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The Highland Council’s Magazine Spring 2018
Issue 10
Highpoints
Sàr Phuingean
School rugby festival marks royal opening Pg3
Skye
y tourist sites How did we do? Pg22
ge funding
get
How do we compare? Pg30
b
boost Pg6
www.highland.gov.uk
Contents
3 Royal visit at Canal Park
4 LEADER funding for projects in the
Highlands
6 Funding for improvements at top tourist
sites in Skye.
8 On location in the Highlands
9 Highland schools star in FilmG Awards
9 Knoydart landslip
Welcome
10 Modern apprenticeship programme Welcome to the Spring 2018 edition of Highpoints.
11 Apprentice Day for Highland Youth What a long winter it has been! It has been very challenging for
Parliament Members
12 S’no problem for Syd!
all our services, particularly winter maintenance, and we are now
12 Highland gritter driver to the rescue faced with the enormous job of fixing the damage to the roads.
13 New marina planned at Corpach It has however been a terrific season for winter tourism, especially
14 Times table chromebook craze sweeps in our great snow sports resorts in Badenoch & Strathspey, and
schools
Lochaber. Our film tourism is also doing very well and you can
14 Sports Leadership Awards
15 Culloden Academy pupil is 1 in a 1,000 read more about this on page 8.
16 Thousands turn out to see Town House This year, 2018, is the Year of Young People and this issue of
transformation
Highpoints focuses on celebrating the successes involving a great
17 Funding for new homes across the
Highlands many young people across the Council. The rugby festival in which
17 Future bright with income from solar nearly 500 children from local schools took part highlighted the
energy success of the new Highland Rugby Club and West Link project
18 More projects benefit from participatory which provides opportunities for young people across the area.
budget events
19 Budget 2018/19 The Calcutta Cup was on display and also taken along to Kingussie
20 Trading Standards take delivery for local children to see this historic piece of silver.
surcharging to House of Commons The Council employs 50 modern apprentices and it is great to
20 Help is available to reduce Council Tax
21 Internal Auditor appointment
meet some of these young people with promising futures ahead
22 How did we do? Measuring our of them in this issue. Well done also to Rachael Taylor of Culloden
performance Academy who is one in 1000 girls to be selected for a Global
26 What did our survey tell us? STEM Alliance!
29 How did we do: Local and National
Statutory Performance Indicators We are a forward looking Council and we seek to support young
2016/17 people and provide the best possible opportunities here in
30 How do we compare: Benchmarking Highland with nearly 96% of our young people going on to
Contact us positive destinations after school. You can also read more about
the Council’s performance in 2016/17 on pages 22 to 35.
Write to:
Corporate Communications
The Highland Council HQ
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness IV3 5NX
Email: corporate.communications
@highland.gov.uk
Phone: 01463 702020
Highpoints will be published online and
some hard copies will be made available in
service points and libraries. The magazine
is produced in-house by our Corporate
Communications Team and printing costs
are sponsored by advertising.
Bill Lobban Highland Council Convener
Listening ~ Open ~ Valuing ~ Improving ~ Supporting ~ Partnering ~ Delivering
2
Royal visit and school rugby festival
mark the opening of Canal Park
Almost two years after a new junior pitch partly floodlit to
turf cutting ceremony on training standard and a new car
parking area.
10th May 2016 to mark
the start of the Canal Park The Calcutta Cup, won by
Scotland 25-13 against England
Enhancement works, the
at BT Murrayfield in February,
Highland Rugby Club and presented to Scotland
celebrated its fabulous new captain John Barclay on the day Construction of the new
home with an official opening by the Princess Royal, was also clubhouse, artificial pitch and
on display at Canal Park for the two new grass pitches at Canal
by Scottish Rugby’s Patron,
official opening. See our cover Park began in the summer of
Her Royal Highness The 2017 along with the building of
photo where pupils had the
Princess Royal on 19th March. Stage 1 of the West Link road, and
unique chance to see the cup up
470 Primary 6 Pupils from local close. was completed in October 2017.
schools took part in a Festival Stage 1 of the West Link Road was
The West Link and associated completed and opened to traffic
of Touch Rugby on the opening
sports facilities which include in December 2017.
day which was blessed with
Canal Park, form part of the
fabulous sunshine. Balloch, The state of the art community
Council’s contribution to the
Balnain, Cauldeen, Central, facility is managed by High
City-Region Deal investment by
Cradlehall, Crown, Dalneigh, Life Highland in partnership
partners. In addition to £4.1m
Duncan Forbes, Hilton, Invergarry, with Highland Rugby Club. The
from the Council to create the
Kirkhill, Merkinch, Milton of Leys sporting facility for the use of the
Canal Park facility, sportscotland
and Muirtown were all involved wider community boasts a superb
invested £0.5m in the project.
in adapted touch rugby games function space and spectators’
The project also benefited from
on Highland Rugby Club’s new balcony with catering facilities,
an award of £40,000 from Scottish
artificial surface. top class changing facilities and
Rugby’s Club Sustainability Fund
The artificial pitch is full rugby which provides investment pitches.
playing standard (World Rugby to rugby clubs to develop Andy Little, Chairman of
compliant) with floodlighting their facilities and enhance Highland Rugby Club which
also to playing standard. There infrastructure. established in 1922 said:
is also a new full-size grass pitch, “The completion of the Canal
Park Redevelopment marks a new
chapter in the history of Highland
Rugby Club and provides our club
and the wider rugby and sporting
community with state of the art
sporting facilities. When the club
embarked on discussions with
The Highland Council on the
Cover photo and rugby club photo by Alison Gibert
way forward for the West Link
Road I never thought that the
outcome would be what we have
today. The results are outstanding
in terms of uptake in playing
numbers at all age grades and
increase in volunteers and new
coaches coming forward to help
at our club.”
3
LEADER funding of
£4.9m available
for projects in the Highlands
With just under a year left to commit EU funds, potential applicants are encouraged to come
forward for a share of the £4.9million still available from the Highland LEADER Programme.
LEADER aims to promote economic and community development within rural areas and these awards
demonstrate the diverse range of projects that can be supported. With just over a year left to commit
LEADER funds and funding allocated on a first come, first served basis, we would encourage groups to
get in touch now to discuss any project ideas. Funding is available for projects benefiting communities in
mainland Highlands, the Small Isles and Skye, excluding Inverness and the Cairngorms National Park.
