Rural Fuel Duty Consultation
11th August 2011
Council responds to UK Government consultation on rural fuel duty
The Highland Council is committed to campaign for fair and equitable fuel prices across the Highlands and Islands and yesterday (Thursday 11 August 2001) members of the TEC Services Committee approved a response to the UK Government's consultation on the Rural Fuel Duty Rebate Pilot Scheme.
Chairman of the TEC Services Committee, Councillor John Laing said: "We strongly support the introduction of the scheme, however in our response we stress that it must be set up in such a way as to actively encourage local fuel retailers to participate. We believe that the current proposal, which involves the repayment of the 5 pence per litre in arrears, is likely to put a number of businesses at financial risk. We also want to see the proposed scheme extended to the remote areas of the mainland Highlands where the population is low and the impact of high fuel prices is comparable with the Island communities.
"In March of this year we wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to argue the case that 5 pence per litre is too low to make a real impact on the pump prices. In our formal response to the consultation we have once again stated that we would prefer to see a percentage reduction to protect against future increases in fuel prices."
Chairman of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Ian Ross added: "People living in our remote communities and the thousands of tourists who holiday and visit the many high quality visitor attractions across the Highlands rely on a secure and available fuel supply - it is crucial that there no perception or concerns over limitations in fuel availability or high costs. The Rural Fuel Duty Rebate Scheme is only part of the solution to help the Highlands and Islands retain a viable network of rural filling stations. We face a significant challenge but as a Council we are fully committed to making further robust representations - this includes looking at capital investment in new equipment and alternative renewable fuels. Our focus remains very much on ensuring there is the necessary support to maintain an effective fuel supply network across the whole area, this is vital for the sustainability of our rural communities and key industries."
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Members have considered an update on the Council's medium term financial plan and the impact of the UK and Scottish Governments’ budgets on the coming year’s funding settlement. The position is currently looking more positive than initially planned for, however more detail needs to be worked through.
In November, The Highland Council launched a public statutory consultation to seek views on the proposed introduction of a Visitor Levy scheme across the Highlands. The Council has announced an extension to this consultation period, which will now give businesses, visitors and communities until 31 March 2025, an additional seven weeks, to take part and have their say.
In the light of the financial forecast for 2025-26, Highland Council is inviting you to tell us more in the budget preparation for the coming financial year. The budget engagement builds on extensive budget participation which took place in the winter of 2023-24.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year. The Council encourages everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say.
Communities and Place Committee met yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024) and Members agreed the Highland Local Child Poverty Action Report which includes actions for delivery in 2024/25. Reducing child poverty is a priority for the Council and its partners.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Members of the Highland Council's Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years. Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites.
A report published on 27 November 2024 by LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) looks at the state of funding for councils by the Scottish Government. Confidence in the sustainability of council finances is critically low.
At today's (Wednesday 27 November 2024) Communities & Place Committee, Members agreed the most appropriate long-term strategic direction for residual waste management is to continue to utilise a merchant provider solution. Communities & Place Committee Chair, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: "After careful consideration and analysis it has been agreed that a merchant provider solution is considered the most appropriate long term solution to our statutory waste management obligations, and that an energy-from- waste facility within the Highlands is not considered to be a suitable course of action.
