43-612: The Highland Council ( Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈkʰõ.ərˠʎə nə ˈkɛːəl̪ˠt̪əxk] ) is the local authority for Highland , one of the 32 council areas of Scotland . The council is based at the Highland Council Headquarters in Inverness . The Highland area had been created as an administrative area in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 , which established
86-408: A "leader of the council" and a "civic head", who receive additional remuneration for holding those roles. The regulations direct that unless a council decides otherwise the leader is the convener and the civic head is the depute convener. In practice, most authorities appoint someone other than the convener as leader of the council, such that the political leader of the council is not also presiding over
129-629: A concrete structure to the south of the 1963 wing, linked to it by a first floor bridge. The council chamber cost £1.6m and was formally opened on 24 October 1986. The complex remained the seat of local government when the Highland Region was redesignated as a single-tier council area in 1996, since when the council has been called the Highland Council . A Pictish stone carved between 700 and 800 AD and found at Knocknagel, some 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of Inverness, which became known as
172-744: A design by the same architect in 1885. It was requisitioned for use by the Admiralty during the First World War . After the war, it was acquired by the County Education Authority and converted for use as the Inverness Royal Academy War Memorial Hostel. After the hostel moved to Culduthel Road in Inverness in the early 1930s, Inverness-shire County Council progressively moved its departments from Inverness Castle into
215-466: A group of councillors within the council who are able to command majority support. Minority administrations and majority administrations may be formed. Although coalition administrations are more typical, occasionally a majority administration is formed by a single political party , but this is uncommon due to the proportional voting system used in Scottish local elections. Despite being uncommon on
258-774: A notional 2012 result calculated by the BBC. The methodology was officially revealed on 9 May 2017. The relevant explanation is available on the BBC Website . Comparisons with the actual results from 2012 are inconsistent, as the number of seats and seat changes will be different because of an increase in council seats across the country from 1,223 to 1,227 and the different boundaries. Political control may be held by minority governments (min), coalitions (co), joint leadership arrangements (j.l.) or partnership working arrangements (p.w.). Last update 13 February 2022. The 32 unitary authorities were controlled as follows. The figures incorporate
301-441: A two-tier structure of local government comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Highland Regional Council was the upper-tier authority, and the region also contained eight districts, called Badenoch and Strathspey , Caithness , Inverness , Lochaber , Nairn , Ross and Cromarty , Skye and Lochalsh and Sutherland . Further local government reform in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 saw
344-479: Is administered by elected councillors. There are currently 1,227 councillors, each paid a part-time salary for the undertaking of their duties. In total, there are 32 unitary authorities, the largest being the Glasgow City with more than 600,000 inhabitants, the smallest, Orkney, with just over 20,000 people living there (population of 21,670 in 2015). Councillors are subject to a Code of Conduct instituted by
387-492: Is divided into a number of wards , and three or four councillors are elected for each ward. There are currently 1,227 elected councillors in Scotland . Local elections are normally held every five years and use the single transferable vote electoral system. The most recent election was the 2022 Scottish local elections and the next election will be the 2027 Scottish local elections . Council administrations typically comprise
430-402: Is due in 2027. The council is based at the Highland Council Headquarters on Glenurquhart Road, in Inverness. The oldest part of the building was originally a school, which was completed in 1876. The complex was bought by the old Inverness-shire County Council in the 1930s and was significantly extended in the 1960s. Inverness-shire County Council had held its meetings at Inverness Castle , but
473-487: Is represented by 3 or 4 councillors. Ward forums are held by the councillors representing each ward: these meetings are open to the public. A Ward Manager is appointed to each ward or group of wards. Each ward receives a small discretionary budget that is managed by the ward manager. The councillors representing groups of wards also sit as area committees , each covering areas which to some extent correspond with former local government boundaries. There are area committees for
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#1732851357645516-462: The 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to September 2024, the composition of the council was: Of the independent councillors, 18 form the 'Highland Independent' group which is in coalition with the SNP to form the council's administration. The other six independents form the 'Highland Alliance'. A by-election may be held to fill the vacant seat. Otherwise, the next election
559-623: The Chief Executive . The Chief Executive is similar in function to a city manager , though certain councillors have executive authority and there is no clear division of powers . There is also a statutory Monitoring Officer, who usually heads the Legal Services division of the council, as well as a Chief Financial Officer. Last updated 10 March 2023. Following boundary changes: Note: There were boundary changes in many of these councils. Notional seats and seat change are based on
602-689: The Conservative government of Edward Heath introduced a system of two-tier local government in Scotland (see Local government areas of Scotland 1973 to 1996 ), divided between large regional councils and smaller district councils. The only exceptions to this were the three island councils, Western Isles , Shetland and Orkney which had the combined powers of regions and districts. The Conservative government of John Major (1990–1997) decided to abolish this system and merge their powers into new unitary authorities . The new councils vary wildly in size – some are
645-644: The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 and enforced by the Standards Commission for Scotland . If a person believes that a councillor has broken the code of conduct they make a complaint to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (CESPLS) . The Commissioner makes a determination on whether there is a need for an investigation, and then whether or not to refer
