Highland Council has been updated on collaborative work between the council and partners to address skills gaps, attract key workers, retain young people and build healthy, sustainable communities. Members noted the progress of the Strategic Partnership Priority "People - Living Healthy, Thriving and Inclusive Lives, which is the third priority of the "Future Highlands" strategy considered by the Council in September 2021.
Members, at their final meeting of full Council today, welcomed the annual report by Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland's Director of Public Health, which focuses on mental health and suicide within the local population. Stark figures and statistics throughout the report highlight the enormity of the issue within the NHS Highland area, alongside the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 in intensifying the matter.
A multi-agency investment into digital infrastructure in Highland will ensure the public sector and businesses are equipped to deliver next generation connectivity. Today, The Highland Council and partners within the Highlands, UK Government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Capita and CityFibre announced the completion of a four-year project across Inverness, Fort William, Thurso and Wick, as part of the Building Digital UK (BDUK) Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) programme.
Scotland's councils have increased reserves over the last year but must address the impacts of an overall reduction in funding and ongoing challenges caused by Covid-19. An overview of local government finances in Scotland 2020/21, published today by the Accounts Commission, captures the full-year impact of Covid-19.
Council agrees proposals for second round of Levelling Up Fund Highland Council has agreed proposals for Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund bid, with submissions expected to be submitted in June 2022. Three bids including projects in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross; Ross, Skye and Lochaber; and a NC500 transport bid, will be submitted.
A Highland-based virtual assistant company is reaping the benefits of two new skilled members of staff thanks to support from the Highland Council Employability Service's HERO employment scheme. Behind the Scenes VA Ltd was set up by Emma Mulraine in 2018 to provide a quality and affordable support service to start ups, small businesses and the self-employed.
A £2m investment in action to tackle climate change, in Highland Council's budget proposals, are expected to benefit long term employment, skills development and career opportunities for people to remain and work in Highland. Despite a challenging financial settlement and significant inflationary pressures the Council has exercised prudent financial management which has enabled a new £10m investment programme to be developed for 2022/23.
The Highland Council is set to consider additional £5.5m investment in the roads infrastructure as part of its collaborative £10m investment plan for 2022-23. The additional £5.5m proposed is on top of £25.5m already agreed for roads in recent months, and would bring the total to £31m.
Highland Council is using Cyber Scotland Week (28 Feb - 6 Mar 2022) to remind businesses across the region about the importance of business continuity in the face of new and emerging threats from cyber criminals. Business continuity planning can give your business the best chance of coping should the worst happen.
The Highland Council and Transport Scotland, who have been working with local stakeholders to reinstate flights from Wick John O'Groats Airport, are delighted to announce that Eastern Airways have been awarded a contract to provide a year-round service to Aberdeen. The service, which will operate under a Public Service Obligation (PSO), will provide a direct connection to the airport hub at Aberdeen for 3 years.
Communities across The Highland Council region who want to grow their own food are to be ‘inspired, empowered and supported' by a new strategy that was approved by Members of the Council's Communities and Place Committee on 23 February 2022. Councillors have agreed to adopt ‘Growing our Future - Highland Community Food Growing Strategy' and that an annual progress report on the implementation of the strategy will be presented to the Communities and Place Committee.
Two Highland communities are to benefit from the decisions of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee today (23 February 2022) as community asset transfers have been approved for the Lochcarron and Dunbeath areas. Councillors agreed to the sale of the Lochcarron Playgroup Cabin for £1,000 to Lochcarron Leisure Centre subject to a statutory consultation with Council housing tenants in Lochcarron regarding the land upon which the cabin is located.
Highland council hold their Special Meeting on 3 March 2022 to agree the 202223 budget. A Council Tax increase of 3 per cent has been agreed with the main parties so it looks like a foregone conclusion to pass.
Members of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have agreed to keep the £20 administration charge for the reapplication of a Blue Badge until such time as the Scottish Government reviews its policy on the Blue Badge Scheme which local authorities administer on its behalf. Under The Highland Council’s Petitions Procedure, Councillors considered a petition that had been lodged with the Council seeking to abolish the administration charge for the reapplication of a Blue Badge.
Members of The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee have endorsed a response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy. The response recognises the benefits that could be achieved by carrying out research to understand the influences on littering behaviour and supports a collaborative national anti-littering behaviour change campaign.
Collaborative engagement sessions are planned with Head Teachers to raise attainment and achievement in Highland primary schools. Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "Improving attainment and achievement is one of our priorities and while this is important, we must also recognise and celebrate the hard work that is currently being undertaken in our schools.
Education Committee Members approved the Council's plan titled ‘My Future, My Success' which sets out the vision and plans for ambitious and sustained destinations for children and young people in Highland. Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "This ambitious plan will help to empower our young people to make the right decisions at the right time for their future.
The Highland Council is proposing a below inflation council tax increase of 3% for 2022-23. The increase together with a range of efficiency and management savings will be required to close the budget gap of £34m.
As more visitors from the UK and abroad travel to enjoy holidays along the stunning Northern coast of the Highlands, an exciting business opportunity to tie in with the tourism boom has come up. The Highland Council is looking for someone to take on a new lease of Wick Caravan Park William and Tricia Miller who have run the site for the past 15 years will be retiring this year, so the Council is looking for a new operator to take over when the existing lease expires on the 28 May 2022.
The Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson, has welcomed the announcement made that the UK and Scottish governments intend to establish two green freeports in Scotland. The Council is working with partners through the Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF) consortium to promote a range of projects that aim to reinforce and optimise Highland's ongoing contribution to climate action at the national and regional level.