LOCAL NEWS NOVEMBER 22 2023

MSPs to debate housing crisis 

MSPs will seek solutions to Scotland’s housing emergency during a debate at Holyrood today.

The government’s record has been under increasing scrutiny in recent months, with Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnstone stating that housing issues are being acutely felt across the two regions.

The Conservative MSP has said the housing crisis is depriving rural areas of young people to be able to live and work locally, and their active participation in community life is vital.

The Scottish Government has committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 – with at least 10 per cent in remote, rural and island areas.

While through its Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan the government’s pledges include:

• Supporting affordable and community-led housing delivery
• Bringing more empty homes back into use
• Providing more homes for key workers
• Commissioning research on affordable home ownership in rural and island areas

However, Labour MSP Mark Griffin who is leading the debate has asked that the government set that an interim target for 5,500 houses to be completed in rural areas by 2026.

Winter jags: drop-in clinics announced

NHS Highland has announced further drop-in clinics for winter vaccinations across Skye and Lochalsh and the West Highlands.

Drop-in clinics will take place at Portree Community Centre this week on Thursday 23rd November and Friday 24th November between 10am and 12pm and 1.30 and 4.30.

And on Wednesday 13th December between 5pm and 6.30pm

Drop-in clinics will also be held at Applecross Community Hall on the morning of Tuesday 28th November from 9.30 to 11.30 and, at Torridon Community Hall, also on 28th November, from 2pm to 4pm.

Appointments are not necessary for any of the drop-ins clinics.

Council tenants’ input “vital” in rent consultation

The Highland Council is asking all tenants to share their views on the rent they will pay next year as part of a consultation.

Last year it was agreed to keep the rent increase at four percent which was significantly below the level of inflation.

This year amid ongoing challenges brought by the cost of living crisis, the council has produced an information sheet for tenants detailing the options being proposed for the year ahead.

The local authority has said it is vital that they gather views from tenants especially as they may have been affected by the council’s suspension of non-essential repairs

The rent consultation will run in Highland until 11 December 2023, and the feedback received from tenants will inform a report for the Council’s Housing and Property Committee to consider when they set the level of rent and service charges in January for council tenants for the year 2024/25.

You can take part in the survey here.

Skye talents to open Beat the Drum show

Young Skye talents Ali MacFarlane and Iain Cormack will take the stage at the Portree Community Centre tonight in support of leading Runrig tribute act Beat The Drum.

Ali MacFarlane starred at this year’s Skye Live Festival and was awarded the Provost of Falkirk medal at the Royal National Mòd in Paisley.

She will be join by fellow islander Iain Cormack who made headlines with his performance at the Mòd as he claimed the coveted men’s gold medal performing Fàilte don Eilean Sgitheanach – forty years on from his father Arthur Cormack’s success with the song at Gaeldom’s premier cultural festival.

Skye’s Edinbane Lodge named among world’s elite eateries

Award-winning Skye eatery Edinbane Lodge has been included a list of top restaurants across the globe.

The north Skye establishment features in the La Liste 2023, which charts the top restaurants across the world through more than 300 sources from travel guides to press and consumer reviews.

Edinbane Lodge has been ranked as the third best restaurant in Scotland and among the world elite.

In June, Calum Montgomery, the chef-proprietor of Edinbane Lodge, was selected as the nation’s top chef at the award ceremony at Platform in Glasgow on Monday.

Calum claimed the Scottish Chef of the Year accolade at the Scotsman Food and Drink’s Scran Awards.

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