News Archive
31/1/2018
Scotland's NHS, the economy, public sector workers and the low paid will benefit from the Scottish budget, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said today as he confirmed he had reached an agreement that will see the financial plan passed at all stages by the Scottish Parliament. The budget takes steps to mitigate UK Government cuts, increases funding for the NHS by £400 million, invests in the expansion of early learning and childcare, delivers on our commitments to broadband, supports the building of 50,000 new homes, backs small businesses and innovation and provides essential funding for our frontline police and fire services.
31/1/2018
During 2017 Quarter 4, the retail sales were flat in volume terms (0.0 per cent growth), according to statistics announced today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. The value of retail sales in Scotland increased by 1.1 per cent during 2017 Quarter 4, meaning that consumers spent more than they did in the previous quarter to buy the same quantity of goods.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 30th) sold 14 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (2) averaged 217.5p (+8.5p) and sold to 218.0p and £1,253.50 gross.
Highland Council's South Planning Applications Committee has approved a major planning application for an alloy wheel manufacturing facility at Fort William in Lochaber. The facility involves an investment in excess of £130 million which will sustain and create around 570 jobs; expand business opportunities and provide a value added product for the UK motor vehicle manufacturing industry which could reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.
The Highland Council would like to remind householders to only put clean and dry items into blue recycling bins. Cleaner recycling means less waste, less landfill and therefore more value.
Several roads in the centre of Inverness will be temporarily closed to traffic on the morning of Saturday 10 February as the city gears up to host the opening ceremony of the 2018 Snowman Rally. Drivers are being advised that from between 7.30am and 12 noon the following roads will be closed to all vehicles: Eastgate closed at its junction with Crown Road to its con-junction with the High Street; The High Street closed at its con-junction with Eastgate to its junction with Castle Street; Hamilton Street closed at its junction with Academy Street to its junction with Eastgate.
29/1/2018
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has said she is dismayed by the latest response she has received from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) about the closure of 13 branches in the Highlands and Islands. The MSP wrote again to the bank at the start of the year, stressing again, the impact their decision to close the branches will have on its customers, its staff and the wider communities in general.
28/1/2018
Plans to reform the Scottish Crown Estate, and give local communities more control of its assets, has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Crown Estate Bill will establish a framework for changes in the management of Scottish Crown Estate assets and give communities a stronger voice in how these assets are managed.
28/1/2018
£1.5 million to applicants in second round of funding. Six projects across Scotland will be offered a share of £1.5 million in the second round of Decommissioning Challenge Fund awards.
A kit home and window manufacturer with operations in Caithness and Inverness has been shortlisted for a national award for innovation. Norscot is one of three finalists in the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2018 Innovation of the Year category, after developing a system for clients to view their new homes on site virtually before building work starts.
Energy & business services: The Scottish Government's Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme is now open for applications. Financial support through the programme has been designed to encourage innovation of both design and business models.
The meticulous approach to managing historical records at the Nucleus archive has secured the highest accolade from the government's records regulator. ‘Place of Deposit' (PoD) status was granted by The National Archives at Kew (TNA) and National Records of Scotland in December 2017, on schedule, after a comprehensive assessment of all operational aspects at the £20 million facility near Wick.
26/1/2018
The Office for National Statistics has released its latest commentary on the Labour market in the UK. The number of people in work reached a new record, with 32.21 million people in work in the three months to November 2017.
26/1/2018
Funding Applications can now be made from January 2018. Deadline 30th April 2018.
Highland Council has listened to its customers and agreed a below-inflation rise in garage and garage sites rents. The results of a Highland Council consultation on housing, garage and garage sites rents has directed the decision making of Highland Councillors today (Thursday 25 January 2018) at the Council's People Committee.
Highland housing tenants are to receive a small 0.5% increase in council house rents for the coming financial year 2018/19 which equates to an average weekly rise of 36p. Members of Highland Council's People Committee have approved the 0.5% rent increase which would result in an increase in the average weekly council house rent from £72.88 to £73.24 (£0.36p).
As part of The Highland Council's Redesign Programme, Members of the Council's People Committee today considered a report on the "Review of Music Tuition Services". They have agreed that High Life Highland will deliver Music Tuition services from April 2018.
The Highland Council is to seek the views of local communities on a proposal to establish a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar. The change is being proposed in line with Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Medium Education.
25/1/2018
BEAR Scotland to undertake repairs and resurfacing with additional funds from Transport Scotland. BEAR Scotland is undertaking an essential programme of works across trunk roads in the North West of Scotland to address the accelerated road surface deterioration caused by recent winter weather conditions, where the freeze and thaw cycle has weakened the carriageway.
25/1/2018
In response to the decision by the US to impose tariffs on washing machines and solar panels Dr Fragkiskos Filippaios, Reader in International Business at Kent Business School at the University of Kent, has provided the following comment. 'Recently, the US administration decided in favour of the introduction of trade barriers on the imports of washing machines and solar products.