News Archive

HIGHLAND WIDE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - Consultation

THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL COMHAIRLE NA GÀIDHEALTACHD TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997 AS AMENDED HIGHLAND wide LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN PLANA LEASACHAIDH IONADAIL NA GÀIDHEALTACHD GU LÈIR PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN The Plan & Where to Read It The Highland Council has prepared a Highland wide Local Development Plan.  The current "Proposed Plan Draft" (hereinafter referred to as "the Plan") can be inspected free of charge during normal opening hours at the following locations: ï‚· Every public library within the Highland Council area (a full list is available via: http://www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/libraries/ ) ï‚· Every Highland Council Planning and Building Standards office (a full list is available via http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/planning-and-development-contacts.htm ) ï‚· Every Highland Council Service Point within the Highland Council area (a full list is available via: http://www.highland.gov.uk/livinghere/servicepointnetwork/localservicepoint.htm The Plan will also be available on all mobile libraries and can be viewed online at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/developmentplans Content & Purpose The Plan represents the Council's land use vision, strategy and principal, general policies for the whole Highland Council area except that part within the Cairngorms National Park Authority boundary.  

Council Get sTough To Create A Litter Free Highlands

Highland Councillors are being asked to adopt a zero tolerance approach to enforcement of littering and fly-tipping.  A report to the TEC Services Committee on Thursday recommends that: _ • enforcement officers should target Inverness city and other main towns on a regular basis; • the zero tolerance approach to enforcement should be supported by publicity in the local media to advertise the city/towns where enforcement is being targeted; • the numbers of fixed penalty notices issued should be published; • the number of staff authorised to issue Fixed Penalty Notices should be extended to include Community Wardens from Housing and Property Services; • TEC Services and the Housing and Property Service should continue to work with the Police and other agencies to promote a litter free Highlands; and • the effectiveness of the zero tolerance litter enforcement campaign should be monitored through the number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued.  

New Day Care Charge

From Monday 4 October, The Highland Council is bringing itself in line with most local councils in Scotland by introducing a flat rate weekly charge for day care services.   The £5 per week charge incorporates the existing transport charge of 50p per journey to a day care centre.  

Business Tourism Study for Caithness and Sutherland

Highlands and Islands Enterprise has commissioned a study to investigate the nature and impact of business tourism on the economy of Caithness and North Sutherland.   The report will assess the numbers of rooms currently being booked by business travellers and the trends anticipated in future from major demand generators like nuclear decommissioning and the emerging renewable energy sector.  

Euro Funding Bid For Lifeline Road Project

The Highland Council is seeking Euro funding to proceed with three lifeline road projects.   They are the: - • A890 Strathcarron to Balnacra, West Ross • A861 Drynie Hill, north of Acharacle, Ardnamurchan • A838 North approach to Laxford Bridge, North-West Sutherland The Council's capital programme has allocated £750,000 each year against lifeline roads in each of the next three years, and this is based on attracting grant from the European Regional Development Fund.  

Get Into Buildings This September

Ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors? Every September, the national Doors Open Days offers free access to landmark buildings, private homes and usually private work spaces that the public never normally get a chance to see.   The Highland programme is co-ordinated by The Highland Council and Inverness City Heritage Trust.  

Council Tax Rebate Scam

The Highland Council's Finance and Trading Standards teams have been alerted to the fact that Highland residents are currently being targeted by a Council Tax rebate scam.   The "phishing" scam involves attempts by callers to obtain bank details over the phone, on the false promise of being entitled to receive a rebate on their Council Tax payments.  

Investigation Into Offspring Of Cloned Cow

A Council spokesman confirmed that officers from the Council's Environmental Health team had visited the farm at Auldearn yesterday (Tuesday) to interview the farmer who owned 2 of the bulls born in the UK from embryos from a cloned cow.   The visit was to confirm information on the bulls and their offspring.  

Expo Has Highland Young Ambassadors

Scotland's Housing Expo at Inverness running throughout August has been marked with the induction of its newest recruits.   Thirty-five students, all hailing from the Highlands, have been appointed as House Ambassadors for the month-long Expo, which kicked off on Sunday, 1 August.  

Reminder For Broadband Improvement Funding

A new deadline date of Wednesday 6 October has been set for community groups across the Highlands wishing to bid for Euro funding to help improve their broadband services.   Applicants should send their bids to their local Highland LEADER representative for final determination by the Scottish Government.