News Archive
5/2/2016
£2.7 million for roads, bridges and piers in 2016-17
The Councils Community Services Committee has approved an additional programme of £2.7 million for the coming year 2016/17. £2.3 million will be allocated this coming year to re-surfacing, surface dressing and road markings across the Highland network and £0.4 million to bridges in Sutherland (Kylesku) and Lochaber (A884 Achnagavin).5/2/2016
Future Grass-cutting standards set out at Community Services Committee
New standards have been set out for grass-cutting across the Council area to meet statutory requirements and achieve savings. There is no statutory requirement that amenity grass must be cut, however, the Council has various duties to maintain public safety, deliver education in accordance to national standards, deliver a burial service, maintain roads and paths in a safe condition and support national play initiatives.5/2/2016
Council House Rents Limited to 1.9% Rise
Council house rents will be limited to a 1.9% rise in order to maintain current service levels. This will mean an increase in the average weekly council rent of £1.35 for all Housing Revenue Account (HRA) rents.5/2/2016
Managing Rushes Without Chemicals, Thursday 3rd March, Caithness
Managing Rushes Without Chemicals, Thursday 3rd March, Caithness (second meeting) kindly supported by Caithness Wetlands and Wildlife Initiative. A practical one day workshop on controlling rushes without chemicals.4/2/2016
Council Tax rise no longer an option for Highland Council
Highland Council Leader, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: The option to raise council tax in Highland has been taken away from us. We have been informed, if we raise Council Tax, we will be fined not just the 3% we expected but also other sanctions will be applied around teacher numbers and funding for social care.29/1/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 25 January 2016 Energy and; Business Services: Good to see Derek Campbell of Denchi Power heading out to take part in a programme sponsored by CNSRP partner HIE with the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The MIT Entrepreneurship Development Programme is week long, high level, intensive executive education course teaching skills for high impact entrepreneurship.29/1/2016
Airport group HIAL becomes first in Scotland to sign Armed Forces Covenant
Regional airport operator HIAL has become the latest high profile organisation to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, and the first airport group in Scotland to do so. The Armed Forces Covenant, which covers all branches of the armed forces, was introduced in 2011.
29/1/2016
Farm payments update
Action to accelerate pace of implementing new CAP. Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has given an update on progress making payments under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).29/1/2016
HIE draft Gaelic Plan goes out to consultation
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is launching a six week public consultation on the organisations draft Gaelic Plan. The renewed Gaelic Plan 2016-21 sets out HIEs aims and ambitions for Gaelic over the next five years and details how these will be achieved through specific actions.28/1/2016
Limited service withdrawals as rail network prepares for Storm Gertrude
A storm officially named Gertrude by the Met Office has been forecast to bring winds of up to 90mph as well as heavy rain, high tides, and snow to Scotland tomorrow. The severe winds and high tides are expected to hit the north and west of Scotland in particular.28/1/2016
Dingwall and Highland Marts - Sale 27 January 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts, (January, 27th) sold 1,218 sheep of all classes. Lambs (725) averaged £48.35 and sold to £74.00 gross, (twice) for a pair of BFL and Charolais crosses from Dalmore, Alness.28/1/2016
Dont get - spoofed - by telephone number scams
Highland Councils Trading Standards team and Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau are warning local consumers to be on their guard against telephone spoofing scams. These involve scammers using what to a consumer would appear to be a local phone number specifically to gain the consumers trust when in fact they are based far away and are only interested in getting hold of consumers cash.28/1/2016
50 MPH North of Kessock Bridge
Highlands & Islands MSP and Scottish (Labour) Spokesperson for Transport, David Stewart, has highlighted that through his Kessock Bridge Lights campaign, it has become apparent that so many are asking why the 50mph speed restriction is applied for such a long distance North of the bridge. "This is a very good question said David Stewart, When Transport Scotland sought approval for the speed restriction on the bridge to be reduced from 70mph to 50mph is was to quote ‘ to improve the operational safety of the bridge, which I can live with.27/1/2016
MSP speaks out over jobs blow for Wick
HM Revenue and Customs has called time on 13 of its home-workers in and around Wick. Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart said today the move was a devastating blow not only for those concerned but for a fragile community which relies on such jobs to bolster the local economy.26/1/2016
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25/1/2016
Highland Council highlights free cost of Blue Badge applications
The Highland Council highlights the free cost of Blue Badge applications for customers. The Council has been made aware that there are a number of websites that charge a premium for helping customers complete a Blue Badge request form for free disabled parking.25/1/2016
Highland Council tenants invited to share their opinions on Councils landlord services
An independent survey by market research company Progressive Partnerships is being carried out on behalf of The Highland Councils Housing Service. The postal survey has been sent to all 13,799 Council tenants inviting them to share their views on the quality of services provided to them by the Councils Housing Service.25/1/2016
Council calls election for twenty eight Highland Community Councils
Do you want to be a voice for your community? If so The Highland Council is inviting nominations for people to join 28 community councils which have remained unformed following the election held on 18 November last year. Community Councils are voluntary organisations that act as a voice for their local area.25/1/2016
Why it is worth a Venture North
A marketing project which aims to promote, showcase and highlight Caithness and Sutherland using a series of short films has been given a £10,000 boost from the VisitScotland Growth Fund. The grant from the national tourism organisation has been awarded to Venture North for its ‘Venture North Discovery Series' year-long marketing initiative to emphasise the many draws of the north Highlands.
25/1/2016
