Highland Council Administration to launch new Council Programme

31st July 2015

Highland Council's new Administration met with all elected members today to discuss their new Programme, which will be launched next week.

The Programme is based on three main themes: A Community-Led, Well-Served and a Fairer Highland.

Leader of the Council, Margaret Davidson said: "We are committed to raising the profile of the Highlands to secure the very best outcomes for our communities.

"Improving connectivity will be a key priority for the next two years. Good broadband and mobile coverage are essential for communities to thrive, economically, educationally and socially.

“We want to develop a fairer society, with better opportunities for our young people, better workforce planning, more apprenticeships and affordable housing. We will work with partners to support older people to have a better quality of life and live independently in their homes.

“We want to empower communities to fully participate in local decisions about facilities and services and to encourage community led initiatives.

“We are constrained, of course, by challenging financial times, so we must work together with partners and communities to deliver effective and efficient services and make the most of our resources and opportunities.

Councillor Davidson went on to say: “The Highlands are taking the brunt of ever-increasing centralisation of national resources and urban-focused policies. Better infrastructure, transport, affordable warmth and economic growth and investment are all crucial to the Highlands. We can't do all this on our own. We need to work with partners and with the Scottish and UK Governments to secure better outcomes for the region and we are committed to that task."

The new Programme will be made public next week and will be considered by Highland Council on 13 August at a special meeting, when the Council will be asked to approve the new Programme.