The Highland Council Climate Change committee
At the last meeting on 21 May, members reviewed progress on a feasibility study exploring the development of city-wide heat networks in Inverness. This forms a key part of the legally required Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy, which sets out how public buildings and homes can be heated more sustainably. Heat networks are common in countries like Denmark and – if done well – can offer better heating for places that have high energy demand. Four zones in Inverness have been idenified as potentially suitable sites.
Coastal communities safeguard plan
Councillors on the Economy and Infrastructure Committee have approved a new Regional Coastal Change Adaptation Plan that aims to boost resilience in coastal communities, in relation to climate change, sea level rise, changing coastal process and flood risk now and in the future. Twenty-nine high-risk locations have been pinpointed for further study,with several in our area including Strollamus, Kyleakin, Kishorn, Ratagan and Plockton. You can read the report here.
Cruise ship levy
The Highland Council supports Scottish Government proposals to allow local authorities to implement a cruise ship levy, with the money raised used to counteract the effects of tourism. Details are still to be worked out, but Highland Council favours a flat rate per passenger. 30,000 cruise passengers came to Portree harbour in 2023.