News Archive
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
Preparatory works to begin on Inverness West Link Road, Inverness
Works on the long awaited Inverness West Link Project will begin in mid-September. Funding for the project was unanimously agreed by Council in March this year.6/9/2015
Minimum wage increase for agricultural workers
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) has agreed, following the annual meeting of the Wages Board on August 26, 2015, proposed increase in minimum wage rates that will come into effect as from October 1, 2015. The minimum rate of pay for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks continuous employment will increase by 10p per hour to £7.24 bringing the minimum wage for a 39 hour week to £282.36.6/9/2015
Employee Survey shows significant positive progress
The initial results of the recent Highland Council staff survey show a very positive trend. There were 3831 responses with a good overall response rate of 36%.6/9/2015
Volume and Value of Fish Landings Increase in 2014
Statistics published by Scotland's Chief Statistician show that the value of fish landed by Scottish vessels in 2014 increased by 18 per cent in real terms from 2013. The quantity of fish landed increased by 31 per cent from 2013.6/9/2015
£400,000 to support Scotland's young people
First Minister announces Prince's Trust Scotland investment. Scotland's young people will receive support to kick start their entrepreneurial dreams, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today.6/9/2015
Stagecoach supports drive to regenerate Scotland's communities
Transport operator Stagecoach Group is joining forces with Scotland's Towns Partnership to help support the regeneration of the country’s towns and communities. The aim is to improve connectivity, community and prosperity for towns across Scotland and help facilitate their success by sharing ideas, delivering improved accessibility and raising the profile of Scottish towns.5/9/2015
Scotland responds to humanitarian crisis
First Minister establishes taskforce to co-ordinate refugee action. An operational taskforce is to be established to co-ordinate Scotland's practical response to the humanitarian refugee crisis following a summit convened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh today.
3/9/2015
