Should The Council Make Even Higher Charges For School Lets To Balance The Budget

7th October 2012

Council budget blog focuses on how the Council can generate income.

The latest topic for discussion on The Highland Council's budget consultation blog asks the public for ideas on how the Council can generate income and also for views on whether the Council should charge more for certain Council services.

The questions are posed by Councillor Dave Fallows (SNP), Chairman of the Council's Finance Resources and Housing Committee, on his budget blog which encourages comment on proposals to deliver Council services more efficiently and effectively.

The blog complements the Council's budget consultation exercise to identify major savings in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The Council has held 11 public meetings to date to discuss the proposals, with one final meeting to take place on Tuesday 30 October at Culloden Academy in Inverness.

In his blog, Councillor Fallows (SNP) writes: "As part of our last Budget Consultation there were a number of suggestions for how the Council could generate income and therefore help pay for some of the services we provide. Since then we have introduced advertising on the Council's website and also within some Council publications. We are looking for other ideas from you on how else the Council could generate income.

"I'd also like your thoughts on whether we should increase charges above inflation for some of the services we already charge for? These include cark parking, parking permits, ferry charges, school lets, harbour charges and burials and cremations. Should we increase charging in some or all of these service areas?"

Councillor Fallows (SNP) also asks for ideas on what other services the public think the Council could - or should - charge for?

The budget consultation will run until 31 October 2012. The blog is prominently featured on the home page of the Council's web site: www.highland.gov.uk

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Short Term Let Control Area In Badenoch and Strathspey Has Slowed More Properties Joining - See Highland Wide Tougher Rules

Early indications suggest that the introduction of a Short Term Let Control Area (STLCA) for Badenoch and Strathspey has slowed the growth of secondary short-term lets across the area.   The STLCA for Ward 20, which covers Aviemore, Carrbridge, Boat of Garten, Dalwhinnie Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie, and Newtonmore, has been in place for two years and was one of the first to be designated in Scotland.  

24/4/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council signs Memorandum of Understanding with Ukrainian region

The Highland Council has confirmed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State (Military) Administration in Ukraine.   The MoU acknowledges bonds of friendship and common aims to promote knowledge transfer, educational and trade exchanges, and encourage investment opportunities between the two regions.  

23/4/2026 : Local Authority

Accessible Voting at the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election – Support Available for Voters

As the Scottish Parliament Election approaches on Thursday 7 May 2026, we are ensuring that voting is accessible to voters.   Polling stations across the Highlands will be open from 7am to 10pm.  

23/4/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso provides feedback on £100 million investment plan

Consultation in Thurso has found strong support for investment in a Community Point of Delivery (PoD) that serves the whole town and delivers wider benefits beyond the replacement of ageing school buildings.   Local people described the proposed development of an education campus on the current Thurso High School site and surrounding area as an opportunity to create a civic asset for the whole community, bringing together education, sport, leisure, health, art and social facilities.  

23/4/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Housing Under Pressure: What the Latest Caithness Committee Report Really Tells Us

The latest Highland Council Caithness Committee Housing Management Performance Report (2025–26) offers a detailed snapshot of how social housing services are performing across the region.  On the surface, it is a routine governance update—tracking repairs, allocations, rent collection, and tenant satisfaction.  

23/4/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget Approved By Councillors In The Year To 31 March 2026

Councillors approved grant funding from ward discretionary funds in the year to 31 March 2026.  13 groups in each of the two wards received funding.  

23/4/2026 : Local Authority

Workforce North: A Turning Point for the Highlands If We Get It Right

The Highland Council’s Workforce North initiative arrives at a critical moment for the Highlands.  On one side, the region is seeing unprecedented levels of investment in renewable energy, infrastructure, and construction.  

22/4/2026 : Local Authority

Non Domestic Rates - Sector Specific Business Rates Relief – from 1 April 2026

Support for Highland businesses may be available.   Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Relief.  

15/4/2026 : Local Authority

Child Payments Up, Council Services Down: The Budget Squeeze No One Wants to Admit

Scotland's councils are now facing a financial crisis that is deeper and more structural than anything seen since devolution.   The pressures have been building for more than a decade, but they have now reached a point where several councils are openly warning that they may not be able to balance their budgets in the coming years.  

13/4/2026 : Local Authority

 
Deadline approaches to register to vote in the Scottish Parliament election

With the Scottish Parliament election taking place on Thursday 7 May 2026, electors in the three Highland constituencies are being urged to ensure they are registered to vote before the deadline for receipt of applications which is midnight next Monday (20 April).   You will receive a poll letter to tell you where to go to cast your vote on Thursday 7 May.