Watch: Significant events like the 400 year old Kirking of the council could be cancelled after the death of Her Majesty The Queen yesterday as the local authority's chief executive Donna Manson says 'this is a period of mourning and that will affect the business of the council and it is important that we get that right'
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Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson has confirmed that it would “not be appropriate” for a number of significant public meetings and events to go ahead after the death of the Queen.
At the moment it looks highly likely the formal Kirking of the Council – a tradition dating back more than 400 years – and the Inverness area committee could be among the first to be cancelled.
Speaking just after laying flowers at a garden of remembrance and signing the book of condolence at Inverness Cathedral, Ms Manson said that confirmation of any changes would come today.
“I just want to express on behalf of the staff at Highland Council our condolences and to the Royal Family and pay our respects to Her Majesty The Queen in this period of mourning and that is what we will be focussed on,” she said.
On how the council would not operate in what is a period of official mourning in the UK, Ms Manson said: “We are given extensive guidance and support during this period and it is our responsibility to support people too.
“There is clear guidance there for us as staff at the local authority both in terms of our civic responsibilities and also in making sure we represent the communities of the Highlands properly at this important time.”
Some council business will continue as normal – such as the administration of benefits – but others would be reviewed:“There will be a number of events and milestones in the next 10 days and we will stay very focussed on them,” she said.
“We have ongoing meetings over the next 10 days where we have to be responsive to what is happening and make sure we do the things that are expected of us and represent the Highland appropriately.
“This is a period of mourning and the Convener this afternoon will be making announcements this afternoon on what that means for the council and we will communicate that with the public.
“But this is a period of mourning and that will affect the business of the council and it is important that we get that right and we will be working on that today and communicating that later.
“There is some business that will carry on as usual and we have guidance on that and there are other things that would not be appropriate that they take place and we will communicate that later to the public.”
