War memorial refurbishment programme

The Highland Council has agreed to consult with local communities to agree a programme of war memorial refurbishment between 2014 – 2018, with all works completed by November 2018.

The Council is responsible for 173 memorials and the estimated cost of repair and refurbishment is £303,000.  Works range from landscape works, masonry work, clock repairs and inscriptions and repainting.

The TEC Services Committee agreed today (Thursday 19 September 2013) to work with local groups to agree the level of works agreed and support their applications for funding.

Applications for funding from the Scottish Government’s £1 million Centenary Memorial Restoration Fund will be made to the War Memorials Trust and/or the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the Council’s TEC Services Committee, said:  “We had hoped the improvement programme could be completed by November 2014 but the funding will now be spread over the four years which mark the centenary of World War I.

“Given that the memorials bear the names of servicemen and women who fell between 1914 – 1918 and in other wars, it is entirely appropriate that the work is spread over a four year period, with all works completed by November 2018.”