‘Highland Council’s one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work’ says Tory councillor for Skye and Raasay
A leading Highland councillor believes the one-size-fits-all approach to Highland Council is no longer fit for purpose.
Councillor Ruraidh Stewart, leader of the Conservative Group and member for Skye and Raasay, has called on fellow councillors to support a motion seeking a review of governance arrangements to better address the region’s diverse needs.
The motion, which will come before the full council meeting this Thursday, highlights the challenges of governing a region as varied as the Highlands, encompassing the urban demands of Inverness, the needs of rural areas, and the unique challenges of remote rural communities.
• Leading councillors call for ‘break-up of Highland Council’ - so is it still fit for purpose?
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He is among a cross-party group of councillors who feel they have no option but to make the first move in what could result in the dismantling of the local authority.
“Our communities are as diverse as the landscapes that define them,” Cllr Stewart said. “Inverness, as a growing city and the administrative hub of the Highlands, faces pressures like housing, while rural areas grapple with challenges like depopulation, declining school enrolment, and limited access to services.
“Remote communities, such as those in Skye and Raasay, require solutions to issues like infrastructure gaps, digital connectivity and economic opportunity. The current ‘one-size-fits-all’ model simply cannot meet these varied needs effectively.”
The motion responds to increasing recognition, including statements from senior members of the Scottish Government, that Highland Council is geographically too large to provide effective governance. It proposes exploring new local authority structures or governance systems that can better serve the unique characteristics of each community.
Cllr Stewart emphasised that the current structure, while well-intentioned, is stretched too thin to deliver for everyone.
“Ullapool faces a projected 37 per cent drop in school enrolment within the next 15 years, populations in Mallaig and Kinlochleven have fallen by nearly 20 per cent, and communities across Skye and Raasay are constrained by housing shortages and infrastructure deficits,” he said. “In Inverness, rapid growth creates different challenges, with increasing demand on housing and transport systems. These starkly different realities illustrate the need for a governance model that respects and addresses local priorities.”
The motion also commits Highland Council to establish workshops and working groups to explore localised governance options and to capture the views of elected members on how reform can deliver better outcomes.
“Breaking up Highland Council isn’t about creating division - it’s about building empowerment,” Cllr Stewart added. “Smaller councils, designed with the unique needs of urban, rural, and remote rural communities in mind, can bring decisions closer to the people they affect. Whether it’s addressing the growth challenges of Inverness, or tackling the depopulation crisis in rural and remote areas, it’s time for governance that reflects the diversity of our communities. One size doesn’t fit all, and the time for bold action is now.”