LEADER aims to promote economic and community development within rural areas. Individuals, groups,
organisations and businesses can apply for funding towards a wide range of projects.
Projects already benefiting from LEADER funding
Funding for Rosemarkie Conservation of
Rosemarkie Amenities Association is set to benefit Dunbeath Broch
from LEADER funding to develop and improve
the area around the café and recreation area at An award of £21,014 from LEADER is the last piece
Rosemarkie Beach. £37,985 was awarded towards of the financial jigsaw required for a project which
the development of two tennis courts, one of which aims to conserve Dunbeath Broch in Caithness.
will be used as a multi-sports facility. Dunbeath Broch is a Scheduled Monument and
Anne Philips, Chair of Rosemarkie Amenities is the best preserved and most visited of several
Association said: brochs in the Strath. However, the broch is in
need of conservation works to slow or prevent
“We also secured funding from the LEADER deterioration of the structure and assure safe access.
programme in 2012 to develop the café. The café
has proved to be popular with the community and Neil Buchanan, Chair of Berriedale & Dunbeath
visitors and has allowed us to raise income towards Community Council said:
developing the sports area. The new courts will be “Dunbeath Strath provides a walk with a variety of
available all year-round and in addition to tennis, interest and is popular with local people, the wider
we plan to offer activities such as walking football, Caithness community and visitors to the area. The
hockey and 5 aside football. We will also look to Strath is sheltered, picturesque, has a long and
introduce new activities to meet local demand.” impressive history of human settlement and is rich
Photos from LEADER
4
in archaeological sites. The best known of these are
brochs - tall imposing circular drystone towers built
Projects in Sutherland
over 2000 years ago - some of the most remarkable The Embo Trust, Strathnaver Museum and
structures ever built in Britain. Despite this richness Sutherland Community Sports & Recreation Hub are
very few Caithness brochs have been subject to among projects in Sutherland set to benefit from
modern excavation and dating and few are readily funding from the Highland LEADER Programme.
accessible or adequately presented.”
The Sutherland Local Area Partnership has approved
funding of £247,578 to date and is encouraging
Accommodation for potential applicants to come forward for a share of
the remaining funds which must be committed by
Shieling Project early 2019. The Local Area Partnership has recently
increased the maximum grant available to £75,000
A social enterprise, based in Strathfarrar near Beauly,
with applicants able to apply for up to 75% of
aims to engage people with the tradition of the
project costs.
shieling. The Shieling Project offers school trips,
both day trips and residential, summer camps for Sutherland Community Sports & Recreation Hub has
children and adults, volunteering opportunities for been awarded LEADER funding of £31,217 towards
adults, and has recently opened an outdoor nursery the development of a multi-use games area in
for 3 to 5 year olds. Golspie.
Photo from LEADER
An artist’s impression of the new community hub at Embo
The Embo Trust is also set to benefit from LEADER
Photo from LEADER
funding with an award of £30,534 to renovate
the old school to create a village Community Hub
New cabins arriving at The Shieling Project
with multi-purpose hall for activities and classes,
community shop and outreach post office. The
The Shieling Project Community Interest Company funding will help establish a commercial café/
was awarded £61,975 to support the creation of restaurant unit within the new centre. As well as
accessible and sustainable accommodation at the proving employment and training opportunities, the
project site, including six cabins and an accessible income generated by the café will be essential for
compost toilet building. This will support an increase the long term sustainability of operating the centre.
in bookings the creation of new jobs, enabling Also benefiting from a funding boost of £29,349
longer term financial sustainability. is Strathnaver Museum. The Museum Trust is
embarking on an ambitious project to redevelop
the museum as a heritage hub for north west
Sutherland.
For further information about the Highland Volunteers outside Strathnaver Museum
LEADER Programme please visit:
www.highlandleader.com
contact the Highland LEADER team on:
01463 702 548
Photo from LEADER
or email: EU.Leader@highland.gov.uk
5
Funding for improvements at
Photo by Andy Law
top tourist sites on Skye
The Fairy Pools, near the support from the new Scottish The Highland Council will receive
village of Carbost, are an Government Rural Tourism up to £300,000 on behalf of
Infrastructure Fund which was the Outdoor Access Trust for
increasingly popular tourist
set up to address notable rises Scotland to develop visitor
attraction in Skye. The water in in visitor numbers experienced facilities, including toilets, at the
the River Brittle running from by some of the most popular Glenbrittle pools and waterfalls.
the Black Cuillins is crystal destinations in the Scottish In early 2015 the Council
clear and its waterfalls and countryside. established a project group
pools provide a magical place for the Fairy Pools, the core
to photograph and explore. members of this group being the
Council, Forestry Commission
The pools are just over 2km walk
Scotland, representatives from
from the car park which has been
the Glenn Brittle residents,
struggling to accommodate the
Minginish Community Council
increasing visitor numbers over
and Minginish Community Hall
the past couple of seasons.
Association (MCHA). The Council
A total of £600K is to be invested has coordinated and chaired this
in the popular site of The Fairy group throughout. In addition
Pools. £200K of Highland LEADER to the £100k that the Council
funding together with £100K has committed to the car park
from The Highland Council construction, the Council has also
will go towards the first phase spent in excess of £50k towards
of improvement works at the the cost of the options appraisal,
Fairy Pools to provide enhanced topographical survey, feasibility
infrastructure. study, design stage, project
Photo by Colin Leslie
The Fairy Pools is also one of officer post for MCHA and path
two sites on Skye being given improvements.
