News Archive
1/4/2019
Towheads/Large Structures Travelling Through Wick
Subsea 7 will be moving three towheads for the Equinor Snorre Project from Wick Harbour to Wester Site in the next 2-3 days. It is planned that the towheads will travel along the route through town as in the photograph.
1/4/2019
Expansion Of Free Personal Care
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman visited the Capability Scotland Edinburgh Hub ahead of the extension of free personal care to people of all ages who are assessed as requiring it. The expansion of free personal care - which was previously only available to those aged over 65 - comes into force on April 1 2019 and is often referred to as ‘Frank's Law’ after the former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel.1/4/2019
New Minimum Wage Rates From Today
1.8 million workers earning the National Living Wage will receive an additional £690 over the year from today. These rates are for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage.31/3/2019
Funding to support low carbon projects
A project to help people in social housing get solar panels is one of the projects getting a share of £13.4 million of low carbon funding. The smart storage project in Aberdeenshire will enable residents in social housing to make the best use of solar panels.31/3/2019
Tightening Law On Home Detention Curfew
Amendments proposed to Management of Offenders Bill. Police could be given new powers of entry and search to apprehend a person unlawfully at large from home detention curfew (HDC) or temporary release as part of proposals to strengthen electronic monitoring.31/3/2019
Poverty And Income Inequality Increasing
The latest statistics indicate rising poverty and income inequality in Scotland in recent years. The incomes of low-income households fell further behind those of middle and high income households, pushing more people into poverty, and increasing income inequality further.30/3/2019
Stornoway Port Authority Awards Milestone Marina Contract
Work is about to start on a milestone development to create a new marina at Stornoway as part of an ambitious long-term vision for the town's harbour. The Port Authority revealed that firm RJ McLeod Contractors Ltd has won a £5 million contract for the marina which will be the anchor project on the site as part of its 20-year Master Plan for the harbour.
30/3/2019
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Business Plan 2019 To 2022
The consultation on our 2019 to 2022 draft Business Plan ran from 3 December 2018 to 4 February 2019, receiving 17 formal responses. We have considered feedback and made appropriate changes to amend the document since the draft was published.
29/3/2019
Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 25th March 2019 SpaceHub Sutherland: The team's weekly presence in Tongue continued this week, and June Love from the team also delivered a presentation on the project to members of the Thurso & Wick Trades Union Council at its meeting this week. I attend all of the Trades Council's meetings, so it was good to hear the unanimously positive reaction to June's update from members (see Communications below for feedback on my discussion with members).29/3/2019
NorthLink Ferries celebrates mothers with a chance to win Shetland jewellery
Whether it's a day of pampering and relaxation or one of adventure and activities, Mother's Day is always the perfect opportunity to remind mums how special they are. As sons and daughters travel this weekend to see their mums, NorthLink Ferries is helping those still searching for that perfect gift by offering the chance to win a beautiful handmade pendant from Shetland Jewellery.
29/3/2019
Highland Communities Including Thurso And Wick To Benefit From Upgraded Broadband
The delivery of public sector services in four Highland areas is to undergo a "dramatic transformation", said Capita, thanks to a project that will bring full fibre infrastructure to the region. As part of Capita's Scotland-wide SWAN programme, the project will bring “transformational and future-proof” gigabit-speed services to schools, libraries, offices, hospitals, health centres and university campuses.
29/3/2019
Climate Challenge Fund - Thurso Community Trust Gains Support
Communities across Scotland will benefit from new support to tackle climate change and embrace the transition to a carbon-neutral society. The latest round Climate Challenge Fund for 2019-21 will support 87 projects.29/3/2019
Improving Wheelchair Access In Housing
First step to tackling shortage of wheelchair accessible homes. Local authorities will be required to provide wheelchair accessible housing across all tenures and report annually on progress.29/3/2019
Renewable Electricity At Record Levels
Equivalent of 74.6% of gross electricity consumption was from renewable sources. Renewable electricity generation in Scotland reached record levels in 2018, the latest figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) show.28/3/2019
Contract Awarded To Design Sutherland Spaceport
Architects have been appointed to design the spaceport that is being developed to launch small satellites from the Highlands. Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is leading the £17.5m Space Hub Sutherland project, including a £2.5m grant from the UK Space Agency (UKSA).28/3/2019
Apprentice Day for Highland Youth Parliament Members
The 14th Highland Youth Parliament Apprentice Day was held on Tuesday, 26th March 2019. Highland Youth Parliament, the elected Youth Parliament for the Highlands, holds an annual ‘Apprentice Day' on which members of HYP shadow Senior Managers across public sector services.
28/3/2019
NHS Highland Board Give Go Ahead To Elective Care Centre
Plans for an elective care centre which will serve the population of the North of Scotland will now be submitted to the Scottish Government after the NHS Highland Board on Tuesday 27 March 2019 approved the full business case. The elective care centre will offer a best in class delivery of knee, hip and cataract surgery as well as the full range of ophthalmology outpatient services.
28/3/2019
Help and Information From HMRC
At this time of year there is a lot to do for employers setting up the systems fro the new tax year and completing the forms for the end of the tax year. HMRC these days provides a lot help online and here are a few links issued recently.
28/3/2019
Revised Date For NHS Highland Annual Review
NHS Highland's annual review has been rescheduled for the 25th April 2019 at the Culduthel Christian Centre in Inverness with Jeane Freeman, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, in attendance. The date has been rearranged from the 9th April due to the recent appointment of Professor Boyd Robertson as the new interim Chair of the health board.
27/3/2019
