In recent years, Highland Council has faced some of the toughest financial conditions in local government. Stretching across a vast, sparsely populated area with high infrastructure costs and limited opportunities to raise revenue, the council must continually balance ambitious investment in communities with the harsh realities of constrained funding.
People are being asked for their views on proposals by The Highland Council to review the level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hire cars fitted with taxi meters operating under licence of The Highland Council. The Council has a statutory duty in terms of Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to review its scales for the fares and other taxi related charges every 18 months.
The Highland Council is taking firm planning enforcement action in response to a growing issue involving the sale and marketing of small plots of land in areas such as Achnabobane, Inchbae, Garve, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Daviot. These plots are often advertised with misleading claims about their potential for development.
Consumers across the Highlands can now make more confident and informed choices when hiring local businesses, thanks to the launch of the Highland Trusted Trader scheme by Highland Council Trading Standards. The scheme offers a reliable directory of businesses that have passed a comprehensive vetting process, including checks on trading history, business practices, professionalism, customer service, and legal compliance.
Highland council has announced that Thurso Community Council received sufficient nominations to reform the community council. Th number of nominations was enough to form the council without an election.
The Highland Council has launched a survey about the housing needs and future aspirations of local households. The survey will allow the Council to better understand the housing circumstances and needs of local households so that a good range of housing options can be delivered in the future.
A local vape seller has today been convicted of illegal sales and fined £900 in Inverness Sheriff Court. Adnan Abbas who operated the shop Wow Mobile in Lombard Street in Inverness city centre was subject to a court order that banned him from selling vapes to the public after he had been caught on multiple occasions selling to children.
At today's (Wednesday 27 August 2025) Education Committee, Members received a progress update on Education Workforce Planning. The in-depth and multifaceted report covered key areas, including the significant increase in permanent job roles in Pupil Support, Early Learning & Childcare.
On Wednesday 27 August 2025 the Education Committee of Highland Council received an overview of the role of the Employability Service in progressing the No One Left Behind (NOLB) policy approach and the Highland Employability Partnerships (HEP) aims to lift people out of poverty across the Highlands through enabling access to fair and sustainable work. Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "The Council has a strategic employability commitment to tackle poverty, improve community wellbeing and strengthening the economy across the Highlands.
The Highland Council's Education Committee met on (Wednesday 27 August 2025) to update Members on its progress implementing the new structure of the Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS) 2025-2028 and its plans to ensure continuous improvement in Education and Learning. The RAAS will be fully realised over the next three years and annually reviewed.
The deadline for completed nomination forms from people seeking election to thirteen Highland community councils covering areas in Ardgay and District, Arisaig, Aviemore, Avoch and Killen, Conon Bridge, Cromdale and Advie, Lochalsh, Nether Lochaber, Raasay, South Knoydart, Stratherrick and Foyers, Thurso and Uig is now officially less than a week away. Completed forms must be submitted no later than 12 noon on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 Community Councils are voluntary organisations that express the views and concerns of local people within their area across a wide range of issues from new buildings and roads to local services and facilities.
The Highland Council is proud to be supporting Catch the Bus Month 2025 run by Bus Users UK. Buses boost the economy, reduce congestion and pollution, and improve our health and wellbeing.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee have confirmed approval of all recommendations outlined in The Highland Council's latest Net Zero, Energy, Investment & Innovation (NZEII) Portfolio report, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering low-carbon energy solutions across the region. Members agreed to commence preparation of an Outline Business Case for the development of solar PV arrays on the Common Good Investment lands at Blarlaith North and South in Tain.
At today's meeting of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, members discussed a report on the latest update on the Community Wealth Building (CWB) Strategy. The update highlighted significant progress across key areas of economic development aimed at retaining and growing wealth within local communities.
The Highland Council is encouraging community groups and organisations to apply for a share of £300,000 available through the 2025/26 allocation of the Nature Restoration Fund. Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "I am very pleased to announce the opening of a new round of the Nature Restoration Fund.
The Highland Council has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering inclusive, low-carbon transport solutions with the publication of its latest Sustainable Transport Team update. The report, presented to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee earlier today, outlines major achievements in active travel, road safety, and public transport improvements across the region.
Highland Council advise that recent radon testing carried out across its estate has identified elevated levels of radon gas in isolated areas of nine properties. These findings follow a comprehensive monitoring programme involving 135 non-domestic workplaces and public buildings, in line with UK Health and Safety legislation.
Nominations are now open for individuals interested in becoming a Community Councillor for Community Councils that have fallen into abeyance or have been successful in submitting a request to re-establish. This is an opportunity to ensure your community's voice is heard by The Highland Council and other public bodies.
Local people and Highland Councillors will be invited to attend stakeholder meetings later this year to focus on the specific housing needs of communities as part of a review of the Highland Housing Register Housing Allocations Policy. Members of the Housing and Property Committee met Wednesday 13 August) and noted the annual performance review of the Highland Housing Register (HHR) Policy for 2024/2025 on housing allocations.