News Archive

Top things childcare providers need to know about Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare is a new government scheme to help working parents with the cost of childcare.   Parents will be able to open an online account, which they can use to pay for childcare from a registered provider.  

£250,000 for trade unions

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced £250,000 to support modernisation of trade unions and help mitigate the negative impacts of UK legislation.   The new Trade Union Modernisation Fund will assist unions to mitigate the negative impacts of the Trade Union Act, so that the obligations placed on them through this legislation do not divert trade union reps away from supporting their members and helping employers embrace fairer working practices.  

Bigger Homes To Pay More In Council Tax

The Scottish Parliament has approved legislation that will protect household incomes, make local taxation fairer and that paves the way for an additional £500 million to be invested in education over this parliament.   The overwhelming vote in favour of the council tax order is the first step in the process of reforming council tax with the Scottish Government committing to further discussions on fair and progressive taxation over this Parliament.  

Highland Council is ready for winter

The Highland Council's Community Services Committee has confirmed that the local authority if ready for winter with respect to its gritting service of council roads.   Members have been assured that the council has adequate salt stocks for the region which were replenished in September and October; that the authority will have around 60,000 tonnes in stock for the start of the main winter season and that there are no concerns about future provision of deliveries from the council's supplier.  

"Right To Licence" checks for taxi and private hire car drivers

Under provisions of the Immigration Act 2016 which comes into force on 1 December 2016, The Highland Council will be unable, from that date, to grant a taxi driver or private hire car (PHC) driver licence to any person unless a check has first been made to verify that the person is not disqualified by reason of his or her immigration status from driving a taxi or private hire car (PHC).   This will mean that all applicants for taxi or PHC driver licences, including UK passport holders, will require to attend their nearest licensing office in person with original documents (passport or other acceptable documents) demonstrating that they have the right to work in the UK.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update

Week Commencing 31 October 2017 Enabling activities: Colleague Andrew Johnston, Director of the Highlands and Islands Science Skills Academy, was in Caithness this week, and it was good to catch up with him to discuss progress with the "Newton Rooms" concept, which has seen a network of facilities established in Norway to give practical, hands-on experiences of learning programmes in sciences.  The development of the concept in the Highlands has been boosted by support through the Inverness City-Region Deal, and we believe that Caithness would make a fantastic first "Newton Room" venue in the Highland area.  

Consultation period coming to a close on Modified Plan for Caithness and Sutherland

The Highland Council is reminding everyone that the opportunity to have a say on the modified version of the Proposed Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) is coming to an end, with the consultation closing at midday on Friday 11 November 2016.   The Council is urging anyone with an interest in Caithness and Sutherland to have their say on the Modified Plan, which focusses on where development should and should not occur in the Caithness and Sutherland area over the next twenty years.  

Council to take grass cutting service in-house

Amenity Services including Grass cutting for The Highland Council will be provided by an in-house service from the beginning of the financial year 2017/18.   Members of the Council's Community Services Committee have agreed to establish an in-house operation with a revised management structure and new performance management system.  

Funding for the fuel poor

More people across the country will be able to keep themselves and their families warm this winter as a result of £10 million funding announced today.   Housing associations and councils will be given a share of £9 million funding to help improve the housing of some of the poorest households and those most in need.  

Clarity on quotas - Stability over quota allocations for fisheries industry

The way fisheries quotas are allocated will remain unchanged once the devolution of new fisheries powers is confirmed, Rural Economy Fergus Ewing has announced.   Speaking at the Scottish Fishermen's Federation Dinner, Mr Ewing confirmed his intention to provide the industry with stability by maintaining existing allocations through the Fixed Quota Allocation (FQA) system.