Councillors Give Green-light For Full Development Of Highland Investment Plan

3rd July 2022

Members of full Council, who met yesterday - Thursday, 30 June – were presented with a report on the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund and provided with an update on the process currently underway to develop a Highland Investment Plan which will determine how the funding may be used locally.

A financial allocation of £9,445,515 has been awarded to Highland Council over a three-year period, which runs from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.

The fund is designed to deliver on the UK Government’s commitment to level-up the whole of the UK. The focus is placed on a ‘levelling up opportunity and prosperity as well as overcoming deep-seated geographic inequalities.

The Shared Prosperity Fund is one part of this Levelling Up agenda and succeeds the old EU structural funds.

The fund has four objectives:

boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector;

spread opportunities and improve public services;

restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging; and

empower local leaders and communities.

With the proposed approach now agreed by Highland Councillors, work will progress in drawing up a finalised investment plan for submission to the UK Government by 1 August 2022.

To assist with the preparation of the investment plan, the Council have been in active discussion with internal colleagues and external partners as they seek to map current activity and identify how best the fund could be used.

There are key themes which are being established in line with the investment plan requirements. They are grouped across the three investment priorities:

- Communities and Place,

- Local Business Investment,

- People and Skills (with Multiply sub-theme).

Detailed interventions being worked up will be based around several themes which reflect business and community needs and opportunities as highlighted in the following priority objectives:

Communities and Place

To strengthen social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging

To build resilient, healthy and safe neighbourhoods

Supporting Local Businesses

Create jobs and boost community cohesion

Promote networking and collaboration

Increasing private sector investment in growth-enhancing activities

People and Skills

Boost core skills and support adults to progress in work

Reduce levels of economic inactivity

Supporting people furthest from the labour market barriers to work

Supporting local areas to fund gaps in local skills provision

Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, welcomed the funding. He said: "Over £9.5m from the Shared Prosperity Fund will provide a significant boost to local communities, businesses and skills development. There is an opportunity for local design and delivery, within the parameters set by the UK Government, to decide how best the fund can be used locally for maximum effect, through a Highland Investment Plan."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

8/11/2026 : Local Authority

Are Chromebooks Taking Over Our Classrooms? Highland Schools Face Questions About Digital Learning

The use of Chromebooks, laptops and other digital devices in schools was once widely regarded as an important step towards modernising education.  Giving every pupil access to technology promised to improve learning, widen access to information and prepare young people for a world increasingly dependent on digital skills.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.