The Council will spend £91,260,200 on its services, against a Scottish Government budget settlement of £84,715,000 including £15,528,000 of ring-fenced grants. In order to meet the shortfall, the Council will increase Council tax by 3% and take an additional £11.826m from its reserves.
Tha Sgioba Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd air cothrom a chruthachadh do Cheumnaiche Inntearnach Gàidhlig airson a' Ghàidhlig a leasachadh air meadhanan sòisealta na Comhairle agus portal dà-chànanach a leasachadh cuideachd. Bidh an tagraiche soirbheachail ag obair le diofar sgiobaidhean taobh a-staigh na Comhairle a leithid Sgioba na Gàidhlig, Sgioba a’ Chonaltraidh, agus Sgioba an Lìonraidh Dhidseataich.
Pension Credit The estimates show that: caseload: up to 850 thousand families who were entitled to receive Pension Credit did not claim the benefit. expenditure: up to £1.7 billion of available Pension Credit went unclaimed: on average, this amounted to around £1,900 per year for each family entitled to receive Pension Credit who did not claim the benefit.
Glasgow equal pay women need a meaningful offer to avert strike, says UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea. UNISON's first female general secretary, Christina McAnea will visit women balloting for strike action on equal pay in Glasgow today (Thursday).
Changes allow Ukrainians in the UK to have their visas temporarily extended or be able to switch onto different visa routes. Building on immediate support provided in recent weeks to assist British Nationals to leave Ukraine, the Home Secretary has today confirmed that Ukrainians who are on work, study or visit visas in the UK will have their visas temporarily extended or be able to switch onto different visa routes.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a statement to the House of Commons on Ukraine. Mr Speaker, I have just come from a meeting of G7 leaders, joined by Secretary General Stoltenberg of NATO, and with permission I will update the House on our response to President Putin's onslaught against a free and sovereign European nation.
New research led by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the Maynooth University ICARUS Climate Research Centre in Ireland shows that the average winter northern hemisphere jet stream position over the North Atlantic and Eurasia has moved northwards by up to 330km. The research has also revealed that the mean winter jet speed has increased by 8% to 132mph, during the 141-year period from 1871-2011.
