News Archive
1/7/2016
Redesign Board proposes new values and purpose for the Highland Council
The Redesign Board for the Highland Council has drafted proposals for a new Council purpose, values and outcomes, which were presented to full Council on 29 June 2016. The proposals made to the Council are recognised as draft with scope for further amendment, depending on views gathered from staff, partners and the general public.28/6/2016
Six Weeks Of Testing For First Turbine Destined for Pentland Firth
Atlantis Resources AR1500 tidal turbine is to undergo a six-week pre-commissioning testing programme at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult's drivetrain facility. The tests at the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth will validate the performance of the turbine's drivetrain before it is installed at the 6MW MeyGen Phase 1A array in the Pentland Firth later this year.
27/6/2016
Subsea7 Caithness - Premier Oil Catcher Area Development
Offshore activity is ramping up on Premier Oil's Catcher project in the North Sea, with all three Pipeline Bundles now successfully installed. Subsea 7's Alasdair Farquharson and Tammie Sebire and Jon Taylor of Premier Oil reflect on the significance of the first Bundle launch in Wick..
27/6/2016
Highland Council to consider impact of EU Referendum result for Highland
The HIGHLAND Council is to bring a paper to its meeting on Wednesday which will allow members to discuss possible impact of Thursday's vote for the UK to leave the EU. Leader of the Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "The result of the referendum on Thursday will have considerable consequences for us all over the coming months and years.24/6/2016
Highland votes Remain in EU referendum
Michelle Morris, Senior Depute Counting Officer for Highland has declared the results of the European Union Referendum 2016 count in Highland. Highland voters have voted to Remain in the European Union.23/6/2016
Additional Support Needs Funding Sustained
The Highland Council can confirm that it will sustain the current funding for Additional Support Needs in Primary and Secondary Schools for the new school year - 2016/17. While the Council has taken measures to address a £40m budget gap, it will not require to reduce the funding to schools for children with additional needs.21/6/2016
Seal of approval for Caithness engineering skills
An Aberdeen oil and gas company that located its manufacturing operation to Lybster in Caithness says it is delighted with the results. Torque machine manufacturer Enerquip secured £60,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the £240,000 initial capital equipment and employment costs at Lybster.
20/6/2016
Bifab selected as part of BOWL supply chain
Fife firm Burntisland Fabrications LTD (BiFab) has been awarded a new £100 million contract for Beatrice Project. The contract is to supply 26 WTG jacket substructures for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Development in the Moray Firth.20/6/2016
£1.5m for offshore wind
Supporting innovation including developing floating windfarms. Companies in the offshore wind sector will benefit from £1.5m of funding to increase innovation, reduce costs and encourage further investment.18/6/2016
Engineering and Construction Employability Essentials
Engineering & Construction "Employability Essentials" course, which runs from 4th July to 5th August. Last year 100% of the attendees went onto into positive destinations (employment, modern apprenticeships or further education), and there are 4 places remaining of the course for this year.
Gail Ross MSP appointed Deputy Convener of Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Humbled and honoured was how Caithness, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Gail Ross summed up her feelings after been appointed as Deputy Convener of the new Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee in the Scottish Parliament. The Committee covers a wide range of issues which affect people in rural areas, including agriculture, broadband, transport, food and drink.
18/6/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week commencing 13th June 2016 Energy & Business Services: · The CNSRP Delivery Group met this week, and we took the opportunity to have a round table discussion on the likely actions needed to support the delivery of local economic benefit from the £2.6 Bn Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project. One of the strengths of the Partnership is the ability to bring partners such as HIE, Skills development Scotland, the NDA, Dounreay, Highland Council, North Highland College and Caithness Chamber of Commerce together with Wick Harbour Authority to ensure that a coordinated approach is taken to this process.18/6/2016
Scottish Government responds to announcement on armed policing plan
Police Scotland plans to enhance its armed policing capacity to deal with emerging threats have been welcomed by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson. Responding to plans to recruit a further 124 officers from across the service, Mr Matheson also told the Scottish Parliament that the move was not in response to a specific threat and that the uplift in numbers did not change how armed officers would be deployed.18/6/2016
NUMBER OF RETIRED RENTERS SOARS BY OVER 200,000 IN 4 YEARS
The number of people living in private rented accommodation in retirement has soared by more than 200,000 in the last four years, according to a poll of private renters*. Overall, the poll shows that the proportion of retired private renters has grown by 13 per cent since 2012 - approximately 220,000** - as more and more people turn to the private rented sector.10/6/2016
Food consignment was taken under control of Highland Council and destroyed
Food Delivery Company ignored food safety rules. Officers from The Highland Council's Environmental Health Team are warning food businesses that frozen and chilled foods must be handled, prepared and transported within safe temperatures, and that failure to meet food safety requirements, may result in officers detaining or seize the food.
10/6/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week Commencing 6th June 2016 Energy & Business Services: · A further element of detail is added to the emerging picture of contract awards associated with the £2.6 Bn Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project, with the news this week that Tier 1 supply chain company Siemens has awarded the contract to install up to 84 turbines to Swire Blue Ocean. It is expected that installation of the 7MW turbines will begin in 2018.10/6/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week Commencing 6th June 2016 Energy & Business Services: · A further element of detail is added to the emerging picture of contract awards associated with the £2.6 Bn Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project, with the news this week that Tier 1 supply chain company Siemens has awarded the contract to install up to 84 turbines to Swire Blue Ocean. It is expected that installation of the 7MW turbines will begin in 2018.10/6/2016
Low Carbon Transport Loan Fund doubles
New interest free loans for Scottish commuters, businesses and Hackney cab drivers. Environmentally conscious drivers have even more opportunity to go greener thanks to an electric vehicle funding boost from the Scottish Government.9/6/2016
Seater Recycling Centre to be closed for 60 weeks
The Recycling Centre at Seater Landfill Site will be closed to the public from Saturday 18th June 2016 to allow for the construction of landfill cells. Local contractor John Gunn & Son has been awarded the construction contract, which will involve building the final two landfill cells for the site.8/6/2016
