Highland Councillors have welcomed a positive shift in the recruitment and reduction of Children's Services vacancies by 7% while noting an on-going recruitment and retention challenge across all social work services in the region. To help address this challenge a recruitment video was launched today by Highland Council aimed at encouraging potential applicants to think about ‘Being a Social Worker in Highland’ and promoting it as a rewarding and exciting career opportunity.
Work is ongoing to strengthen support being offered to young carers and their families in Highland through the provision of Young Carers Statements. Members of The Highland Council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee were updated on progress being made to ensure that Young Carers and their families receive appropriate support.
Members of the Housing and Property Committee met today (Thursday 9 November 2023) and noted the annual performance review of the Highland Housing Register (HHR) Policy for 2022/2023 on housing allocations. The report demonstrates that despite significant challenges the HHR policy is achieving its objectives.
Housing and Property Committee met on Thursday 9 November 2023 and noted the position at the end of the second quarter of the 2023/24, and the estimated year-end financial position. Members also noted the progress of the major works programme, including the revised school programme and the remedial work due to RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) at Charleston Academy and Nairn Academy.
Housing and Property Committee met today (Thursday 9 November 2023) and discussed the impact that the ‘cost of living' crisis and other global factors has had on tenants experiencing rent arrears. Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: "The Highland Council Housing Service works closely with our Welfare Support Team to ensure early intervention and inform tenants of rent arrears as soon as they arise.
Thàinig luchd-labhairt òg na Gàidhlig bho àrd-sgoiltean air feadh sgìre Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd còmhla ri Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba (SDS) agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air Diardaoin 9 Samhain san Eden Court ann an Inbhir Nis, airson a' chiad Siuthad! aghaidh ri aghaidh bho 2019. Tha an tachartas eagraichte le Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus SDS le maoineachadh a' tighinn bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean (HIE) agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The Highland Council is looking for new members to fill vacancies on the six local outdoor access forums in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness & Nairn, Skye & Lochalsh and Lochaber. There are currently at least 2 vacancies on each group.
The Highland Youth Parliament (HYP) is delighted to announce the voting in of a new Chair and Vice Chair. Megan Travers from Wick High School will be HYP's new Chair, and Dougal Masterson from Dingwall Academy will be HYP's new Vice Chair for 2023-24.
Schools in The Highland Council's bid to the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Improvement Plan (LEIP) phase 3 have not been selected at this stage. The bid consisted of three primary schools; Beauly Primary, Dunvegan Primary and Park Primary, a separate bid for St Clement’s School (and a third bid for Tornagrain Primary).
The Highland Council has forecast a significant financial gap for the coming years, with a projected budget gap of £60-70 million for next year (2024/25). Members have a legal obligation to set a balanced budget and proposals will be developed and presented to Council for agreement at the end of February 2024.
Two Caithness Councillors have joined the new Highland alliance political group. Councillors Andrew Jarvie and Mathew Reiss have joined the new group.
The Highland Council and BT have signed a multi-year agreement to deliver connectivity to over 340 sites, including nearly 200 schools, with new fibre provision delivered to over 100 sites in some of the most challenging locations in Scotland. BT will deliver services through the recently procured Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) Framework, and working with the Council will transition and transform the existing network services to a modern, fit for future infrastructure.
Highland Council's Employability team has announced its first ever virtual jobs fayre which will take place on Wednesday 15 November 2023. The virtual event will enable those interested to log onto the session from the comfort of their own home.
Designs based on the community's ideas for transforming some of the lanes connected to Wick High Street will be revealed at an event in the town in November. The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and The Highland Council successfully applied for Sustrans Scotland's Pocket Places Programme funding to improve the area.
Following the high winds forecast and experienced this week due to Storm Babet, The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which may have been damaged. Landowners are also asked to check the drainage from their property that it is not blocked and overflowing onto public roads.
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.
The Highland Council's winter maintenance programme starts on 14 October 2023 and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,766km of roads for which it has responsibility. Chair of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "We have the supplies and resources in place to provide a winter service according to the Council's policy.
Following the close of the withdrawal period today at 12 noon (Tuesday 10 October 2023), an election will be held for the 10 contested community councils across Highland. The contested community councils are: Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Croy and Culloden Moor Dunvegan Glengarry Kiltearn Melvich Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry Thurso Watten Wester Loch Ewe Ballot papers are being posted out second class on Tuesday 31 October 2023.
Highland Council has been investigating ways in which it can harness external funding to help meet its statutory obligations around energy efficient social housing and at the same time tackle fuel poverty. Members at yesterday's (5 October 2023) Climate Change Committee were asked to note opportunities to expand Energy Company Obligation funding to Council housing stock.