News Archive
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
VisitScotland announces new Chair is John Thurso
Fergus Ewing MSP, the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, has this morning announced the appointment of John Thurso as the new Chair of the Board of VisitScotland. Boasting significant industry experience, John became Europe's youngest 5 star hotel manager when appointed Managing Director of the Savoy Group's Lancaster Hotel in Paris at 27.
8/3/2016
Inverness Service Point moves to Town House
Inverness Service Point customers are being advised that the service is moving to the Town House. The entrance to the new Service Point at the Town House will be on Castle Street and will have a separate public entrance from the existing Town House reception area.8/3/2016
Registrars struggling to meet new demands, says UNISON
Scottish Registrars are struggling to meet the new demands on the service. That's the finding of an UNISON report Registering our Concern, which is launched today (Tuesday, 8 March 2016) UNISON carried out a survey of registrars in Scotland to investigate how they are coping with new demands and cuts on their service.6/3/2016
Dingwall and Highland Marts - Rare breeds and poultry - 5th March 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts (March, 5th) sold 2 cattle, 3 horses, 8 goats, 91 sheep and 538 lots of poultry, eggs and poultry equipment at their poultry, rare & traditional breeds of livestock sale. Cattle (2) sold to £250 (twice) gross for Shetland heifers from Fair A Far, Kirkhill.6/3/2016
Council tax reform
An additional £100 million a year will be invested in schools across Scotland as a result of a package of reforms to council tax outlined today by the First Minister. To make the system fairer from April 2017, the rates paid by those in the four highest council tax bands (E, F, G and H) will be adjusted in a move that will generate £100 million a year.6/3/2016
New benefits agency for Scotland
A new delivery agency will be set up to administer social security payments worth £2.7 billion when they are devolved to Scotland. Speaking in the first Scottish Parliament debate on social security since the fiscal framework to transfer welfare powers was agreed, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil confirmed there will be a phased transition of the administration of powers over the next few years.5/3/2016
Caithness andNorth Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 29 February 2016 Energy Business Services: The Scottish Government's recently-announced Transition Training Fund was established to help address the current labour market issues caused by the decline in the price of oil, and its knock-on effects on the economy. The Fund is to be managed by CNSRP partner Skills Development Scotland, and it's been useful to talk through with local SDS colleagues some of the early opportunities to help individuals affected.4/3/2016
GIB and Equitix commit £10m to expansion of Wick district heating scheme
• UK Green Investment Bank and Equitix commit £10m to the acquisition and expansion of Wick renewable energy plant and district heating network. • The scheme will undergo a major upgrade with the aim of connecting it to 150 new customers.4/3/2016
Council Leader welcomes flexibility in use of Council Tax income from empty and second homes
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy confirmed this week he has agreed to The Highland Council's request for flexibility in the use of Council Tax income from empty and second homes. Commenting on this agreement the Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: This is very welcome news and I appreciate the positive response from the Deputy First Minister.4/3/2016
Highland MSP Seeks Reform Of DVLA Driving Assessments
Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP and Scottish (Labour) Transport Spokesperson, David Stewart, has written to Lord Ahmad, the Under Secretary of State for Transport, over anomalies with drivers requiring to be re- assessed for driving after a medical condition meant their licences had to be suspended. I have been in dialogue with DVLA and the Driving Assessment Centre in Edinburgh over the lengthy waiting list for drivers re-sitting their test.3/3/2016
Kenneth Sutherland Is New President of Caithness Agricultural Society
Its Generation Game for Kenneth. The Caithness Agricultural Society has a new President with Kenneth Sutherland Jnr taking the reins for the society's 175th Anniversary show this year.
3/3/2016
Dingwall and Highland Marts - Sale 2 March 2016
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 2nd) sold 719 store cattle Bullocks (457) averaged 228.9p and sold to 310.3p per kg for a 290kg Limousin cross from Balvullich, Muir of Ord, and £1,300 gross for a 750kg Limousin cross from Cambusmore Estate, Dornoch. Heifers (254) averaged 219.8p and sold to 288.5p per kg for a pair of 260kg Limousin crosses from Refouble, Glenferness, and £1,260 gross for a pair of 550kg Simmental crosses from Bunchrew, Inverness.3/3/2016
