News Archive
6/7/2020
Committee focuses on Covid-19 actions taken in Caithness
The Caithness Committee met virtual today for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic and it's agenda focused on the actions taken by the Council and the third sector to deal with the effects of Coronavirus in Caithness. The Executive Chief Officer for Education and Learning, Paul Senior, gave members an update on the plans and preparations underway to prepare for the return of pupils and staff to Caithness schools in August.6/7/2020
Highland Council's Leader Supports Scottish Government’s Call For Greater Fiscal Flexibility
Margaret Davidson, the Leader of the Highland Council has given her strong support to the efforts of the Scottish Government to obtain greater fiscal flexibility from the UK Government. The Scottish Government have sought flexibility to offset capital underspend against resource expenditure, more flexibility over resource borrowing and greater flexibility over the use of the reserve for capital.6/7/2020
Council Relaxes Some Controls For Covid-19 Business Recovery
Following on from the recent publication of Highland Council's Supporting Economic Recovery in Highland - A Guide for Businesses - the Council is announcing relaxation of some controls that will assist tourist accommodation providers have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. In recognition of this where there are specific planning and licensing controls in relation to occupancy, for example: a restriction on the occupancy of any caravan for a continuous 12 month period; or where conditions restrict occupancy for specific periods of time, ...these will be relaxed by the Council up to and including April 2021.6/7/2020
£1.57 Billion Investment To Protect Britain's World-class Cultural, Arts And Heritage Institutions
Future of Britain's museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues will be protected with emergency grants and loans. Funding will also be provided to restart construction work at cultural and heritage sites paused as a result of the pandemic Britain's globally renowned arts, culture and heritage industries will receive a world-leading £1.57 billion rescue package to help weather the impact of coronavirus, the government announced today.6/7/2020
Covid-19 Pandemic Puts Several Universities At Risk Of Insolvency
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis poses a significant financial threat to the UK higher education sector. Universities will experience large income losses from falls in student enrolment, especially of international students, as well as lockdown-related losses of income from student accommodation and conference and catering operations.6/7/2020
HITRANS Thurso Active Travel Masterplan
The opportunity to contribute to Thurso's Active Travel Masterplan by letting the team know what you think would improve walking/cycling routes in Thurso and help to identify problematic areas and barriers, this can be done through the projects webpage at the link below. https://thursoactivetravelmap.commonplace.is/ Earlier information about the project In 2010 HITRANS commissioned an active travel audit for Thurso, which looked at existing provision for walking and cycling and suggested a number of routes connecting different parts of the town and out to Scrabster.
6/7/2020
Views Sought On Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station Permits
Operational permits are being sought for disposal and discharge of radioactive waste, operation of standby power supply systems, and discharges of cooling water and liquid effluent. The Environment Agency is seeking feedback from the community and national stakeholders on applications for three environmental permits required for operation of the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power station.
6/7/2020
Socialising Safely - Restrictions on outdoor hospitality industry eased
People are being encouraged to socialise safely as beer gardens and pavement cafes across Scotland re-open. As the hospitality sector gradually eases out of lockdown new measures to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff will be in place including the collection of customer's contact details to allow contact tracing if necessary.6/7/2020
Supporting Outdoor Hospitality
Helping businesses adapt to physical distancing measures. Pubs, restaurants and cafes in Scotland will have greater flexibility to make use of outside spaces, as outdoor hospitality resumes from 6 July 2020.6/7/2020
HMRC Latest Covid-19 Support
Recent changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme mean you can now bring previously furloughed employees back to work to suit the needs of your business. From August, the level of the grant will be slowly reduced and employers will be asked to contribute towards the cost of employees' wages.
6/7/2020
Majority Of Children No Longer Need To Shield - UK Government
The majority of children currently considered extremely clinical vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19) will be able to be removed from the shielded patient list. Evidence from paediatric clinicians shows COVID-19 poses a low risk to children and young people.6/7/2020
Face-to-face Assessment Suspension Continues For Health And Disability Benefits
Face-to-face assessments to remain suspended, but kept under review. Some review and reassessment activity to gradually resume from July 2020 for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).5/7/2020
Don't Rely On Temperature Screening Products For Detection Of Coronavirus (covid-19), Says MHRA
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency warning that thermal cameras and other such "temperature screening" products, some of which make direct claims to screen for COVID-19, are not a reliable way to detect if people have the virus. The Agency is telling manufacturers and suppliers of thermal cameras that they should not make claims which directly relate to COVID-19 diagnosis, and is reminding businesses to follow Government advice on safe working during COVID-19.
5/7/2020
Hm Treasury Extends Tax Cut To PPE Costs
The temporary scrapping of VAT on PPE has been extended until the end of October - saving care homes and businesses dealing with the coronavirus outbreak £155 million, the government announced today. temporary scrapping of VAT on personal protective equipment (PPE) for infection extended until the end of October the three-month extension will save care homes and businesses an estimated £155 million comes after VAT on PPE was temporarily zero-rated at the beginning of May and import duty on PPE was removed The decision - which will make it easier and cheaper for care homes, charities and businesses to acquire the vital kit - comes after a temporary zero-rate of VAT was applied to PPE sales for an initial three months from 1 May 2020 to 31 July 2020.5/7/2020
NHS Louisa Jordan to help health service recovery
Hospital will support planned non-COVID healthcare and staff training. Some planned healthcare that was delayed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will now be carried out at the NHS Louisa Jordan to help NHS Scotland recover.
4/7/2020
Highland Seaweed Firm Embarks On Expansion After £1.7m Investment
SHORe the Scottish Seaweed Company (SHORE), the trading name of the Alness based seaweed processing company New Wave Foods Ltd, has expanded its product range having secured a £1.7million finance package. The company has one of its bases at the industrial estate near Wick airport.
4/7/2020
New Buses Replace The Interdecks That Many Complained About In Caithness
Stagecoach welcomes new look vehicles to the Highlands. Stagecoach Highlands has welcomed the first of their new-look vehicles to Inverness.
4/7/2020
Mobile Testing Units - Scottish Ambulance Service to take over sites
.The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will take over the running of Scotland's coronavirus (COVID-19) mobile testing units from the start of September. Currently operated by HM Armed Forces, the mobile units will pass to SAS, where they will continue to support the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the management of localised outbreaks.4/7/2020
High Street Shops In Trouble As More Closure Announcements Nationwide
Th number of stores closing around Scotland and the UK is now rising sharply. Administrators are being called in to many businesses.4/7/2020
