Members of Highland Council's Climate Change Committee have welcomed continued progress across a range of projects within the Council’s Net Zero Programme, alongside the approval of four new initiatives to further accelerate action towards a climate-resilient and sustainable Highland. At the meeting, updates were provided on key areas of delivery under the Built Estate & Energy and Social Housing & Housing Revenue Account (HRA) workstreams.
The Highland Council's latest Revenue Budget Monitoring Report (Q2 2025-26) paints a picture of cautious progress amid ongoing financial strain. The Health Social Care & Wellbeing Committee meets on 12 November 2025 to scrutinise progress and agree ongoing monitoring of placement numbers and service transformation.
ollowing a detailed review of current housing data and short term let (STL) activity, the Caithness Area Committee has agreed that there is currently no justification for establishing a Short Term Let Control Area in Caithness. The report presented to members at their meeting held on Monday 3 November 2025 shows that only 2% of potential dwellings in Caithness are licensed as STLs - significantly below the Highland-wide average of 6%.
Highland Council's Climate Change Committee has agreed the Council’s 2024/25 Annual Report under Public Bodies Climate Change Duties, reaffirming its commitment to achieving Net Zero while recognising the complex balance between service delivery, community needs, and long-term decarbonisation. The report shows that total operational emissions for 2024/25 were 34,893 tonnes of CO₂e — a 5% rise compared to the previous year.
# 05 November 2025 The Highland Council Strategic Housing Investment Plan priorities ‘The Highland Council's plan to accelerate Affordable Housing Programme with increased Investment and strategic planning that aligns with the priorities set out in the Highland Housing Challenge'. At today’s meeting of the Housing and Property Committee (Wednesday 5 November 2025), Members welcomed an increase in Scottish Government funding for affordable housing.
The Housing and Property Committee met today (Wednesday 5 Nov 2025) and agreed a new Domestic Abuse Housing Policy that clearly sets out its approach to assisting victim-survivors of domestic abuse. The Policy strengthens the Council's role in preventing homelessness caused by domestic abuse, while ensuring a person-centred and safety focused response.
The Highland Council is encouraging community groups and organisations to apply for a share of £500,000 that has been made available through a new Highland Reuse & Repair Fund. Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "I am very pleased to be able to announce the opening of this new fund.
The Highland Council are calling on all businesses to take part in a wide-scale survey about housing shortage and its impact on the Highland economy. The survey is a part of the Highland Housing Challenge Action Plan agreed by the Council in 2024, to tackle the impact of housing shortage on Highland communities, as well as meeting future demand for housing as a result of opportunities to grow the Highland economy.
Following media reports early this week that Eastern Airways has filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator, and subsequent confirmation from the Civil Aviation Authority that Eastern has suspended all operations across the United Kingdom, The Highland Council has now issued an update on the situation for the attention of all affected passengers and stakeholders. The Highland Council has a contract with Eastern Airways to operate air services between Wick and Aberdeen under a Public Service Obligation (PSO).
The Highland Council's Employability Team is pleased to announce the return of its Highland wide Virtual Jobs Fair, running from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November 2025, immediately following Scottish Careers Week. Delivered in partnership through the Local Employability Partnership, the event brings together a range of employers.
The Caithness Committee of the Highland Council met on 3 November 2025 to discuss a range of issues affecting residents across the region. From housing performance to community funding, the meeting offered insights into how local services are evolving and where public money is being invested.
A PLAN to ensure the Highlands maximises the benefits of billions of pounds in infrastructure investment is being launched by Deputy First Minster Kate Forbes. The Workforce North Action Plan for The Highland Council area brings together a range of local and national partners with key employers to drive co-investment and collaboration.
Councils are spending less on culture and leisure services, reviewing the services they offer and increasing or introducing charges. Yet gaps in the data collected at a local and national level means we don't have a full understanding of the impact of these decisions on health, wellbeing and prevention.
The Highland Council has paid tribute to one of its first serving councillors, John M Young who passed earlier this month. Convener of The Highland Councill Cllr Bill Lobban said: "John was elected as an Independent Councillor to serve the Central Caithness Ward of The Highland Council in 1995.
During CTWeek25 - a national celebration to showcase how community transport services are integral to local lives - The Highland Council is paying tribute to the organisations and teams of volunteers who provide a crucial role far beyond simply moving people from one place to another. In a typical year, Highland Community Transport Groups that the Council supports provide 25,000 volunteer hours.
Highland Council Trading Standards Enforcement Officers have seized illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products following inspections at four retail premises in Inverness and Easter Ross after acting on complaints from the public and local businesses. The enforcement action was part of an ongoing joint initiative between HMRC & Trading Standards called "Operation CeCe" which tackles the illegal tobacco trade in the UK.
Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now' for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities. The Highland Council's winter service starts today (Tuesday 14 October 2025) and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.
With the Scottish Government shifting its 2026-27 Budget announcement to 13 January 2026, councils across Scotland are bracing for a tighter financial planning process and deeper uncertainty over funding levels. While ministers argue the delay is forced by constraints from Westminster, local authority leaders and public sector auditors caution that compressed timelines could weaken oversight and hamper service delivery.
Works to transform the commercial and retail centre of Wick to create a more welcoming space are moving forward at pace. Local firm GMR Henderson have been appointed as the contractor with an expected start date on site of Monday 27 October.
Primary school pupils in Caithness and Orkney will soon have the chance to dive into the fascinating science of water, thanks to a new industry and education partnership with Scottish Water. Delivered locally by the Science Skills Academy (SSA), the Water Cycle Workshop gives pupils the opportunity to create their own mini water cycle.