6
Land at the Fairy Pools transferred Tourism Infrastructure Fund season. Local councillors and
from Forest Enterprise Scotland towards work to improve road officers have been working
into local community ownership access and parking at the Neist in partnership with the local
last year, and is now managed by Point lighthouse, a landmark and Scottish Government Rural
the Minginish Community Hall view point at the western tip of Payments and Inspections
Association, who will be working the island. Directorate (SGRPID) office since
with Outdoor Access Trust for The Neist Point grant will 2016 to ease visitor management
Scotland to develop, build and contribute towards road issues at the site. £100k from
manage a substantially larger car resurfacing and creating new the (SGRPID) and £90K of
park to cater for the increased parking spaces. Total costs will Council funding will deliver
visitor numbers due to the be £165,000 with the council £190k to provide a significant
immense popularity of the site. covering the remaining costs. improvement to parking issues at
The site will be enhanced to the site which attracts thousands
The Quiraing is an area of of visitors throughout the year.
provide increased parking for spectacular landscape at the
approximately 130 cars, with northernmost summit of the Speaking on behalf of the local
additional space for camper vans Trotternish Ridge on the Isle members, Councillor John
and tour buses, helping to reduce of Skye. The start of the walk Finlayson said:
congestion in the area. Once is accessed from either of the “The positive outcomes that have
constructed, car park income villages of Staffin or Uig, which been achieved are due largely to
will sustain new jobs to manage, are joined by a single track the proactive and collaborative
service, maintain and provide road. It is a popular destination approaches of all involved, which
visitor information at the site. for tourists due to the remote clearly show that if agencies
A proportion of the revenue location, stunning rugged work together in an open and
© Donald Fisher
generated by the car park will scenery and expansive views. transparent manner and have
also be re-invested back into shared goals that benefit both
other community projects. Due to its increasing popularity,
the single track roads and parking the immediate local and also
The Highland Council will also places are under significant the wider Skye communities,
receive £100,000 from the pressure in the height of the successful outcomes will always
Scottish Government Rural be achieved.”
£129,970 for Glenelg Visitor Centre
Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest hot spots and also the Ward as a whole.
Company (CIC) has successfully secured an Skye is an increasingly popular and unique island
award of £129,970 LEADER funding towards a and it is important, that we meet the needs of the
new visitor centre in Glenelg. increasing number of tourists who come here, while
at the same time also supporting the day to day life
The Ferry has been in community ownership for ten styles of our residents.
years and carries approximately 33,000 passengers
a year between Glenelg and Kylerhea in the Isle
of Skye. It currently operates from the Glenelg
lighthouse, which has limited space. The new
facility will include office and retail space and
will allow the CIC to provide visitor information
on wildlife, heritage and local tourism
opportunities.
The Local Members and Highland Council
Officers are committed to working in
Photo by Cameron McMurdo
partnership with public agencies, land owners,
tourism groups and communities to identify
and support solutions that address tourism and
infrastructure issues for the benefit of the local
7
On location in the Highlands
The Highland Council’s
film unit has been
extremely busy with
record enquiries about
filming in Highland.
This reflects the level
of appeal the region
now has as a location
for everything from
blockbuster movies to
online commercials.
Enquiries were already
19% ahead of the
previous financial year
Photo by Deva Smith
even before what is
traditionally the busiest
period of production
development in March.
Typically, around a
third of enquiries convert into actual shoots, but this year over 40% have already commenced or concluded
their production in Highland. This level of interest matches that from the 2008-2011 period which saw big
name features such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Skyfall, The Dark Knight Rises, and Prometheus
- all filmed in Highland.
As well as feature films including Edie, Mary Queen of Scots and Outlaw King being released in 2018, the
Council’s film unit has welcomed a range of projects that showcase travel and cuisine, such as Coastal
Railways with Julie Walters (UK) and Delicious Destinations (USA).
Film and television productions, and increasingly shoots for newer media, are a significant contributor
to the Highland economy. During a shoot, local businesses commonly benefit from cast and crew use of
services such as accommodation, catering and vehicle hire, as well as employing local people in film specific
roles. Those shoots that use the services of the Council’s film unit to find local locations or services bring an
estimated £2m to £4m per year, depending on the types and range of productions in a given year. Even long
after a shoot, the area continues to benefit from visitors attracted by movies filmed in Highland. Research
by Visit Scotland shows that, in key markets, as many as 16% of visitors were encouraged to visit after seeing
Scotland on screen.
Amy Morement, Location Manager for
LS Productions said:
“Shooting in the Highlands not only offers
dramatic, classic Scottish landscapes, but also
the most unique and varied locations. All of the
local communities we have worked in have been
incredibly receptive to filming and any visiting
teams are left with a positive experience of filming
in Scotland, from highly skilled local crews and
brilliant Scottish-based facilities companies, to
high-end accommodation and a breadth of
locations you would often struggle to believe are
in the UK, not to mention unforgettable memories!
The film office also offers an invaluable service,
offering in-depth local knowledge and support to
make our shoots happen.”
Photo by Vikki McCraw
8
Highland schools star in FilmG Awards
The annual National Gaelic short film from Gairloch
competition FilmG awards has celebrated High, who is
Anndra’s brother.
10 years of MG Alba’s Gaelic short film
Eòin took home
competition. Best Mobile Short
The competition is open to all ages and aims to Film. Portree High
encourage grassroots Gaelic storytelling through School took the
film-making. More than 650 short films, including Best Script award
animations and sports commentaries, have been for their film
entered since FilmG was established. “Fuaim a’ Bhlàir”.
Due to the success Gairloch High School enjoyed in the Millburn Academy
2017 FilmG competition, FilmG launched their 2018 took the prize for Most Creative Production.
call for entries at Gairloch High last June. The theme Lana Beaton from the Isle of Skye, a previous student
chosen for FilmG 2018 was “fìrinn” meaning ‘truth’. of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and now studying BA (Hons)
There were 75 submissions from schools across Acting for Stage and Screen at Edinburgh Napier
Scotland of which 17 were from Highland schools: University, had an exceptional evening winning 2
Alness Academy, Millburn Academy (2 entries), awards – Best Performance and Best Student Film –
Mallaig High, Ardnamurchan High (2 entries), IRA, for her film ‘Coig Puing a Trì’. She also made it onto
Gairloch High, Portree High (2 entries), Tain Royal three short lists and won the People’s Choice award
Academy, Nairn Academy, Ullapool High, Lochaber as voted by the public on the FilmG website.
High, Dingwall Academy, Plockton Primary, and The Highland Council supported a major prize of the
Culloden Academy. evening ‘Mar a Thachair do Dh’fhear a Sgur a Dhol
Anndra Cumming from Gairloch High scooped Best dhan Eaglais’, by John Murdo MacAulay, Laura and
Sports Commentary Award. Eòin Cumming, also Paul for their modern twist on a traditional tale.
There has been close liaison between the Council
Knoydart landslip and the community, with every effort to minimise
the disruption caused by this loss of essential road.
