News Archive
25/3/2016
Highland Council to undertake a redesign
Highland Council has unanimously agreed to undertake a complete redesign of the council over the coming months. Following difficult budget decisions on 25 February, there will be significant reductions in staff and service budgets which will take effect from the end of this month.Portland Arms Re-opening With A Dance
Come and celebrate with us all at the Portland Arms Hotel on the 7th of May for our official Opening Dance Night! Whisky will be joining us with live entertainment so don't forget your dancing shoes! Anyone interested in tickets, they will be available at the hotel or please contact us for a pick up point in Thurso/Wick. Phone 01593 721 721 Web site - http://portlandarmslybster.co.uk/ Restaurant open for bookings from from Saturday 26th March 2016..25/3/2016
Farm funding update
The first nationally-funded farm support payments have now been authorised, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced. The Scottish Government has earmarked more than £250 million from national funds to provide cash support while Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) claims are being processed.25/3/2016
Expert report on offshore clean-up is published
Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd welcomed publication of a report by the independent Particles Retrieval Advisory Group (Dounreay)on the effect of the offshore particle clean-up carried out between 2008 and 2012. The group succeeded the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group, which was set up in 2000 to give independent expert advice to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the then site operator (UKAEA).25/3/2016
New Land Fund Committee Members Announced
Land Reform Minister Dr Aileen McLeod today announced the appointment of seven members to the new Scottish Land Fund (SLF) committee. The committee will be chaired by John Watt and is made up of Calum Macleod, Lisa Tennant, David Green, Duncan MacPherson, Anne Lear and Janet Miles.25/3/2016
Headteacher qualification to be funded
£1.5M to fund Into Headship programme. Teachers undertaking the Masters-level Headship qualification will be fully funded from 2016, Education Secretary Angela Constance has announced.25/3/2016
Highland Council receives update on Inverness Police Control Room
Highland Council members have responded to a presentation by Police Scotland on Police Control Rooms. Members of the Communities and Partnerships Committee received an update at their meeting on 23 March.25/3/2016
£28m investment into critical services for Raigmore
Over the next three years £28 million will be invested into critical care services at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, after the Scottish Government approved the full business case submitted by NHS Highland earlier this month (March). The Critical Care Upgrade will bring all critical care services, which includes the Acute Medical Assessment Unit, the Intensive Care Unit, Surgical High Dependency Unit, theatre and the admissions area, into one area over two floors.24/3/2016
Dingwall and Highland Marts - sale 23 March 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts, (March, 23rd) sold 1,542 sheep of all classes. Lambs (792) sold to £80 gross for a Suffolk lamb from Breakachy, Laggan.[Builders]
23/3/2016New north coast marine plan launched
To support north coast local communities, a new marine plan for the North Highlands coast has just been completed. After several years collaborative work with Marine Scotland and Orkney Islands Council, The Highland Council is pleased to be part of this rewarding and successful venture.23/3/2016
Bankruptcy consolidation Bill passes
Scottish laws on insolvency have been brought together into one piece of legislation for the first time in a generation today as the new Bankruptcy (Scotland) Bill 2016 is passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Bill captures all of the amendments made to the primary legislation governing bankruptcy in Scotland - the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 - as well as new laws brought in since, including the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014, which came into force in April 2015.23/3/2016
Women Making it Work in Agriculture and Rural Business!
Successful and inspiring female graduates and students of SRUC share their stories and top tips to encourage more women to seek out a fulfilling career in agriculture and the land based sector. Current SRUC student and Dyslexia Ambassador Kirstie Baird, recent CARAS award winner Sophie Ward and Universities Scotland recognised intrapreneur Laura Barwick illustrate the range of careers and opportunities on offer in Scotland's rural and land-based industries.22/3/2016
Caithness First Region In Scotland To Gain WorldHost Recognised Destination status
Caithness has become the first region in Scotland to gain national recognition for its commitment to high quality customer service, after being awarded WorldHost Recognised Destination status. Caithness received the recognition after 25% of tourism businesses in the area reached WorldHost Recognised Business status - meaning they have trained at least 50 percent of their front line staff using WorldHost customer service training programmes and signed a commitment to deliver excellent customer service.22/3/2016
Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 22nd March 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 22nd) sold 38 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (24) averaged 186.8p (+1.2p) and sold to 202p per kg and £1,286.40 gross.22/3/2016
Success of City-Region Deal - £315millon of Investment
The vision behind the Inverness City-Region Deal to position Inverness and the Highlands as a region of digital opportunity, is set to become a reality as the deal is signed between the UK and Scottish Government's and The Highland Council in Inverness. The City-Region deal contains a number of proposals under three broad headings; a growing economy, a skilled economy and an enabled economy.
22/3/2016
Dog fouling fine doubles
From 1st April 2016 the fine for dog owners who fail to pick up after their dog will rise from £40 to £80 , bringing it into line with the fine for other types of littering - cigarette butts, chewing gum and general litter. The change comes after the overwhelming majority of responses to a Scottish Government consultation on responsible dog ownership said they would support the fixed penalty being raised.22/3/2016
Investment in employability
New arrangements to support vulnerable groups and the long term unemployed, including those with disabilities and health conditions, towards employment for 2017/18 have been outlined. Following an estimated 87 per cent budget cut by the UK government in the first year of devolved employability services in Scotland, Scottish Ministers have stepped in to provide up to £20 million in additional funding, to replace the UK Government's Work Choice and Work Programme schemes.22/3/2016
Income tax rates to be frozen
Income tax rates in Scotland will be frozen, with no increases in the basic, higher or additional rate, under plans set out by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today. The significant tax cuts brought about by substantial increases to the higher rate threshold proposed by the UK Government will not be passed on under todays proposals.22/3/2016
New laws to govern burials and cremations
Legislation to modernise the governance and scrutiny of burial and cremation has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill will modernise and update 100 year-old legislation - introducing a definition of ashes, standardising forms and record-keeping across Scotland, clarifying the process for instructing the disposal of human remains (including pregnancy loss) and placing a duty on burial authorities to maintain the safety of burial grounds.22/3/2016
