Local Authority News
20/8/2013
Council Calls For Sites In Caithness & Sutherland
The Highland Council is calling for people to submit suggestions for inclusion in the new plan for the future of Caithness and Sutherland. Work has begun on the forthcoming Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan).19/8/2013
Ward Forums across Highland focus on Police and Fire Services
A series of 19 Highland Council Ward forums are being held across the Highlands to seek the views of the public on local police and fire services. The first meetings are being held at Portree and Golspie on Monday 2 September and they run until 30 October.19/8/2013
Wick To Receive Huge Volume Of Nuclear Records At New Archive Centre By 2016
Dounreay's huge collection of historic documents will be among the first items to be stored in the new archive to be built in Caithness. The National Nuclear Archive is due to be open for business by 2016, said NDA's director for Dounreay, Nigel Lowe.
17/8/2013
Council response to Nigg Quayside Extension application
The Highland Council has granted planning permission to Global Energy Nigg Ltd. for an extension to the south quayside, to allow new berthing facilities for shipping and the establishment of additional hard standing and temporary lay down areas.
17/8/2013
Update On Capital Projects For Area Committee
Highland councillors who are members of the Caithness and Sutherland area committee will get an update on Capital projects at their meeting in Golspie on Monday 19th August 2013. The projected end of years spend for 2013/14 is £17,060,666 and includes schools, libraries and office accommodation.15/8/2013
Council sets out policies on advertising signs
From 1 October 2013, The Highland Council is to introduce a new set of policies on the use of advertising signs to manage avoiding obstruction of adopted roads, footpaths and verges. Four new policies have received the approval of the Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community (TEC) Services Committee, which cover signs: for footways and footpaths; on roadside verges (subject to Planning and Development Service confirmation of requirements for Advertising Sign Consent); for display of goods for sale; and for street cafes.15/8/2013
Highland Council leads nationwide challenge on Internet Delivery Charges
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards is at the leading edge of challenging companies on Internet Delivery Charges, members of the Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services were today informed. Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the Council’s TEC Services Committee has welcomed a report to members by Highland Trading Standards on a project about Internet Delivery Charges, he said: “The work that our Trading Standards Team has done over the past year and half is at the cutting edge of Internet retail investigation and was recently highly revered at Cosla.[Builders]
14/8/2013Creating and promoting employment opportunities across the Highlands
The Highland Council is to re-launch its Deprived Area Fund to help create employment opportunities and tackle poverty, with the new Area Committees playing a key role in determining how money is spent locally. £440K of funding for each of the next 3 years will be distributed based on the location of the most deprived areas in Highland.14/8/2013
Council to target road repairs where need is greatest.
The Highland Council’s Chairman of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services (TEC) Committee Councillor Graham Phillips has welcomed progress being made on the management and maintenance of Highland Council roads. The progress has been made in response to reports by Audit Scotland on Scottish (including Highland) roads maintained by local authorities in 2004 and more recently in June 2012.13/8/2013
Highland Council moves to ensure vital European funding
Members of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development (PED) Committee have agreed the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s first stage consultation on the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for 2014 – 2020. The Council anticipates a more detailed second stage consultation in the autumn 2013 from the Scottish Government.6/8/2013
NHS Highland Faces Up To £10million Overspend
NHS Highland faces a forecast overspend of £9.8 million though a report by the organisation's Director of Finance predicts financial break-even by the end of the financial year. In a report to NHS Highland's board, which will meet on 13th August, Nick Kenton points out that his forecast of break-even depends on the delivery of savings targets and a range of management actions.5/8/2013
Funding still available through Highland European Fisheries Fund
Highland fishing communities still have time to benefit from the European Fisheries Fund Axis 4 programme. Now entering into the latter stages of the programme the Highland Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) would like to highlight there is still financial support available to assist local projects.28/7/2013
Conon Bridge station praised at UK awards
The £600,000 project to reintroduce rail services at Conon Bridge for the first time in more than five decades has been praised at a top UK transport awards. Delivered by ScotRail and Network Rail, the station reopening earned Highly Commended in the Small Project categories at the Network Rail Partnership Awards in London.21/7/2013
Council launches new petition procedures
The Highland Council will launch its new petition procedure on Thursday 1 August, providing a new avenue for individuals, communities or groups to have their concerns or issues considered and debated by the full Council or one of its strategic committees. Petitions may be submitted by:- · A group of citizens with at least 50 signatures from people living within the Council area; or · A group of at least 10 local businesses, voluntary organisations or social enterprise companies with a business address within The Highland Council area.17/7/2013
Avoid unnecessary fees for European Health Insurance Card and UK Passports
Highland Council Trading Standards is warning consumers to be on the lookout for websites demanding a fee when making an application for the NHS European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) or UK Passport application. Searches on the internet and consumer complaints received by the service show that many websites are offering to “review” or “forward” an application form for an EHIC or UK Passport.14/7/2013
New Acting Head Teacher Appointed at Thurso High School
The new acting head teacher of Thurso High School will be Mr Ken Murphy, who is currently Depute Head Teacher at the school. He has been appointed as Acting Head Teacher, pending re-advertisement of post, and the appointment of a permanent Head Teacher.11/7/2013
Contract awarded for first Phase 1 of the River Ness Flood Scheme
The Highland Council has awarded an £8.5 million contract for the first phase of works to build flood defences on the River Ness, Inverness to protect 800 homes and 200 businesses. The works between Ness Bridge and Friars Bridge will include streetscape features and public art.8/7/2013
Community Transport proposals supported by Highland Council
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed the Capital and Infrastructure Committee’s report into community transport published last week. Community Transport is a vital part of overall transport provision.8/7/2013
Highland Council commended by European watchdog for paper efficiency
The Highland Council has been commended for its efforts to improve its use of paper in a report published today by a European environmental watchdog. Identified as a “high-flyer” by the European Environmental Paper Network (EEPN), the Council was placed third in the Government sector, and in the top band of scores overall.3/7/2013