Following the failure, immediate steps were taken
to re-establish pedestrian and quad bike access, and
this has been maintained throughout the works.
An early action was also to reinstate the power lines
that were severed during the landslip.
Photo by The Highland Council
There were specific challenges to carry out the
necessary survey work safely and find the best
engineering solution, as well as working in the
winter conditions, and getting materials to site in
this remote part of the Highlands.
There are nearly 7,000km of regional roads The rock faces had to be stabilised, and the slope
across the Highlands and many of these are life excavated with foundations prepared at the toe
line routes connecting local communities with of the slope
essential services. to allow the
reconstruction
One such route is a lifeline road for the communities of the
of Airor, Doune and Sandaig on the Knoydart
Photo by The Highland Council
embankment and
Peninsula. The road is on a very steep hillside with reinstatement of
a sheer drop below. Following a landslip in the the road.
Autumn, every effort was made to get this affected
section of single track road open to traffic for the
Easter weekend.
9
Modern apprenticeship programme
The Highland Council’s Modern Apprenticeship Programme
currently provides employment and training for over 50
apprentices. Offering opportunities for new and existing
employees in a wide range of occupations, the programme
includes Graduate Apprenticeships as well as Modern
Apprenticeships over 2 to 4 years, using the very best training
provision locally and across Scotland.
Scottish Living Wage .
Photos by The Highland Council
Significant work
continues towards
the expansion of the
Modern Apprenticeships
Lauren Ubych and Bryony McDiarmid
Programme in the coming
2018/19 financial year.
L-R Mechanic apprentices Scott Matheson
Ally, an apprentice joiner, Modern apprentices in Business
(22) based in Inverness, Michael Black (20) and Admin Support, Lauren
based in Dingwall and Jon Hutchinson (26) who hails from Skye, said:
also based in Inverness, and apprentice
Ubych (18) from Tain and Bryony
“We are working in general
joiners Ally Macleod (24) and Cameron McDiarmid (18) from Cawdor.
building and maintenance
Davidson (18) both based in Inverness. Lauren and Bryony both started
and some of the work is
18-month apprenticeships in
Working in partnership with quite specialist which gives
October 2017, based at HQ in
Service managers throughout the us the opportunity to get
Inverness.
Council, opportunities are being these specialist skills.”
developed all the time across the Lauren, who is based in
Highlands and in a wide range of Apprentice mechanic Scott Operational Support, said:
occupations to support service added: “I am looking to get experience in
delivery. “It is really good to get valuable different sectors. I enjoy learning
skills and licenses, like forklift new skills and working at the
By the end of April, apprentices
driving and I’m working towards same time and the office hours
will be employed in Business
an HGV license.” are good. My work is mainly
Administration, Civil Engineering,
Early Years Child Care, Painting dealing with Council tax and
Michael Black, from Alness benefits forms.”
and Decorating, Carpentry started in October 2016 as a
and Joinery, Plumbing, 4-year apprentice mechanic. Bryony says:
Electricals, Mechanics, and He said:
Information Technology. These “I am based in E-Planning, dealing
“The Council is a great employer with processing building warrants
apprenticeships are provided
with good pay and good and planning applications
in Dingwall, Inverness, Fort
opportunities.” and some minute-taking. We
William, Golspie, Alness, Wick,
Thurso, Dornoch and Portree. are doing SVQs as part of the
The apprentices are all hoping for apprenticeship as well as gaining
All apprentices in The Highland permanent job opportunities at
Council are paid a minimum of valuable experience.”
the end of their apprenticeships.
Reflecting on ambitions for the
If you are interested in an apprenticeship with The Highland Council, future, Bryony added:
keep an eye on:
“I am going for the Chief
MyJobScotland: and Hi-Hope: Executive’s job – you may as well
www.myjobscotland.gov.uk www.hi-hope.org aim for the highest.”
Apprenticeships.Scot: The team can be contacted on
www.apprenticeships.scot email at:
THCMA.Centre@highland.gov.uk
10Apprentice Day for Highland Youth
Parliament Members
The 12th annual Highland Youth Parliament Natural Heritage, HM Prison Service and Highland
(HYP) Apprentice Day was held on 20th March. Third Sector Interface.
Highland Youth Parliament Chair, Joanna Shillaker
On this day, members of HYP shadow Senior
commented:
Managers and Elected Members across public
sector services. Apprentice Day provides an “Apprentice Day is a great opportunity for young
people to gain insight into how services in Highland
opportunity to give young people a better operate. In the Year of Young People, it also gives
understanding of the services provided for the apprentices, young people, the opportunity to
them and how services impact on and consult raise their voices on what they like about services
with young people. and how they can be improved and connect more
with young people. I’m sure the day will also inspire
This year 26 young people from across Highland
young people about their future careers. I am looking
‘shadowed’ 29 representatives from a wide range
forward to shadowing the HM Prison Governor,
of public sector organisations including; High Life
Stephen Coyle to find out what happens in a prison
Highland, The Highland Council, NHS Highland,
and how prisoners are supported.
Police Scotland, Fire and Rescue Service Scotland,
I hope everyone has a great day!”
the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scottish
The day is organised by High Life Highland’s Youth Services team.
Photo L-R: Chief Executive Steve Barron with young apprentices, Rowan Henderson and Rachel Hatfield,
Convener, Bill Lobban and Leader, Margaret Davidson.
11S'no problem for Syd!
A former Youth Trainee from Gairloch has been busy
behind the wheel of a snow plough keeping routes across
Wester Ross open this winter.
Syd Tippett (aged 19) joined The Highland Council’s Roads
Maintenance Team at the Gairloch depot in June last year as
a Youth Trainee. As part of Syd’s development the Council’s
Employability team funded him to attend a Cat C driving course
(HGV) which has led him to take up a full-time position with the
local Roads Team.
Staff from the Council’s Employability team, and his Community
Services colleagues, have also supported Syd to attend
Highlands and Islands fire training so he now also has a role as a
retained trainee fire fighter and is on stand-by for call outs within
his own community.
Photo by The Highland Council
Syd’s Supervisor Laura MacAllister said:
“Syd has become a valuable addition to the staff and the injection
of youth has portrayed a need to attract a younger generation
into the workforce.”
Highland gritter driver to the rescue
Although he was able to contact emergency
services to tell them about the accident he was not
able to give them details of his location.
