Council Leader welcomes flexibility in use of Council Tax income from empty and second homes
4th March 2016
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy confirmed this week he has agreed to The Highland Council's request for flexibility in the use of Council Tax income from empty and second homes.
Commenting on this agreement the Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: This is very welcome news and I appreciate the positive response from the Deputy First Minister. This will enable us to use £2.6m to support Highland Council's statutory work on homelessness as part of our proposals to deliver a balance budget.
As part of Highland Councils budget, the Council Leader wrote to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy to request a one-off relaxation on the conditions on the use of income generated from Council Tax on second homes. This income is restricted to funding affordable housing; however flexibility was being sought for one year to fund revenue costs associated with the Council's statutory homelessness functions.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
29/5/2026 : Local Authority
The Economy and Infrastructure Committee met today (Thursday 28 May, 2026) and reaffirmed The Highland Council’s strong progress in delivering its Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan (STIDP), with more than £7 million secured to date through the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF). The investment is supporting a wide range of projects across the Highlands.
29/5/2026 : Local Authority
Highland councillors have agreed to take forward a new planning policy aimed at reducing light pollution across the region. At a meeting of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee held (Thursday 28 May 2026), members supported the proposed Dark Skies Draft Planning Policy, which will guide lighting requirements in new developments.
28/5/2026 : Local Authority
Air Charter Scotland – operator of the lifeline public service obligation (PSO) air service connecting Wick and Aberdeen – has announced revised fares designed to make travelling even simpler and more accessible for passengers. In response to customer feedback, passengers will benefit from lower fares across all ticket types, the introduction of new return rates and discounted travel for children.
23/5/2026 : Local Authority
A new planning policy aimed at influencing some lighting requirements in new developments that are subject to planning control will be considered by members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee when they meet on Thursday (28 May 2026). The proposed Dark Skies Draft Planning Policy sets out how the Council could reduce light pollution across Highland, supporting environmental protection, community financial and tourism benefits and sustainable development.
22/5/2026 : Local Authority
A new draft Public Transport Strategy for 2026–2036 will be considered by Members of the Economy & Infrastructure Committee on Thursday 28 May 2026, setting out an ambitious vision to strengthen and modernise public and community transport across Highland. The proposed strategy builds on the Local Transport Strategy Delivery Plan agreed in February 2026 and responds to key challenges, including a shrinking local bus network, rising contract costs, and evolving travel patterns.
22/5/2026 : Local Authority
A £1.25 million project to transform Wick town centre into a more welcoming, attractive and pedestrian friendly space is continuing to make steady progress, with completion now expected this summer. This represents an extension to the original timeline, however, a phased approach to opening, starting this month, will minimise disruption for visitors, local residents, and businesses.
22/5/2026 : Local Authority
The Highland Council has installed automatic bollards on Fort William High Street as part of the Fort William Pedestrian Improvement Scheme. The High Street pedestrian zone will commence from Monday 25 May 2026.
21/5/2026 : Local Authority
The Highland Council has successfully completed phases one and two of new modular “park-style” homes at the Gypsy/Traveller site at Longman Park, Inverness. Funded primarily through the Scottish Government’s Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund, more than £7 million has been invested to upgrade and future-proof accommodation and site facilities.
21/5/2026 : Local Authority
The Highland Council’s performance for homeless households has improved significantly over the past four years, while the national average has continued to rise over the same period. This sustained focus on improvement was acknowledged by the Scottish Housing Regulator at an engagement meeting in early 2026.
21/5/2026 : Local Authority
Highland Council strengthens Net Zero progress with improved reporting and funding commitments Members of Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee today welcomed progress in delivering the Council’s Net Zero Programme, with new measures to improve carbon reporting, strengthen investment decisions, and secure funding for projects across the Highlands. Taken together, these measures reflect a wider shift towards a more coordinated, programme-led approach to climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, following the direction agreed by Council in March 2026.