Legislation has been amended to ensure veterans who receive a payment from the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme do not lose out on council tax support. More than 1,200 people in Scotland who served under and suffered from the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) personnel serving in HM Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 have applied to the UK Government for compensation so far.
Highland Council's dedicated road marking team has been fully mobilised to carry out road marking across the Highland region. Finally after many years of depending on contractors from the south a Highland council team will be able to get on with the work regularly as weather allows.
The Highland Council, Education Committee met today (Wednesday 4 June 2025) and received a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the Education and Learning Service. It included positive school leaver destinations and an update on the refreshed attainment strategy and the Education and Learning management restructure.
At the Education Committee of Highland Council on Wednesday 4 June, Members were presented with the Integrated Children Services Plan Annual Report 2024/25. The Integrated Children's Service’s work continues as it enters the 3rd year of the delivery of the Integrated Children’s Service Plan.
Tha comhairlichean Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd air fàilte a chur air an obair ionmholta a thathar a' dèanamh gus cothroman a leudachadh do luchd-ionnsachaidh òga na Gàidhlig. Aig coinneamh Chomataidh na Gàidhlig an-diugh (Diciadain 4 Ògmhios) chaidh an obair leasachaidh a thathar a’ dèanamh aig Bun-Sgoil Bhaile an Fhraoich ann an Inbhir Nis a chomharrachadh mar dheagh eisimpleir de bhith a’ cruthachadh "spiorad mhath is ion-ghabhaltach airson na Gàidhlig thar na sgoile".
Last weekend saw the first patrols of The Highland Council's, new Seasonal Access Ranger team. The new rangers will seek to promote and advise on responsible access to the countryside through the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Applications Now Open for Highland Council's Strategic Events Grant. The Highland Council is pleased to announce the official launch of its new Strategic Events Grant Fund, a £75,000 initiative designed to support the region's dynamic events sector and strengthen the local economy during the quieter shoulder and off-season months.
The Highland Council's ‘Food in Schools' project is a key component of the Council’s Delivery Plan and the Redesign Board Chaired by the Convener of the Council - Councillor Bill Lobban has launched a range of surveys to better understand the various components of food provision in school settings. The surveys will be issued by Head Teachers, on behalf of the Food in Schools project team, to current pupils (P1-S6), parents and carers, teachers and non-teaching staff (e.g.
In a recent survey of blind and partially sighted people, only a quarter feel that the current system allows them to vote independently and in secret. We want to change that.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed a delivery plan that will see £3 million of funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This is invested to support Highland communities, businesses, employment and tourism.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee (Thursday 29 May) approved the final step to formalise all 20mph schemes in the Highlands and a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will now be actioned. All the roads included in the final TRO follow the outcome of technical assessments, discussions with Members, Community Councils and the public.
The Highland Council has issued its support to a Scottish Government proposal to give local authorities the power to create a cruise ship levy in the area. A meeting of the council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday (29 May) heard that such a levy could provide additional funds to mitigate the impacts of tourism and ensure the area remains a world leading and sustainable tourism destination.
The Highland Council has taken part in the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2025 in Leeds, joining forces with the Scottish Cities Alliance to spotlight Scotland's collective strengths in sustainable development and innovation. This year marked the Council's most proactive engagement yet, presenting the Highlands as a region of strategic opportunity within a united national vision.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed to adopt the 2025 Planning Enforcement Charter that captures all planning enforcement policy and procedures. It explains how the enforcement process works, the Council's roles and responsibilities and the service standard that have been set.
Highland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Councils are today announcing that EasyGo has been awarded a 20-year contract to provide EV charging infrastructure for the north of Scotland. The contract is estimated to be worth £300 million, with Highland Council acting as the lead authority.
Members of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have today agreed to the principle of the Council endorsing proposed environmental scheme sites in advance for new infrastructure projects. Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "Developers delivering major infrastructure projects often find it challenging to quickly secure sufficient land for their environmental scheme obligations.
At a meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, (Thursday 29 May 2025), members gave their support to the progress being made in taking a Social Value Charter forward that aims to maximises economic benefits from the natural environment and resources and ensure communities receive tangible benefits from renewable energy developments. Members agreed that representations continue to be made to both the Scottish and UK Governments on the need of mandatory benefit and that the Council continues to engage with renewable developers to sign up to the Charter.
Committee Chair appointed to represent the Council at two European Maritime networks. The Chair of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans has been appointed to the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) and the North Sea Commission (NSC.
Members of the Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have today agreed a Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan. This will enable coastal communities to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change over time.
Mounting pressures from inflation, increasing costs and demand are exceeding the Scottish Government's additional investment in Scotland's councils. In 2025/26 councils received over £15 billion in government funding, with more money set to be raised from council tax and charges for some services.