Luckily for him, gritter driver Derek Reid from
Nairn spotted the car skid tracks and stopped to
investigate. He was able to scramble down the
slope and reach the man who was trapped in his car,
then confirmed the location of the accident to the
emergency services and stayed with him until they
arrived.
Derek Reid was presented with a Quaich at the
Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon
Environment, Development and Infrastructure
Committee and thanked for his quick actions in
coming to the aid of the motorist.
Chair of the Committee, Councillor Allan
Henderson said:
A member of The Highland Council’s winter “Derek demonstrated above and beyond public
service when he came to the rescue and we wanted
roads maintenance team has been praised for
to thank him for his quick actions.”
his quick actions in rescuing a driver whose
car had plunged down an embankment and A modest Derek said:
landed in a stream. “I only did what any of my colleagues would have
done. Coming to the assistance of drivers, especially
A motorist from Newcastle was driving along the
in the winter, is something we all do, so I see this
B9007 near Ferness, south of Nairn on the
presentation and thanks not just for me but all my
28th December in snowy conditions, when his car
colleagues.”
went off the road and down a steep embankment.
12Double success brings new marina at
Corpach closer to fruition
The Highland Council has been awarded a The aims of the project are to stimulate regeneration
£1,465,000 Regeneration Capital Grant Fund within the communities of Caol and Corpach,
neighbouring Fort William, and the wider Lochaber
grant for a new marina on Loch Linnhe at the
area, and generate significant economic and social
entrance to the Caledonian Canal at Corpach. benefits.
The grant is awarded to The Highland Council
The marina will be owned by the community,
on behalf of the Caol Regeneration Company, through the Caol Regeneration Company, a
who are developing the Thomas Telford registered charity, and will be run as a community
Corpach Marina as a community project. enterprise, with other 3rd sector organisations
Thomas Telford Corpach Marina secured the operating the café/shop/visitor centre and providing
Marine Licences in January for the dredging and some of the marina services.
construction works necessary to construct the new Working in partnership with The Highland
marina. The project will deliver a high quality and Council, Scottish Canals and Highlands and Islands
sustainable all-year round marina facility at the Enterprise, the project is expected to start on site
Western gateway to the Caledonian Canal, including this summer and will be complete in the spring of
40 yacht berths; comprehensive marina services 2019.
and facilities such as fuel bunkering, waste disposal,
laundry, toilets and showers; a public slipway; car
parking; and a café/shop/visitor centre.
13Times table chromebook craze sweeps schools
Such is the pupil enthusiasm
for using Chromebooks, that
a craze for learning times
tables (with the use of an
App) has swept through the
2 associated primary school
groups of Millburn and
Dingwall Academies.
The craze sweeping the Primary
Photo by The Highland Council
4 to 7 pupils is directly improving
the speed that children know
their times tables. And pupils
and teachers are delighted that Photo: (Left to right) Digital Leaders (pupils) from Inshes
Primary Riley MacKintosh, Krisha Aryal and Raigmore
they can monitor their learning Primary Anna Watson and Mackenzie Smith with their
progress. Teachers – give their presentation to The Highland Council.
Chromebooks
The Chromebook rollout is leading
made learning fun. Their use of assess their progress in learning
the way in Scotland and creating
various Apps helped them with and highlight, with help from their
great leadership opportunities
their classwork; allowed them to teachers, where they could make
for pupils through the creation of
communicate between schools; improvements.
digital leaders.
improved their spelling, numeracy The rollout of around 22,000
Digital Leaders (pupils) from Inshes and literacy; and saved them time Chromebooks is on a phased
Primary Riley MacKintosh, Krisha by not having to “put their hands basis over 2 years, across the
Aryal and Raigmore Primary Anna up to ask” and wait for help, when Council’s 29 associated school
Watson and Mackenzie Smith assistance from spell checkers groups. To date, Chromebooks
gave an impressive presentation and voice typing provides have been rolled out to Millburn
to councillors at a recent independent learning support. and Dingwall Academies ASGs,
committee on their experiences
Pupils and teachers are now able with the rollout to Portree ASG
of using Chromebooks while
to track their learning attainment, currently underway. The next
demonstrating their skills of using
and they are improving their phase of schools starts with
Google Slides.
awareness of e-safety. Kinlochleven ASG.
The pupils explained how using Colour-coded reports help pupils
Sports Leadership Awards
The Highland Council Gaelic Team in partnership with High Life Highland secured funding from
Bòrd na Gàidhlig to deliver a week long Gaelic Medium Residential Sports Leadership Award
course which took place at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College in Skye.
Daniel Steele Active Schools Co-ordinator for High Life
Highland delivered the week long course though the medium
of Gaelic, which gave the young people a total coaching
immersion experience in Gaelic and supported an ethos of
peer learning.
Fifteen young people in Secondary schools from Mallaig,
Ardnamurchan, Plockton, Portree, Dingwall and Inverness
completed the SCQS Level 4 in Sports Leadership Award
Course in Gaelic.
The Leadership Award initiative is one of the enabling actions
within the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan.
14Culloden Academy pupil is 1 in a 1,000
A fourth year pupil at participating in workshops and The programme is for girls
Culloden Academy in unique STEM-related experiences. aged 13 -18 years old currently
Tracey Lomas, Depute Head enrolled in high school who are
Inverness has been selected
Teacher of Culloden Academy said: enthusiastic about STEM subjects
to be one of only 1,000 girls and links them up with women
worldwide to take part in a “Well done to Rachael, we are working in STEM, across all
Global STEM Alliance. very proud, and absolutely thrilled disciplines and sectors, who are
that she has been selected onto willing to act as mentors, coaches,
The “1000 Girls, 1000 Futures” the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures
initiative is designed to engage and role models.
programme by the New York
young women interested in Academy of Sciences.”
science, technology, engineering,
and maths (STEM), and advance For further information on the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures programme
their pursuit of STEM careers
visit: www.nyas.org/1000girls
through mentoring and
skills development.
Photo: Culloden Academy S4 pupil Rachael Taylor in her Chemistry class.
Rachael Taylor will
be assigned a female
international mentor
who is dedicated
to supporting her
development in
STEM subjects. She
will be offered the
chance to engage
in online courses
and activities that
develop her leadership,
communication, and
critical thinking skills.
