Area Place Plans bring investment opportunities for Highland communities

Members of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee last week received progress updates for the delivery of Area Place Plans throughout Highland communities.

Area Place Plans aim to meet local priority needs and aspirations by supporting the delivery of place-based funding and services. Plans have now been developed for all Area Committees following extensive engagement with local communities which will allow Highland residents to put projects forward for Area Committee funding consideration.

Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, said: “By working closely with communities and partners, Area Committees have been able to develop effective Area Place Plans that are clearly aligned with local service delivery and investment. These plans will consolidate and bring together existing plans such as Local Place Plans and community development plans, to ensure that priority outcomes are identified for each area and to define a clear way forward that includes a vision for the future, approaches for responding to local challenges and opportunities for project development.”

Area Place Plans have been developed as part of the Council’s Place Based Framework for planning and investment in communities, which was agreed in December 2021. The framework recognised that Place underpins how services are delivered and encourages partnership working between public sector and community partners.

Cllr MacKenzie continued: “This approach supports our commitment to helping communities to be prosperous, sustainable and resilient and to make a positive difference to the lives of people living in the Highlands. Partnership working and community engagement are integral to this approach, and communities will be able to use these plans to ensure local resources and investments are directed towards the most important priorities for their areas.”

The progress of each Area Place Plan will be reported annually to Area Committees, and the plans will be key elements of the Highland Investment Prospectus which is currently being developed to support and attract investment into the Highlands. The identified themes and projects will be a regional focus for both potential public and private investment opportunities. The plans will not only focus existing Council and partner funding streams but will also support new and additional funds for communities.

All finalised Area Place Plans and supporting documents are available on the Highland Community Planning Partnership website.