News Archive
24/11/2019
Report Highlights Importance Of Social Enterprises To Scotland's Rural Economy
Social enterprises are a critical part of the rural economy contributing £250m in the Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland areas. This is according to new figures released by HIE and South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP).
23/11/2019
Businesses And Groups Invited By Wick Community Council To Contribute To A Plan For The Old Woollies Building
The old Woolworth building in Market Square, Wick is lying empty and unused. The Wick Community Council is looking for any ideas from businesses or/and local groups for possible uses.
22/11/2019
A Caithness Maritime Calender 2020
If you know someone who loves boats then this 2020 calender from John Hay may fit the bill. The photos are from around the Caithess coast and harbours.
21/11/2019
New Lead Officer For Improvement Collaborative
Helen Budge, Director of Children's Services at Shetland Islands Council, has taken up the mantle as Lead Officer for the Northern Alliance. She will be supported in leading the improvement collaborative by a quality improvement manager, working with Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Argyll & Bute, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Highland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland councils to improve the life chances of children and young people.
21/11/2019
Glowing report for Council's Apprenticeship Programme
The Highland Council Modern Apprenticeship Programme recently achieved a top grading following a three-day Quality Assurance Assessment from Skills Development Scotland. The Council's Modern Apprenticeship provision has been designed so it can utilise current resources to deliver high quality training to new and existing employees.21/11/2019
Gaelic And Cultural Development In The Region Is Progressing Well
Highland councillors welcome report which says Gaelic and cultural development in the region is progressing well. Highland councillors today warmly welcomed Chief Executive Donna Manson's report to the Corporate Resources committee that highlights the progress being made in relation to Gaelic and cultural development in the region.21/11/2019
Average 2 bedroom private rents up by 2.4%
Between 2018 and 2019, 15 out of 18 Broad Rental Market Areas of Scotland have seen increases in average new let rents for 2 bedroom properties, ranging from 0.2% in North Lanarkshire, up to 5.3% in Greater Glasgow. Three areas have seen decreases, including Aberdeen and Shire which has seen a decrease of 0.3%, the fifth consecutive annual decrease, following decreased demand for rental properties in recent years due to the downturn in the oil industry.
21/11/2019
3.6 MILLION DRIVERS HAVE CRASHED WHEN DRIVING IN THE DARK
* 3.6 million** drivers have been involved in a car accident while driving in the dark. * Half (44 per cent) of drivers say they avoid driving in the dark.21/11/2019
Carers To Receive Extra Cash By Christmas
Next Carer's Allowance Supplement to be paid mid-December. The majority of carers will receive their next payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement on Friday 13 December 2019.21/11/2019
Changes To Protect NHS Staff
Action on pensions to maintain services. New pension measures to help NHS Scotland retain highly experienced staff have been announced.21/11/2019
MSPs urge action to fill £3 billion roads maintenance pot hole
A step change is required in the planning, funding and delivery of roads maintenance services to address a £3 billion backlog in repair and improvement works on Scotland's roads network, according to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee. In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, the Committee makes a series of policy recommendations to address maintenance backlogs and ensure that both the trunk roads and local roads networks are fit for purpose.
19/11/2019
Voters Urged To Check Their Poll Cards
Poll cards for people across the Highlands who are registered to vote in the UK Parliamentary Election will start to be issued from Wednesday onwards (20 November). Already 185,469 people living in the Highlands are registered to vote in the UK Parliamentary election.19/11/2019
NHS Highland introduces paperless maternity notes
Pregnant women being cared for in NHS Highland hospitals are now able to access their maternity medical notes digitally via a PC, tablet or mobile device. Available to both expectant mums and to their health professionals, the new digital maternity notes system known as BadgerNet is available both as a secure online portal and the Maternity Notes app.17/11/2019
SNP Hold Inverness Central After Highland Council Bi-election
The by-election for a councillor to represent Inverness Central - Ward 14 on The Highland Council has been won by Emma Roddick - Scottish National Party (SNP) who was one of six candidates who contested the vacancy. Voting was by the single transferable vote and Emma Roddick emerged as the winner at the third stage of the count.16/11/2019
Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 16 September 2019
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts (November 16th) sold 26 goats, 4 alpaca, 799 sheep and 457 lots of poultry, eggs & poultry equipment at their, rare & traditional breeds of livestock sale. Goats (26) sold to £380 for pygmy female with a kidd at foot from Allt A'Bhonich, Stromeferry.16/11/2019
Pesticide Usage In Scotland
Pesticide use on arable crops grown in Scotland in 2018 has declined according to a new report. A reduction in the use of rodenticides used to control rodents on arable farms was also recorded.16/11/2019
Strengthening The Hospital Workforce
70 extra frontline medical trainees. Hospital patients and staff will benefit from the creation of 70 new posts for trainee doctors in several medical specialities.16/11/2019
Tourism Fund Now Open For Applications
Rural projects encouraged to apply. Tourist sites in Scotland's rural areas can now apply for a share of £3 million funding aimed at helping them meet the demand of growing visitor numbers.16/11/2019
Scottish Budget To Be Published Post-christmas
The Scottish Budget 2020-21 was scheduled to take place on Thursday 12 December 2019 BUT............The UK elections have scuppered that. Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has confirmed that due to the UK General Election and the cancellation of the UK Government budget, it will not be possible to publish the Scottish Budget 2020-21 until after Christmas.16/11/2019
