Local Authority News
29/11/2012
Councillors to challenge Welfare Reform
Highland Councillors are united in their condemnation of the far-reaching nature of Welfare Reform changes proposed by the UK Government in a bid to find savings of £18 billion by 2014/15. Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of the Council’s Welfare Reform Working Group, led the criticism of the proposals, which he predicts will seriously affect the wellbeing of the most vulnerable members of the community.22/11/2012
Review of Highland Polling Places and Stations
The Highland Council is reviewing polling places used by voters at the UK Parliamentary elections and also the boundaries of their polling districts. The Council is eager to ensure that its network of 218 polling places is viable and complies fully with disability legislation.20/11/2012
Construction underway at Conon Bridge
Network Rail has begun work on the new station at Conon Bridge. The station and car park, which will be completed by early February next year, is being delivered by Network Rail and ScotRail in alliance with Transport Scotland, HITRANS and The Highland Council.
20/11/2012
Further funding for Highland Universal Home Insulation Scheme
The Highland Council has been awarded a further £60,000 of funding by the Scottish Government to deliver the Universal Home Insulation Scheme in the Highlands, bringing the total budget to £590,000. The extra funding has allowed the Council to target households in The Highland Council Wards of the Black Isle as well as Culloden and Ardersier.20/11/2012
Close of Council’s Budget Consultation
The Highland Council has today (Tuesday 20 November) brought a close to its budget consultation, which has been running for the past three months and has asked for views on where the Council can identify savings of £30 million for the next two years. Potential savings have ranged from shortening the school day to increasing charges for certain services.20/11/2012
Marine Energy Park Information Day
Residents are invited to a public information day at The Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Wednesday 28th November from 3pm - 8pm to hear the latest news on the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters wave and tidal energy projects. The projects are among the first commercial-scale marine renewable energy schemes in the world and are located within the recently launched Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Energy Park.
20/11/2012
A9 Show On The Road
Local communities are being urged to have their say on the Scottish Government’s ambitious A9 dualling programme at a forthcoming roadshow. The exhibitions also include information on the work going on to maintain the route, a study of the Keir Roundabout to Luncarty section of the A9 and plans for the upgrade of the Highland Main Line.18/11/2012
Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee - Second Meeting At Wick
A meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee will take place in the Assembly Rooms, Sinclair Terrace, Wick, KW1 5AB on Monday, 19 November 2012 at 10.30 am. Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.17/11/2012
Waste Management Review
A review is to be made of The Highland Council’s waste management strategy to ensure the Council meets its new statutory requirements under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012. The 2011/12 household recycling rate for Highland was 46% and equivalent municipal waste recycling rate was 40%.17/11/2012
River Ness Flood Scheme Update
Work on diverting vital Services beside the River Ness to pave the way for the flood defences which will protect 800 homes and 200 businesses in Inverness will impact next week on the Ness Bridge at its junction with Castle Road, Bank Street and Bridge as well as on Huntly Street, between Young Street and Greig Street. The travelling public are advised that work will be carried out overnight (8pm - 6 am) on Monday (19 November), Tuesday (20 November) and Wednesday (21 November) at the Ness Bridge/Castle Road/Bank Street/Bridge Street junction.15/11/2012
Revised Guidance on Small Scale wind Turbines
In recognition of the demand and potential of small-scale wind turbine developments in the Highlands and following a public consultation, The Highland Council has revised its Supplementary Guidance for Small-Scale Wind Turbines. The document will now become part of the statutory adoption process to be passed on to the Scottish Government.14/11/2012
Council Introduces New Crackdown On Dog Fouling
New campaign urges owners to clean up after their dogs. A new poster campaign has been launched in the Highlands to remind dog walkers that people who do not pick up after their pets have fouled will be issued a fixed penalty notice.
14/11/2012
Highlanders urged to get behind European Week for Waste Reduction
The Highland Council is set to hold a number of events to raise awareness of the importance of waste reduction as part of this year’s European Week for Waste Reduction (17 – 25 November). To celebrate the week, The Highland Council is joining organisations across the region in a bid to raise awareness of how even small changes can make a big different to the amount of waste we produce.13/11/2012
New byelaws restrict public drinking in Inverness Beauly and Ardersier
Two new byelaws restricting public drinking in Inverness, Beauly and Ardersier have been approved by the Scottish Government and will come into force on Friday 30 November. This follows discussions between The Highland Council and Northern Constabulary, and consultation with the community.9/11/2012
Cold Calling Dangers Highlighted
National Consumer Week focuses on dangers of cold calling. “Cold calling – Don’t buy it” is the theme of this year’s Trading Standards National Consumer Week, which begins on Monday (12 November).7/11/2012
Highland Licensing Board abolishes midnight door entry policy
Members of The Highland Licensing Board have voted to abolish the door entry policy for premises with late night opening hours, which requires admission by midnight, with the change set to take effect after the board’s next scheduled meeting on 18 December, this year. Convener Councillor Maxine Smith used her casting vote in favour of change after a 5-5 vote following a hearing involving a number of presentations from invited parties from each of the “for/against” sides of the argument to retain or remove the door entry policy.7/11/2012
Warm Homes Fund launched
A £50 million fund that will invest in green energy projects to help heat homes across Scotland has been officially launched today. Housing Minister Margaret Burgess announced that two pilot schemes in Glasgow and the Highlands will be the first to be benefit from the Warm Homes Fund.7/11/2012
STOP PRESS - Highland Licencing Board Abolishes Late Night Entry Curfew
The Licencing Board of Highland council today 6 November 2012 voted 5 - 5 and with the chairman's Maxine Smith's casting vote abolished the late night curfew - late night door entry policy to licensed premises in Highland..6/11/2012
Expert to present to Council Adult and Children's Services Committee
Leading expert to present to Council Adult and Children's Services Committee. Highland Council's Adult and Children's Services Committee, will hear from a leading expert at its meeting on Wednesday 7 November, about the most critical years in any child or adult's development.6/11/2012
