The Highland Council is launching the second phase of a major review of Community Councils, which focuses on a proposed new Scheme for Community Councils, including a model constitution, standing orders and code of conduct for Community Councillors. The consultation, which runs until 30 June, also provides the opportunity for communities to further consider any potential boundary changes, which featured in the first phase of public consultation from September to December 2009.
THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL BYELAWS PROHIBITING CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR IN DESIGNATED PLACES (THURSO) 2009 THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL BYELAWS PROHIBITING CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR IN DESIGNATED PLACES (WICK) 2009 TAKE NOTICE that the Scottish Ministers in terms of section 202 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 have confirmed the above named byelaws made by the Highland Council. The byelaws came into operation on 29 March 2010.
Highland Council and VisitScotland have concluded the 2010-11 Service Level Agreement which commits council funds to VisitScotland, specifically for the delivery of Visitor Information and marketing the Highlands via VisitScotland's national campaigns. Last week's Highland Council Planning Environment and Development Committee meeting approved the 2010 funding for VisitScotland, committing £80,000 directly, to ensure additional representation of the Highlands in VisitScotland's award-winning national marketing campaigns, including Winter White, Autumn Moments and Perfect Day.
Social work award for Tracey Taylor The "outstanding leadership skills" of a Highland children's centre manager have been recognised with an award. Tracey Taylor, Unit Manager of The Highland Council's Wick Children's Centre, was highly commended in the "Residential Care Worker of the Year" category of the annual awards held by the British Association of Social Workers in Scotland.
The coldest winter in the Highlands since 1962 has resulted in an estimated overspend on The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Services budget by £1.497 million (2.2%) by the end of the financial year. Figures presented to the Council's TEC Services Committee have shown that the Highland Winter Maintenance budget is estimated to be overspent by £2.276 million by the end of the financial year.
The creation of a Flood Team of six staff has been welcomed by members of The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Service Committee. Members of the TEC Services Committee welcomed the allocation of around £240,000 per year from the Scottish Government to set up a dedicated Flood Team within the Council.
A campaign aimed at encouraging Highland householders to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste has received continued support from members of The Highland Council's TEC Services Committee. Commending the efforts of a six-strong team of waste awareness staff Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council's TEC Services Committee said: "Our officers do a magnificent job educating people of all ages about how to deal with their waste.
New facilities to recycle household batteries are now in place at all Recycling Centres across Highland. AAA's normally used for TV remote controls and AA's used for many children's toys, as well as mobile phone, camera and electronic batteries are just some of the types suitable for this latest service.
The Highland Council has agreed proposals for consulting with the public over options to identify major savings in 2011/12 and 2012/13. At its meeting on 11 February, the Council identified more than £12 million of savings in 2010/11 and more than £11 million of savings in 2011/12 and 2012/13.
The Highland Council has this week written to a random sample of 14,000 Highland households, with the aim of securing agreement from 2,300 volunteers to serve on a Citizens' Panel. The Panel will be used on an ongoing basis by the Council as one method of consultation with the public.
An enhanced online system enabling people to submit planning applications, appeals against decisions, and track progress of proposals in the Highlands goes live on Tuesday 23rd February. Applications will be processed electronically by a team of seven staff based at the Council's electronic processing centre in Inverness.
In its response to the UK Government's review of the management of the Crown Estate in Scotland, The Highland Council has highlighted its eagerness to achieve substantial change which will result in greater local community benefit from marine developments, such as renewable energy projects. The Council has warmly welcomed the inquiry by the Treasury Sub-Committee because it has campaigned for major reform of the Crown Estate in Scotland for many years, seeking a strategic shift in the ownership of marine resources away from the Crown Estate.
- Highland Council Trading Standards "Scam Watch" Campaign launched Throughout February 2010, Highland Council Trading Standards are taking part in the 'Scamnesty 2010' national campaign in a bid to end the scourge of mass marketed scams mailings targeting UK consumers. The 'Scamnesty' national campaign, organised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), is entering its third year.
Council pleased with call on companies to register for Framework Agreement An open invitation for consultants, contractors and skilled trades businesses to submit an application to work for The Highland Council on contracts with an individual value of up to £25,000 and consultancy work for projects of all values has received a considerable response. Over 700 (476 contractors and 242 consultants) submitted an application by the deadline of Friday 22 January for the Council's framework agreement which will begin in April 2010 and will last for two years, with the option of a one-year extension.
Following the recent spell of severe winter weather The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which have been damaged by the weight of snow. Landowners are being asked to check that there are no weakened, damaged, bent or broken boughs suspended at height which may subsequently fall onto roads or footways and should make arrangements to have boughs removed and obstructions cleared without undue delay.
Highland Councillors have confirmed that emergency measures to conserve road salt supplies will remain in place until the Council has built up a stock of at least 10,500 tonnes - seven days of treatment. Emergency measures were taken by the Chief Executive on Friday 15 January when supplies fell to 6,900 tonnes and the Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee agreed today (Thursday) that these should remain in place to conserve stocks.
From 8th January the Highland Council is advertising its vacancies on a new Scottish Local Government Jobs Portal. Teachers jobs that previously were advertised on TES will no longer be found there.
A local Blind Persons Companion Travel Scheme is to be implemented in the Highlands by The Highland Council in conjunction with First Scotrail from from 23 May 2010. Members of The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Service Committee this week approved the scheme which will allow one companion to travel with a blind travel card holder on each journey for a flat fare of 50p.
The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Committee has agreed to review its school estate, which includes 183 primary schools; 29 secondary schools and 3 special schools. The review aims to improve education provision for Highland pupils by:- • maximising opportunities for moving pupils from poor to better quality school buildings; • making most efficient use of available funding; and • addressing issues relating to demographic change.
At a meeting of The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community (TEC) Services on Thursday 21 January Highland Councillors will be asked to approve revised management rules for burial grounds that will include arrangements for burial lairs to be sold in perpetuity. The Council approved the current management rules for burial grounds in 1999.