The program also
includes a college-
readiness-component
to encourage mentees
to pursue higher
education. All work is
done through a virtual
platform, facilitating
interaction among
students and mentors
across the globe.
In the summer of 2019,
Rachael will be invited
to go to New York City
for the annual Global
STEM Alliance summit,
Photo by The Highland Council
where she’ll have the
chance to network
with STEM experts,
their mentors, and their
peers, in addition to
15Thousands turn out to see Town House
Around 2,000 visitors passed through the Town
transformation House doors on Saturday 10th and another 1,200
people on Sunday 11 February. th
Over three thousand people visited Inverness For many years the Town House has participated
Town House over a weekend in February to see for in the annual national Doors Open Days scheme,
themselves the completion of interior works on the but this was the first time the public had a chance
historic Grade A listed building following recent to see the Town House in all its glory following an
renovations. extensive £3.9m refurbishment.
The Town House renovation works carried out by
Laing Traditional Masonry were on time and £300k
under budget. The cost for Phase 1 and 2 was
£3.9m, funded by the Inverness Common Good
Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.
Phase 3 of the works will include full stone repairs
and replacement, mortar re-pointing, guttering and
window repairs and replacement. This final phase
will deliver the completion of the Town House at a
total cost to the Common Good Fund in the region
of £5.4 million.
Plans are in place to open the Town House for
tours during the tourist season, through High Life
Highland.
All Town House photos by Walter Geddes Pastime Photography
16Funding for new homes
across the Highlands
The Highland Council has All 61 new homes are expected to Further projects in
agreed to use City-Region be completed by the end of 2019. other areas of the
They include 8 units in Alness, Highlands are planned and the
Deal funding to part fund new
4 in Aviemore, 25 in Inverness, Council and our partners are on
mid-market housing projects 6 in Fort William, 8 in Grantown, 4 target to deliver 750 new mid-
throughout the Highlands. in Newtonmore, and 6 in Ullapool. market homes over the next 10
The affordable housing They follow on from the 5 year period.
projects will be developed by homes already underway in Six houses suitable for wheelchair
Albyn Housing Society and Drumnadrochit which are also users have been completed in
Highland Housing Alliance in funded by the Highland city- Inverness. This development on
Ullapool, Fort William, Alness, region deal. Work on site started Old Edinburgh Road comprises
Inverness, Aviemore, Grantown, in November last year with the 4 semi-detached single storey
Drumnadrochit and Newtonmore 5 homes forming the first phase houses and two bungalows,
and will deliver 61 new affordable of an overall wider housing each designed to incorporate
homes for young people to help development which includes 23 maximum accessibility and cater
retain a young workforce in the homes for social rent, including for individual needs. The project
area. community care housing), and 4 was commissioned, designed
The new homes will be let at for low cost home ownership. and managed in house by The
mid-market rates - approximately Highland Council’s Development
80% of the average rate charged and Infrastructure Service.
by private landlords in the area. O’Brien Properties carried out
Those being developed by the construction. Tenants have
Albyn Housing Society will be settled into all the homes and are
leased by its subsidiary, Highland finding the excellent facilities are
Residential, which specialises in making a real difference to their
providing mid-market tenancies. lives.
for maintenance, insurance, fees
Future bright with income and charges.
The Council is committed to
from solar energy looking at new ways to generate
income, make savings and
The Highland Council is year for the anticipated 20-year become more commercial. It is
to progress with plans to lifespan of the panels. It will also hoped that this will be the first
reduce the organisation’s annual of multiple projects to generate
generate over £4 million profit income by from renewable
carbon footprint by an estimated
and significantly reduce its 1,000 tonnes per year. energy on the Council estate.
carbon emissions by installing The self-financing project using Solar has been selected for
solar panels across its estate. £2.3 million of capital will install the first project as it is
2.5 megawatts of solar panels on most efficient for
Solar Photovoltaics, or Solar PV
sites across the Council estate. the desired time
for short, is a technology that
The portfolio is estimated to scales, relatively
converts daylight into electrical
generate net profit of straightforward
power. Energy generated will be
£4.01 million over the course of to deploy,
‘sold’ to power Council buildings
20 years. This is after repayments reliable, and
in close proximity.
for the £2.3 million investment market proven.
Net profit can be achieved each have been made, and accounting
17More projects benefit from participatory
budget events
People in communities across the Highlands have been putting their votes to good use in
awarding funding to local groups. Participatory budgeting is a process of allocating funding by
empowering local people to decide how funding should be spent.
Tain and Easter Ross £10,000 awarded in Kyle
projects share £15,000 Let's Decide
11,out of the 32 projects bidding, won a share Kyle Community Council area locals had the chance
of £15,000 community funding in the Tain and to cast their votes in March 2018 at the first ever
Easter Ross Ward. ‘Kyle Let’s Decide’ participatory budgeting event
Members of the public voted after listening to held in the Lighthouse Centre, and as a result a wide
the all the applicants who were given a 4 minute range of community projects are now set to benefit.
slot to talk about their projects and their plans for Around 60 people took part in deciding which
using the funding. projects should be supported from the £10,000
funding pot. £4,000 was made available by the
The successful bids voted for by the audience are Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Councillors
as follows: from their Ward Discretionary Budget and this was
• Tain & District Development Trust - boosted by £6,000 from the Scottish Government
Community Market for Tain and District - Community Choices fund.
£1,500 A total of 5 out of the 9 projects put forward by
community groups have been successful and will
• Tain Task Force for floral displays - £1,500
now receive funding to help them put their ideas
• Tain Amateur Swimming Club - £1,500 into action.
