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Ones to watch 2025: Politics

04 January 2025
Ones to watch 2025: Politics

Ones to watch 2025: Politics

04 January 2025

Who are the figures and what are the political issues to keep an eye on for the Highlands in 2025?


Iconic Dingwall landmark could finally reopen

27 December 2024
Iconic Dingwall landmark could finally reopen

Iconic Dingwall landmark could finally reopen

27 December 2024

The monument is one of Dingwall’s most recognisable landmarks and on the NC500 route and close to Invergordon’s record-breaking cruise line trade.


LONG READ: Can Dingwall revamp change the face of county town?

23 December 2024
LONG READ: Can Dingwall revamp change the face of county town?

LONG READ: Can Dingwall revamp change the face of county town?

23 December 2024

Rethinking use of public buildings in Dingwall could see the biggest shake-up in over a generation and bring benefits, as SCOTT MACLENNAN reports.


Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

19 December 2024
Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

Are council bosses trying to ‘stymie’ oversight by banning public budget debates until March?

19 December 2024

Allegations of secrecy emerged during what critics fear is the last financial update until ‘10 days before the budget is set’.


Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

18 December 2024
Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

Bid for National Insurance exemption for struggling north care homes

18 December 2024

Highland Council unanimously backs the move after region lost 218 beds in two years.


Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

18 December 2024
Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

Critic slams ‘sad attempt’ to gloss over Highland Council’s education failings

18 December 2024

Councillor Helen Crawford says ‘people are starting to say that the education committee is dysfunctional’.


Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

17 December 2024
Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

Education debate degenerates into mudslinging at Highland Council

17 December 2024

A bid to improve information triggered a furious reaction from administration councillors.


National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

15 December 2024
National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

National Insurance bill for Highland Council expected to top £9 million, after UK government hike

15 December 2024

Finance bosses fear that the Westminster may fall far short of making up the loss they imposed adding a significant budget pressure.


Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

13 December 2024
Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

Parents say they have ‘lost faith’ as Highland Council remains below average in education league tables

13 December 2024

The council insists that it is one of most improved local authorities in Scotland.


Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

12 December 2024
Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

Five votes sinks bold move to consider break-up of Highland Council

12 December 2024

Most councillors backed a move that will see the whole region run from Inverness despite widespread dissatisfaction.


Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

11 December 2024
Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

Highland Council overpaid past and present staff by £1.2 million

11 December 2024

Most of that has been recovered but £396,000 is yet to be returned.


Highland Council lost £713k of tax payers’ money on the failed Inverness street project

11 December 2024
Highland Council lost £713k of tax payers’ money on the failed Inverness street project

Highland Council lost £713k of tax payers’ money on the failed Inverness street project

11 December 2024

Conservative group leader Ruraidh Stewart demanded answers about the ‘unlawful’ Academy Street scheme.


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’


Former SNP Westminster candidate Lucy Beattie appointed a Land Commissioner

06 December 2024
Former SNP Westminster candidate Lucy Beattie appointed a Land Commissioner

Former SNP Westminster candidate Lucy Beattie appointed a Land Commissioner

06 December 2024

The Ullapool native says role advising the government on land reform is an ‘honour’ and a ‘duty that I don’t take lightly’.


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 some Highland women ‘lost their fertility’ due to ‘barbaric’ lack of access to Raigmore

05 December 2024
Holyrood told some Highland women ‘lost their fertility’ due to ‘barbaric’ lack of access to Raigmore

Holyrood told some Highland women ‘lost their fertility’ due to ‘barbaric’ lack of access to Raigmore

05 December 2024

Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called on First Minister John Swinney for action.


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.


REVEALED: Number of new classrooms created using money for housing projects

03 December 2024
REVEALED: Number of new classrooms created using money for housing projects

REVEALED: Number of new classrooms created using money for housing projects

03 December 2024

Freedom of Information requests discovered the sums the council has received from developers, the total spent, as well as where that was spent.


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