News Archive
25/11/2016
HIE will continue in its present form, says Chairman
The chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has said he is fully confident about the future of the organisation. Responding to reports this week, speculating about the agencies future following the Scottish Government's review of enterprise and skills bodies, Professor Lorne Crerar, said he had had absolute reassurance from Scottish Government that HIE will continue in its present form.
25/11/2016
Audit makes recommendations to improve collection of rental income
An audit report to Audit and Scrutiny Committee today, 24 November 2016, has made recommendations to improve the collection of rental income. Audit findings estimated that up to £10,000 rental income could potentially have been lost, however this is against a context of total rental income in excess of £3 million per annum.23/11/2016
Review into capital projects identifies recent improvements
The initial findings of a review into the delivery of educational capital projects have identified a number of recent improvements and recommendations are being developed for future arrangements. The review commenced in October at the request of the Council Leader following a number of issues with programming and quality in capital projects for new schools.23/11/2016
Unrest grows at Caithness nuclear decommissioning site
The prospect of industrial unrest at the Dounreay nuclear decommissioning site in Caithness is growing after DSRL, the company which employs most of the staff on site (2), indicated it was not prepared to increase its 1% pay offer to staff. This was despite a ballot, which attracted a high turnout, indicating an overwhelming rejection by union members.23/11/2016
Strike Action Set To Resume In Scotland's Colleges
More disruption looms for Scotland's colleges if employers fail to give support staff a fair deal. UNISON, the trade union for college support staff, has today (Tuesday) written to Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association and Scottish Ministers to urge a fair negotiated settlement to this long running dispute.20/11/2016
Housing officer showing compassion is Council's Employee of the Year
Gail Ward, a Housing Policy officer with The Highland Council has been named Employee of the Year for the care and compassion she has shown in welcoming Syrian refugees to the Highlands and her work to ease the impact Welfare Reform has had on individuals. In nominating Gail, Head of Housing David Goldie said:: "Although Gail has always been a strong member of the team and displayed a genuine commitment and enthusiasm for the work she does, my reason for nominating her for this award relates to her willingness to take on and embrace the challenges associated with two of our most significant areas of work over the last year." The first area relates to Welfare Reform.
20/11/2016
Partners clamp down on illegal shellfish operations in Highland
A multi-agency enforcement operation took place in the Lochaber area of the Highlands of Scotland on Wednesday 16 November 2016. The operation, led by Highland Council's Environmental Health Service, included participation by a number of partner agencies, including HMRC, Gangmasters Licensing Authority, Police Scotland, Borders Agency and Marine Scotland Compliance.20/11/2016
Increased investment ‘essential'
Finance Secretary calls for growth in wake of Brexit. The Chancellor must end austerity in light of the weak economic outlook and take steps to boost growth, support business and help the most vulnerable, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said today.20/11/2016
Education governance review
Scottish Government ‘will not end up running schools'. The Scottish Government will not end up running schools as a result of the education governance review, the Deputy First Minister has said.20/11/2016
Minimum unit pricing
Health Secretary comments on SWA decision to appeal Commenting on the decision from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) to appeal the minimum unit pricing ruling, Health Secretary Shona Robison said: "The Scotch Whisky Association's decision to appeal against last month’s emphatic ruling from the Court of Session is deeply disappointing. “Their seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court is now the only stumbling block to minimum unit pricing being introduced.14/11/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week Commencing 5 November 2016 Energy & business services: · The vessel Olympic Ares arrived in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth this week to install the first of the turbines for the MeyGen tidal energy project. As previously highlighted here the turbine support structures and ballast blocks were successfully installed during October, bringing welcome work to the area through Scrabster harbour and local companies.12/11/2016
SSEN gets ‘Ready for Winter' with £44m investment in the electricity network in the north of Scotland
Ahead of the winter, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has invested £44m in strengthening the electricity network in the north of Scotland and launched an awareness campaign to help its customers also become ‘winter-ready'. The ongoing investment programme in the electricity distribution network and related systems includes flood prevention measures, refurbishment and replacement of poles and extensive tree cutting to prevent falling branches making contact with power lines.12/11/2016
UNISON have withdrawn from negotiating table with Police Scotland
UNISON, the union representing police staff in Scotland, has notified Scottish Police Authority and Police Service of Scotland that they will not participate in today's Joint Negotiation & Consultative Committee (JNCC). The employers are refusing to discuss pay claims, department restructuring, police station closures and a £20m black hole in the police finances.10/11/2016
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 9 November 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 9th) sold 363 weaned calves, store & breeding cattle including 94 Highland and Highland crosses in their special sale of Highland Cattle. Bullocks (131) averaged 208.5p and sold to 266.7p per kilo for a 195kg Limousin cross from Craigton, Bonar Bridge, and £970 gross for a 510kg Limousin cross from Conon Mains Farm, Conon Bridge.10/11/2016
Commission wants your views on local democracy in the Highlands
The Commission on Highland Democracy has published its Call for Evidence, and wants the public's views on local democracy in the Highlands. The Call for Evidence states: "The Highland Council, like every other Council in Scotland, makes daily decisions about everything from home care to bin collections and from building schools to cutting grass.10/11/2016
Average 2 bedroom private rents up by 1%
Between 2015 and 2016, 17 out of 18 areas of Scotland saw increases in average rent levels for 2 bedroom private rental properties, ranging from 4.6% in West Dunbartonshire to 0.1% in Dumfries and Galloway. Aberdeen and Shire saw a decrease of 13.7%, the largest annual drop in average 2 bedroom rents since the data series began in 2010, and which is likely to reflect decreased demand for rental properties following the downturn in the oil industry.
10/11/2016
Newsroom News A9 Dualling To Avoid ‘Enchanted Forest'
A proposed dualled section of the A9 between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie will have no impact on the local "Enchanted Forest" event held every autumn. The preferred route for the over 4 mile stretch of the road goes on public display today and tomorrow in Pitlochry Town Hall.10/11/2016
Moray sees highest percentage swing in fibre broadband coverage in Scotland
In the past three years the area has seen the largest percentage shift in fibre broadband coverage of any Scottish local authority area. The first fibre broadband was launched by BT in Elgin in November 2013.10/11/2016
Atlantis Resources lines up for renewable energy auction
The UK government has set out details for the next Contracts For Difference (CFD) auction. Companies will compete for the first £290mln worth of contracts for renewable electricity projects.
10/11/2016
