News Archive
9/9/2015
Follow up seminar planned as North rail line problems continue
Board Members of HITRANS, the transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, have expressed their concern at the continuing poor performance of rail services on the Far North Line between Inverness and Wick/Thurso - and will maintain pressure on Network Rail and ScotRail operators, Abellio to bring about early improvements which restore passenger confidence in the service. HITRANS held a seminar called Points North in March of this year to highlight the problems on the route and identify ways of improving journey times and reliability.8/9/2015
Highland Council responds to Syrian Refugee Crisis
A cross party meeting of Group Leaders from The Highland Council has today met to discuss Highland Council's initial response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis. The Group Leaders also met with Bylthswood representatives to hear of the work they are doing to support the Syrian Refugees.8/9/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 31st August 2015 Energy & Business Services As work continues to help ensure that the north is prepared to take advantage of the significant economic potential from offshore wind developments off the east coast of Caithness/ Sutherland, Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL) is holding a workshop in Wick next week with its engineering, procurement and construction contractors and CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). https://d.adroll.com/cm/r/outhttps://d.adroll.com/cm/b/outRepresentatives from each organisation will be on hand to provide an update on the latest project information and answer any questions on the day.8/9/2015
Innovative businesses urged to consider Life Sciences Pathfinder programme
Innovative businesses from across Scotland looking to explore the commercial potential of an idea before bringing it to market are being urged to consider the Pathfinder Accelerator programme, delivered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Pathfinder is free and open to existing and start-up companies in the life science, technology and digital health sectors.8/9/2015
Five candidates contest by-election for Aird and Loch Ness
Five candidates are to contest the upcoming by-election to elect a councillor to represent the Aird and Loch Ness Ward of The Highland Council. The candidates are: • George Cruickshank, Scottish Conservative and Unionist • Jean Mary Elizabeth Davis - Scottish Liberal Democrats • Emma Ann Knox - Scottish National Party (SNP) • Zofia Fraser- Independent • Vikki Tania Trelfer - Scottish Green Party The by-election is being held on Thursday 8 October after Drew Hendry, one of four councillors for Ward 13, stepped down after he was elected as an MP for the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency.8/9/2015
Farm Debt Continues to Rise
Outstanding debt of Scottish farms increased four per cent over the past year, according to the latest National Statistics released by Scotland's Chief Statistician. A survey of the main banks and other lending institutions showed outstanding loans to Scottish farms rose by £73 million in the year to May 31, 2015.
8/9/2015
New housing supply increases for second consecutive year
The number of new homes in Scotland rose by 6% in the latest year, from 16,110 in 2013-14 to 17,149 in 2014-15, the second consecutive annual increase and the highest figure since 2010-11. This figure includes new build housing, conversions of existing buildings to housing use, and refurbishment of affordable housing dwellings.7/9/2015
Strengthening local democracy across the Highlands - Caithness & Sutherland committee to be disbanded
The Highland Council has agreed to replace two Area Committees with four new Local Forums for community planning and local decision-making and scrutiny for Councillors and for local community planning if partners agree to take part. The two Area Committees covering Caithness and Sutherland and Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey will be disbanded and established as four new separate local community planning forums.7/9/2015
Thinking of teaching? Still time to apply for DLITE training.
Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education DLITE (Distance Learning ITE) People living in the Highlands who are thinking of a career change to Primary teaching are being urged by The Highland Council to consider a distance learning course (DLITE) with the University of Aberdeen. Training for the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education DLITE (Distance Learning ITE) starts on 23 January 2016 and the deadline for applications is 30 September 2015.
7/9/2015
Communities Called to ACTION for Green Transport Project
ACTION (Alternative Community Transport in Our Neighbourhood) Highland Highway is a proposal to install a network of rapid electric charging points in the Highlands, powered by local energy generation and incorporating energy storage. The project is in the first phase of a feasibility study which will involve: • Community consultation on the use and ownership of electric vehicles; • Identification of potential sites linked with energy use and journey aspirations; • Modelling and identifying the different technologies involved; and • Building a business model that will develop community, local authority and agency support.7/9/2015
SSE Open4Business Supply Chain Events in Wick and Elgin
Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Ltd (BOWL). Elgin Event Date: Tuesday 8th September 2015 Time: 8.30am - 1pm Venue: Laichmoray Hotel, Elgin Wick Event Date: Wednesday 9th September 2015 Time: 8.30am - 1pm Venue: Mackays Hotel, Wick.7/9/2015
Preventative approach to poverty and debt
Members of The Highland Council Resources Committee have received a report on the current status of welfare reform and a number of anti-poverty initiatives being taken forward by the Council's Welfare Reform Working Group. These initiatives include money and welfare advice, school clothing grants, and assistance with Alternative Payment Requests for those with rent arrears.7/9/2015
RESTORING GENUINE LOCAL FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD BE OUR AIM' SAYS THINK TANK
Reform Scotland cautions against replacing one-centrally set and controlled tax with another. Reform Scotland, the independent think tank, has released a research briefing on local taxation to coincide with its submissions to the Scottish Government / COSLA Commission on Local Tax Reform, and the Conservatives' Independent Commission for Competitive and Fair Taxation in Scotland.6/9/2015
Countdown To the End Of Right To Buy Council Houses
This article is from the Scottish Government web site and reminds everyone the deadline for application to buy a council house or from a social landlord is 31st July 2016. Right to buy is ending for all tenants of social housing in Scotland on 1 August 2016.6/9/2015
Global membership of Credit unions rises by 10 million
This year's global credit union statistical report includes information from 57,480 credit unions serving over 217 million members in 105 countries. WOCCU believes that global membership could hit 260 million members by 2020.6/9/2015
Farming support schemes launched
Beef and sheep farmers can apply for share of £38 million. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead encouraged farmers to apply for their share of a fund to support beef and upland sheep.6/9/2015
Help for thousands of homebuyers in Scotland
New scheme to focus on affordable homes. The Scottish Government will spend £195 million over the next three years on a new shared equity scheme to help around 6,500 households buy a new-build home.6/9/2015
Celebrating science
Festivals across Scotland share £239,000. Experiments and scientific demonstrations will be hosted at 16 festivals thanks to Scottish Government funding, the Science Minister announced today.6/9/2015
Growing film and TV production
New Production Growth Fund to encourage producers to base major projects in Scotland. A new £1.75m Production Growth Fund will give Film and TV producers a new incentive to base their productions in Scotland.6/9/2015
