Council disappointment at Icetech liquidation and loss of jobs
23rd April 2013
The Highland Council has expressed its deep regret at the liquidation of Castletown-based company, Icetech Freezers Ltd, with the loss of more than 70 jobs.
Councillor Deirdre Mackay, Leader of the Council’s Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee, said: “This is a huge blow for the Caithness economy. The loss of 100 jobs in this long-established company will be felt across the county. Clearly the collapse of Comet was a major factor in the loss of business.”
Councillor Gail Ross, the Council’s civic leader for Caithness, echoed the disappointment at the liquidation of Icetech. She said: “Icetech, and Norfrost before it, provided excellent employment in this part of Caithness for many years and closure and the loss of so many jobs is a very great disappointment.”
Both are hopeful that the skills of the Icetech workforce can be used by other employers in the area as efforts continue to diversify the Caithness and North Sutherland economy in the wake of the rundown of Dounreay.
The Council will be working with Skills Development Scotland through the PACE initiative, will provide support for those looking to start new businesses through Business Gateway, and support those looking for work through its local employability service. In addition the Council will strengthen its work through the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership and the Caithness Chamber of Commerce to secure inward investment to the north.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On 27 November 2024 the Community and Places committee will consider a report on play parks in Highland. 94 play parks across Highland including 26 in Caithness are scheduled to close over 5 years.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On Thursday the 21 November 2024, the Education Committee will be presented with an Education Trust Fund report that asks Members to approve the formation of an Education Trust Fund Sub Committee. There are significant funds held by The Highland Council in trust for the educational benefit within different communities.
At the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday 14 November 2024 councillors adopted an ambitious action plan to tackle biodiversity loss and support a nature-positive Highland. The Council's Ecology Strategy and Action Plan Strategy sets out and defines a series of key actions and activities that will assist the Council to deliver positive action to tackle biodiversity loss and start to address the ecological emergency for the benefit of its environment, economy, and communities.
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have approved the rural Housing Supplementary Guidance which will now be used to inform all planning advice and decisions. Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "Following the decision by members today, I am pleased that we now have a positive, clear and consistent basis for considering and determining rural housing planning applications across the whole of the Highland Council area.
New guidance to support schools and organisations working with children and young people to develop comprehensive anti-bullying policies and improve behaviour and relationships has been published. ‘Respect for all' includes updates for staff on how to deal with specific incidents of bullying, including online bullying.
The Vice Chair of the Caithness Committee, Councillor Struan Mackie has expressed his delight at the number of worthwhile local projects that have benefitted from Ward Discretionary Funding in this financial year. All Council Wards receive a discretionary budget, and it is for Ward Councillors to consider what they wish to commit funds to, in line with Highland Council objectives and outcomes.
The Caithness Committee have agreed to adopt the modified Core Path Plans for Caithness. At their meeting yesterday members had the opportunity to discuss a report that summarised the review of The Highland Council Core Paths Plan in Caithness.
On Thursday 14 November 2024, Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be presented with a new Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2024-2030 and asked to note and agree recommendations which include adopting the new Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Also an agreement to amend the strategy to accommodate consultation feedback on the Visitor Levy Scheme.
