Local Authority News
8/9/2016
Public to be consulted on CaSPlan changes
The Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) which sets out The Highland Council's vision and development strategy for the area over the next 20 years is to be modified and put out for public consultation. In a Report presented to both the Sutherland and Caithness Area Committees last week the recommendations on the issues were to defend the Proposed Plan with only minor modifications, which would have seen the Plan progress to Examination as the next stage.8/9/2016
Council calls for fair transitional pension arrangements for women
Members of The Highland Council have unanimously agreed the following motion at their meeting today, 8 September 2016. "This Council calls upon the UK Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6 April 1951 who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification.8/9/2016
Good progress reported as Highland Council meets 89% of Programme commitments
The latest Corporate performance report shows that the Council is meeting 89% of its Programme commitments with 64 out of 72 being either completed, on target or maintaining performance. Council Leader Margaret Davidson said, "This is an excellent report and I would like to thank staff across the Council who have contributed to this outstanding performance.5/9/2016
Nine candidates contest Inverness Ward by-election
Nine candidates are to contest the upcoming by-election to elect a councillor to represent the Culloden and Ardersier Ward of The Highland Council. The candidates are: • Andrew JARVIE - Scottish Conservative and Unionist • Thomas LAMONT - Independent • Andrew James MACKINTOSH - Scottish Labour Party • Isla MACLEOD-O'REILLY - Scottish Greens • Duncan MACPHERSON - Independent • David MCGRATH - Independent • Pauline MUNRO - Scottish National Party (SNP) • Trish ROBERTSON - Scottish Liberal Democrats • John ROSS - Independent The by-election is being held after John Ford, one of four Councillors for Ward 18, sadly died.2/9/2016
Public warned of algal bloom presence at Loch Watten, Caithness
The Highland Council is warning the public of the presence of an algal bloom at Loch Watten, Caithness. As a precautionary measure, environmental health have posted notices next to the water body, warning that contact with the algal scum or mat material should be avoided.
1/9/2016
New Community Partnership arrangements for Caithness
At a meeting on 31st August 2016 meeting of the Caithness Committee councillors had the chance to discuss the work underway to create a new community partnership in the area to support local planning arrangements. The Highland Community Planning Partnership Board agreed at their meeting on 30th June to establish 9 local partnerships across the Highlands, one of which will cover Caithness.
1/9/2016
Calum becomes tenth Highland Youth Convener
Calum Maclennan (18) from Alness took up the role of Highland Youth Convener this week and started the job by saying he was looking forward to spending the next 12 months working with the Highland Youth Parliament, Area Youth Forum and Pupil Councils in secondary schools across the Highlands. As the tenth Youth Convener, Calum will be based at High Life Highland's Head Offices in Inverness fulfilling the bursary position until August 2017.
1/9/2016
Caithness Committee focuses on local priorities
Members of the Caithness Committee have agreed a set of strategic Council priorities for the area and confirmed their commitment to working in partnership with others to improve the health and well-being of local people. In the document, "A Vision for Caithness, Land of the Norse Yarls", the priorities are listed under a number of headings which include Infrastructure for Growth, Area Promotion, Health and Wellbeing, Transport, Education and Social Equality.
31/8/2016
Independent Councillor Gillian Coghill Is The New Civic Leader for Caithness
The new Civic Leader of Caithness is Councillor Gillian Coghill who takes over the role from Councillor Gail Ross. One of four councillors representing the Landward Caithness Ward, Councillor Coghill, who was appointed at the start of today's Caithness Committee, is delighted with her new role which is an honorary post and carries no remuneration.
30/8/2016
Highland families to benefit from further school clothing grant increase
Parents and carers of primary and secondary school children who are eligible to claim for assistance with school clothing for their children are to benefit from an 11% increase in the grant being made available by The Highland Council. Members of the Highland Council's Resources Committee have agreed to increase the amount of school clothing grant per pupil to £90 for all applications received from 1 April 2016 for the 2016/17 academic year.29/8/2016
Redesign Board set to agree a range of council functions for review
The Redesign Board of The Highland Council is preparing to agree a list of functions identified for review. The Redesign Board, which is a partnership between Members and staff, was set up on 18 April 2016 to make proposals on redesigning The Highland Council, in the context of our new duties to involve communities more in local decisions and services affecting them.
26/8/2016
Leader welcomes delay in closure of Inverness Police Control Room
The Leader of the Council has welcomed the announcement by Police Scotland of their plan to delay the closure of the Inverness Control Room and transfer of command and control to Dundee until June 2017. Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: "The HMICS (Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabularies Scotland) Report set the bar high for standards of assurance and we need to have a guarantee that all these standards have been met before any changes can take place.26/8/2016
Highland Council To Join New Islands Strategic Group
All Scottish councils with responsibility for island communities involved. A new Islands Strategic Group will be created, bringing all six local authorities with responsibility for Scotland's 93 inhabited island communities together.24/8/2016
Highland Council selects preferred bidder for ICT Contract
The Council's Resources Committee has agreed to select WIPRO Holdings UK Ltd as its Preferred Bidder for the future delivery of its ICT Core Services. However, the Council is still in a commercially confidential procurement process and an announcement of a formal award of contract will not be made until around 12 September following the required legal "standstill period".24/8/2016
Highland Council Agrees Funding For Three Projects
Funding applications totalling £558,000 from the Highland Council's Capital Discretionary Fund have been agreed by Resources Committee, for four local proposals in the Highlands. £18,000 was awarded to Evanton Community Trust towards the urgent repair and reinstatement of three local footpaths.24/8/2016
Business case for Regional Sports Hub submitted
A business case for the council's proposal for a regional sports hub has been submitted to the council's finance service. Councillors agreed in March 2015 to progress an ambitious Regional Sports Facility for the Highlands, which could include a significant contribution by Sportscotland to the project.23/8/2016
New eBuilding Standards Portal
People submitting building standards applications to The Highland Council will benefit from a major new improvement to the Council's digital services that will be on offer from Wednesday 24 August. The eBuilding Standards Service will allow customers to submit all Building Standards applications to Highland Council electronically in the same way customers can already make planning applications electronically using ePlanning.18/8/2016
Positive report following inspection of Inverness Crematorium
The Inspector of Crematoria Scotland has described Inverness Crematorium as being well run by staff who display a caring and professional approach to their duties. The comments come following a recent inspection focussing on the issues raised following some national high profile investigations and enquiries into the inappropriate scattering of ashes in other areas.18/8/2016
Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary guidance agreed for adoption
Members of The Highland Council's Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee have agreed to adopt the Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance as statutory supplementary guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan. This means that from today the Guidance will be used as material consideration in any applications and will have full weight in the planning process as part of the Development Plan once Scottish Ministers have given it their final scrutiny.18/8/2016
