First Highland Community Challenge Fund scheme gets off the ground

13th October 2013

Photograph of First Highland Community Challenge Fund scheme gets off the ground

The first scheme arranged through The Highland Council’s Community Challenge Fund has started today Monday (14 October 2013).

The Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company have taken over the street cleaning and grounds maintenance in their villages, including the grass cutting in the cemeteries of Auchterawe, Kilchuimen and Strathoich. As well as Highland Council funding, the Community Company are receiving financial support from SSE and Falck Renewables.

One Council employee has transferred to the Community Company and they have also employed an additional member of staff in order to provide a more extensive service to the community.

Depute Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor David Alston is Chair of the Community Challenge Panel. He said: “It is good to see local people taking direct control of local services. This is an exciting project. I congratulate all those who have worked to make it possible and encourage others to consider if they can do the same in their own community.”

The Community Company has signed a Service Level Agreement with the Council which specifies the extent of the work and the standards to be achieved, however the Company are confident that they can exceed the standard set by the Council.

Chairperson of the Company, Harry Whiteside, said: “We are really looking forward to taking on this challenge.”

The Agreement runs until March 2016 and is renewable after this date.
More information on the Community Challenge Fund can be found by following the link on the front page of the Council’s website –
http://www.highland.gov.uk/livinghere/communitiesandorganisations/communitychallengefund.htm

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

 
Highland Council welcomes funding boost to support households struggling with fuel costs

The Highland Council has welcomed an increase of ÂŁ750,000 of funding from the SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund to support private householders experiencing extreme fuel poverty in Highland.   The two-year grant will support the delivery of the Council’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS), funded by The Scottish Government, which funds energy efficiency home improvements that can help lower fuel costs and improve living conditions for Highland residents.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Councillors set to challenge huge Highland powerline plan

Highland councillors are set to reaffirm their opposition to a massive new 400kV powerline stretching across the region when they meet today.   The North and South Planning Committees are joining forces to consider the proposed Spittal–Loch Buidhe–Beauly transmission project, one of the biggest electricity infrastructure schemes ever proposed in the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Why Are Scottish Pupils Falling Behind England? The PISA Results Demand a Rethink

There are few subjects more important to parents than the education their children receive.  It determines not only what they know when they leave school, but increasingly their opportunities throughout adult life.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

From Abeyance to 18 Candidates: What Has Happened to Latheron, Lybster & Clyth Community Council?” 18 Candidates For 6 Seats

Following the close of nominations on Monday 7 September noon, the statements of persons nominated for each community council have been published on the council’s website.  Now able to confirm that out of 20 Community Councils seeking membership, 15 have formed, 4 have not formed and 1 may require an election as they exceed the number of available vacancies.  

8/9/2026 : Local Authority

Where Will the Cuts Fall? Scotland’s Public Services Face Another Squeeze

The Scottish Government is facing a difficult financial year.  But the real question for councils, NHS boards and other public bodies is simple who will absorb the pressure? The latest Scottish Fiscal Commission report contains an important warning for Scotland's public services.  

7/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council opens statutory public consultation on a Tiered Fixed-Amount Visitor Levy proposal

All residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are being encouraged to have their say on a proposal for a tiered fixed-rate amount Visitor Levy in Highland.  The public consultation survey is now open (Monday 7 September) for a 12-week statutory period.  

6/9/2026 : Local Authority

Highland's ÂŁ2.1 Billion Promise - Big Plans Meet a Very Different Financial Reality

ÂŁ2.1 billion is a difficult number for most people to comprehend.   It is so large that it can make almost any announcement sound impressive.  

4/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Eilidh Primrose is the New Highland Youth Convener

The Highlands has a new young people’s champion after confirmation that Eilidh Primrose has taken up the role of Highland Youth Convener for 2026-27.   Twenty-two-year-old Eilidh, who lives in Inverness, is the 18th person appointed to the position and has taken over from Leah McBain.  

1/9/2026 : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

2/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.