Group To Challenge The Norms In Tackling Housing Issue
13th July 2023
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Newsroom
13 July 2023, 09:50
Group to challenge the norms in tackling housing issue
The first meeting of a sub-group set up to address the housing problem facing the Highlands and Islands took place in Inverness on Wednesday 5 July, with members agreeing to challenge the norms and bring about changes that will better support the housing needs of the region.
The 12-member sub-group was set up by the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership in recognition of the critical influence the housing crisis is having on businesses and communities across the region.
It is chaired by Stuart Black, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with membership including representatives from public agencies, local authorities and representative bodies, including those from the housebuilding industry (see full list in notes).
In its first meeting, members discussed what the group's priorities should be, as well as a rural and island housing action plan and resources required to make real progress.
They agreed to focus on actions to address the business need for suitable accommodation to be available for existing employees and new recruits, enabling businesses to grow and more people to remain in the region.
Actions will include gathering data on economic activity over the next 10 years, including jobs growth projections, as well as on the region's building companies and labour force. This information will be used to inform any potential interventions.
Speaking after the meeting, Stuart Black said, "Housing is a huge issue for the Highlands and Islands and one that impacts the extent to which many different organisations can deliver progress for the region, so it has to be addressed. Achieving success however will take collaboration across a wide range of interests, and that’s why this sub-group was set up.
"There is a big job to be done and it will take some considerable effort to make a real difference. The role of the sub-group is to speed up the process; to focus on the links between housing, jobs and the economy, and to draw from best practice. We’re all very pleased to have got things moving and looking forward to identifying where we can make the most impact in the short, medium and long terms."
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The new, state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Centre at UHI North, West and Hebrides' Stornoway campus officially opened following a £2.3m investment. It is the first capital project to be delivered under the Islands Growth Deal, a ten-year package that seeks to drive economic growth and the creation of sustainable jobs across Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is looking to contract a specialist operating company to run a new multi-million-pound innovation centre under development in Moray to support manufacturing. The three-year contract will involve developing and managing the service offering of the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM), as well as stakeholder engagement, marketing and promotion of the facility.
An innovation project by a major carrot grower in Moray is forecast to strengthen the company's position and create more jobs. Family-run firm, AA Carrots Ltd grows carrots on 400 acres of land around Moray and Aberdeenshire, of which around half is organic.
More than 30 of the region's businesses are took centre stage at the UK's biggest renewable energy exhibition and conference at Glasgow’s SEC 14-15 May. Global experts, academics and innovators gathered at the annual All-Energy exhibition and conference to advance Scotland’s goal of net zero and achieving a sustainable future.
The scale of transformational opportunity facing the Highlands and Islands economy has been quantified for the first time in a new report. The study reports 251 planned development projects in the economic pipeline of what it refers to as regional transformational opportunities (RTOs).
The renewable energy credentials of the Highlands and Islands has attracted a visit this week from a top UK Government official leading the drive to secure clean energy by 2030. Chris Stark leads the UK Government's Mission for Clean Power by 2030, in the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has submitted an application for planning permission in principle to make way for the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus. Most of the development in the proposals is for commercial floorspace, with other elements including hotel and academic space.
Highland food and drink supply chain or manufacturing businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of fully funded one-to-one technology advice and funding support. The support is part of the second phase of Food and Drink TechHUB, which itself is part of the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH), a multi-million-pound initiative led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) under the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP)'s Regional Economic Strategy addresses the challenges affecting the region's businesses and communities. A partnership of public, private and academic organisations in the Highlands and Islands has unveiled its ten-year strategy to deliver sustainable economic growth across the region.
Loch Fyne company Otter Ferry Seafish Limited to increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs. A £350,000 expansion project at a seafood company in Argyll will increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs.