The Highland Council has reaffirmed its commitment to see a new North Coast Care Facility created to serve Sutherland and at today's meeting of the Highland Council members were given a progress update on the project. Council officials have been working closely with colleagues in NHS Highland on a feasibility study for two options.
The UK Government has opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre in Inverness. Located in the Highland Council Headquarters car park, the site is easily accessible for people without a car.
Eligible school pupils in the Highland Council area are to receive vouchers for the October holiday period and for the coming Christmas break, February and Easter holidays in 2021 to help with food support. Councillor John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council's Education Committee said: "Highland welcomes the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Ann Somerville MSP which will provide much-needed support to our more vulnerable families in need during these difficult coronavirus times.
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on new proposals to offer free bus travel for young people resident in Scotland aged under 19. Over a third of people already benefit from free bus travel in Scotland.
Following its launch on Tuesday 20th October 2020, Highland Council has received and paid out the first Business Hardship Fund grants. As part of the Scottish Government's response to the COVID-19 Brake Restrictions which came into effect on 9 October, the Council has been asked to deliver this grant scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government.
From 19:00 on 26 October 2020 to 07:00 on 10 November 2020 the following roads will be affected by temporary roads closures for BEAR Northwest Trunk Roads Unit works. The road closures are necessary to allow BEAR to carry out surfacing works.
The Highland Council's roads team has been responding to localised flooding in the Sutherland area. The C1140 Lower Gledfield - Baldownie Bridge Road at Gledfield House has been closed at the request of Police Scotland due to localised flooding.
We can't say with any certainty what the future of COVID-19 is. But based on our experience with other infections, there is little reason to believe that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 will go away any time soon, even when vaccines become available.
The Highland Council is reminding the public that although their offices and buildings remain closed to the public a full range of support and information is still available. Access into all service point buildings continues to be currently restricted for people to complete birth registrations and other high priority registrations by appointment only, and following all current social distancing and hygiene guidance.
The Highland Council is today (12 October 2020) launching an eight week Common Good consultation giving the Dornoch community until 9 December 2020 to respond to a proposal to change the use of an area of Dornoch Links to a site for the location of a takeaway food van. The Council is keen to hear the community's views on the proposal and all submissions will be given full regard before a decision on whether, and how, to proceed is made.
Consultation launched on banning common single-use plastic items. Plans to ban some of the most environmentally damaging single-use plastic items in Scotland, including plastic cutlery and plastic straws, have been published for consultation.
Businesses need to take action now to prepare for the UK's new start on 1 January 2021. With just 81 days to go until the end of the transition period, Business Secretary calls on companies to take action now to prepare Government to host range of webinars to help businesses get ready for the UK's new start Sector-specific webinars will cover areas such as visas, work permits, and tariffs Businesses need to take action now to prepare for the UK's new start on 1 January 2021, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma will write in a letter to over 600,000 firms across the UK tomorrow (Monday 12 October).
The Highland Council would like to thank householders who have purchased a Garden Waste Collection Service permit for 2020/21. The current permit started on the 1st of September and will run until the 31st of August 2021, with collections continuing until the end of November.
The Bowel Screening Programme which was paused in March because of coronavirus (COVID-19) will resume today (Monday 12 October 2020). As part of the wider remobilisation of the NHS, bowel screening kits will begin to be posted out again, and people who were sent a screening kit before the pause are now also being asked to complete and return them.
Councillor Margaret Davidson, Leader of The Highland Council has today confirmed that Highland Council will work closely with the Scottish and UK Governments to press for the rapid delivery of a full fibre broadband network across the region. This follows on from positive discussions with Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands in the Scottish Government and Iain Stewart Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland Commenting on these meetings Cllr Davidson said:"I was really encouraged by the positive tone at these meetings and the willingness to make progress on improving digital connectivity in the Highlands.
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh on 7 October 2020 Presiding Officer, I will update the chamber today on the current position in relation to Covid. I will give an assessment of the current course of the pandemic; propose difficult but important temporary measures to stem the increase in cases; set out how we will support businesses affected by them; and update the chamber on the longer term work we are doing to further improve our ability to live with Covid.
The Leader and Depute Leader of The Highland Council have welcomed the targeted approach being taken by the Scottish Government to the COVID-19 response over the next 2 weeks/3 weekends - from 6pm on Friday 9 October to Sunday 25 October 2020. Highland Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: "We share the concerns of the rising number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country and although they are fewer in The Highland Council area we are not complacent as they are increasing in most Health Board Areas including NHS Highland.
Scottish numbers: 7 October 2020 Summary 1,054 new cases of COVID-19 reported; this is 13.0% of newly tested individuals. 1 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive.
Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson has welcomed Police Scotland's announcement that it has created 25 new jobs in Inverness with the creation of a specialist call handling service team. Cllr Davidson said: "The creation of 25 new jobs in the city is good news for Inverness and Highland region especially during the ongoing economic decline caused by coronavirus.
Plans have been announced for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to go ahead in 2021, while National 5 exams will be replaced by a system where grades are awarded based on coursework and teacher judgement. It means the volume of exams that will take place will be reduced by half, lowering public health risks and allowing plans for Higher and Advanced Highers to proceed.
