News Archive
At a meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 27 June 2019, Councillors decided to discontinue the provision of education at Altnaharra Primary School, dividing its catchment area between Tongue Primary, Farr Primary and Lairg Primary schools. A copy of the consultation report, together with the original proposal paper and all relevant appendices can be viewed on the Council's website at: www.highland.gov.uk/schoolconsultations The Council is satisfied that implementation of closure is the most appropriate response to the reasons for formulating the original proposal identified by the authority.
28/6/2019
Three new non-executive members have been appointed by the Cabinet Secretary to the NHS Highland Board. Alexander Anderson, Jean Boardman and Philip MacRae have each been appointed for four years by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport Jeane Freeman.
Suicide prevention is a key priority for The Highland Council. Members have agreed today, to take forward a piece of research with partners including NHS Highland and Police Scotland, to better understand the current evidence base and experience of suicide in Highland.
Councillor Mackie had a written question at today's meeting of Highland council. Item 12 - Question Time To the Chair of the Environment, Development & Infrastructure Committee "Official Highland Council guidance indicates that, unless extended, successful Community Asset Transfer requests should be completed by the Local Authority within a nine months' timeframe.
From highland council Meting today 27 June 2019. Item 12 - Question Time To the Chair of the Corporate Resources Committee "What are the current best estimates for present total Highland Council debt and the annual financial commitment required to service this debt?".
The introduction of a service to support the mental health and wellbeing of Highland Council staff and councillors has been approved by the Council as part of a range of measures to improve wellbeing. An Employee Assistance Programme for staff and Members will be put in place to offer telephone and internet-based counselling 24 hours a day.
27/6/2019
The Institute for Fiscal Studies looks At Jermey Hunt's proposals for tax and spending. Jeremy Hunt has announced several policy proposals, including reducing corporation tax, increasing the point at which workers become liable for National Insurance (NICs) contributions, increasing defence spending, and reducing the interest rate applied to student debt.
Highland Councillors have unanimously agreed that the Council will support the continuation of the exemption from UK Air Passenger Duty for flights departing from airports in the Highlands & Islands; and Members also agreed that the Council will continue working with HiTRANS to present the case of the need for, and benefit arising from an exemption from the current UK Air Passenger Duty and any successor duty. The Council's stance comes this week as calls have been made by Aberdeen Airport for greater parity with Highlands & Islands.
"Highland Council as agreed to allow a question time for members of the public at future Council meetings. The motion was presented by Depute Leader Cllr Alasdair Christie and means that from December 2019, Highland Council meetings will include a time allocation for questions from members of the public.
27/6/2019
It's one of the biggest social changes we've seen in the past 25 years. Poverty, long associated with being out of work and with old age, is now mostly a phenomenon experienced by people who are actually in work or who are living in a household where someone is in work.
27/6/2019
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has looked at Boris Johnson's announcements. Boris Johnson has announced two main tax proposals - to increase the income tax higher rate threshold (HRT) from £50,000 to £80,000, and to raise the point at which people start paying National Insurance contributions (NICs).
27/6/2019
In 2017, there were just over 2.4 million registered non-financial businesses in the UK, of which 1.1% were owned by businesses outside the UK (foreign-owned). These businesses contributed 27.0% in approximate gross value added (aGVA) to the UK's non-financial business economy, which was an increase of £16.1 billion in aGVA compared with 2016.
27/6/2019
Highland CHAMPS (Care Experienced Young People) challenged their Corporate Parents to a 5-a-side football tournament at the Canal Park/Rugby Club yesterday evening, Wednesday 26 June 2019. Even the sun turned up for the event and shone brightly for the players and spectators.
27/6/2019
Citizens' Assembly will be independent, transparent and inclusive. Transparency, inclusivity and independence from government will underpin the new Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland, Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell has announced.
27/6/2019
A brand new benefit will provide eligible families with £10 a week for every child under 16, with introduction for under sixes starting by early 2021. The Scottish Child Payment will give more immediate support to eligible families who need it most, as almost 60% of all children in poverty live in a family with a child under the age of six.
27/6/2019
Views sought on developing user-centred system. The public is being asked to give their views on how to ensure current legal aid provision meets the needs of modern Scotland.
27/6/2019
There were 7,195 more deaths than births registered in Scotland in 2018 - a wider gap than in 2017 which had 5,022 more deaths than births, according to figures released today by National Records of Scotland. These figures represent the fourth year running where there have been more deaths than births in Scotland.
Several road closures are required for Network Rail, British Telecom and Muir of Ord Gala. Network Rail maintenance works will require the U3103 Dunrobin Glen Road for 100m either side of Golspie Tower Rail Bridge to be closed from 08:00 on Monday 01/07/2019 until 22:00 on Wednesday 10/07/2019 To avoid the road closure an alternative route will be available via - U3116 Sibell Road, A9 Trunk Road, U3140 Nursery Road and the U3166 Backies Road.
Two thirds of agreed savings have already been achieved to date since the Highland Council set its budget in February 2019. On 14 February 2019 the Council approved its budget strategy and Change Programme "A Sustainable Highland" based around 4 themes: Making the Council More Efficient; Commercialism and Income Generation; Redesign and Improvement; and A Flexible and Well Managed Workforce, to deliver £37.456m of savings over the next three years.
Saturday 22nd June 2019 was the Highland celebration event for Highland Council's newest DLITE PGDE graduates. Fifteen students have graduated from the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education DLITE (Distance Learning ITE) course, with ten of them present for the celebration.