Highland Council's Climate Change and Energy Team have had a productive year and say their crucial work will continue apace in the New Year. As 2021 draws to a close, the team has taken time to reflect on the progress made in 2021 in the Highland region.
The Highland Council is delighted with the success of its HERO scheme which is providing people with new job opportunities and making a real difference to the lives of many who previously were finding it hard to find employment. Since it was launched on the 15 March 2021 HERO (Highland Employment Recruitment Offer), which is run by the Council's Employability Team, has directly supported 225 residents into employment.
The Hospitality Business Support Top-Up Grant Scheme will provide a one-off payment for businesses in the hospitality sector who have lost bookings during December 2021 and January 2022. Business will receive either a grant of £4,500 or £6,800 depending on their rateable value.
The Highland Council has confirmed that designs for the renovation of the Wick Whitechapel Road Public Conveniences have been finalised. They include a new communal entrance, charging gate, internal CCTV, disabled toilet, upgraded showering facilities and a full internal refurbishment.
On behalf of The Highland Council, High Life Highland this week announced Northport as the successful partner for the film input to Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project. The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project will be delivered in partnership with VisitScotland and aims to deliver benefits for local communities, helping to unlock economic potential and improve visitor experiences across the region by engaging people with our rich natural and cultural heritage.
The Chairs of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure and Education Committees are urging young people and families to be ready for the Young persons' Free bus travel scheme for under 22s next year. Cllr Trish Robertson said: "To take advantage of this free travel 5 - 21-year-olds will need a valid entitlement card.
Members approved a list of offices for review and potential rationalisation as a key part of the 15 year capital strategy plan. Consultation will be undertaken on the properties identified as part of the review process.
Members of the Highland Council have today approved a fifteen year capital plan with a total value of nearly £1bn which will see investment in schools, roads and flood schemes. The 15-year programme is intended to support the delivery of the Council's current programme, to the value of £658.132m which aligns with the Council's long term strategic aims and reflects long term budget planning.
Proposals to provide almost £3m to help households in fuel poverty in Highland this winter have been approved by members at the meeting of full Council on 10 December. A payment of £180 will be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction.
Council has agreed a motion to appoint Older People's Champions across Highland, with an amendment to take a report to the February 2022 Health and Social Care Committee. The wording of the motion and amendment is as follows: Older People's Champion Council recognises and values the contributions that older people play in our society.
Highland Councillors a their meeting held on 10 December 2021 have approved a new way of working aiming to improve how the Council works with individual communities to address their needs. A framework has been written up for the new "place-based" approach as a way of bringing ideas about services, investments, resources, and assets together.
At today's meeting of The Highland Council (Friday 10 December 2021) members agreed the resources required to run the Highland Council Local Government Elections which will take place on Thursday 5 May 2022 and were advised that preparations were already underway to ensure its successful delivery. The total cost of running the 2022 Council election is estimated to be £550,000.
Highland Councillors have agreed an ambitious approach to developing a net zero strategy and action plan for the region that will maximise external funding to deliver its climate change targets. Councillors welcomed feedback on staff and Members' attendance at COP26 which helped to secure a variety of benefits and new opportunities to support and strengthen the Council’s approach to climate action.
Leader of The Highland Council, Margaret Davidson has welcomed the announcement today by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon in relation to the much anticipated Nigg Offshore Wind ("NOW") tower rolling factory. The £110m project proposed by Nigg Offshore Wind Asset Company Limited (NOW) - a joint venture by Global Energy Group and leading European tower manufacturer, Haizea Wind Group, Bilbao - was announced today (Friday 3 December).
A new report, "Charges for temporary homeless accommodation in Scotland - law and reality" has been published by the Legal Services Agency which examines the practice of charging for temporary homeless accommodation in Scotland, and whether local authorities are acting lawfully in this area. Background Individuals in Scotland who make a homelessness application to their local authority are supposed to be provided with temporary accommodation.
Members of Scotland's largest local government union have voted to accept a pay deal after the union secured an additional £48m funding on the paybill for an improved offer from COSLA. UNISON announced the result of its ballot today (Monday 29 November 2021) with more than 75% voting in favour of the offer.
The Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson, recently met with Council Roads Staff in Wick on a visit to Caithness. Cllr Davidson said: "We have had a good discussion with the Area Roads Manager and some of her Team and I am very impressed with the road works that they have achieved this season.
RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd are starting works at Uig Harbour this week where the ferry terminal will be upgraded with new infrastructure. This forms a key part of the Skye Triangle upgrade where The Highland Council have been working closely with Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), CalMac Ferries Ltd and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to deliver the Uig works with the ongoing upgrade works at Tarbert and Lochmaddy.
The Highland Council is working in partnership with the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to proactively bring privately-owned empty homes across the Highlands back into use. With funding support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, the Council has been able to employ a full-time Empty Homes Officer for a two-year period.
On behalf of The Highland Council, High Life Highland this week announced Airborne Lens as the successful partner for the photography input to Spirit:Journeys, part of the Spirit of the Highlands project. Spirit:Journeys will be delivered in partnership with VisitScotland and aims to deliver benefits for local communities, helping to unlock economic potential and improve visitor experiences across the region by engaging people with the our rich natural and cultural heritage.