High level of interest for board of High Life Highland

6th June 2011

The Highland Council has welcomed the high level of interest from members of the public applying for positions of directors of the board of High Life Highland, the new arms length company which will deliver community learning and leisure services on behalf of the Council.

When the deadline closed on Friday 3 June, the Council had received 35 applications. A total of 77 individuals had expressed an interest.

The appointment process will conclude when eight independent (non-councillor) directors are confirmed at The Highland Council meeting on Thursday 23 June. Board induction and training will take place on 28 - 29 July.

Councillor Drew Millar, Vice Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: "The number of applications and expressions of interest has exceeded our expectations. This demonstrates clearly that people in the Highlands are concerned about their culture and leisure services and are keen to be involved to ensure they retain the high level of service they enjoy at present."

The Council has agreed to establish High Life Highland as a company limited by guarantee (with charitable status) with the Council as the sole member and with a wholly owned trading subsidiary. High Life Highland will deliver community learning and leisure services on behalf of the Council, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life in the Highlands by developing, delivering and promoting leisure and learning opportunities.

The company's board of directors will be made up of four Highland Councillors and eight independent (non-Councillor) representatives. The four Highland Councillors already elected to the board are:

Councillor Peter Corbett (Independent) - Inverness Central Ward;
Councillor Jaci Douglas (Independent) - Badenoch and Strathspey Ward;
Councillor Dave Fallows (SNP) - Badenoch and Strathspey Ward; and
Councillor Drew Millar (Liberal Democrats) - Eilean a' Cheò Ward.

Directors to the board of both High Life Highland and its trading subsidiary will provide strategic direction and governance to the company and expert advice and support to its management team.