News Archive
22/9/2016
Council awards new ICT Contract To Gain £11 Million of Savings
The Highland Council has awarded a 7 year ICT Services contract to WIPRO Holdings UK Ltd. The Council has procured a cost effective, value for money, corporate Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solution that will deliver excellent operational performance and contribute to the continuous improvement of services.
20/9/2016
University of the Highlands and Islands gains approval to take over nurse education
The University of the Highlands and Islands will be taking over the pre-registration nurse education programme for BSc mental health nursing and BSc adult nursing currently delivered by the University of Stirling in Inverness and Stornoway from next year. The Nursing and Midwifery Council has given the final approval required to allow the transfer of the programmes, meaning students applying and enrolling as new students from the 2017/18 academic year will be University of the Highlands and Islands students.20/9/2016
More strikes announced as college support staff continue campaign for fair pay, says UNISON
College support staff across Scotland will walk out for a second time this month in an increasingly bitter pay row in the troubled further education (FE) sector. UNISON Scotland and GMB today (Tuesday) announced a further series of strike days in a bid for fair pay.20/9/2016
£220,000 Carriageway Improvements - A9 Ousdale To Hilliclay
Works starts Monday 26 September for three weeks. Motorists using the A9 between Helmsdale and Thurso will benefit from an improved road surface as £220,000 of carriageway resurfacing is set to take place at four locations on the route starting next week.20/9/2016
New National Advisory Service Launched for Farmers and Crofters
Scotland's new Farm Advisory Service (FAS) launches today (20.09.16). The FAS forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) which is co-funded by the EU and Scottish Government.20/9/2016
£1 million pound funding boost for Highland and Moray fishing communities
Highland and Moray fishing communities are being encouraged to apply for a share of £1 million pounds of European Funding to support the sustainable development of fisheries areas. The funding has been awarded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to encourage community-led local development and localised decision making through Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs).19/9/2016
Oil and Gas expansion
First Minister opens new Statoil Headquarters. The oil and gas industry still has a strong future in Scotland, despite its current challenges, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today as she announced new activity and investment in the sector.18/9/2016
Installation of underwater turbine and foundation structures at Pentland Firth: Notice to Mariners
Update From Bill Mowatt. 'Notice to mariners': Installation of first tidal-stream turbine in the Pentland Firth's Inner Sound at Atlantis RL's MeyGen site c.
18/9/2016
Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Sale Fort William 17 September 2016
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 17th) sold 673 weaned calves and store cattle, 12 OTM cattle and 3 adult head of breeding cattle. Bullocks (404) averaged 272.7p (-15.1p on the year) and sold to 356.1p per kg for a pen of 205kg Charolais crosses from Dunlichity Farm, Farr, and £1000 gross thrice for a pen of 540kg Limousin crosses, 490kg Simmental crosses and a 550kg Limousin cross from South Laggan, Spean Bridge.18/9/2016
Leader of The Highland Council writes letter to support Fort George
Leader of The Highland Council, Margaret Davidson (Independent Councillor) has written to The Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, Secretary of State for Defence, to express her concerns about the future of Fort George. In her letter she said: "I am deeply concerned at the continued uncertainty around the future of Fort George as an active military barracks.18/9/2016
PIP failing disabled people
Response to Personal Independence Payment review highlights 65% of appeals are successful. 65% of disabled people who appeal against their PIP award are successful, highlighting a ‘deeply flawed system'.18/9/2016
Motorway Project Blazes Recycling Trail
Motorway Improvements Project one of largest recycling schemes in Scotland. Scottish Roads Partnership, the company tasked with constructing the project along with their main contractors Ferrovial Lagan Joint Venture and Amey, has recycled more than 90 per cent of waste on the project, as Recycle 2016 week starts.18/9/2016
AiB report shows creditors paid over £80 million
Over £80 million has been repaid to creditors in the past year, according to the Annual Report and Accounts published by Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) today. The Scottish Government Agency also recovered all of its costs through fees and income during the year, ensuring its work had no impact on the public purse during 2015-16.18/9/2016
Future of the BBC
Empowering BBC Scotland will allow the corporation to address audience concerns and deliver better programming, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said. The UK Government's renewal of the BBC Charter was published on Thursday, but the Scottish Government says the proposals do not deliver fully for the Scottish audience.17/9/2016
10 New Apprentices Start At Dounreay
Dounreay has said "you're hired" to ten local newcomers who have started their careers at Dounreay this week. This makes it the 61st consecutive year that apprentices have joined the site.
17/9/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week Commencing 12th September 2016 Energy & Business Services: Representatives from the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm consortium were in Wick this week to formally unveil plans to transform two historic buildings at Wick harbour into the Operations & Maintenance base for the project. For photos, (see my online blog, address below) The drop-in event was very busy with interested members of the public (estimated at around 150), and the comments I heard in the room were overwhelmingly positive.17/9/2016
Good news buoys marine energy event
Optimism from Scotland's wave and tidal energy sectors, fuelled by the Meygen's product launch on Monday, boosted delegates at Scottish Renewables' Marine Conference in Inverness this week. Recent successes from Scotrenewables, Nova Innovation and Sustainable Marine Energy have been complemented by the launch of the world's largest tidal stream energy scheme.17/9/2016
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 16 September 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 16th) sold 5,655 store lambs and sheep. Blackface lambs (4,430) sold to £70 gross for ewe lambs from 13 Peinchorran, Portree.17/9/2016
Council addresses issues with new Inverness Royal Academy
The Highland Council has informed staff, parents and pupils of ongoing issues with the new Inverness Royal Academy building and the actions being taken to address them. The Council is working with, Hub North Scotland Limited, Morrison Construction and its sub-contractors, to resolve issues which include: problems with the school's gas installations and the impact this is having on some classes; intermittent power and ICT issues; and management of pupil flow during lunch breaks.17/9/2016
