News Archive
2/3/2015
The public are encouraged to take part in flood risk consultation
The first ever National consultation on the future management of flood risk in Scotland begins on the 2nd March 2015. For a period of 3 months, the draft ‘Flood Risk Management Strategy', and ‘Local Flood Risk Management Plan' for the Highland & Argyll Local Plan District will be available to view, and the public are invited to provide comment and influence the future of how flood risk management will be carried out over the next 6 year period.2/3/2015
Poll points to SNP general election success, but lower Scottish turnout than referendum
Nearly two thirds of adults in Scotland say they are certain to vote in the May general election, suggesting that the vote will not see the high turnout - 85% – witnessed in the September 2014 independence referendum, according to new polling by TNS. Nearly two thirds of adults in Scotland say they are certain to vote in the May general election, suggesting that the vote will not see the high turnout – 85% – witnessed in the September 2014 independence referendum, according to new polling by TNS.2/3/2015
£70 million for first time buyers
Home seekers helped to get foot on property ladder. £70 million will be invested in a scheme to help eligible first-time buyers on low to moderate incomes buy a home, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today.2/3/2015
LABOUR WILL OFFER ZERO HOURS STAFF A FAIR DEAL
John Erskine, Scottish Labour candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has stated his and Scottish Labour's commitment to ending the abuse of zero hour contracts. This comes after figures released Wednesday (25 February) by the Office of National Statistics that show that from October 2014 to December there were 60,000 workers in Scotland on zero-hour contract in their main jobs.2/3/2015
Renewable energy potential
"Onshore wind success shows need for greater offshore ambition." First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is calling on the UK Government to increase its ambition to develop offshore wind. Ms Sturgeon pointed to the fact that Scottish wind power is now substantially cheaper than nuclear, and said the lesson of the last decade of onshore wind development is that cost reductions require a meaningful long-term commitment to support investment at large-scale.2/3/2015
Bid to develop empty properties
Chance for communities to revitalise town centres. Towns will be able to bid for new funding to help them find ways to develop empty and underused properties in their areas, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil has announced.28/2/2015
Captain's Galley, Scrabster Wins Sustainable Restaurant Of The Year Award
Captains Galley, Scrabster and Cotswold Cafe were recipients of the Sustainable Restaurant of the year awards 2015. Two very different restaurants, 700 miles apart, but who share the same outstanding commitment to sustainability, have been named joint winners of the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year award in London on 23rd February 2015).
28/2/2015
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 23rd February 2015 Energy & Business Services Energy & Utility Skills and Scottish & Southern Energy have this week been advertising an exciting Employability Programme, based in part from North Highland College UHI in Thurso. The programme is aimed at people for whom finding work in the energy sector without previous experience is proving to be a barrier.28/2/2015
Over £14 million for Wave Energy Scotland
Scotland's first wave energy technology development body Wave Energy Scotland will receive a total of £14.3 million over the next thirteen months, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced today. ‘Wave Energy Scotland' awarded its first contract to a group of 12 former Pelamis employees, led by former Chief Executive of Pelamis Wave Power Richard Yemm, to capture the knowledge of the Pelamis technology development path for the wider benefit of the wave energy sector.27/2/2015
AmaZing Venues' Ackergill Tower Best Wedding Venue in the North East
Wedding venue specialist, AmaZing Venues is celebrating its latest win at the Scottish Wedding Awards 2015 where Ackergill Tower was awarded Wedding Venue of the Year North East. Now in its third year, The Scottish Wedding Awards is very much a celebration of local businesses.
27/2/2015
Rose Street, Inverness Car Park See Big Increase In Charges
If you are going to Inverness for any reason such as shopping or visits be careful where you park as charges at Rose Street Car park have had the charges hiked up. It may be worth looking around for cheaper car parking.27/2/2015
Government Invests £25 Million in Game-Changing Green Technologies
Windows that act as solar panels, an engine which runs on landfill emissions and Europe's biggest battery are all a step closer to reality after receiving a share of £24.5 million of government funding. These projects are among 40 new technologies which have won funding through the first round of Innovate UK's Energy Catalyst, which is designed to help tackle the so-called energy 'trilemma' of reducing carbon emissions, increasing security of supply and cutting the cost of energy.27/2/2015
Dealing With Nuisance Calls - How the UK Still Lags Behind
While yesterday's announcement concerning the powers of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is a welcome step in addressing the problem of nuisance calls and texts, the UK is still trailing many other countries in its approach to dealing with the problem, according to a major new report released today by StepChange Debt Charity. Combatting Nuisance Calls and Texts, commissioned by the charity from a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics, highlights major gaps in the protections for consumers in the UK, and compares various methods used around the world to reduce levels of nuisance calls and texts.27/2/2015
Public Sector Finances, January 2015
From April 2014 to January 2015, public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks (PSNB ex) was £74.0 billion; a decrease of £6.0 billion compared with the same period in 2013/14. In January 2015, PSNB ex was -£8.8 billion (a surplus); an increased surplus of £2.3 billion compared with January 2014.27/2/2015
Workers Contribute £32bn to UK Economy from Unpaid Overtime
UK workers gave their bosses nearly £32bn worth of unpaid overtime last year - an average of £6,050 each if these hours had been paid – according to new analysis published today (Friday) by the TUC for Work Your Proper Hours Day. The TUC analysis also finds that one in five (20.3 per cent) of the workforce regularly work extra hours for no pay.26/2/2015
Candidates Announced So Far For General Election for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
To date we know of four candidates for the general election to be held on 7th May 2015. The candidates declared so far are.
26/2/2015
New work ready programme seeks candidates with a positive attitude
Candidates aged 16 -29 are invited to apply for a 10 week course led by SSE and being delivered in conjunction with Energy and Utility Skills and the North Highland College UHI. The successful students will spend three weeks at the North Highland College UHI, where they will complete certificates in work readiness as well as a workshop and hand tool safety course.26/2/2015
Highland Councillors agree to nominate 6 Digital Champions as part of Digital First Programme
SIX Digital Champions are to be nominated to assist with promoting the Digital First Programme and the availability of online services. Digital First Programme aims to greatly increase access to online services, enabling at least 40% of transactions to be carried out online by April 2017.26/2/2015
Bronze COSLA Award for Highland Council Finance Service
Highland Council's Revenues and Business Support section in the Finance Service has won a Bronze COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) award for their "Highland Helping Those in Need" project. COSLA Excellence Awards are held annually to reward and recognise projects and developments which establish excellent delivery of services to communities.26/2/2015
