News Archive

Council launches new petition procedures

The Highland Council will launch its new petition procedure on Thursday 1 August, providing a new avenue for individuals, communities or groups to have their concerns or issues considered and debated by the full Council or one of its strategic committees.   Petitions may be submitted by:- · A group of citizens with at least 50 signatures from people living within the Council area; or · A group of at least 10 local businesses, voluntary organisations or social enterprise companies with a business address within The Highland Council area.  

Avoid unnecessary fees for European Health Insurance Card and UK Passports

Highland Council Trading Standards is warning consumers to be on the lookout for websites demanding a fee when making an application for the NHS European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) or UK Passport application.   Searches on the internet and consumer complaints received by the service show that many websites are offering to “review” or “forward” an application form for an EHIC or UK Passport.  

Wind farm planning consent refused

Visual impacts too high Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has today refused planning consent for the Druim Ba proposed wind farm in the Blairmore Estate, near Drumnadrochit.   The Energy Minister concurred with the findings of the Public Inquiry Reporter that the number and height of the turbines would appear out of scale with the surrounding landscape and it would have significant adverse landscape and visual impacts.  

Energy North Sets Out New Strategy to Help Region Realise its Potential

Influential energy trade body Energy North has unveiled an ambitious new two-year business strategy which will see the organisation grow its physical presence and increase its support for member businesses and industry development across the North of Scotland.   Over the coming months Energy North is to recruit three regionally-based area developers covering Caithness, Ross-shire and Inverness, Moray, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, and Argyll and Lochaber, with chief executive, Ian Couper leading on Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.  

£26,000 a year benefits cap comes into effect nationwide

The benefits cap of £500 a week on people of working age has started to come into effect across England, Scotland and Wales today, following a pilot in four London boroughs.  The £500 weekly cap applies to couples and lone parents – single people will be capped at £350.  

Contract awarded for first Phase 1 of the River Ness Flood Scheme

The Highland Council has awarded an £8.5 million contract for the first phase of works to build flood defences on the River Ness, Inverness to protect 800 homes and 200 businesses.  The works between Ness Bridge and Friars Bridge will include streetscape features and public art.  

World renowned researchers join bid to unlock new sources of housing investment

Homes for Scotland has announced the appointment of experts in housing finance from the world renowned Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research and LSE London to assist a sector-led group to identify and attract new sources of investment to help expand Scotland’s rental sector.   With an estimated 465,000 new homes needed in Scotland by 2035 to cope with expected housing demand, the expert project team, headed by Homes for Scotland and backed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Construction Scotland, believes that the targeting of pension funds and other institutions could help deliver new, high quality, sustainable homes at significant scale, protecting jobs and stimulating activity in the home building sector.  

Reporting of Scottish finances will need to develop further in light of new powers

The Scottish Government will need to make sure its financial reporting is more comprehensive and transparent as it prepares for new tax and borrowing powers.   An Audit Scotland report published last week, "Developing financial reporting in Scotland", highlights why good financial reporting matters.  

Lifescan Sheds Staff In Inverness

The Highland Council Leader Councillor Drew Hendry said he was disappointed to hear of the loss of up to 40 professional, technical and scientific jobs at Lifescan Scotland’s Inverness operation as a consequence of a decision by the company to reduce its global workforce by 300.   He said: “This is always a terribly worrying time for those who will be losing their jobs.  

Community Transport proposals supported by Highland Council

The Highland Council has warmly welcomed the Capital and Infrastructure Committee’s report into community transport published last week.   Community Transport is a vital part of overall transport provision.