Highland Council 2017 Election Called
13th March 2017
The 2017 Highland Council election has been officially called today (Monday 13 March) with the Returning Officer seeking nominations from candidates wishing to stand in the local government elections which take place on Thursday 4 May.
A total of 74 Councillors will be appointed to represent the Council in 21 electoral wards, each with three or four elected members. Previously Highland has had 80 councillors. Caithness will now have two wards instead of three and will lose 2 councillors.
The deadline for nominations is 4.00 pm on Wednesday 29 March
The Returning Officer for the election is Steve Barron, Chief Executive, The Highland Council and in the lead up to the election, a series of briefings for prospective candidates have been held in Inverness; Fort William; Skye; Dingwall; Golspie and Wick which have been well attended.
Voting will be taking place on 4 May in 267 polling stations with the option for people to use a postal vote. If you choose to vote by post then you cannot vote in person at a polling station.
The votes will be counted electronically on the following day (Friday 5 May 2017) at Inverness Leisure.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Council's website www.highland.gov.uk/elections along with information on where candidates for particular wards need to return their forms to. Forms can also be obtained by telephoning 01349 886657.
Completed nomination papers must be delivered no later than 4.00 pm on Wednesday 29 March 2017 to the appropriate Depute Returning Officer. The Depute Returning Officers are unable to accept nomination papers electronically.
An election helpline has been set up by the Returning Officer to assist the public and candidates with any queries. The number is 01349 886657.
If an elector is away or cannot go to the polling station on Thursday 4 May 2017, they can apply to vote by post or apply to vote by proxy. To find out how to apply, call the helpline immediately.
Extensive information about the elections is also posted on The Highland Council's web site - www.highland.gov.uk. This includes information for anyone considering standing on the different aspects of a councillor's role so they are prepared if successfully elected. There are also links to the Electoral Commission site where guidance and resources are available for candidates and their agents.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Yesterday
Council welcomes Visitor Levy flexibility plan
The Highland Council welcomes moves by the Scottish Government to introduce greater flexibility on how it could design a Visitor Levy Scheme for consultation. The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 currently provides local authorities with discretionary powers to implement percentage-based levies following statutory consultation.Yesterday
Highland Council is reaching out for views to shape its next 26/27 budget.
As it looks to set out its forthcoming priorities, the council is seeking involvement from members of the public, including businesses, community groups, parents, and young people. All their opinions are going to be crucial in deciding how Highland Council will take on its budget challenge for 2026-2027.Yesterday
Have your say in Thurso's future £100million investment by attending public consultation events
Thurso is to benefit from £100m investment in education and community facilities and are rolling out the first phase of public consultations on 9 and 10 December 2025. The Highland Council is inviting people that live, work, or study in Thurso, to come along to the public consultation events to have their say; this is an opportunity to help shape the future of Thurso, to gather views and ideas.2/12/2025
Finding new owners for empty homes - Scheme launched to help return more empty homes to active use
A new online portal has been launched to bring empty homeowners together with prospective buyers or developers with the aim of facilitating more properties to be used as homes again. Covering the whole of Scotland, this builds on the success of local pilots, referred to as "matchmaker schemes".1/12/2025
Consideration for short term let control area in Skye and Raasay
Steps towards introducing a short term let control area have been considered by Highland Council's Isle of Skye and Raasay area committee. On Monday (1 December 2025) the committee heard evidence to justify the grounds for the introduction of a Short Term Let Control Area covering all or part of Skye and Raasay.28/11/2025
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy. Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
27/11/2025
Council calls for meaningful engagement from Home Office Over 300 Asylum Seekers Being Sent to Inverness
The Highland Council continues to call for meaningful engagement from the Home Office over its plans to temporarily accommodate up to 300 adult male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks, Inverness. It follows an email on Monday from Alex Norris MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, to Council Leader, Raymond Bremner, which failed to answer questions raised by the Council or address community concerns.27/11/2025
SSEN Transmission becomes first signatory to Highland Social Value Charter
SSEN Transmission has become the first company to sign up to the Highland Social Value Charter (HSVC), marking a significant milestone in delivering long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the Highlands. Investment commitments from the company include funding for roads, new homes, jobs, and work for local contractors in addition to a local and regional fund for communities to apply to.25/11/2025
Wick - Aberdeen PSO - Update issued 24/11/2025
The Highland Council continues to work through the procurement process for the provision of the Wick Public Service Obligation for the Highland Council. We have now entered the preferred bidder stage and have entered a standstill period.25/11/2025
Highland Council winter road condition and school closure report for 25 November 2025
Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting (external link) The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Our Social Media
