10th February 2026
A new draft Highland Council Participation and Engagement Strategy is being issued for comment and input to ensure the strategy reflects the needs of as many people as possible across Highland.
The Strategy sets out how we will engage with and listen to communities in order to inform how we operate as well as how we will improve our involvement and relationships with communities to deliver greater community involvement in service design, planning and delivery.
A core element of any strategy is to ensure that we are taking an inclusive approach to involving all members of our community, ensuring that everyone can have their voice heard.
Chair of the Council's Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie said: "The development of this strategy was welcomed at Communities and Place Committee last November and this next stage is essential to ensure that it is fit for purpose for the majority of those living in the Highland area. We look forward to receiving feedback and seeing the final draft being presented to our May Committee".
The Strategy and survey can be found at www.engagehighland.co.uk/draft-participation-engagement-strategy and paper copies can be requested at your nearest Service Point or Library (including mobile libraries).
The closing date for returns is Monday 16 March 2026.
Comment
Does it make sense for the council to consult on some of which is a £2billion pound spending plan spread over 20 years when there will be at least 5 elections and possibly endless changes to the funding available.
And as can be seen by the 10 years of the NHS consultations on the Health Villages/hubs
10 years of the NHS consultations on the Health Villages hubs for Wick and Thurso they may never happen with such long time scales. Should we really bother?
A summary of the consultation
Here's a concise summary of the Highland Council's Draft Participation and Engagement Strategy based on the uploaded document:
Purpose and Vision
The strategy aims to ensure that every community in Highland has a voice in shaping local decisions, especially as the region prepares for over £2 billion in investment through the Highland Investment Plan, Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, and renewable infrastructure. The Council wants to be a listening authority, committed to inclusive, transparent, and collaborative engagement.
Core Principles
Listening: Respecting diverse voices and reflecting on impact.
Transparency: Fair, open, and accountable processes.
Accessibility: Inclusive methods tailored to community needs.
Collaboration: Working in partnership with communities and adapting to feedback.
What Participation Means
Participation is defined as meaningful involvement in decisions that affect individuals and communities. It must be:
Genuine: Able to influence outcomes.
Respected: Responses considered seriously.
Acknowledged: Feedback loops to show impact.
Engagement Framework
Challenges Identified
Consultation fatigue and scepticism
Digital exclusion and geographic isolation
Limited resources and trust gaps
Low confidence among individuals to speak up
Opportunities and Strengths
Strong local leadership and volunteers
Digital infrastructure improvements
Statutory tools like Participation Requests and Asset Transfers
Community partnerships and place-based planning
Council Commitments
Early identification of engagement opportunities
Inclusive methods tailored to each community
Honest dialogue about constraints
Feedback to participants
Development of an engagement calendar and training for staff
Expected Outcomes
Reduced consultation fatigue
More diverse voices involved
Empowered and resilient communities
Stronger trust and collaboration across sectors
Draft Action Plan Highlights
Engagement Platform: A one-stop site for all consultations
Staff Training: Online modules to improve engagement skills
Best Practice Guide: Tailored to Highland's geography
Engagement Calendar: To coordinate efforts across services
Pilot Projects: Testing co-production capacity in select areas