Highland Council Seeks Public Input on £39.2m Budget Gap
Community engagement programme launches in November to gather views on financial planning and savings measures.
By Morag Henderson
••3 min read
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Generic image of a Scottish council building facade with ornate details, bathed in warm afternoon sunlight under a blue sky.
The Highland Council is launching a public engagement programme to gather views on how to balance a significant budget gap of £39.2 million over the next three years.
Members of the public, community groups, the business sector, and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spending for the next three years. The Council needs to find an additional £39.2 million in savings over this period to deliver a balanced financial plan, largely due to rising costs and ongoing economic events. This is in addition to the £32.8 million in savings and other budget measures already agreed for 2027/28 and 2028/29.
The Council's strategy to address the funding gap includes exploring financial flexibilities, such as tax and fiscal options; delivering strategic council-wide savings; identifying savings within specific service areas; and continuing to transform service delivery for improved efficiencies.
At a meeting today, councillors agreed on a blended approach to budget engagement, offering various ways for people to have their say. This includes using the Council's online platform, ‘Engage Highland’, or responding in person at key locations across the region.
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"The Council has a clear vision, a strong financial planning framework and a proven track record of transformation, which has been recognised by Audit Scotland. However, the financial challenges facing all councils remain significant. Ongoing global economic uncertainty, inflation and higher interest rates, continue to increase costs and place significant pressure on local government budgets. Early indications also suggest the Council’s funding settlement from the Scottish Government could be lower than previously anticipated and below a flat-cash position. That makes it more important than ever that communities are involved in shaping the Council's budget decisions. We want to hear what matters most to people and ensure everyone has an opportunity to have their say."
The budget engagement programme, launching in November, will feature a budget simulator, budget surveys for the public, community groups, and young people, and an online ‘ideas board’ for suggestions. Focus groups with community councils, tenant and business forums, third sector organisations, and parent councils will also take place from late November into early December.
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"The Council has made significant progress in addressing its budget gap over recent years, which stood at £113 million in 2024. We have already identified £32.8 million savings over the next three years. However, rising costs and economic pressures mean further action is required to close the £39.2 million gap we face. Public engagement and feedback will provide a vital source of information which members will use to form the budget decision made by the Council in March 2027. I encourage everyone to take part when the engagement programme goes live in the coming months."
The phased engagement programme will run throughout November and December, with a second consultation phase in January and February 2027. The Council will consider the budget on 4 March 2027. Information on how to participate will be published on the Council's website and the Engage Highland platform shortly.
Based on information from the official source: The Highland Council (29/10/2026)