688-454: The Police (Scotland) Act 1857 . As a result of the dual system of local government, burghs (of which there were various types) often had a high degree of autonomy. Between 1890 and 1975 local government in Scotland was organised with county councils (including four counties of cities ) and various lower-level units. Between 1890 and 1929, there were parish councils and town councils, but with
731-1569: The counties of Caithness , Sutherland and Nairnshire , as well the city of Inverness . The remaining area committees cover Badenoch and Strathspey , the Black Isle , Dingwall and Seaforth, Easter Ross , Lochaber , the Isle of Skye and Raasay , and Wester Ross , Strathpeffer and Lochalsh . List of wards: For lists of historic wards and details of how they were grouped into corporate and ward management areas, see: Local government in Scotland Charles III William , Duke of Rothesay Swinney government The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP Kate Forbes MSP Sixth session Alison Johnstone MSP Angela Constance MSP Dorothy Bain KC The Rt Hon Lord Carloway KC PC United Kingdom Parliament elections European Parliament elections Local elections Referendums Starmer ministry The Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP Local government in Scotland comprises thirty-two local authorities, commonly referred to as councils . Each council provides public services , including education , social care , waste management , libraries and planning . Councils receive
774-403: The sheriffdoms or shires over which a sheriff (a contraction of shire reeve ) exercised jurisdiction. Malcolm III appears to have introduced sheriffs as part of a policy of replacing native " Celtic " forms of government with Anglo Saxon and French feudal structures. This was continued by his sons Edgar , Alexander I and in particular David I . David completed the division of
817-540: The Glenurquhart Road site as its main offices, but the council chamber at Inverness Castle was too small to host meetings of the regional council. The new council therefore initially held its meetings in the larger council chamber at the former Ross and Cromarty County Council's headquarters at County Buildings, Dingwall . A purpose-built council chamber was subsequently added to the Glenurqhuart Road site, being
860-588: The Scottish Government accepting some of the recommendations of Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland . The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and the Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 have given Boundaries Scotland increased flexibility to vary the size of wards. Mainland wards may now have between 2 and 5 councillors, and single councillor wards are permitted where such a ward includes an inhabited island. The power vested in local authorities
903-411: The Scottish mainland, it is possible for independent politicians to form an administration. The Convention of Scottish Local Auuthorities (COSLA) is an umbrella organisation formed in 1975 to represent the views of Scotland's thirty-two councils to central government. The history of Scottish local government mainly surrounds involves the counties of Scotland . The counties have their origins in
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#1732851357645946-407: The area's districts and the regional council abolished, with a new unitary authority created covering the same area as the former Highland Region. Until 2007, the new council maintained decentralised management and committee structures which related to former district boundaries. New management and committee structures, involving three corporate management areas and related committees, were created at
989-473: The building and renamed it "County Buildings". The complex was extended further along Glenurquhart Road with a modern structure built of brick and glass which was completed in 1963 providing additional office accommodation. Inverness-shire County Council continued to hold its meetings at Inverness Castle until the council's abolition in 1975. Its successor, the Highland Regional Council , used
1032-644: The complex, which currently serves as the headquarters of The Highland Council , is a Category C listed building . The oldest part of the current structure is the main frontage on Ardross Road which was commissioned by the Northern Counties Collegiate School, an educational establishment which was founded with strong connections with the Army and India in 1873. Originally known as Inverness College, it also went by Inverness Collegiate School and The Boy's College before closing in about 1914. The building
1075-585: The council chamber there was too small to accommodate the Highland Regional Council created in 1975. The regional council therefore used the Glenurquhart Road building as its main offices, but initially held its meetings in the larger council chamber at the former Ross and Cromarty County Council's headquarters at County Buildings, Dingwall . A new council chamber was subsequently built at Glenurquhart Road in 1986. The council also has numerous area offices. As of 2017, there are 21 wards , each of which
1118-451: The council, but there was no legislative basis for the role. Officers of a council are administrative, non-political staff of the council. Generally the composition of the council's officers are a matter for the council, but there are a number of statutory officers whose roles are defined by the central government. The most significant of these officers is the Head of Paid Service, usually titled
1161-410: The country into sheriffdoms by the conversion of existing thanedoms . From the seventeenth century the shires started to be used for local administration apart from judicial functions. In 1667 Commissioners of Supply were appointed in each sheriffdom to collect the land tax. The commissioners eventually assumed other duties in the county. In 1858, police forces were established in each county under
1204-512: The debate at council meetings. The convener or provost usually takes the civic head role. The leader of the council is usually the leader of the largest political group, or in a coalition the leader of the largest party in that coalition. The Leader of the Council has no executive or administrative powers designated by statute. Prior to 2007 many authorities recognised the leader of the largest political group or coalition administration as being leader of
