Local Authority News
17/11/2023
Committee Updated On Highland 20mph Roll-out - Some Roads May Revert To 30mph
A report presented on Thursday 16 November 2023 at the Environment and Infrastructure Committee of Highland Council provided members with an update on the overall 20mph programme in Highland ahead of a planned public consultation which will be launched in December. The report included the consideration for reverting some roads or sections of them back to 30mph speed limits.
17/11/2023
Grant Funding For Highland Community Transport Providers Confirmed
Twenty eight community transport initiatives across the Highlands have been awarded a share of £358,850 by The Highland Council to support them with the important role they play in delivering lifeline services to their local communities. Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans highlights the valuable work undertaken by providers.
17/11/2023
Councillors Endorse Disability Services Exercise
Members of The Highland Council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing have endorsed a scoping exercise currently being carried out on services available for children with disability in Highland. Included within the exercise is the consideration of Self-Directed Support and residential and respite provision which provides short break accommodation for children and young people with complex health and disability needs.16/11/2023
New Video Aims To Attract And Retain Social Workers In Highland
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.
15/11/2023
Strengthening Support For Young Carers And Families In Highland
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.10/11/2023
Early Intervention Encouraged For Rent Arrears During Cost Of Living Crisis
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.10/11/2023
Property Capital Programme Update Confirms Big Reduction To Building Schools Programme
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.10/11/2023
Highland Housing Register Policy Continues To Prioritise Those In Greatest Housing Need
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.10/11/2023
‘Siuthad! Tachartas Dhreuchdan Gàidhlig A' Tilleadh Gu Eden Court - ‘siuthad!' (go On!) Gaelic Careers Event Returns To Eden Cour
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.
8/11/2023
New Members Wanted For Local Access Forums
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.4/11/2023
Girl From Wick High School Will Be Highland Youth Parliament's New Chair
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.
31/10/2023
Scottish Government Delivers Hammer Blow To School Building Projects In Highland
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).27/10/2023
Highland Council Projecting A Huge Budget Gap
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 2024.26/10/2023
New Highland Council Political Group - Highland Alliance
Two Caithness Councillors have joined the new Highland alliance political group. Councillors Andrew Jarvie and Mathew Reiss have joined the new group.24/10/2023
The Highland Council And BT Sign Multi-year Network Services Agreement
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.23/10/2023
Highland Council Announces First Virtual Winter Jobs Fair Focusing On Skye And Raasay
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.23/10/2023
Community-led Designs For Wick Lanes To Be Revealed
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.
20/10/2023
Council Urges Landowners To Check For Wind Damaged Trees And Drainage Issues
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.20/10/2023
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Friday, 20 October
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.19/10/2023
