Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have unanimously endorsed the Regional Economic Strategy produced by the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership. The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) is a partnership of public, private, third sector and academic organisations, working together to realise the regions' economic potential in a sustainable and inclusive way.
# 13 February 2025 Update on UK Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Plan progress An update on the progress being made across a range of interventions under the UK Government funded UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) priorities of Communities and Places, Supporting Local Business and People and Skills was noted by Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (Thursday 13 February 2025). The report included reference to the Highland UKSPF allocation for 2025/26 and the work being progressed to establish a Delivery Plan for the coming financial year.
The public will be invited to submit their views on how to make the Council Tax system fairer, as part of wider efforts to explore options and build a consensus for potential reform. As part of a joint programme of engagement by the Scottish Government and COSLA, independent analysis will also be commissioned to examine the Council Tax system accounting for market changes, reforms, and improvements.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will have the opportunity to discuss progress being made for the Community Wealth Building action plan when they meet next week. The Council's Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024 - 2027 provides an alternative approach to economic development and a practical response that aims to keep wealth within a local area.
Yesterday (Tuesday 4 February) the Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner along with the Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee Cllr Ken Gowans visited the depot of D&E Coaches. This followed the completion of the deal for the council to acquire the business.
Anyone interested in wishing to stand as Candidate for the Community Council's listed below have until 12noon on Monday 10 February. Complete and submit the online nomination which is available on the Council's website https://www.highland.gov.uk/ccelections.
Several public drop-in sessions are being held across Caithness during February with displays of options for the future masterplanning for the area. Council officers will be on hand to explain the proposals and answer any questions.
Good progress is being made to create sustainable tenancies in Caithness by enhancing the appeal for re-letting of low-demand void council housing. The Council's Void-Plus Policy involves improvements being made to voided properties to increase the appeal of these homes.
The Highland Council is preparing a new and important planning document called the Highland Local Development Plan. The plan will ultimately be used to determine planning applications and steer future development and investment in your area.
The Highland Council's Leader Councillor Raymond Bremner attended Scottish Cities Week in London (20-22 January) to promote investment opportunities in Inverness, the Highlands and the Highland Council area. Scottish Cities Week aims to provide a focused opportunity to create and develop long-term strategic partnerships, with a wide array of investors and developers.
The Highland Council has appointed Ruth Fry as Chief Officer - Human Resources and Communications and Paul Reid as Chief Officer – Facilities and Fleet Management. The appointment of Ruth Fry completes the new senior management structure of the Council's Corporate service cluster under the leadership of Allan Gunn, Assistant Chief Executive – Corporate.
The Highland Council is pleased to announce, that following a period of negotiation and due diligence, it intends to acquire the entire shareholding of D&E Coaches Limited. Provision of home to school transport is a high-cost statutory function of the Council which has caused significant budget pressures in recent years.
Nominations are invited from people seeking election to the Community Councils that have fallen into abeyance since the last round of interim elections and to reform those that have submitted a petition to be reformed. This is your chance to help represent the views of your community to The Highland Council and other public agencies.
At a meeting of the Caithness Committee on 20 January 2025, Members were given a progress update on projects receiving support from the Caithness Place Based Initiative Fund before homologating the re-purposing of £1,556 to the Wick Town Centre Regeneration Project. The £1,556 comes from an underspend in the completed Bus Shelter replacement project.
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.
At a meeting of the Highland Council's Caithness Committee (Monday 20 January 2024) Members have approved £292,162 of funding to make improvements to five play parks. Members agreed at Communities and Place Committee in November 2021 to allocate the funds received from the Scottish Government's Play Park Renewal Fund be apportioned to Area Committees based on a blend of play park conditions.
Members of the Caithness Committee (Monday 20 January 2025) agreed a list of prioritised programme of works for structural overlay/inlay works and surface dressing schemes which will be funded out of the Capital Budget allocation for 2025/26. In March 2024, Members agreed the Roads Capital Budget Allocation for 2025/26 as part of a 3-year investment into Roads.
This week the Council officially launches its new and improved InvestHighland website to promote the wealth of inward investment opportunities and attract the best talent to the area. Invest Highland is supported by The Highland Council and is dedicated to promoting and developing our region as an attractive and sustainable destination for business, international investors, talent and visitors.