Latest News

Scottish Government Launches ‘people, Not Profit' Campaign

Scottish Government Launches ‘people, Not Profit' Campaign To Support The Scottish Credit Unions Sector.   The ‘People, Not Profit' credit unions campaign has been launched by Aileen Campbell, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government today (Wednesday 14 November 2018), as results of a new survey reveal that one in five (20%) people in Scotland have not heard of a credit union.  

Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Energy & Business Services: I met up this week with Stephen Sutherland, Chair of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and director at JGC Engineering & Technical Services, at a tourism-related session hosted by the Chamber Board (see below for more).  Stephen told me about the fantastic news that JGC has been awarded a contract by Siemens Transmission and Distribution relating to the Triton Knoll offshore windfarm project of the east coast of England.  

"Plot to plate" School cook is Highland Council's Employee of the Year

A Cook at Broadford Primary School on the Isle of Skye has scooped the Highland Council's Employee of the Year 2018 Award for her commitment to promote healthy eating and for inspiring pupils to get involved from "plot to plate" Annette Burfooot, who has been at the school for 11 years, is described as a skilled and dedicated member of staff who is passionate about promoting healthy eating and regularly goes into classrooms to chat to the children about nutrition and developing healthy eating habits.  She also encourages them to proactively get involved in the planning of menus for school meals making the most of fresh herbs and vegetables grown in the school garden.  

1 Day Leadership Workshop - Caithness - Social Enterprise Academy

All are welcome, age 16 plus with an interest / role in the third sector.  It's designed as a ‘starting point' for people new to leadership roles, or new to leadership learning.  

Threat to seed potato exports

Scotland's world renowned seed potato industry risks losing its 13.5% EU market share in a no deal Brexit scenario, Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon has warned.   In a letter to Secretary of State Michael Gove, she highlights that in this scenario Scotland would become a third country and would therefore be unable to export seed potatoes to the EU.  

Scottish Government Anounces Michelin Action Group

Members of the group tasked with exploring all options to secure a sustainable future for the Michelin site and its workforce have been announced by Economy Secretary Derek Mackay.   The Michelin Action Group will meet for the first time in Dundee on Monday (12 November).  

Concern Expressed Over Proposed Land Register

Much of Scotland's land will remain outside the proposed Register of Controlled Interests in Land, whose purpose is to make land ownership more transparent, according to a report by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.   Much of Scotland's land will remain outside the proposed Register of Controlled Interests in Land, whose purpose is to make land ownership more transparent, according to a report by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.  

Highland Council approves new strategy to reduce single use plastics

Highland Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to develop a holistic strategy and action plan to reduce the consumption of single use plastics from its sites and schools, and the wider community.   The strategy and action plan was approved at a meeting of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee today (8 November 2018).  

OBR October 2018 Economic and fiscal outlook

Robert Chote, the chairman of the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR), distils the key messages from the October 2018 Economic and fiscal outlook.   Overview of the October 2018 Economic and fiscal outlook.  

Landfill Communities Fund

Members of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee of Highland council, today considered a presentation on the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.   Scottish Landfill Communities Fund is available to communities within 10 miles of a registered landfill site, open or closed, or a waste transfer station.