News Archive
27/10/2014
Trading Standards and Citizens Advice tackle private car parking problems
The Highland Council's Trading Standards Officers are backing local Citizens Advice Bureaux in their campaign to ensure that Highland consumers get a fair deal over private car parking. Both agencies have seen an increase in consumer complaints about private parking in recent times, with a range of problems being encountered by motorists, as David MacKenzie, Team Leader at Highland Council Trading Standards explained: "Sometimes the problem is poor signage resulting in drivers being unaware of large penalty charges and the scale of such charges can also be controversial.27/10/2014
Councils join together to benefit from new network contract
Highland and Islands Councils have signed a multi-million pound contract on behalf of the Pathfinder North Partnership, led by The Highland Council, for the provision of Network Services starting in March 2016. The deal is part of the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) Framework agreement awarded to CAPITA in February 2014 and has a potential value of around £33m (over 7 years) across the five Partners for whom it is expected to generate significant cost savings.
27/10/2014
New homes for the Highlands
Housing projects helping to support local construction sector and wider economy. Finance Secretary John Swinney has announced a deal to deliver new affordable homes for rent in Inverness, providing a boost to the local construction sector and wider economy.27/10/2014
Working together to benefit the Highlands and Islands
The Highlands and Islands Convention was welcomed to the Merkinch Community Centre in Inverness today (Monday) by Councillor Drew Hendry, Leader of the Highland Council, who stressed the importance of ensuring a highly skilled workforce that would contribute to the continuing economic growth of the Highlands and Islands. He also highlighted the need for partners to be working together to deliver good quality services to local communities and to sustain and enable those communities in the Highlands and Islands to flourish.27/10/2014
HiTech Farming May Reduce Costs
NEC and Dacom Collaborate on Precision Farming Solution to Maximize Yields and Reduce Costs. NECCorporation (TSE: NEC 6701) and Dacom, the agri-IT company (Holland-based industry-leading company), are today announcing the results of a "precision farming solution" trial in Romania that uses environmental sensors and big data analytics software to maximize yields at a reduced cost.27/10/2014
500 More Engineering Jobs as BT Expands Recruitment Programme
Takes total number of Openreach engineering roles announced since April to 2,400. Continued focus on customer service delivery, fibre broadband and high speed links for businesses.27/10/2014
An Inbox That Works for You
Today, Google is introducing something new. It's called Inbox.27/10/2014
NHS Scotland makes preparations for winter
Health boards across Scotland are gearing up to manage the additional pressures the winter period can put on NHS services. Each of the country's 14 health boards now have plans in place to increase capacity and improve the way people are discharged from hospital to ensure the NHS continues to perform well during the winter.27/10/2014
Energy Minister calls for investigation into price comparison scam
Consumers could be losing out on the best energy deals because comparison sites filter out the tariffs which do not pay them commission. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has highlighted the issue and written to both OFGEM and the Secretary of State for Energy asking why the UK Government has failed to act to protect consumers, and when it will close this loophole.24/10/2014
Cross Cancer Out Campaign Backed By Labour Candidate
CAITHNESS, SUTHERLAND AND EASTER ROSS ELECTION CANDIDATE COMMITS TO CROSS CANCER OUT Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross election candidate John Erskine PPC is backing an appeal to help save the lives of more people with cancer in the constituency and across the UK. With the countdown to the General Election under way, the Scottish Labour party candidate has lent his support to Cancer Research UK's ‘Cross Cancer Out’ campaign.23/10/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 23 October 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 23rd) sold 4,073 store sheep. Lambs (2,891) averaged £46.94 and sold to £77 gross for Mule lambs from Ruivard, Ardross.23/10/2014
Gaelic careers event shows where language can take you
Siuthad! Invites S2 and S3 students to hear about Gaelic careers. Up to 300 Highland pupils are expected to attend an event designed to inform young people about career options they could pursue using their Gaelic skills.22/10/2014
More Energy Related Business But Numbers Down At Wick John O'Groats Airport
Island airports soar but overall numbers dip slightly at HIAL. Passenger numbers at HIAL's regional airport fell slightly in the third quarter of the year, though a number of island airports reported soaring growth.
22/10/2014
Caithness District Partnership Meeting Friday 31st October
The Caithness District Partnership next meets in Wick on Friday 31 October 2014 and the agenda will feature an update on the progress made in the implementation of a Family Team for Caithness. The meeting will also feature updates from Bob Silverwood, the NHS Area for Caithness and Sutherland the Manager.of Scottish Ambulance Service will also deliver a presentation on Public Access Defibrillators.21/10/2014
Notification of disruption to roads in Highlands and Islands during severe weather
Police and partners wish to provide a further update in relation to disruption on the region's roads in the current spate of adverse weather. The Skye Bridge is currently closed to all vehicles due to high winds.21/10/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 21 October 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 21st) sold 55 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (21) averaged 214.3p (-3.7p) and sold to 226p per kg and £1,568.25 gross.21/10/2014
Highland Council Leadership backs calls for fairer electricity charges in Highlands and Islands
The Leadership of Highland Council has turned up the heat on OFGEM and called for action against unfair surcharges which make electricity costs higher for consumers in the Highlands and Islands. The Highland Council Administration is responding in support of action being taken by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and will be writing to OFGEM to call for fairer energy charges in the Highlands and Islands.21/10/2014
1 in 7 would rather endure a divorce than take a trip to the dentist
● Men avoid the dentist for fear of being scolded about their dental health and worry about the cost. ● Those in Scotland more than twice as likely to find the dentist stressful than Londoners.
21/10/2014
MSP Welcomes Increase in HVG Speed Limit
Highlands & Islands (Labour) MSP and road safety campaigner, David Stewart, is delighted that an increase in HGV speeds on the A9, which he campaigned for, is to commence on the 28th of this month. Speaking today he said " Back in December 2012, I was asked by local HGV drivers to help them campaign for an increase in the HGV speed on the A9, from 40mph to 50mph.20/10/2014
