£10m of ‘good news’

Highland Council is to consider £10 million of additional investment in 2022-23 as part of its Health and Prosperity Strategy. The proposals will be put forward at the council's budget-setting meeting today (March 3).

It builds on the Health and Prosperity Strategy developed in 2021; to balance the current financial pressures with economic growth and recovery from the pandemic.

In-year financial prudence and building reserves has enabled the council to be in a position to invest in the Highlands while balancing the budget.

The plans are made up of £5.5m additional investment in the roads infrastructure, £2m for climate action, green energy and jobs, £1m for innovation in education, £1m for early interventions in children's services and £0.5m boost for rural transport initiatives.

Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: ‘The additional £5.5m we are proposing to put into roads alone will result in a considerable investment of £31m in our road network over a three-year period. This will be really good news for people across the Highlands.'