News Archive
12/3/2016
Highland takes step towards local budgets for local decision-making
Localism and Community Empowerment have taken a huge leap forward with the decision taken by Members of The Highland Council, to ratify the disaggregation of the Community Services budget to the local areas along with the scheme of delegation to the relevant local committees. This decision was taken at a meeting of The Highland Council on 10 March.11/3/2016
Highland Council continues fight to protect coastal waters
Senior members of The Highland Council's Administration are met with the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to continue discussions on the future of the Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) in Scottish waters. This follows on from a Working Group meeting in February which resulted in the UK Government agreeing to extend the contract for the current vessel for 6 months to enable further discussions to take place.11/3/2016
£406 million for affordable homes
All 32 of Scotland's councils will share £406 million in grant subsidy in 2016/17 to deliver more affordable homes, over £100 million more than last years' allocation. It is part of the Government's overall investment of over £572 million to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in 2016/17, the funding is allocated for each local authority area, which the Scottish Government refers to as Resource Planning Assumptions (RPAs).11/3/2016
Scotland improves on zero hours contracts
Lowest proportion of employees on a zero hours contract of all UK countries. New figures show that Scotland continues to make progress in reducing the number of employees on zero hours contracts.11/3/2016
Road safety measures for new Wick Primary to be discussed at Ward Forum
The sole agenda item for the next Wick and Landward Ward Forum will be the new Noss Primary School 20mph speed limit traffic order with Community Services Manager, Iain Moncrieff, coming along to give an update and take any questions. Caithness Civic Leader and Wick Councillor Gail Ross said: "I welcome the 20mph zone around the new Noss Primary School building.10/3/2016
NorthLink Ferries honoured at national travel awards
NorthLink Ferries, managed and operated by Serco on behalf of Transport Scotland, has scooped a national award at this year's Guardian and Observer Travel Awards. Held in Scotland's capital on Friday 3 March, the ferry operator was awarded the title of ‘Best Ferry' at the annual ceremony, which celebrates the best in travel and tourism services across the world.
10/3/2016
Dingwall and Highland Marts - Sale 9 March 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts, (March, 9th) sold 1,262 sheep of all classes. Lambs (635) averaged £51.46 and sold to £80.50 gross for a Mule from Dalmagarry Farm, Tomatin.10/3/2016
Council Leader to write to UK and Scottish Governments requesting urgent reinstatement of ETVs
Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson is to write to UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill and the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon requesting long term funding be identified to urgently reinstate two Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) for operational duty covering the waters surrounding the Northern and Western Coast of Scotland and Islands. Cross-party support was given by Members at a meeting of The Highland Council today (10 March) for Leader Davidson to write to the Ministers.10/3/2016
Council to consider summit on housing debt
The Highland Council is to consider inviting UK and Scottish Government Ministers and Highland MPs and MSPs to a summit on the area's housing debt. Housing debt relates to loans taken out by the Council to build and improve Council housing.10/3/2016
Nordic consumers spend over SEK 160 billion online in 2015
Nordic consumers purchased goods online worth a total of SEK 161.6 billion in 2015, an increase of around 15 percent over last year's figure. Purchases made from international sites during the year totaled SEK 40 billion in value.9/3/2016
Dingwall and; Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 8 March 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 8th) sold 49 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (14) averaged 191.8p (+3.9p) and sold to 210p per kg and £1,292.10 gross.9/3/2016
£22.5m Inverness West Link stage 1 contract awarded
The Inverness West Link project has reached another very important milestone in its delivery. The Highland Council has awarded the Inverness West Link Stage 1 and the Canal Parks Enhancement contract to Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd with a value of £22.5M.
9/3/2016
Caithness HVDC Switching Station Consultation Events
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc, part of the SSE Group, owns and maintains the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland. We are hosting open consultation events to invite feedback on our preferred site and proposed building designs for a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Switching Station north of Wick.
9/3/2016
Householders urged to check Brown Bins now collections have resumed
Brown bin garden waste collections have started up again after a 3 month break over the winter and The Highland Council is urging householders to check their bins carefully for any contamination that may have got into them whilst they have been sitting unused. The brown waste bin is for garden generated organic material only and nothing else should be put in the bins - with the exception of cut flowers from the house.9/3/2016
A9 Dualling Programme
Preferred route on display for Quarter of A9 Dualling Programme. The proposed road alignment and junctions for over 33 km of the Scottish Government's ambitious 129 km A9 Dualling programme went on public display today.9/3/2016
Wages rise for NHS staff
Pay increase confirmed for third year in a row. All NHS staff in Scotland will receive at least a one per cent pay rise in 2016/17, the Scottish Government said today.9/3/2016
Farm payment advance
£200 million Scottish Government cash support. Farmers and crofters still waiting for a direct subsidy payment at the end of March will receive a cash advance from the Scottish Government.9/3/2016
Folic acid in flour
Public Health Minister Maureen Watt has written to Food Standards Scotland for advice on how Scotland could fortify flour with folic acid. The advice will be used to help ministers decide how to pursue the policy on a Scotland only basis.9/3/2016
Additional homes supplement passes into law
New legislation introducing a tax supplement on purchases of additional residential properties has been passed by Parliament. Following this afternoon's Stage 3 debate, MSPs have this evening voted in favour of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill - meaning a supplement will now be levied on the purchase of additional homes such as second homes or buy-to-let properties.8/3/2016
