HUB North Scotland has been appointed by The Highland Council as delivery partner for implementing the new £2.1 billion Highland Investment Plan.
The move will see Hub North work with the council in delivering the plan which has given significant capital funding to improve infrastructure and services across the region over a 20-year period.
Hub North chief executive Richard Park welcomed the opportunity to work on the blueprint to tackle areas such as schools and community facilities, roads and transport and depots and public offices.
He said, “The Highland Investment Plan is a unique programme of work which will help transform how public services are delivered, improve local facilities and make communities more resilient and sustainable. The Highland Council is taking a bold step to help its communities, and Hub North is looking forward to working with it to help deliver better outcomes for its people.”
Councillor Raymond Bremner, Highland Council leader, added, “Unanimous support was given by Councillors for the choice of Hub North Scotland as The Highland Investment Plan delivery partner at the 27 March meeting of the Council. Through the Highland Investment Plan a new generation of community facilities is being planned across the Highland Council area, changing the way council services are delivered through an innovative way of operating across the partnership.”
The first phase of investment has been agreed with school projects at Beauly Primary, Charleston Academy, Dunvegan Primary, Fortrose Academy and Inverness High School. The planned operational dates for these developments are between 2027 and 2030.
The plan will also see the council adopt a new operating model for services across its territory by working with partners such as NHS Highland to establish integrated facilities known as Community PODs. The first of these are being planned for Dingwall and Thurso.
Since its creation in 2011, Hub North Scotland has delivered more than £1.05 billion of community infrastructure for public sector partners. It is currently delivering the first phases of Aberdeen City Council’s £150 million City Centre and Beach Master Plan and is also working with five local authorities to deliver new and refurbished schools under the North Schools Programme with £333 million of projects at the preferred bidder stage.