The successful bids were:
• Tain & District Museum for flyers and signs -
• Kyle Parent Council - Talking, Learning and
£1,097
Leisure Playground Upgrade - £2,000
• Tain Gala Association for the purchase and
• Lochalsh Youth Community Trust - Just a Habit?
renovation of portacabins into toilets -
Diversionary Youth Work - £1,940
£1,070
• Lochalsh Leisure Centre - Family Fun Hour -
• St Duthus Special School for outdoor
£2,000
improvements - £1,500
• Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band - LJPB Succession
• Tain and Easter Ross Civic Trust for Tain
Band - £2,000
Picture House Regeneration Project - £1,500
• Kyle Public Hall - A Hall Fit for All Accessibility
• 1st St Duthus Scout Group for Scout Hall
Improvements - £2,000
makeover - £1,500
• Inver Toddler Group - £1,500
• Seaboard Memorial Hal for Gopak Go -
Photo by The Highland Council
£1,500
• Tain and District Youth Café YMCA for
Holiday Meals project - £1,250
18Budget 2018/19
The Revenue Budget for 2018/19 was agreed The Council will seek to increase advertising income
at Council on 15th February 2018. from its assets such as roundabouts and lamppost
banners. Find out more about how to advertise your
The Administration prioritised education, roads and business with us at the link below. There is also a
winter maintenance, protecting these areas from plan to set up a new MOT test centre for Council
savings cuts. Impact assessments were carried out vehicles and taxis.
for all proposals to ensure savings chosen had the
least possible impact on service users. www.highland.gov.uk/advertising
Overall, the budget gap of £15.146 million has
been met by a package of savings which includes Reducing expenditure
increasing Council Tax income by £3.448 million,
increasing income by £3.059 million, reducing There will be a continued reduction in management
expenditure by making savings of £5.1 million, posts across the Council and streamlining of services
and setting a target of £2.250 million to be saved and administration costs where possible, such as
through Redesign. Read the budget papers at: out of hours call handling. We have also reduced our
travel and subsistence costs, training budgets and
www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/ insurance premiums.
meeting/3934/highland_council Ward discretionary budgets have been halved, still
allowing money for local initiatives and Community
Council grants have been cut by around 50%.
Council Tax A number of Community Councils have access
Council Tax will increase by 3% in 2018/19 which to other sources of income and some also have
will mean an increase of £35.93 per annum on a significant reserves. There will also be a reduction in
Band D property. Find out more about Council funding to other organisations.
Tax; fact sheets; and help that is available to reduce The Council has 435 play areas and rationalising
your council tax if you are on a low income on our the number and maintenance of these will save
website: over £200,000. There will be opportunities for
www.highland.gov.uk/counciltax communities to have an increased role in managing
these.
Savings will be made to flood risk work and
Increasing income flood alleviation. Any works identified through
To avoid making cuts to some services, the Council watercourse inspections will need to be funded
agreed to increase income by charging more for through Area Roads budgets, or if significant,
some services or fees, or charging for things which through the capital programme.
previously were free, such as parking and garden Around 50 posts have been deleted to help make
waste charges. the savings, without the need for redundancies.
Fees and Charges for Waste and other Services will This is around 0.5% of the total staff numbers. Many
increase and a minimum fee of £1 for first period of these posts are vacant posts which have been
of parking will be introduced at all locations and deleted and redeployment is possible for others.
there will be an uplift of all Parking Permits Fees
by 5%. Parking charges will be introduced in more
council car parks over the coming year. The Council Redesign
operates 96 public conveniences and 28 comfort The Council’s Redesign Programme aims to make
schemes across the Highlands. A charge of 50p will improvements and find efficiencies by finding
be introduced at a further 10 of these sites and a different or better ways of doing things. Thousands
widening of the comfort scheme. Details are on our of pounds have already been saved in redesigning
website. some services. Find out more about Redesign:
www.highland.gov.uk/redesign
19Trading Standards Help is available to
take delivery reduce Council Tax
surcharging to charges
House of Commons Help is available for low income households,
including home-owners, to apply for help to
Internet delivery surcharging is one of the reduce their Council Tax. Eligible households
biggest problems facing Highland consumers can receive up to 100% reduction from
and the Council’s Trading Standards team their Council Tax which means that those
receive a number of new complaints every households who receive the full reduction
week. will only have to pay their Scottish Water and
Typical issues are the unfairness of high surcharges, wastewater charges. Currently around 17,135
false claims like “free mainland delivery” and refusals households in the Highlands are in receipt of
to deliver to the more remote areas. Council Tax Reduction.
Trading Standards’ approach is to combine taking For a Band D property, 100% reduction is equivalent
action to change the practices of website operators to £1,233.82 for 2018/19. Households can quickly
with an ongoing campaign in the media and check whether they are eligible for these reductions
with policy-makers to improve the situation for by completing the Council’s innovative ‘Apply Once’
Highlanders. online application form which is available at the
following link:
The latest development is an investigation by the
House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee and
the Council’s Trading Standards Manager David
www.highland.gov.uk/applyonce
MacKenzie gave evidence at a public meeting to put This form will automatically identify any other
the Highland case. entitlements that are administered by the Council
based on the individual circumstances of the
applicant. Applicants supply their details only
once and the Council will put into payment all
entitlements that are legitimately payable. There are
Council Tax Fact Sheets on our website that provide
more information about Council Tax and the various
reductions that are available for many people
including home owners.
www.highland.gov.uk/counciltax
The Welfare Support Team can be contacted
by phoning: 0800 090 1004 or
by emailing: welfare.support@highland.gov.uk
Consumers can report unfair delivery issues:
www.highland.gov.uk/info/20000/trading_ Alternatively, customers can visit our Service Points
where staff can also provide assistance or local
standards/196/buying_goods_online Citizens Advice Bureaux can provide support and
View the evidence session on Parliament TV: advice regarding benefits, housing and money.
http://bit.ly/2HkEzYo
Find the written evidence supplied:
http://bit.ly/2He3rAO
20Council commends Internal Auditor
appointment
Josh Gallimore has been appointed to the post of Assistant Auditor with The Highland Council
following his successful completion of final exams to become a Chartered Internal Auditor
(CMIIA) with the Chartered Institute of
Internal Auditors.
Josh was a Trainee Auditor with the Council
prior to this appointment.
Cllr Richard Laird, Chair of the Council’s
Audit and Scrutiny Committee
congratulated Josh while presenting him
with his CMIIA certificate at a meeting of
the Audit and Scrutiny Committee
(on 28th March 2018), he said:
“I have the pleasure of presenting Mr Gallimore
with his certificate; this is excellent news that
Photo by The Highland Council
the Council has been able to support the
professional development of staff enabling
Josh to complete his professional qualifications.
This is a win-win-situation both for Josh and
the Council.”
21How did we do?
Measuring our performance
An annual report of Corporate Performance is prepared each autumn for the previous financial
year. This is an assessment of Council performance against the commitments set out in the
Council’s Programme and its performance framework.
