Local Authority News

Breakthrough In Delivery Charge Campaign

The Highland Council has made a breakthrough in its campaign to win a better deal for local consumers over delivery surcharges levied by internet companies.   Since starting their investigations, Trading Standards officers have persuaded more than 20 internet trading companies to alter their trading practices to comply with the law.  

Change To Late Hours Catering Licence Legislation

Businesses in the Highlands are being advised to consider whether a forthcoming change to the licensing of late hours catering establishments will mean that they may now require a late hours catering licence.   A licence is currently required if businesses provide `meals or refreshments' to the public between 11pm and 5am, the most common types of premises being fast food takeaways and 24 hour opening supermarkets.  

Back To School - Dates for 2012/13

Back to school: Primary pupils: Autumn term begins on 14th August Secondary pupils: Autumn term begins on 15th August Autumn Autumn term starts - 14 August 2012 (primary pupils) - 15 August 2012 (secondary pupils) Autumn term ends - 5 October 2012 Winter Winter term starts - 23 October 2012 (primary pupils) - 24 October 2012 (secondary pupils) Winter term ends - 20 December 2012 Spring Spring term starts - 7 January 2012 Mid term break - 11 to 15 February 2013 Spring term ends - 28 March 2013 Summer Summer term begins - 15 April 2013 Summer term ends - 28 June 2013 Public holidays Good Friday - 29 March 2013 Easter Monday - 1 April 2013 May Day - 6 May 2013 In-service days The first day back after summer - Monday 13 August 2012 (Primary and Secondary) The second day back after summer - Tuesday 14 August 2012 (Secondary only) The first day back after October break - Monday 22 October 2012 (Primary and Secondary) The second day back after October break - Tuesday 23 October 2012 (Secondary only) Three days following the February mid-term break - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 13, 14 and 15 February 2013 (Primary and Secondary).  

SQA results in Highland 2012

Delight at top grades.   Highland pupils are celebrating a sharp increase in the number of candidates gaining top grades in this year's Higher exams.  

Applications Open For Community Transport Fund

The Highland Council is inviting applications from voluntary groups to operate community transport projects for the 2013 - 2014 financial year.   19 voluntary groups are coming to the end of their current funding agreements and they will now be able to apply for new revenue funding.  

Graduate Placements Set To Help Highland Businesses Grow

With more graduates than ever finding it tough to get into the workplace a new scheme to help them get a foothold into business, whilst at the same time helping Highland companies get the right kind of help to grow, launches this month.   The Highland Council Graduate Placement Programme is a work placement scheme being delivered by Business Gateway Highlands' Recruitment Service.  

Welfare Benefits Changes - Advice Sessions

Council to run sessions highlighting changes to the welfare benefit system.   The Highland Council will be running a number of awareness raising sessions in Skye and Lochalsh, Ullapool and Dingwall over the next few weeks advising people on how changes to the new Welfare Reform may affect them.  

Council welcomes Scottish Open golf fans to the Highlands

The Highland Council is gearing up to play its part in the latest big event to take place in the area - the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open - to be played at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness, from Thursday 12 July until Sunday 15 July.  The Council has been working closely with the European Tour, the owners of the golf links, the police, Stagecoach, HIE and Event Scotland to ensure that the organisation of the event runs smoothly.  

Youth Trainee Project Is Springboard To Work Or Future Training

As part of a wider commitment to promoting youth employment, The Highland Council, with support from Europe, has launched a project which aims to be a springboard to full-time employment or future study or training for young people who have difficulty in securing work.   The Youth Trainee Project has funding of �440,000 until March 2014 to provide 66 young people (16-24 years) with 6 months of paid work placements within Council Services.  

Victorian Escapee Arrested - Giant Hog Weed Under Control

Giant Hogweed is an impressive plant from the Caucasus region of far eastern Europe which can grow up to 12 feet tall and can have a flower head up to a foot across.  These impressive statistics made it a plant that was sought after for Victorian estate gardens.