Highland Council recovery board chairman welcomes High Life Highland work to improve its financial position after coronavirus lockdown
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The head of Highland Council’s recovery board has welcomed action by High Life Highland to stabilise and improve its financial position.
In a report presented to the board yesterday by High Life Highland’s chief executive Steve Walsh he outlined the road to financial recovery for the charity which provides cultural and leisure services for the region.
In March, High Life Highland predicted an end of year deficit of around £11.4 million as lockdown led to a massive drop in income.
This has now been managed down to £1.55 million as a worst case scenario.
Chairman of the recovery board, Councillor Alasdair Christie, said: "High Life Highland’s report laid out the challenges they have faced and all the work that has gone into improving their financial situation and putting them on a stronger footing going forward.
"It also focussed on the strong partnership working that has taken place between the council and the charity during the pandemic to help and support those most in need in communities across the Highlands.
"I think it is a reflection of the astute management and commitment of staff at High Life Highland that their financial outlook has improved to such an extent.
"I would also like to praise all the creative hard work that has allowed the services they deliver to support the most vulnerable in our communities; youth work, adult learning and music tuition, along with support for the council-run community hubs, to continue throughout the pandemic.
"This close collaboration and partnership working with colleagues in the council and other partners shows the huge effort taken to work together.
"As High Life Highland moves forward and focuses on the gradual reopening of their facilities which is crucially important to their financial security, I am sure that they will continue to pull out all the stops to improve their position.
"We wish them every success with their bounceback campaign."
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