News Archive
18/3/2016
Scottish Business Pledge
More than 56,000 workers now employed by Pledge companies. The number of employees working at companies that have made the Scottish Business Pledge has broken through the 56,000 barrier.18/3/2016
HIE announces digital support for tourism businesses
As part of Scottish Tourism Week, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is announcing a £310,000 investment to ensure the region's tourism businesses maximise the benefits from a new £1.2m Digital Tourism Scotland (DTS) programme. HIE is commissioning local tourism groups across the region to carry out a business survey with tourism SMEs.17/3/2016
Case for transfer of Council catering, cleaning and janitorial services to be considered
A full business case for the transfer of catering, cleaning and janitorial services from The Highland Council's Care and Learning Service to High Life Highland is to be considered at a meeting of The Highland Council on 12 May 2016. The Council is to organise a seminar as soon as possible for Members to discuss the benefits and principles of transferring to High Life Highland.16/3/2016
Berriedale Braes upgrade should be advanced after Sheriffs findings
A Sheriff's description of the Berriedale Braes as inherently dangerous should add to the weight of evidence which should prompt the Scottish Government to advance its upgrading of the road, according to Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant. Earlier this year, Mrs Grant said she was extremely disappointed at the response from Transport Minister Derek Mackay which predicted upgrading the Berriedale Braes could take up the three years.
16/3/2016
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Labour candidate Leah Francetti Attacks SNP On Education
SNP Inspired Council Cuts Budget will ruin education provision in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross says Labour candidate Leah Francetti. Holyrood candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Leah Franchetti, says cuts Education Budget for the Highland Council area will have lasting and damaging effect on many Highland children.
16/3/2016
Business Gateway Courses Coming To Caithness
Business Gateway workshops coming to Caithness may give you the tools to grow your business. A range of workshops offer business people an opportunity to get advice and information on ways that may help to improve the way the business is run.
16/3/2016
£750,000 BRIDGE MAINTENANCE WORKS - A9 Kessock Bridge
Works start Monday 21 March for ten weeks. The A9 Kessock Bridge is soon to benefit form a £750,000 investment from Transport Scotland for essential bridge maintenance work due to get underway this month.12/3/2016
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 7th March 2016. Energy & Business Services: Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL) has advertised a pre-application consultation event in Wick next week in support of plans related to the onshore infrastructure at Wick Harbour for its proposed offshore windfarm development off the Caithness coast.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
