Take Part In The Council's Budget Challenge - Council Budgets Are Facing Huge Problems

18th November 2023

Photograph of Take Part In The Council's Budget Challenge - Council Budgets Are Facing Huge Problems

Highland Council's engagement with communities and staff will help to inform the budget proposals and consequent decisions which will be made in February 2024. This includes allocating resources to deliver the Council's strategic priorities and enable the best outcomes across the Highlands.

The Council anticipates a budget gap of £60-70m in 2024-25 and £108m over the next 3 years. The budget gap will need to be closed by spending less, reducing some services, being more efficient and by increasing the level of income the Council generates from Council Tax and other fees or charges.

Over 145 people have now watched a short video a short video on our You Tube channel which explains the budget challenge the Council is facing.

Leader of the Council, Raymond Bremner invites people to take part. He said: "The Council is deeply affected by the financial crisis we are all experiencing. We are facing increasing costs and higher interest rates, leaving us with a significant budget gap next year.

"You can attempt the budget challenge yourself, using online budget simulator , to see how you would make choices to balance the budget.

"You can also take part in a short budget survey and we would really like to hear your views."

Convener of the Council Bill Lobban added: "It is vital that we understand what is important to communities to help us make the right decisions as we plan ahead for the next three years.

"We want to be able to deliver our Programme priorities and invest in the Highlands and, in order to do that, we need to prioritise how we use the resources available to us. We also have a legal duty to balance the Council's budget."

You can get more information, watch the video and find out how to complete the survey or take the budget challenge here:
https://www.highland.gov.uk/budget

Themes emerging from the engagement activity will be reported to Council in December.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : 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.  

Yesterday : 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.  

Today : 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.  

Today : 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.  

Today : 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.  

Today : 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.  

Today : 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.  

Yesterday : 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.  

Yesterday : 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.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.