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Public can help to increase Highland Council income


By Iain Ramage



Council HQ
Council HQ

HIGHLAND Council leaders want you to lobby MPs and MSPs in a bid to squeeze millions more pounds out of the UK and Scottish governments to upgrade schools and roads.

They argue that the region is a “unique case” that needs urgent extra funding to address complex and costly geographical demands.

The minority Independent-led council also wants communities and individuals to suggest fresh ideas to boost revenue as a decade of global recession continues to bite.

The pleas follow the council’s toughest budget in modern times.

Many Highland schools need refurbishing or replacing. School rolls are at bursting point in parts of Inverness due to the growing population.

A document, which is being put together by administration leaders, hammers home the message that maintaining 4200 miles of council roads and 2180 bridges and culverts is intensely challenging.

An emergency fund the council calls a “non-earmarked general fund reserve” has almost evaporated.

On the upside, council leaders see a future with “huge opportunity” for Highland. But that could hinge on millions more from government – or other sources – in an era in which the council becomes more business-minded.

Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “Our message to everyone is simple – give us a hand.

“We’re like nowhere else in Scotland. We have 202 schools. It’s hard to sustain them all.”

Her second in command, convener Bill Lobban, said: “We could easily spend £150 million a year on capital projects instead of the £55 million we’re spending now.”

According to a spokesman, Scottish secretary David Mundell has promised to consider a range of issues including the financing of old council debt, rural broadband and devolution of power post-Brexit.

Responding to Cllr Davidson’s criticism of funding from Edinburgh, a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “The total [Scottish council funding] of £10.7 billion is allocated using a needs-based formula which is agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on behalf of all councils.”

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