Local Authority News
15/6/2015
Redesign of Caithness General Hospital and local NHS staffing on the agenda at next District Partnership
On Friday 26 June, the Caithness District Partnership will meet in full as part of the arrangements under the Planning for Integration (P4i) partnership between the NHS and The Highland Council. Issues to be discussed will include updates on the NHS redesign of Caithness General Hospital and local NHS staffing.11/6/2015
New Administration agreed to lead Highland Council
A special meeting of the Council was held this morning to form a new Administration and elect a Leader and senior officer bearers. It was agreed that a Minority Administration of the Independent Group would lead the Council with Cllr Margaret Davidson as elected Leader.
11/6/2015
Council promotes welfare, benefits and money advice
On Wednesday 10th June 2015 The Highland Council held a facebook chat giving lots of information and advice on what people can do to ensure they are receiving the correct benefits and tax credits, as well as giving handy tips on how to manage budgets and avoid getting into debt. Staff from the Council's Income Maximisation and Money Advice teams spent two hours on facebook answering questions on benefits, welfare, money advice and personal budgeting.10/6/2015
Thurso Swimming Pool Contract Awarded For Major Upgrade
High Life Highland has today announced that the contract to provide new improved facilities at Thurso Swimming Pool has been awarded to local contractor O'Brien Construction Ltd. The project jointly funded by The Highland Council and sportscotland will see a total investment of £2.7M in the facility providing a new gym/fitness suite, a new dance studio, steam room , sauna, new changing village and replacement of the roof.7/6/2015
Work on Smart Cities projects to continue while funding application is considered
Following a submission to apply for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support "Scotland's 8th City - the Smart City" Strategic Intervention, members have approved in principle, for the council to continued engagement with the Scottish Cities Alliance and Highland partners to progress a number of projects while the application is being considered. £1.8million of the £10m applied for has been ring-fenced for Inverness and the Highlands for projects that use data and technology to enhance the delivery of services, promote economic growth, increase sustainability, provide open data and engage more actively with people and communities.6/6/2015
Out of hours call handling partnership reviewed
The Highland Council has reviewed its current arrangements for out of hours call handling. An alternative arrangement to the current partnership with Police Scotland has been identified, as the service was to be moved from the Inverness Force Operations Centre to a virtual service centre between Edinburgh and Glasgow, at a higher cost.6/6/2015
£250,000 to be spent to protect road users from hazards
£250,000 is to be spent to protect road users from hazards such as large embankments, railways, water and rock slopes. The Community Services Committee agreed the use of the money to spend on Road Restraint Systems such as safety fencing and barriers at a number of sites across the Highlands.6/6/2015
Allocation of additional funding for Highland roads, bridges and flood alleviation schemes
On Wednesday 3 June 2015 Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee members agreed the final allocation of capital funds for road improvements, bridges and flood prevention schemes for the next three years. The additional funding is over and above that currently allocated for named major projects including the Westlink, Inshes Junction, Stromeferry and the Kinnairdie Link Road in Dingwall.6/6/2015
"Getting involved" - new strategy to engage Council tenants
"Getting involved" is a strategy developed in partnership with tenant volunteers and sets out how the Council seeks to improve information and provide opportunities for tenants to get involved in services. The strategy was developed by a review group consisting of volunteer tenants and housing staff over the past year.28/5/2015
Area Committee gives steer as work on finalising CaAS Plan continues
Following the latest round of consultation onf the Main Issues Report for the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan, yesterday (Tuesday 26 May) members of the Area Committee were presented with a summary of matters raised by members of the public and gave their feedback on a number of issues. The CaSPlan Main Issues Report (MIR) it is a discussion document that sets out initial ideas for what the plan needs to achieve for people and places in the area and the Council's initial preferences for where new development might be located.26/5/2015
Interim elections for community councils - including Bower
Nominations are invited from people seeking election to three community councils in the Highlands for Smithton and Culloden Community Council (Inverness); Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council (Black Isle); and Bower Community Council (Caithness). The deadline for receiving nominations for each community council election is: · 4pm on Wednesday 27 May 2015 for Smithton and Culloden; · 4pm on Wednesday 3 June 2015 for Fortrose and Rosemarkie; and · 4pm on Wednesday 10 June 2015 for Bower.21/5/2015
Head Teacher Recruitment Crisis in Highland - 20 Head Teachers Wanted
Far reaching strategies for improving the success rate of Head Teacher recruitment in the Highlands are being devised by The Highland Council. Members of the Council's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee have taken part in local workshops with Education staff to consider strategies to address the current challenges facing the recruitment of Head Teachers in the region.21/5/2015
Concerns raised over bank closures
COUNCILLORS have expressed concerns over the closure of banks in Highland communities. Chair of Resources Committee Maxine Smith responded to the announcement that RBS is to close its branch in Invergordon, where there are no remaining banks.21/5/2015
Highland Trading Standards take action over false advertising
A local businessman has given a Formal Undertaking in court in Inverness to not mislead consumers following action by Highland Council Trading Standards. Donald MacLean, the owner of Bearnock Country Centre, Bearnock Country Cottages and the Bearnock Hostel Glenurquhart, Drumnadrochit, made the pledge in Inverness Sheriff Court after Trading Standards had applied for an Order under the Enterprise Act 2002.18/5/2015
Taxi fare review in Highland
The public is being asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to review the maximum level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hire cars fitted with taxi meters operating under licence of The Highland Council. The Council has a statutory duty in terms of Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to review its scales for the fares and other taxi related charges every 18 months.16/5/2015
Working together to prevent child sexual exploitation
THE Highland Council and Police Scotland aim to prevent child sexual exploitation in the Highlands by raising awareness of the signs of abuse. Children's Services in Highland have been working in close partnership with Police Scotland and built on established positive relationships to tackle this form of sexual abuse which can impact on young people.15/5/2015
Council reviews progress towards the Council Programme "Working Together for the Highlands"
PROGRESS towards the Council Programme "Working Together for the Highlands" was reviewed by Highland Council at its meeting yesterday as part of a review of the performance framework which monitors performance against the Programme. Two commitments are marked as being achieved in 2013-14.12/5/2015
Council Changes Mind On Rose Street Parking Charges In Inverness
Rose Street Parking Prices lowered from 11 May 2015. HIGHLAND Council Community Services have listened to concerns raised about the Rose Street parking charges which were introduced on 1 April and a revised pricing structure will be implemented from today, 11 May.12/5/2015
Highland Constituencies Under Threat Again Under Tory Boundaries Plan
Highland MSP, Rhoda Grant is warning that the future of three Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies will be put under threat again by Conservative Party plans to push forward with a Boundary Commission review which could see the Highland Council area, which currently returns three MPs to Westminster, fall to two at the next UK Parliament elections, scheduled for 2020. Rhoda Grant MSP is cautioning that under proposed changes the Highlands will have a reduced voice at Westminster, saying: "The Highlands is one of the most challenging areas for politicians to represent due to the unique geography and size of the region and its constituencies.11/5/2015
