Local Authority News
19/8/2023
Refining Of Highland Council's Approach To Developer Contributions And How Communities Can Help
Highland Council's Economy & Infrastructure Committee on 17 August 2023 agreed two reports that relate to developer contributions and the next steps for the preparation of a new style Development Plan for Highland. One of the reports confirmed how a new Development Plan aims to represent all partners and communities across Highland.18/8/2023
Rapid Road Repair Team Filling Up As Council Reaches Interview Stage
Highland Council's new Rapid Road Repair Team is moving a step closer to reality as Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (17 August 2023) noted that the recruitment of operatives is at interview stage. At full Council on 2 March 2023 the local authority agreed to provide £1.266m of funding for a temporary Rapid Road Repair Team for 2023/24.
15/8/2023
Advance Notice Of Community Council Elections 2023
The Highland Council can confirm that on Monday 4 September the process for the 2023 Community Council elections will begin. From this date nominations will be invited from people seeking election to all Community Councils across Highland.
15/8/2023
Trading Standards Take Action On Vape Sales - Volunteers Wanted To Be Test Purchasers
Highland Council's Trading Standards Team is appealing for help from reputable businesses and the public in the battle to tackle illegal sales of vaping products. The team is very active tackling the problem and is grateful for the support already received from the community.14/8/2023
Highland Council To Do More On Potholes With Rapid Road Repair Team
At Full Council on 2 March 2023, the Council agreed to provide £1.266m of funding for a temporary Rapid Road Repair Team in 2023/24. This was to provide centrally managed, strategic support to enable road repairs in targeted areas across the Highlands.11/8/2023
Highland Council Major School Projects Progress Report
At yesterday's (Thursday 10 August 2023) Housing and Property Committee, Members were updated on the progress of the ten major school projects, the actions taken and the revised programme dates for the proposed new Nairn Academy building. Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: "Despite the complexities of the current financial constraints the report highlights the immense work being undertaken to drive progress with all projects to design, pre-planning and build stage.11/8/2023
Consultation On Strategic Plan For Adult Services
NHS Highland and the Highland Council are engaging on the Strategic Plan for Adult Services 2024-27. This is the strategic plan for the delivery of integrated health and adult social care services in the region covered by the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership.
11/8/2023
Highland Council To Act As One Of The Host Local Authorities For The 2023 EV Rally Of Scotland
Highland Council has been named as one of the host local authorities when vehicles taking part in the 2023 EV Rally of Scotland (EVROS) start their journeys on 16 August. The two-day event, which aims to showcase electric vehicle technology and the charging infrastructure network in Scotland, will stop at locations in Highland.
11/8/2023
Highland Tenant Rent Arrears Below National Average
Housing and Property Committee met yesterday (Thursday 10 August 2023) and discussed the impact that the ‘cost of living' has had on tenants experiencing rent arrears. Despite the challenges, Highland rent arrears remains significantly better than national benchmarking averages.7/8/2023
20mph Roll-out Across Highland Gathers Pace - 19 Sites In Caithness
The installation of the Highland wide 20 mph programme delivery continues a pace with over 75% of the work complete on the ground and the remainder of the settlement installation work ongoing The Temporary Road Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) for the new 20mph speed limits on Council roads went live on Monday (31 July 2023). ANSCO Signs Ltd, a local company, based at Tomich Industrial Estate in Muir of Ord, who were awarded the contract for sign manufacturing, continues to be kept busy producing the new speed limit signs.
1/8/2023
Loch Street, Wick Road Closure Notice
U3583 Loch Street, Wick on 21 August 2023 - The road closure is necessary to allow Scottish Water to performs work on the water main. The road may be closed until 21 September 2023..29/7/2023
Blue-green Algae Warning For Wick River In Caithness
The Highland Council's Environmental Health team are advising caution as blue-green algae has been found in the Wick River in Caithness at Coghill Bridge area. The blue-green algae was confirmed by SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and was found by the footbridge at the riverside in Wick.26/7/2023
Trading Standards Takes Court Action Against Alness Shop Selling Illegal Vapes
An Order was granted by Tain Sheriff Court which places legal requirements and restrictions on local nicotine vape seller, Mohammad Shuaab Director trading as, J&M Patterson Ltd, 33-35 High Street, Alness. Highland Council Trading Standards executed a warrant on Shuaab in April 2022.10/7/2023
New Grant Funding To Decarbonise Public Sector Buildings
A new funding scheme has been launched offering up to £20 million in grants to support local authorities, universities and arm's-length external organisations decarbonise their buildings. Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund will replace the existing Scottish Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme, which has been running since 2006 and offered zero interest loans for energy efficiency improvement projects.5/7/2023
Council Carries Motion To Negotiate With Renewable Energy Firms And Ensure Fairer Deal For Communities
Highland Council last week carried a motion which aims to ensure the region's communities reap fairer reward for renewable energy generated in Highland. Members at last week's full meeting of Highland Council agreed a motion which called for the local authority to negotiate with renewable energy companies to ensure a fair financial settlement, which would enhance investment opportunities and support communities who live alongside renewable facilities.
3/7/2023
Young Engineer Is Council's Apprentice Of The Year 2023
Michael Silva, a graduate engineer student has been named as The Highland Council's Apprentice of the Year 2023. Michael joined the Council's Structures Section as a graduate apprentice in 2018 after completing his 5th year at Invergordon Academy, where he finished top of his class and was rewarded with "the Highest Attainment Award".
3/7/2023
Highland Council approves local authority's Net Zero Strategy
Councillors at yesterday's meeting of Highland Council approved the local authority's Net Zero Strategy which was recommended by members at May's Climate Change Committee. Climate Change Committee Members had reinforced the importance of making progress and agreed several recommendations.30/6/2023
Highland Councillors Over-turn Caithness Committee Decision On Thurso High School Block Replacement
A heated debate ensued at the full meeting of Highland council on 29th June 2023. The highly politicised debate included accusations on both sides of the argument.30/6/2023
Inverness And Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Update Report June 2023
Following a report agreed by Full Council in May 2023 on the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF), Council members have received a further update (Thursday 29 June 2023) on the current Outline Business Case (OBC) stage of the Green Freeport process and the work to date. Leader of the Council, Raymond Bremner said: "Work continues at pace to develop a robust Outline Business Case (OBC).
24/6/2023