1247-491: The delivery of services. In many areas they do not function at all, but some work very effectively at improving their local area. Elections for community councils are determined by the local authority but the law does state that candidates cannot stand on a party-political ticket. Highland Council Headquarters The Highland Council Headquarters , formerly County Buildings , is a municipal structure in Glenurquhart Road, Inverness , Highland , Scotland. The oldest part of
1290-412: The first floor, and a battlement above. The wings were fenestrated by bi-partite plain windows on the ground floor and bi-partite cusped windows on the first floor. The end bays were fenestrated by tri-partite plain windows on the ground floor and quadri-partite cusped windows on the first floor with gables containing rose windows above. The building was extended by two bays along Glenurquhart Road to
1333-413: The largest group with 22 councillors; this was the first time since the council's inception that independent councillors did not form the largest grouping. The SNP and some of the independent councillors subsequently formed a coalition to run the council. The first election to the Highland Regional Council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until
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1376-531: The majority of their funding from the Scottish Government , but operate independently and are accountable to their local electorates. Councils raise additional income via the Council Tax , a locally variable domestic property tax , and Business rates , a non-domestic property tax. Councils are made up of councillors who are directly elected by the residents of the area they represent. Each council area
1419-532: The matter to the Standards Commission. Each council elects a provost from among the members of the council to chair meetings and to act as a figurehead for the area. A council may also elect a depute provost, though this is not required. In the four cities of Glasgow , Edinburgh , Aberdeen and Dundee the provost is called a Lord Provost , whilst in other councils the council may choose another title for their provost or conveners. Most councils use
1462-402: The new system came into force on 16 May 1975. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the reforms which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1975 has been as follows: Highland Regional Council The Highland Council Since 2008, political leadership has been provided by the leader of the council . The leaders since 2008 have been: Following
1505-420: The passing of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929 , the functions of parish councils were passed to larger district councils and a distinction was made between large burghs (i.e. those with a population of 20,000 or more) and small burghs . This system was further refined by the passing of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 . Effective from 1975, the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 passed by
1548-404: The results from the 2007 local government election, plus gains and losses from subsequent local by-elections, and party defections. Community councils represent the interests of local people. Local authorities have a statutory duty to consult community councils on planning, development and other issues directly affecting that local community. However, the community council has no direct say in
1591-725: The results from the 2012 local government election, plus gains and losses from subsequent local by-elections, and party defections. Following the introduction of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 local elections are held using the single transferable vote , with this taking place for the first time in 2007. This change in voting system saw all but five councils end up with no one party in control. Labour retained control of Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire , while Orkney , Shetland and Na h-Eileanan Siar continue to be controlled by Independent councillors. The 32 unitary authorities are controlled as follows. The figures incorporate
1634-612: The same as counties, such as Clackmannanshire , some are the same as former districts, such as Inverclyde , and some are the same as the former regions, such as Highland . The changes took effect in 1996 with shadow councillors elected in 1995 to oversee the smooth transition of control. In 2007, council elections moved to the single transferable vote system, with wards represented by either three or four councillors. The transition has resulted in no uncontested seats and has ended single-party controlled councils. In 2016 there were ward boundary changes in 25 local authority areas, following
1677-404: The same system of election were used for the 2003 election . For the 2007 election , ward boundaries were redrawn again, under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 , to create the 22 multi-member wards, each electing three or four councillors by the single transferable vote system, but still electing a total of 80 councillors. For the 2017 election , the number of wards was reduced to 21, and
1720-412: The same time as the introduction of multi-member wards and single transferable vote elections in 2007. The 1995 election created a council of 72 members, each elected from a single-member ward by the first past the post system of election. Ward boundaries were redrawn for the 1999 election , to create 80 single-member wards and, again, election was by the first past the post system. The same wards and
1763-497: The term ' provost ', some use the term 'convener'. The office of provost or convener is roughly equivalent to that of a mayor in other parts of the United Kingdom . Traditionally these roles are ceremonial and have no significant administrative functions. Lord provosts in the four city councils have the additional duty of acting as Lord Lieutenant for their respective city. Since 2007 each council has been required to designate
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1806-564: The total number of councillors to 74. New ward boundaries were proposed by Boundaries Scotland in 2021 which would have reduced the total number of councillors to 73, however these were rejected by the Scottish Parliament . The council has been a member of the Islands Forum since 2022. The council has been under no overall control since 2007. Following the 2022 election the SNP formed
1849-497: Was designed by Alexander Ross in the Gothic Revival style , built in coursed stone and was completed in 1876. The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of eleven bays facing onto Ardross Street with the end bays slightly projected forward as pavilions . The central bay, which also slightly projected forward, featured an arched pend on the ground floor, a bi-partite cusped window flanked by two single cusped windows on
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