COMMUNITY PLANNING

This section provides information on community planning including: local meetings; minutes of meetings; times of meetings; contact details and how you can get involved in community planning.

Ward Forums 

Our area of Skye & Lochalsh is divided between two Wards: Ward 11 Eilean a Cheo (Isle of Skye) and Ward 6 Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (Lochalsh area).  The Ward Manager for Eilean a Cheo is Jan Laing and the Ward Manager for Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh is Robbie Bain.  

Ward Forums have been set up across the Highlands to help you have your say on what’s happening in your area.  The Eilean a Cheo Ward Forum meets regularly in public led by the Councillors who represent you, assisted by the Ward Manager. 

Meetings are open to members of the public as well as public and private sector bodies, voluntary and community sector and community councils.  They last for up to two hours with a 20-minute slot allocated at the end of the meeting for questions from the public. If possible you should notify any questions in advance to the ward managers.

Ward Forum meeting dates are advertised on the What's On page as soon as they are available. 

View minutes of meetings click here.

More about Ward forums

Download the current Single Outcome Agreement

Contact Details

Skye Ward (11) Manager:  Jan Laing
Phone: 01478 613800
Email jan.laing@highland.gov.uk

Wester Ross Ward (6) Manager: Robert Bain
Phone: 01349 868626
Email: Robbie.Bain@highland.gov.uk

Skye & Lochalsh Drug and Alcohol Forum

Background

There are eight Drug and Alcohol Forums in Highland and members come from a range of organizations, both statutory and voluntary. The Skye and Lochalsh Drug and Alcohol Forum, established in February 1997, is administered by the Skye and Lochalsh Council on Alcohol.

Members represent Northern Constabulary, Social Work, NHS Highland, Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Association, Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations, Careers Scotland, Portree YMCA and Youth Café, Community Hall Association, Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers’ Project, Portree High School, TAG Highland, Al-ateen, Women’s Aid, Free Church of Scotland, Skye and Lochalsh Council on Alcohol and the Licensing Board. In addition some members of the public attend from time to time who are not connected with any organization but have a particular interest in items being discussed at Forum meetings.

 Forum meetings are held each year in February, March, May, June, August and November and anyone can attend.

 The role and responsibilities of Forums in Highland

 Provide a co-ordinated network for local agencies and individuals with an interest or remit for substance misuse. A strategic view can therefore be developed through this, based on identified local priorities.

• Implement initiatives which complement the activity of mainstream services.
• Develop a local Forum Action Plan that aims to reflect and address National and Highland strategy and National and Highland issues.
• Report to the Highland Drug and Alcohol Action Team on the progress of the Forum and submit quarterly and annual reports.
• Elect a Chair, Vice Chair and office bearers and review membership regularly.
• Meet as a Forum a minimum of four times each year.
• Ensure meetings are accurately recorded and points actioned appropriately.
• Support the workings of the Forum through efficient administration.
• Ensure that members represent the interests and views of their organizations and acknowledge local policies and strategies.

To view minutes of meetings click here

Drug & Alcohol Forum Contact: Donald Beaton
Phone: 01478 612633
Email: donald.beaton@btconnect.com

Voluntary Action Highland (VAH)

VAH's mission is to provide information and support to Highland wide Voluntary Organisations while offering strategic services to the Highland Regional Council for Voluntary Services and championing positive communication between the voluntary, statutory and private sectors.

Its Aims and Objectives are to:

a) promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in Highland and in particular, the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress.

b) promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above purposes and to that end to bring together in council representatives of voluntary organisations and statutory authorities.

Visit the VAH Website click here