You can find the report at:
www.highland.gov.uk/performance
The period 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 shows good progress with 89% of the commitments (64 out of
72) being completed, on target or where performance is being maintained, the same as the previous year.
Community Engagement and Empowerment Participatory budgeting
(PB), where communities
are involved in allocating
The Commission on Highland Democracy spoke with communities public money, has
across Highland about how to improve local democracy. continued to develop
The final report published in December 2017 is on our website: across Highland. In
www.highlanddemocracy.wordpress.com 2016/17, these events
were held in seven
areas, 2,496 people
Community Partnerships have been established in nine communities
participated and
across Highland, developing local plans for children’s and adult
health and social care services, and for communities facing the £155,200 was allocated
greatest disadvantage. The Council is one of five partners leading on to local groups. You can
community planning with Police, Fire, NHS Highland and Highlands read about recent events
and Islands Enterprise. on page 18.
A Fairer Highland
In 2016/17, 15,248 customers
accessed money and welfare
To support independent living in 2016/17 we developed a “one
benefits advice, an increase of
stop” delivery model, using the Handyperson Service to deliver
35.7% from 11,240 customers
Repairs and Adaptations, along with Telecare installations and
in the previous year. We
maintenance (on the behalf of NHS Highland). This speeds up the
increased the financial benefit
process, minimising duplication and ensuring that clients get the
to customers from the advice
benefit of a suite of services from a single Handyperson visit. We
given by the Council from
are looking to include adaptation stores management within the
£4.0m in 2015/16 to £4.65m in
service, better integrating the range of services on offer.
2016/17. The Citizen’s Advice
We received a COSLA Quality Award for this service.
Bureau (CAB) receives funding
from the Council to provide
money advice on our behalf.
22Economy
The most recent data for The Highland LEADER programme was launched in May 2016 with
Highland tourism shows EU funding and the first projects were approved in November.
growth of almost 7% from There are currently 14 projects with grants committed of £463,694
2015 to 2016. Other tourism (total project costs just under £1.1m). Read more about Leader
data such as “visitor attraction funded projects on page 4.
visits” indicates that the
rate of growth in Highland
is exceeding the national The Inverness Castle Viewing
rate. Two major international platform was completed and
events were supported opened during April 2017
in 2016/17 – The World and has had a very successful
Orienteering Championships first year with nearly 30,000
which brought around £9m to visitors.
Highland and Moray, and the
Fort William Mountain Bike
World Cup which generated
£2.8m. Our film tourism is also
growing significantly – see
page 8.
Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon
Digital and Connectivity
The first part of the Wi-Fi project in Inverness was successfully
implemented with the roll-out across Inverness in the summer of
2017. The free service is being expanded to a further 14 towns in
Highland this spring.
We welcomed the Our Digital First programme Supported by Citizens Online, we led
Scottish Government provides an increasing the Digital Highland project between
commitment to range of services online September 2015 and November 2016.
ensure that 100% with 42% of Council services This focused on digital skills and digital
of premises across being available online by participation across the Highlands,
Scotland will have March 2017, ahead of a giving training to 850 people and
superfast broadband target of 40%. We have thousands of other people were
(>30MB/s) by the end successfully moved the supported informally at drop in events
of 2021. We continue majority of our customer and through partner organisations.
to work closely with all contact to on-line via the The project also recruited 144 digital
partners to ensure that website which has delivered champions across the Highlands,
this objective is met in savings and been positively surpassing the target of 30.
the Highlands. received by customers.
23Infrastructure Extensive engagement by the Council with the Marine Coastguard
Agency secured the retention of a single Emergency Towing Vehicle
(ETV). This will travel throughout the waters of the Highlands and
We published our Local Flood Islands in response to assessments of risk arising from the types
Risk Management Plans in of vessels and cargoes transiting the waters and also predicted
June 2016. These prioritise weather patterns.
the actions we will take up to
2022. This plan includes the
progression of three flood 779 new homes were constructed in We administer the
schemes at Caol, Smithton Highland in 2016/17, out of a total Scottish Government
and Culloden, and the River of 4,308 new homes built between Home Energy
Enrick at Drumnadrochit. 2012/13 and 2016/17, less than our Efficiency Programme
Scottish Government grant target of 5,000. We continue to provide (HEEPS-ABS) in
funding (at an intervention a generous supply of viable housing Highland for home
rate of 80%), has been secured land across Highland, identified within insulation. We receive
for these. the three local development plans. the relevant funds
as an annual award,
and use this to lever
During 2016/17 a further in additional funding
435 council houses were An aim of the Inverness Townscape
Heritage Project (2015-2020) is to bring from the energy
built, bringing the total supplier through the
to 1,028 against a target vacant floor space back into use. Our team
continue to work with owners to explore Energy Company
to achieve 688 by March Obligations (ECO).
2017. We are developing, possible uses for properties on Academy
Street and encourage building repair grant The programme for
along with Albyn Housing 2016/17 focused
Society, NHS Highland, applications.
on Caithness, Fort
The Highland Hospice We have also been successful in securing a William, Aird & Loch
and the private sector, £1.2m grant from the Scottish Government Ness, Gairloch,
a pilot project in Alness for the Midmills Creative Hub. Mallaig and
which will deliver a A Market Manager has been recruited as Applecross and a
cluster of sustainable and a result of the action plan prepared by the total of 344 homes
digitally enabled homes. Victorian Market Stakeholder Group. received insulation.
Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal
Our Winter issue of Highpoints covered
the completion and opening of the
Inverness West Link and Canal Parks
Enhancement Stage 1 which was started
Photo by Alison Gibert
in May 2016. This issue of Highpoints
celebrates the Royal opening of the
Highland Rugby Club in March 2018.
Stage 2 will provide the second
swing bridge across the canal, a new Due to existing traffic issues, works were undertaken on
roundabout and relocated tie in to two of the approaches to Inshes Roundabout to improve
General Booth Road. This is on target the flow of traffic, completed in April 2016.
and due to commence in Spring 2019. Transport Scotland is currently developing proposals for
The new 18 hole Torvean Golf Course, the East Link (A9-A96 link road), with three routes and
clubhouse and maintenance buildings options still under consideration.
are being built in two phases, which
commenced in August 2016. For more information on upcoming projects please visit:
www.highland.gov.uk/cityregiondeal
24You can also read
