Local Authority News

National Convener of Children's Hearings Scotland visits Highland

Bernadette Monaghan, the National Convener of Children's Hearings, Scotland, met with members of The Highland Children' Panel Advisory Committee on thursday 16 June 2011 as part of her consultation with local authorities on the future structure and function of the Children's Panel Area Support Teams.   Her post, and the reform of the Children's Hearings system that is underway, are all the result of the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, which was passed in January 2011.  

Highland Council Action plan To Support Marine Renewables

Actions set out to support marine renewable energy in North Highland The Highland Council has published a 10-point Action Plan which it is developing with key partners, to help plan for the growth of the marine renewable energy industry in North Highland.  This follows on from Onshore Visioning workshops held at the Castle of Mey in August 2010 and February 2011 to which a wide range of people and organisations were invited.  

Council Urges Public Not To Feed Seagulls

The Highland Council is reminding members of the public not to feed seagulls as it re-launches its campaign to raise awareness of the problem of seagulls nesting in Highland urban areas.   A guidance leaflet on seagull control is available on the Highland Council website at: www.highland.gov.uk/seagullcontrol and from Council Service Points, Libraries and Transport Environmental and Community Services offices.  

Partnership lays "foundations for the future"

Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) Business and community leaders heard an upbeat assessment of future prospects for the north as senior partners in Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) met last week in Wick with members of the Partnership's Advisory Board to discuss current issues.   Following the meeting, CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver said "This was a particularly good time for our joint meeting as we were able to reflect on the three-year plan we set out in 2007 and to look forward to our current plan for the period 2011-2014.  

Independent Highland Councillors Move To Save Classroom Assistant Jobs

HIGHLAND Council's Independent Group held discussions aimed at removing the threat to classroom assistants.   The main independent grouping are in coalition with the Lib Dems and Labour.  

New Agreement On Listed Buildings

Pioneering agreements between Highland Council and Historic Scotland paves the way for improved service delivery Following a successful pilot project, the Highland Council is to apply to Historic Scotland for the Removal of Duty to Notify for certain types of category B listed building consent applications.   Previously applications for listed building consent for category A and B listed buildings had been formally notified to Historic Scotland who then had an opportunity to review and call in for determination if they disagreed with the council's decision.  

Halkirk Spring Clean

Members of the Halkirk Primary Eco-school committee together with P5 and P6 children, staff, the Highland Council Countryside rangers and local volunteers undertook a litter pick around the school grounds and Halkirk Village on Tuesday 17 May.   Several plastic bags of litter were filled by everyone as part of the Keep Scotland Tidy Group's 'National Spring Clean' event.  

Recycling Getting Better and Better In Highland

Councillors praise Highland residents for success of new refuse and recycling collections The Highland Council says that the transition to the new refuse and recycling collection service introduced to Caithness, Lochaber and Skye at the beginning of April has run very smoothly, thanks in large part to the positive attitude of householders.   The changes have seen the introduction to all residents of Skye and Lochalsh, Caithness and Lochaber of a fortnightly recycling collection for paper, cardboard, food tins, drink cans and plastic bottles, alternating with a fortnightly refuse collection.  

ECS Chairman Bill Fernie Pleased With School Developments

Plans to spend £33 million on new school projects in the Highlands were welcomed today by members of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport (ECS) Committee.   The unprecedented spending on seven major school building projects is underway or due for completion in either this financial year or during the first half of financial year 2012/13.  

Fairtrade And Health Promoting School

Highland Council and NHS Highland take lead on Fairtrade and Health Promoting Schools guidance Guidance on the sale of Fairtrade food items in Highlands Schools has been endorsed by members of the Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee.   The sale or provision of Fairtrade chocolate as part of pupil education about global trade was one of the drivers in the production of the guidance.