News Archive
3/3/2017
Dounreay's High Street Makeover
A major upgrade and expansion of Dounreay's Thurso town centre office has been completed. David Flear, Chair of Dounreay Stakeholder Group, officially reopened the building which sits at the entrance to the high street and has been the site's public information office for almost a decade.
3/3/2017
Commercial approach to brown bin waste will protect services and jobs
At a Special Meeting of The Highland Council on 16th February 2017, the Council's elected members agreed to introduce a £30 per annum charge to participating householders for the collection of garden waste in brown bins to generate an estimated £660,000 to help meet the Council's £20 million funding gap. Cllr Allan Henderson, Chair of Community Services Committee, explained: "Savings made by charging for brown bins helps to sustain around 25-30 jobs and protect services.3/3/2017
Highland school meals reassurance
Highland Council has issued reassurance on the provenance of ingredients in its school meals following recent national media reports this week. Cllr Drew Millar, Chair of the Council's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee said: "Our catering service is proud to provide good value meals using quality ingredients carefully sourced.3/3/2017
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week commencing 27 February 2017 Energy & business services: As the construction of the Operations and Maintenance base for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project gets closer to starting, the long-term staffing of the project is already being considered. Tier 1 contractor Siemens is inviting applications for apprenticeship programmes: the Siemens offer is for Advanced Apprenticeships in Mechatronic Maintenance (site based technician).3/3/2017
Management of Highland schools update
Members of The Highland Council's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee have approved a management proposal for the Farr (Sutherland) associated school group. The new management entitlement covering Farr High and its associated Primaries of Farr, Altnaharra, Melvich and Tongue will include 1 Head Teacher (3 ‐18), 2 Depute Head Teachers (3 ‐18), and 5 Principal Teachers.3/3/2017
Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2017 Is Launched
Food and drink businesses from across the Highlands and Islands are being called to enter the prestigious awards before the 5th May deadline. Thirteen categories are available to enter, including: Restaurant of the Year, Innovation Award and Young Shining Star.2/3/2017
Wick Campus move-in arrangements
Highland Council has confirmed move-in arrangements for the new Wick Campus. The Wick Stakeholder Group met last night (Tuesday 28 February) and had a tour of the new Wick Campus facility which encompasses Wick High School, Newton Park Primary School, and sports and community facilities to be operated by High Life Highland.28/2/2017
HIE Board welcomes positive endorsement of its role
The Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has welcomed Professor Lorne Crerar's report on proposed governance arrangements to support the outcomes of the Scottish Government's Enterprise and Skills Review. These recommendations would ensure that a HIE Board effectively remains in place.
25/2/2017
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week Commencing 20 February 2017 Energy & business services: At a meeting of the north Planning Applications Committee of Highland Council this week Councillors agreed to offer no objection to the application by Dounreay Tri Ltd to construct a floating offshore wind project at a site of the north coast of Caithness. The paper considered by Councillors is available to view here .
25/2/2017
Price Of Stamps To Rise
The price of First Class and Second Class stamps will rise by one pence. It will take the price of a first class stamp to 65p, and second class to 56p.
24/2/2017
Scam Calls Still Pretending To Be Microsoft Engineers - Do NOT Get Caught
We received a call from telephone number 0015784569874 which hung up seconds later. They use automatic dailing and whoever picks up first gets the call.23/2/2017
Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 23 February 2017
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (February, 23rd) sold 1,591 sheep of all classes. Lambs (599) averaged £45.06 and sold to £70 gross for a Texel from Lochdhu, Nairn.23/2/2017
Making It Easier To Pay - Automated Telephone Payments Launched
Highland Council has launched the 1st step in automated telephone payments for customers. From 22/02/2017 customers will be able to contact the Service Centre on the payments line 01349 886605 to make a rent payment and get a rent balance.23/2/2017
CaSPlan bound for Examination after Sutherland County Committee
The Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) remains on track for eventual adoption in final form in spring 2018. Yesterday the Sutherland County Committee considered the results of public consultation on the Modified Proposed Plan and agreed that the Plan be progressed to the Examination stage.21/2/2017
The Pilot Pentland Firth And Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan Is Nominated For Prestigious Planning Industry Award
The Plan was developed by a working group consisting of Marine Scotland, Highland Council and Orkney Islands Council who are a finalist in the category for Excellence in Plan Making Practice at the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence (external link) 2017. The RTPI Awards are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry.
21/2/2017
Caithness And Lochaber Confirmed For Norwegian Style Learning Centres
Young people in Caithness and Lochaber will be among the first in Scotland to benefit from new Norwegian style learning centres. The centres are aimed at helping young people pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and digital (STEMD).
20/2/2017
Looking To The Future, Promoting Caithness As A Cruise Destination
Scrabster Harbour has launched its marketing campaign to promote Caithness as a cruise destination to the global cruise industry. The campaign, which will feature a staged marketing approach, will ensure relevant information is delivered at the critical points during the decision making process, and before and after cruise industry events.
20/2/2017
2017/2018 Council Tax
From 1 April 2017 the Scottish Government is changing the basis on which properties are assessed for Council Tax and this will increase the charge for Council Tax properties that are banded E to H. The Highland Council has no discretion in this matter and must apply these increases to the Council Tax charges from 1 April 2017.
20/2/2017
Stagecoach Timetable Changes and Consultation Events
Consultation events. 21 February - Riverside Car Park, Wick, 11:00-13:00 22 February - High School Bus Stop, Thurso, 11:00-13:00.20/2/2017
