Local Authority News
A local businessman has given a Formal Undertaking in court in Inverness to not mislead consumers following action by Highland Council Trading Standards. Donald MacLean, the owner of Bearnock Country Centre, Bearnock Country Cottages and the Bearnock Hostel Glenurquhart, Drumnadrochit, made the pledge in Inverness Sheriff Court after Trading Standards had applied for an Order under the Enterprise Act 2002.
The public is being asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to review the maximum level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hire cars fitted with taxi meters operating under licence of The Highland Council. The Council has a statutory duty in terms of Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to review its scales for the fares and other taxi related charges every 18 months.
THE Highland Council and Police Scotland aim to prevent child sexual exploitation in the Highlands by raising awareness of the signs of abuse. Children's Services in Highland have been working in close partnership with Police Scotland and built on established positive relationships to tackle this form of sexual abuse which can impact on young people.
PROGRESS towards the Council Programme "Working Together for the Highlands" was reviewed by Highland Council at its meeting yesterday as part of a review of the performance framework which monitors performance against the Programme. Two commitments are marked as being achieved in 2013-14.
Rose Street Parking Prices lowered from 11 May 2015. HIGHLAND Council Community Services have listened to concerns raised about the Rose Street parking charges which were introduced on 1 April and a revised pricing structure will be implemented from today, 11 May.
Highland MSP, Rhoda Grant is warning that the future of three Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies will be put under threat again by Conservative Party plans to push forward with a Boundary Commission review which could see the Highland Council area, which currently returns three MPs to Westminster, fall to two at the next UK Parliament elections, scheduled for 2020. Rhoda Grant MSP is cautioning that under proposed changes the Highlands will have a reduced voice at Westminster, saying: "The Highlands is one of the most challenging areas for politicians to represent due to the unique geography and size of the region and its constituencies.
The Highland Council will launch their Cold Call Control Zone Community Toolkit tomorrow in a bid to help communities protect themselves from doorstep crime. The resource has been created by Highland Council Trading Standards.
The by-election for a councillor to serve the Nairn Ward (No 19) on The Highland Council has been won by Stephen Kenneth Fuller - Scottish National Party (SNP). Stephen Fuller was one of six candidates, who contested the vacancy, created by former Councillor Colin Macaulay stepping down in March.
The Returning Officer for the Highland constituencies in the UK Parliamentary general election is reminding voters to check the name of the local polling station. The name of the polling station is printed on their polling card before they leave home to vote on Thursday 7 May.
Voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to take part in the UK Parliamentary general election taking place on Thursday 7 May. Steve Barron, Returning Officer for Highland said:"We're getting very close to polling day now, so we want to make sure that everyone knows how they can cast their vote and can easily take part on Thursday 7 May.
Highland council offices will be closed for the May day holiday on Monday 4th May..
The Highland Council is pleased to announce the recruitment of six new building maintenance apprenticeship positions in four different areas of Highland. The apprenticeships available will be based in Dornoch, Alness, Inverness and Fort William and will cover painting, plumbing and joinery.
The Highland Council and partners are advising motorists of temporary road closures and speed restrictions which will be in place this weekend 25 - 26 April during the Etape Loch Ness cycling event. The restrictions and prohibitions which are being put in place are for participants safety and to allow the Etape to take place on public roads.
A record number of Highland electors have applied to vote by post for the UK Parliamentary elections on Thursday 7 May. A total 32,151 electors across the three Highland constituencies of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross; Ross, Skye and Lochaber and Inverness, Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey will be receiving their postal votes from tomorrow (Tuesday 21 April) onwards.
"It's business as usual for the majority" is the message that multi-agency partners are conveying to the local community and visitors to Inverness following the fire on Academy Street last week. Businesses unaffected by the fire are open and trading as normal.
Following the fire on Academy Street in Inverness the Multi Agency Response Team, which includes representatives from Police Scotland, The Highland Council, Inverness BID, Stagecoach, Structural Engineers and other partners has been put into effect. Structural information has been obtained which has confirmed that, due to its condition, the building the fire broke out in requires scaffolding to be erected around it to make it safe.
The clockis counting down until the 20th April registration deadline for the UK Parliamentary general election the Electoral Commission and Bill Gillies, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles is calling for anyone who isn't yet registered to go online and do so at www.gov.uk/registertovote before it’s too late. The elections watchdog has been running a national media campaign reminding voters that they can’t take part in the election unless they have registered.
Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer, Highland People who have applied for a postal vote in Highland for the UK Parliamentary General Election are being urged by the Returning Officer for Highland, Steve Barron to check that they receive their ballot paper. Voters who applied for a postal vote on or before Tuesday 7 April 2015 will be sent their postal ballot paper on Monday 20 April via first class post and should receive it no later than Tuesday 21 April.
A total of 19 candidates are seeking election on Thursday 7 May in the three Highland UK Parliamentary General Election constituencies. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency has attracted 5 candidates; Ross Skye and Lochaber constituency, 7 candidates; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency, 7 candidates.
The deadline for members of the public to share their views on The Highland Council's new Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance has been extended to Friday 22 May. Once approved, this guidance will be used for determining planning applications for wind energy development in Highland.