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Highland Council poised for 35% tax raid on household budgets over 5 years

10 December 2024
Highland Council poised for 35% tax raid on household budgets over 5 years

Highland Council poised for 35% tax raid on household budgets over 5 years

10 December 2024

That is despite a large increase in Scottish Government funding announced in the draft budget.


Highland Council extends visitor levy scheme consultation period

09 December 2024
Highland Council extends visitor levy scheme consultation period

Highland Council extends visitor levy scheme consultation period

09 December 2024

Tourism groups welcome the move saying if it is ‘well-implemented’ it could ‘bring significant benefits to our region’


Leading councillors call for ‘break-up of Highland Council’ - so is it still fit for purpose?

06 December 2024
Leading councillors call for ‘break-up of Highland Council’ - so is it still fit for purpose?

Leading councillors call for ‘break-up of Highland Council’ - so is it still fit for purpose?

06 December 2024

The move to ‘better serve’ the north follows Kate Forbes’ call to dismantle the local authority.


Holyrood told about ‘barbaric’ lack of Caithness maternity that saw some women ‘lose their fertility’

05 December 2024
Holyrood told about ‘barbaric’ lack of Caithness maternity that saw some women ‘lose their fertility’

Holyrood told about ‘barbaric’ lack of Caithness maternity that saw some women ‘lose their fertility’

05 December 2024

Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called on First Minister John Swinney for action but was told ‘clinical safety’ was paramount.


Lib Dems in Highland Council score another new member in Struan Mackie

05 December 2024
Lib Dems in Highland Council score another new member in Struan Mackie

Lib Dems in Highland Council score another new member in Struan Mackie

05 December 2024

The change comes after the former group leader resigned from the Conservatives two months ago.


The Scottish Budget at a glance: how it affects the Highlands and Moray from dualling to the NHS

04 December 2024
The Scottish Budget at a glance: how it affects the Highlands and Moray from dualling to the NHS

The Scottish Budget at a glance: how it affects the Highlands and Moray from dualling to the NHS

04 December 2024

More cash will come north but the jury is out on whether finance secretary Shona Robison delivered for the north.


Scottish Government should make Highland Hospice ‘a nationally funded service’

03 December 2024
Scottish Government should make Highland Hospice ‘a nationally funded service’

Scottish Government should make Highland Hospice ‘a nationally funded service’

03 December 2024

Fergus Ewing says recent NI hikes risk the service that offers patients dignity and saves the NHS millions.


Former Highland Council staff say they were ‘intimidated’ after being paid despite leaving

26 November 2024
Former Highland Council staff say they were ‘intimidated’ after being paid despite leaving

Former Highland Council staff say they were ‘intimidated’ after being paid despite leaving

26 November 2024

One of them was told to attend a meeting for an interview with council investigators ‘under caution’.


Highland Council says it only overpaid ex-staff £614k not £863k as originally feared

22 November 2024
Highland Council says it only overpaid ex-staff £614k not £863k as originally feared

Highland Council says it only overpaid ex-staff £614k not £863k as originally feared

22 November 2024

The bureaucratic blunder emerged because the local authority was not checking ‘to confirm the existence of its staff’.


Highland pupils at a ‘disadvantage’ as attainment falls in years S4 to S6

19 November 2024
Highland pupils at a ‘disadvantage’ as attainment falls in years S4 to S6

Highland pupils at a ‘disadvantage’ as attainment falls in years S4 to S6

19 November 2024

New figures show the north is behind the national average in 13 out of 15 areas.


Highland Council’s tourist tax consultation goes live tomorrow amid cost concerns

14 November 2024
Highland Council’s tourist tax consultation goes live tomorrow amid cost concerns

Highland Council’s tourist tax consultation goes live tomorrow amid cost concerns

14 November 2024

They relate to charges and their implications for both residents staying locally and small operators.


Call for radical changes to compulsory purchase and tax to tackle Highland housing crisis

14 November 2024
Call for radical changes to compulsory purchase and tax to tackle Highland housing crisis

Call for radical changes to compulsory purchase and tax to tackle Highland housing crisis

14 November 2024

Community Land Scotland chairwoman Ailsa Raeburn warns ‘availability of homes now at crisis level’.


The tourist tax is back on Highland Council’s agenda as battle lines are drawn

08 November 2024
The tourist tax is back on Highland Council’s agenda as battle lines are drawn

The tourist tax is back on Highland Council’s agenda as battle lines are drawn

08 November 2024

Hospitality fears it could put people off visiting but others question why locals foot the bill for mass tourism.


Highland Hospice dealt major blow by Labour’s National Insurance hikes

07 November 2024
Highland Hospice dealt major blow by Labour’s National Insurance hikes

Highland Hospice dealt major blow by Labour’s National Insurance hikes

07 November 2024

MP Angus MacDonald warns impacts will also be felt by ‘many care homes, pharmacies, doctors surgeries and dentist clinics’.


Critics slam Highland Council limiting responses to its social media posts

05 November 2024
Critics slam Highland Council limiting responses to its social media posts

Critics slam Highland Council limiting responses to its social media posts

05 November 2024

The council’s ‘thanks, but no thanks’ approach was dubbed ‘heavy handed’ by one councillor


Highland transport strategy must reconcile local realities and government demands

05 November 2024
Highland transport strategy must reconcile local realities and government demands

Highland transport strategy must reconcile local realities and government demands

05 November 2024

The council is issuing a call for views covering almost all transport options in the north.


Hundreds of Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees found shelter in the Highlands

05 November 2024
Hundreds of Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees found shelter in the Highlands

Hundreds of Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees found shelter in the Highlands

05 November 2024

Cameron Barracks and 7 hotels as well as MoD properties were all used to accommodate displaced persons.


Political reaction to the UK budget – has the chancellor piled the pressure on the SNP?

30 October 2024
Political reaction to the UK budget – has the chancellor piled the pressure on the SNP?

Political reaction to the UK budget – has the chancellor piled the pressure on the SNP?

30 October 2024

Or has Rachel Reeves devastated Highland farming, whisky, business and employment?


Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims Scotland will get an additional £3.4 billion

30 October 2024
Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims Scotland will get an additional £3.4 billion

Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims Scotland will get an additional £3.4 billion

30 October 2024

But what does that mean for the Highlands including vital sectors like the whisky industry?


Highland Council says it will cost £90,000 for a renewable projects map updated ‘monthly’

27 October 2024
Highland Council says it will cost £90,000 for a renewable projects map updated ‘monthly’

Highland Council says it will cost £90,000 for a renewable projects map updated ‘monthly’

27 October 2024

That is part of a larger £278,000 annual bill to keep the public fully informed including training for community councils.


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