The Highland Council has produced a revised financial forecast taking account of already agreed savings and other measures, which reveals a remaining budget gap of £38 to £54 million pounds for the coming three years from 2025 to 2028. Without the savings, the budget gap would be in the region of £116 to £132 million pounds for the period.
Councilors remain concerned about future uncertainties with significant and additional financial pressures and challenges facing Governmental budgets in the current and next year, with it being expected these will ultimately translate to a potentially more challenging budget settlement and financial outlook for all Scottish Local Authorities. A further report will be made to Council members next month.
Ullapool fish landings are showing significant decline with consequent reduction in the value of fish landed. For the period from January to September this year the tonnage of fish landed in Ullapool fell by almost 30% with the corresponding decrease in total value while, in contrast, tonnage landings at Kinlochbervie increased by around 26%.
The figures are contained in a report by the Marine Management Organisation which shows overall for the UK in September a 3% increase in tonnage but a 15% fall in value.
A long standing resident of Gairloch has died. Hector McDonald, well known locally as an architect, died suddenly on Sunday at the age of 86. Hector was brought up in Opinan and spent his working life in Inverness before moving to Gairloch some 15 years ago during which time he helped many local enterprises with architectural advice. Hector is survived by two nieces and a nephew. A celebration of his life will be planned and details intimated in due course.
A local bridge at Inverlael Forest was previously set for removal due to safety concerns with no plans for replacement. That decision has now been reversed following representations from local residents, MSP Maree Todd and local councillor Liz Kraft.
Forestry and Land Scotland and Highland Council have now confirmed that the bridge will stay open, with engineers conducting regular safety inspections and in the event that the bridge’s condition deteriorates further, options for repair, replacement or removal will be considered at that time.
