News Archive
4/4/2014
£6 million for Scotland’s wave and tidal industry
he marine energy sector is to benefit from £6 million in funding to further develop testing of new wave and tidal energy prototypes in the seas around Scotland. Scottish Enterprise is launching the third round of the remaining competitive funding from the initial WATERS fund in collaboration with Highlands & Islands Enterprise.4/4/2014
Council welcomes “outstanding” inspection report on Children’s Services
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed publication of a report by The Care Inspectorate of their recent inspection of children’s services in the Highlands. This inspection, which took place in October and November 2013, covered the range of services in the Council area that provide services to children, young people and families, including education, health, social work, police and the voluntary sector.3/4/2014
MSP David Stewart's Bill To Recoup Costs From Defective and Dangerous Buildings
Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP David Stewart’s Member’s Bill, Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill, is set to pass Stage 1 at 5pm today. This is the first Opposition Member’s Bill this session to reach this stage and the Scottish Government has indicated that it will give its support.3/4/2014
Work to start on extension to Milton of Leys Primary School, Inverness
The Highland Council has awarded a contract to build an additional 3 classrooms at Milton of Leys Primary School in Inverness at a cost of £650,000. The school was opened in August 2011 and was built by Morrison Construction, who have won the contract for the extension.Option Selected for A9 Berriedale Braes hairpin
Users of the A9 will welcome the news that a preferred option has been chosen for the challenging hairpin bend at Berriedale Braes on the northernmost part of Scotland’s longest trunk road. A public exhibition is being held today at Berriedale (2nd April 2014) to give people the opportunity to view the proposals and provide their comments.
2/4/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 2 April 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 2nd) sold 1,094 store cattle and 28 OTM cattle. Bullocks (714) averaged 244.4p and sold to 312.2p per kg for a pen of 378kg a Limousin crosses from Westburn, Thurso, and £1,400 gross for a pair of 575kg Limousin crosses from Woodend, Muir of Ord.Highland Opportunity welcomes €400,000 StArt-App project to the Highlands
Highland Opportunity this week hosted 24 delegates at a Round Table event in Inverness as part of StArt-App – a €400,000 project aimed at providing young people and adults with tools to enable them to start up and continue in business in the cultural and creative sectors. The only British partner in the project, Highland Opportunity hosted workshops, research and discussion events, and a reception at Inverness Town House for delegates from nine European project partners from Italy, Greece, Denmark, Hungary, Portugal and Croatia.
1/4/2014
Scottish farm incomes fall
Scotland Agriculture Statistics show a fall in farm incomes in Scotland. The average incomes of Scottish farm businesses fell by 34 per cent to £30,000 in the 2012 accounting year, compared to the previous 12 months.
1/4/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 1 April 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 1st) sold 74 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (49) averaged 212.4p (-6.7p) and sold to 243p per kg and £1,596.00 gross.1/4/2014
Commencement of the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013
The Highland Council today (Tuesday 1st April 2014) welcomes the commencement of the High Hedges (Scotland) Act, which brings into being new powers to resolve high hedge disputes between neighbours. Subject to certain criteria, people across Highland are now able to apply to the Council for a 'High Hedge Notice' where a hedge on neighbouring property is having an adverse impact on the enjoyment of their home or garden as a result of loss of light.1/4/2014
Highland Police Commander Delighted with first Year Of Police Scotland
Highland and Islands Divisional Commander delighted with progress made during first year of Police Scotland. The Divisional Commander for the Highlands and Islands, Chief Superintendent Julian Innes is delighted with the positive progress made during the first year of Police Scotland and has confirmed that crime continues to decrease.1/4/2014
International oil and gas company expanding to Scotland
110 new jobs to be created. Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister, today announced the investment of £1.5 million Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) and the creation of 110 new jobs by a global oil and gas contractor, Clough in Glasgow.
1/4/2014
Rhoda Grant MSP Welcomes Living Wage Increase
North Scottish Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has welcomed the increase of the living wage for public workers across the Highlands and Islands and Scotland, but has demanded that the Scottish Government close the low pay loophole so that it can be extended to more workers. The living wage is now set at £7.65 and hour, which represents to a full time minimum wage worker the Highlands and Islands an increase of over £2,500 a year.1/4/2014
£1 billion jobs boost
Thousands of jobs to be created through investment in building projects. The Scottish Government Infrastructure Investment plan – which delivers housing, hospitals, schools and transport infrastructure projects – is set to see a further £1 billion worth of investment.1/4/2014
CFP named as preferred bidder in £multi-billion nuclear decommissioning contract
CFP (Cavendish Fluor Partnership) named as preferred bidder in £multi-billion nuclear decommissioning contract. (This does not include Dounreay and the new contract refers only to the Magnox sites) Savings of at least £1 billion in the decommissioning programme of 12 nuclear sites are anticipated after the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) today named the Cavendish Fluor Partnership as the Preferred Bidder in the competition to take ownership of Magnox Ltd and Research Sites Restoration Ltd (RSRL).30/3/2014
Gills Harbour Works Repair Storm Damage
Works have been going on at the Inner Basin of Gills Harbour, on the North coast of Caithness, during the past few weeks. The project, which is being undertaken mostly using large back-hoe excavators, is mainly aimed at removing boulders and loose jagged rocks from the Basin's sea-floor.
30/3/2014
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week commencing 24th March 2014 Energy & Business Services: Following last week’s news of consents given to the two offshore wind developments in the Moray Firth, SSE has this week announced its major review of offshore wind commitments in the UK. Whilst the company has announced plans to scale back investment in renewables, the good news is that investment in a 375MW Beatrice project will continue, with further key project decision points expected at the end of 2014 and in early 2016.28/3/2014
NHS Highland to take on Riverbank Medical Practice on permanent basis
From April, Riverbank Medical Practice in Thurso will become a salaried practice run by NHS Highland. The practice, which has a patient list of 6000, has been managed by NHS Highland since December 2012 but advertising for an individual or group to take over the practice was not successful so the Board will now take on responsibility for the practice on a permanent basis.26/3/2014
Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 26 March 2014
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (March, 26th) sold 2,177 sheep of all classes. Lambs (652) averaged £57.60 and sold to £90 gross for Texel crosses from Heathmount, Tain.26/3/2014
