Local Authority News
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
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
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
£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
Wick Public Toilets Refurb Contract Awarded
The Highland Council has awarded a significant contract to Norbloc construction Ltd, Halkirk to carry out a full refurbishment of the public convenience at Whitechapel Road, Wick. The £395K works involve bringing the former public convenience back into use by undertaking ground stabilisation works.23/3/2023
Public Invited To View Plans For Wick High Street
The Highland Council will hold a drop-in session at the end of the month to share the design for the pedestrian zone in the High Street and the Bridge Street/High Street junction, part of the wider regeneration of Wick town centre. The purpose of the session is to share more detail so the Council can finalise the design, secure a funding stream and move on to preparing tender documents and the construction phase.19/3/2023
Council Embarking On E-cargo Bike Pilot In Bid To Further Reduce Fleet Emissions
Three Highland Council teams will be taking part in a Sustrans-funded E-Cargo bike pilot scheme aimed at reducing fleet emissions supporting the local authority's wider Net Zero ambition. The pilot will involve a trial of three E-Cargo bikes which will be used for business by Inverness Amenities team, Inverness roads team and the Fort William Child Health team.
17/3/2023
Council's Energy Use Benchmarking Analysis To Be Extended To Ensure Full Picture
Members at the meeting of Highland Council's Climate Change Committee on 16 March 2023 agreed to extend a benchmarking exercise which has been assessing the local authority’s energy performance across its estate. Benchmarking energy performance is a process that compares the energy use of a building with other similar structures.15/3/2023
Highland Council 20mph Programme Update - 116 villages and towns within Highland
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that the work to design the 20mph speed limit programme for Highland has progressed to a stage were the plans for the locations included in the programme can be viewed by the public. This extensive piece of work currently incorporates 116 villages and towns within Highland and is fully funded by Transport Scotland.
15/3/2023
Highland Council Encourages Participation In Highly Protect Marine Areas Consultation - Anyone in Fishing Should Read
The Highland Council is encouraging individuals, businesses, and community groups to have their say about the Scottish Governments plan for new protections for the marine environment in the form of Highly Protected Marine Areas. Scottish Ministers have committed to designate at least 10% of Scotland's seas as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), by 2026.15/3/2023
Highland winter road conditions report - Wednesday 15 March 2023
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.13/3/2023
