With predictions of social and economic upheaval brought about by technological and environmental changes, could a citizen's income reduce poverty and increase people's control over their lives?. How attractive - and affordable - is it as a policy?.
UNISON, the largest trade union in Scotland, and the Jimmy Reid Foundation are calling for a fundamental review of funding local government. The call will be made at the launch of joint UNISON and Jimmy Reid Foundation report: Additional Revenue streams sources of funding for the delivery of local government services The report will be launched today (Monday 15 April) at the STUC 122nd Annual Congress in Dundee.
The Highland Council has been alerted to a Council Tax scam whereby scammers are cold calling and claiming that the resident can have their Council Tax band reassessed upon payment of £150. Council Tax bands are determined by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer who is independent from the Highland Council.
Highland Council Leaders have welcomed the introduction of a new Inverness - London Heathrow service this week by British Airways which will allow people to travel between the two cities and return the same day. Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson welcomes the new flight schedule that will see a 30 per cent increase in capacity on the route and bring the number of flights up to three return services on Saturdays and Sundays, with a double daily service Monday to Friday.
The Highland Council is supporting the 2019 Keep Scotland Beautiful Clean Up campaign and is encouraging as many communities, businesses, schools and individuals as possible to get involved in a local community clean up. £53 million of public money is spent addressing litter and flytipping in Scotland each year.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman visited the Capability Scotland Edinburgh Hub ahead of the extension of free personal care to people of all ages who are assessed as requiring it. The expansion of free personal care - which was previously only available to those aged over 65 - comes into force on April 1 2019 and is often referred to as ‘Frank's Law’ after the former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel.
The 14th Highland Youth Parliament Apprentice Day was held on Tuesday, 26th March 2019. Highland Youth Parliament, the elected Youth Parliament for the Highlands, holds an annual ‘Apprentice Day' on which members of HYP shadow Senior Managers across public sector services.
Highland Council's Leader has acknowledged the findings of an internal audit report into the progress of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal. The report examines three projects including the Science Skills Academy; Innovative Assisted Living (FIT House) and Inverness Castle.
Householders are advised that from the 1st of April 2019 vehicle tyres will no longer be accepted for disposal at Highland Council Household Waste Recycling Centres. The Highland Council currently disposes of 22% more waste per person than the Scottish average.
Highland tenants claiming Universal Credit are being urged to log on and update their UC claim this April 1st to ensure their entitlement covers their annual rent increase for the year ahead. Those who fail to do so will face a shortfall in their housing entitlement, putting them at risk of arrears.
The Highland Council is raising awareness of the opportunity to help shape future growth and development across the Inner Moray Firth area, and is encouraging anyone living, working, investing and being educated in the area to get involved. The Council has announced its intention to review the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan.
A report that aims to demonstrate the continuing commitments of Highland Council, it's Education Authority and Highland Licensing Board, to advance and mainstream equality into day-to-day work was approved today by Councillors on the Care, Learning and Housing Committee. Local Authorities, Education Authorities and Licensing Boards are required by legislation to publish a report every 2 years on how they mainstream equality into their work.
The Highland Council is today (12 March 2019) launching a 12 week consultation giving the community until 5 June 2019 to comment on the proposed contents of the Common Good Fund Asset Register. Section 102 Community Empowerment (Scotland) 2015 states that before establishing a Common Good Asset Register the Council must first conduct a public consultation on a list of property (buildings, land, artwork, regalia and funds) it is proposing to include.
People living in The Highland Council area can now find out how to foster and adopt in the comfort of their own homes. Alison Gordon, Highland Council's Fostering and Adoption Resource Manager explained: "We have created this website to try to make it easier for anyone living in the Highlands who is considering fostering or adoption and we have tried to make the process of applying easier.
The report presented to Highland council gives background leading up to the closure of Caithness Horizon in Thurso. Talks are ongoing regarding the future of the museum.
The motion was proposed at Highland council today 7th March 2019. It was emotively opposed by Caithness councillors.
As part of The Highland Council's Redesign Programme, a comprehensive review of Service Income was undertaken by Deloitte and The Highland Council. The Highland Council received no charge following agreement with Deloitte that this would be very useful work experience for their Assistant Manager.
Motion to Highland council from the leader of the council Margaret Davidson on 7th March 2019 "The Council expresses concern over the proposals set out in the UK Government's White Paper on immigration, particularly that there will be no regional variation and that the salary threshold for skilled workers will remain at £30,000. This will have a significant detrimental impact on the Highlands.
Council has agreed 22 strategic improvement priorities and a Highland Improving Performance Programme for the Council which aims to make the connections across services and communities and drive the improvement. The proposed strategic improvement priorities are identified from the Council's knowledge of where performance needs to improve and where the Council has already set ambition for improvement.
Overall the Council's key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2017-18 are performing well with 81% (22) either improving or being maintained. The principles that underpin the Council's values include that the Council will be fair, open and accountable.