Ellie Ames 12 December 2024

Call to break up Scotland’s largest council

Call to break up Scotland’s largest council image
Image: Duncan Andison / Shutterstock.com

Highland Council members have called for the local authority, Scotland’s largest by geographical area, to be broken up.

They want to see a review into how the area could be served by smaller councils.

A motion to be considered today says the current governance arrangements were ‘forced upon’ the area nearly 30 years ago in ‘nothing more than an experiment’.

It adds: ‘No amount of good intentions and efforts from this chamber and council can realistically deliver the best for such a diverse population.’

The Highland Council serves a third of the land area of Scotland, including the most remote and sparsely populated parts of the UK.

The motion, signed by nine councillors, calls on the council to acknowledge ‘repeated’ statements made by Holyrood politicians that the area is too large.

It concludes: ‘This council agrees to take up offers made by several members of the Scottish Government and Parliament to seek a review into [how] a new local authority and/or governance arrangements would better serve the vast and wide range of needs of our Highland communities.’

If the motion is approved, the council leader will write to the Scottish Government about the proposals and establish a working group to capture members’ views.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Storytelling and Case Studies Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting Salary from £43,545 FTE based on Skill
Job Title Storytelling and Cas... Wandsworth Town Hall/hybrid
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Head of Housing Development

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
UP to £116,847
Job Title- Head of Housing Development Salary – UP to £116,847 Permanent – Fulltime (36hours) Location- Wandsworth Town Hall, London Are you experienced in Local Government Housing Association/Development? If yes, you are invited to consider th Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Chief of Staff

Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
up to £126,615
We’re transforming services with ambition and community at the heart of our work. Norfolk
Recuriter: Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner