News Archive
14/2/2015
Council implements new technology for road repairs
The Highland Council has been trialling new technological means of repairing and maintaining roads, according to a report into the Roads Innovation Fund by the Director of Community Services. Techniques to be used for the repair of potholes include use of "Jetpatcher" equipment, a process by which a high velocity air stream is used to clear any debris in the pothole and also to lay and compact new asphalt, filling it.
14/2/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 9 February 2015 Energy & Business services: Atlantis Resources, the company that owns the MeyGen tidal energy project, has issued an interesting Newsletter with updates on its progress - both on the ground at Ness of Quoys and with the build of its new 1.5MW AR1500 turbine. The newsletter includes interviews with its Chief Technology Officer and with the Chief Engineer of partner engineering design company Lockheed Martin.
14/2/2015
Highland Council officials and Convener meet with Chief Secretary to the Treasury to discuss potential City Deal
Highland Council Director of Development and Infrastructure Stuart Black and Convener Jimmy Gray have met with Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to discuss the potential of a City Deal for Inverness. The meeting comes a result of recent correspondence between Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Thomas Prag and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.14/2/2015
Members endorse recommendation for new 3-18 community campus for Tain
Members of The Highland Council's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee have unanimously agreed to recommend to the next meeting of The Highland Council on 12 March 2015 that the Council improves education provision in Tain by developing a new 3-18 campus on the site of the current Tain Royal Academy. This recommendation has been made following the conclusion of a formal statutory public consultation process which started in September 2014 Members have agreed to recommend to The Highland Council: · To discontinue education provision at Craighill and Knockbreck Primaries and St Duthus Special School and to relocate to a new 3 - 18 campus to be developed on the site of the existing Tain Royal Academy.9/2/2015
Funding confirmed for health boards
Increase of £282 million. Health Secretary, Shona Robison, has confirmed that health boards in Scotland are to receive an additional £282 million in 2015-16.
8/2/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 2 February 2015 Energy & Business services: I was delighted to take part this week with June Love in a visit from overseas representatives of an energy/ engineering company. The visit, which was coordinated by CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise, took in specific locations in Caithness, and also allowed discussions to take place with relevant local representatives.6/2/2015
Corran Ferry Fares Increase Deferred But Campaigners Say A Final Solution Is Not Yet Reached
THE Community Services Committee has agreed a motion to defer an increase in the Corran Ferry fares to allow further work on cost implications, options for alternative fixed crossings and to take independent legal advice on State Aid and Equality implications. The fare increases were proposed, taking into account predicted costs over the next 3 years, to work towards a break even position in 2017-18, thereby reducing the risk that State Aid may be considered to exist.
6/2/2015
North MSP and Shadow Roads Minister to query Minister about state of Scottish roads
Reacting to a survey by the AA, Highlands & Islands (Including Moray) MSP, Shadow Transport Minister and road safety campaigner, David Stewart said it is a pretty bad recognition for Scotland to learn that as a nation we have more potholes than anywhere else in the UK. Speaking today (5/2/15) he said "According to the survey, Scotland has 8.9 potholes per mile on the road and 2.81 potholes per mile on the pavement.5/2/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 5 February 2015
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (February, 5th) sold 716 sheep of all classes. Lambs (435) averaged £44.33 and sold to £94.00 gross for a Suffolk cross from Hillside Farm, Kilchoan.5/2/2015
Highland Council is to be asked to revisit pre-treatment budget savings
The Community Services Committee has supported a move to ask the Highland Council to revisit the budget saving of £120,000 for pre-treatment from next winter. The Highland Council agreed as part of its budget savings in December 2014, to reduce the pre-treatment of some roads with low traffic volumes from next winter, based on experiential evidence and allowing savings of £120,000.5/2/2015
Government Launches 750 Apprenticeships for Talented Young People
The government has nearly quadrupled the number of Civil Service apprenticeships for talented young people across the UK. From 2 February, young people can apply for: 450 Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeships, including 50 dedicated Cyber Security apprenticeships 300 new Operational Delivery Apprenticeships.4/2/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 4 February 2015
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 4th) sold 123 weaned calves and store cattle, 3 Breeding cattle and 47 OTM cattle. Bullocks (65) averaged 231.8p and sold to 272.3p per kilo for a pen of 325kg Simmental crosses from Brenachie, Kildary, and £1,260 gross for 568kg Limousin crosses from Conan Mains, Conon Mains.4/2/2015
GET REGISTERED TO VOTE THIS THURSDAY - URGES GRANT
Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP, Rhoda Grant is urging voters across the Highlands and Islands to register to vote. The call comes ahead of National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) which takes places on Thursday 5th February.4/2/2015
North MSP to query DVLA driver medical assessments
Highlands & Islands (including Moray) MSP, Shadow Transport & Islands Minister and road safety campaigner, David Stewart, is to query with the Secretary of State for Transport and DVLA why constituent drivers in the North and North East have to travel to Edinburgh to undergo driving assessments. David Stewart said " I have been contacted by a constituent from Moray who suffered a stroke six months ago.3/2/2015
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 3 February 2015
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 3rd) sold 60 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (27) averaged 210.2p (-8.1p) and sold to 222p per kg and £1,544.40 gross.3/2/2015
MÒD 2014 GENERATES MORE THAN £3.5 MILLION
A study has shown that the 2014 Royal National Mòd generated £3,547,661 to the business community in Inverness - over a £1million more than the event target. The report, delivered by ‘The Market Specialists' shows the nine day festival, which took place from 10-18 October 2014 in Inverness, entertained over 9000 unique visitors, 78% of which came from outside the host city.2/2/2015
Rhoda Grant MSP Urges Customers to Claim Power Cut Compensation
Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP, Rhoda Grant is encouraging SSE customers across the Highlands and Islands who lost power for a consecutive 48 hour period or more, between the 9th and 12th January 2015, due to the exceptional weather conditions to make a claim for a compensation payment. Commenting Mrs.2/2/2015
Review of out-of-hours primary care
And new approach to unscheduled care. A review of out-of-hours primary care services and a new approach to unscheduled care have been launched by Health Secretary Shona Robison.2/2/2015
Poll tax debt to end
Local authorities to stop collecting the debt from February 1. From February 1, 2015 the liability to pay ‘Poll Tax' arrears in Scotland will end, subject to final approval of the Scottish Parliament.1/2/2015
