Highlanders are being given a chance to shape the region’s future democracy.
The latest phase of a pioneering initiative will begin next month to promote a public debate on the issue.
Building on a national discussion on the theme, Highland Council hopes to glean a wide range of opinion to improve public participation in decision-making about public services.
The authority hopes it will also aid its “localism action plan”.
The “localism” policy has prompted the establishment of seven new local committees with a degree of devolved planning powers.
As part of the process, Nairn, Lochaber and Caithness have had a say in how several thousand pounds of “discretionary” council ward money is spent in the respective communities.
Other council areas will benefit from the move later this year.
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “The commission on Highland democracy is an exciting opportunity to have discussions locally about the kind of democracy people want and how the council can help deliver this. A lot of progress has been made.
“The plan is to launch the commission in June and to start taking evidence over the summer.
“An interim report will be published in the autumn and final recommendations presented to the council in December.”
