They also agreed to support and promote the plan where possible, giving it consideration within other plans, strategies, development and funding opportunities across Sutherland.

Chair of Sutherland County Committee, Councillor Richard Gale, said: “The Area Place Plan aims to capture the aims and aspirations of our local communities to ensure that Sutherland can thrive as a sustainable, liveable and prosperous community.

“We will engage with local people to understand the issues and opportunities most important to them and work together to ensure this plan makes a real difference.”

The Sutherland Area Place Plan was developed in conjunction with the Sutherland Community Partnership (SCP), with the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust leading the review of existing priorities. Face-to-face consultation was carried out throughout the county followed by a series of community engagement sessions in Bettyhill, Kinlochbervie, Golspie, Lochinver and Bonar Bridge.

The emerging priorities of Sutherland have been categorised under three main pillars of People, Place and Prosperity in the Plan which will provide a stronger framework for communities and empower them to drive and deliver change in their areas. Priorities include access to healthcare, community resilience, housing, infrastructure, employment, education and tourism.

Councillor Gale continued: “Community engagement helps us to build a shared understanding of how a place-based approach can shape our vision for the future.

“By ensuring local voices are heard, we can establish a partnership approach to informing decisions on service delivery, encouraging community collaboration and making best use of the resources available to local people.

“Area Place Plans are community led, and I look forward to working together to determine how we can best deliver on the priorities that mean the most to the people of Sutherland.”