Local Authority News
30/12/2023
Still Time To Take Part In Highland 20mph Consultation
The Council is reminding the public and community groups that there is still time to submit feedback on the Highland-wide 20mph roll-out project. 125 Highland settlements are part of the project which equates to around 610km of roads across the Highlands, 590km of which are on Local Authority Roads.
30/12/2023
Lights, Camera, Action - Filming In The Highlands Brings Welcome Boost
With the eagerly awaited next series of Traitors due to be aired on BBC 1 on the 3 January, The Highland Council is taking the opportunity to highlight the economic boost filming across the Highlands has and the role its film office staff play in attracting productions. The Highland Film Commission, run by Highland Council, assists productions filming in the region by offering free and confidential guidance and support from the pre-production stage right through until filming is complete.28/12/2023
Council Tax Reduction Scheme Helps Households Save £3.5bn
Minister urges those eligible to apply for support. Scottish households have saved more than £3.5 billion in council tax since the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme was introduced a decade ago.28/12/2023
Highland Road Conditions Report - Thursday 28 December 2023
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.27/12/2023
Storm Gerrit Causing Disruptions in Highland
Partner agencies have been meeting to discuss the impacts of Storm Gerrit. There are multiple trees and power lines down blocking numerous routes across the Lochaber area including the A82 trunk road.24/12/2023
A Visitor Levy In Scotland Looks Almost Certain As The Bill Passes The First Stage
MSPs on a Holyrood committee have backed calls for the introduction of a visitor levy in local authorities, and have said that it would be 'unlikely' to deter tourists. Also known as the tourist tax, the legislation would allow councils to introduce an overnight accommodation levy - which Highland Council has been in support of.
22/12/2023
Highland Road Conditions Report - Friday, 22 December 2023
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.22/12/2023
Councils Predict Cuts And Job Losses Following Closer Examination Of The Scottish Budget
he Scottish Government has delivered a major blow to communities and has put councils at financial risk with a cash cut to Local Government in its draft Budget (published on 19th December) and no provision for inflation or pay increases, COSLA said. COSLA Leaders described the draft Budget as not only leaving councils at real and significant financial risk for the coming year, but as it stands, it will mean cuts in every community in Scotland and job losses across Scottish Local Government.18/12/2023
Highland Council Service Arrangements Over Festive Period 2023/2024
The Service Centre will close at 4pm on 22 December, re-opening on 27, 28 and 29 December (opening times 10am to 4pm). It will be closed on 1 and 2 January and open 8am to 5pm from 3 January 2024.16/12/2023
Response To Education Reform Bill Consultation By Highland Council
The Highland Council is supportive of the Scottish Government's Education Reform Bill, however the local authority stresses the need for adequate funding, resources and a focus on place-based solutions in the area to meet its vision. Cllr John Finlayson, Education Chair said: "It is important that we look to the future of Scottish Education from a Highland perspective.15/12/2023
Highland Council approves new Polling Scheme
Changes to a number of Polling Districts and Polling Places in the Highlands were agreed today (Thursday 14 December 2023) at the meeting of The Highland Council. Following the formal review of the Highland Polling Districts and Places, Members approved a new Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places that will be in place for the next elections.15/12/2023
Hundreds Of Responses Received To Budget Engagement of Highland Council
Hundreds of people have responded to the Highland Council's programme of engagement, completing a survey or taking part in the budget simulator challenge. The Council is facing an estimated budget gap of around £62m in 2024-25 and is expected to need over £100m over the next 3 years to balance the books with current expenditure.15/12/2023
Black Isle And Easter Ross Area Committees Of Highland Council Amalgamated
Members of Highland Council, who met today, Thursday, 14 December 2023, have agreed to amalgamate two local area committees. The former Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committees will be merged to form a single area committee.13/12/2023
Council Confirms Priority For Gritting During Wintery Weather And Urges Everyone To Take Extra Care
Following a week of very icy and cold wintry weather, the Leader of The Highland Council has acknowledged the difficult conditions that recent adverse weather has created for road and footway users and is encouraging everyone to take extra care and allow additional time for journeys. Councillor Raymond Bremner said: "Ice, thaw and freezing rain sustained over a pro-longed period of time in many areas of the Highlands have meant that our gritting crews have had to take longer getting round all the routes agreed in the Council's Winter Maintenance Policy.11/12/2023
Council seeks views on Biodiversity Planning Guidance
The Highland Council has released for consultation new Biodiversity Planning Guidance that will support the implementation of cross-cutting biodiversity policies as set out in National Planning Framework 4. The Guidance aims to provide clarity and certainty for developers on what information is required to demonstrate the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of biodiversity and will enable the Planning Authority to take a consistent, proportionate, and balanced approach to decision making.9/12/2023
Plan Underway To Unlock Renewable Energy Funding And Provide Energy Security Resilience
Highland Council members will next week consider a report which looks at ways in which the local authority can leverage funding to deliver renewable energy projects to deliver net zero, generate income and maximise opportunities for the Highlands to benefit as a whole. Alongside this, Councillors will also be asked to look at measures relating to the development of complimentary approaches relating to community benefit and community wealth building.9/12/2023
Highland Council Will Consider New Income Generation Options
Members of Highland Council will next week consider innovative approaches to generate additional income to maintain public services. The Council is facing a £62m budget deficit and officers presented income generation options to Redesign Board last week which agreed to recommend these to members at next week's meeting of Highland Council.9/12/2023
Tachartas A' Comharrachadh Shlighean Dreuchdail Gàidhlig Do Sgoilearan - Event highlights Gaelic career pathways for pupils 
haidh tachartas dreuchdan Gàidhlig Siuthad! a chumail air a' mhìos a chaidh seachad (9 Samhain 2023) aig Cùirt an Easbaig ann an Inbhir Nis agus bha sgoilearan an làthair bho ochd àrd-sgoiltean air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. Chuir buill Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd fàilte air an naidheachd gun deach Siuthad! a chumail aghaidh-ri-aghaidh a-rithist airson a’ chiad uair bho 2019.
8/12/2023
Empty Property Relief Being Phased Out For Non-Domestic Rates Agreed Highland Council
Members of the Highland Council's Corporate Resources Committee, who met yesterday, Thursday, 7 December 2023, agreed a Non-Domestic Rates Empty Property Relief Scheme, which will initially commence from 1 April 2024. Within 3 years the reductions will be gone.
8/12/2023
