New data reveals pay costs to the local authority rose from £6.7m to £32.5m a year.
That has delayed crews by a total 14,544 hours last year – the equivalent of 606 days.
Helen Crawford says it is a ‘good day for democracy’ as she sought to keep communities informed of the wave of projects planned for the region.
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop says she has her ‘foot to the floor’ and is determined to see it through.
It is understood Alness Academy, Wick High, Inverness Royal Academy and Charleston Academy have gender neutral toilets.
LibDem candidate David Green fears the council is ‘effectively driving business away’ from local operators.
The recent figures show how much was spent by each new Westminster representative since the general election.
Scottish Government is slammed for leaving ‘frontline NHS staff dangerously overstretched and more prone to making mistakes’.
Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says ‘People in the Highlands know we are best placed to beat the SNP’.
Speaking at the spring conference he believes ‘we can win’ Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.
But the stats draw a blank on assaults of teachers or pupils and drugs or weapons.
The analysis reveals an 18% drop in care homes over 10 years while the over-75 population rose by almost 72%.
Michael Gregson says ‘the people are just not feeling the love, and this excessive pay rise to ourselves certainly won’t change that perception’.
The move follows recommendations by the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee.
Opposition plans for education reforms, free primary school meals and lower hikes in council tax were rejected.
Details of what specifically was proposed were scant while the Greens ‘hail influence’ on securing £500k investment.
But senior Highland Council official Malcolm Macleod insists the local authority’s ears are open on thorny questions like VAT.
The Liberal Democrats want to place an emphasis on attainment in schools amid flagging results for north youngsters.
Scotland reaches target for the first time as wellbeing minister and far north MSP Maree Todd hails ‘encouraging’ figures.
NHS Highland says it is routine to test for the Legionella bacteria in water contamination cases.