Investors are still being fairly complacent about the novel coronavirus. After the number of new daily cases suddenly shot up to more than 15,000 on February 12 following more than a week of decline, there were some jitters in the markets.
Ross Brown, Univeristy of St Andrews. Scotland is a step closer to launching the UK's first national investment bank after the Scottish parliament passed plans to create this new source of funding for Scottish businesses.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has outlined new appointments to the Scottish Government and cabinet. Following her delivery of the Scottish Budget, Kate Forbes has been nominated as Cabinet Secretary for Finance, while Fiona Hyslop will build on a hugely successful period as External Affairs Secretary by taking responsibility for the economy as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture.
The UK Government should give an immediate commitment to cover the cost to business and government of leaving the EU, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said. With the UK Government acknowledging there will be additional checks and certificates required for trade with the EU, Mr Ewing said it is vital they commit to meeting the resulting additional costs incurred by Scotland becoming a ‘third country'.
On 14th February 2020 the Highland council place an advert in the Northern times newspaper regarding the Spaceport planning application as follows. - THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997 TOWN and COUNTRY PLANNING (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2017.
A new farmer-led group will examine how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the suckler herd. Co-chaired by Jim Walker, the group will consider proposals for alternative ways to support the suckler sector mitigate its environmental impact and identify practical ways in which it can reduce its emissions.
UK-built technology that will revolutionise the science astronauts carry out on the International Space Station is due to launch today (14 February 2020). Called COLKa for ‘Columbus Ka-band Terminal', the system will allow astronauts and researchers to benefit from a direct link with Europe at home broadband speeds, relaying data from experiments on the ISS back to Earth almost instantaneously.
Members today approved a modest 3% rent increase for residential rents and service charges following detailed consultation with tenants. The increase will result in a rise in the average weekly council house rent from £75.38 to £77.74 (£2.26), which means that Highland rents are still 8th lowest of the 26 councils which retain housing.
Yesterday, during the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee, the minister from Public Finance and Digital Economy, Kate Forbes, stated that local authorities are not "collapsing" in Scotland. This is despite warnings from COSLA ahead of the budget statement that stated local authorities were under immense pressure and in need of massive investment.
COSLA said it was disappointed that once again the Scottish Government has presented a Budget for Local Government that looks much better than the reality behind the figures. Speaking this afternoon following the Scottish Government's Budget announcement, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson Councillor Gail Macgregor said:"On the face of it this looks like a good Budget for Local Government with a cash increase of £495million and whilst we acknowledge this money, the reality behind this figure unfortunately is quite different.
Highland Council Trading Standards are again warning unsuspecting residents of the emergence of a new Council Tax scam. Today a call was received by the Council from a Council Tax payer alerting to a Council Tax scam whereby scammers are now texting people and informing them that they are due a Council Tax rebate.
Highland Council's new Chief Social Work Officer's first annual report highlights successes and challenges.` Highland Council's new Chief Social Work Officer for Highland Council, Karen Ralston, has enjoyed a successful first year in her role. Members today noted the 2018/19 annual report at the meeting of the Health, Wellbeing and Social Care committee.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, has tabled more questions in the Scottish Parliament in his bid to see waiting times improved at NHS Highland's chronic pain clinic. Mr Stewart, who is also Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, was approached by constituents who complained about the waiting times for first appointments in the north, advising that in some cases there can also be more than a year's wait for follow up appointments.
The latest generation of small communications satellites could be launched into Earth orbit from the northern Highlands of Scotland within the next two years. The latest generation of small communications satellites could be launched into Earth orbit from the northern Highlands of Scotland within the next two years.
The Highland Council has published the Highland Common Good Asset Register following the completion of a consultation process required by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The Register has been published on the Council's website and can be accessed from the download link on the page titled "Common Good Asset Register" or at the following link: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20010/community_planning/840/common_good_asset_register For ease of reference, the Register has been divided in the separate former Burghs having recorded Common Good Funds - Cromarty, Dingwall, Dornoch, Fortrose and Rosemarkie, Invergordon, Inverness, Nairn and Tain.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 11th) sold 8 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (2) averaged 197.5p (-1.5p) and sold to 198.0p per kg and £1,168.20 gross.
According to the draft Scottish Govenment budget, Highlands and Islands Enterprise will get £58.2 million in the upcoming financial year - down from £61.1 million last year. 2018/19 the budget was £71.7 million.
The Ferret a well known online news web site has published a n item on how closing sub post offices are affecting rural area including Wick. Read T he Article HERE Wick has one post office working part-time in the cards shop in Bridge Street but even that is under threat.
It's indestructible - but can we always believe in (the UK trade figures with the disaggregated effect of the international trade in non-monetary) GOLD?. Jonathan Athow is Deputy National Statistician for Economic Statistics writing a blog page today on the Office for National Statistics Gold, in addition to being a hit song by Spandau Ballet, is widely used as a store of value.
Six candidates are standing for election to fill a vacancy in the Eilean à Cheò Ward of The Highland Council. The by-election is being held following the resignation of Ronald MacDonald (Independent) who was one of four Councillors representing Ward 10.
