News Archive
24/12/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 24 December 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 24th) sold 51 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (29) averaged 229.9p (-1.7p) and sold to 240p per kg and £1,780 gross.24/12/2013
Safeguarding Scottish chicken
Poultry plan aims to deliver sustainable and profitable future. A premium brand for Scottish chicken could be created to safeguard the future of the Scotland’s poultry sector, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has confirmed.24/12/2013
Farm deal ‘a bitter blow’ to Scottish farmers
First Minister calls on Prime Minister to return CAP funds to Scotland. The UK Government’s failure to pass on hundreds of millions of Euros rightfully due to Scottish farmers in EU payments is a bitter blow that has caused understandable furore across Scotland, First Minister Alex Salmond has told David Cameron.24/12/2013
Festive farm payments - Christmas cheer for more than 17,000 Scottish farmers
More than 17,400 Scottish farmers and crofters will have received their Single Farm Payments in time for Christmas, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has confirmed. The latest payment run of £1.6 million to 140 farmers will reach bank accounts today (Tuesday December 24, 2013) – meaning a total pre-Christmas boost to Scotland’s rural economy of about £424 million.24/12/2013
GP contract agreed - New contact to give more time for patient care
Scottish GPs will have more time to spend with patients after changes to their contact were given the green light. The changes, agreed with BMA Scotland, aims to reduce bureaucracy and give doctors more time to focus on the needs of their patients.23/12/2013
Census figures show population of the Highlands on the up but down in Wick and Thurso
A report for Highland Councillors has highlighted the early results from the 2011 Census which shows that the population of the Highlands has grown over the last decade by 11.1%, with the strongest population growth taking place in the Inverness South and Aird and Loch Ness Wards. The report also highlights that across the Highlands there is a large number of people in the 55 to 65 age group which means the area should see a steady increase in the number of retired people over the coming years.
23/12/2013
Renewable energy projects at the forefront of Planning case work
2013 has seen the Council receive its largest number of major pre-application enquiries in connection with renewable energy projects. In total 38 potential applications have been presented to the Planning and Development Service - an increase of 10 from those processed in 2012.
23/12/2013
Council steps up security at Council HQ
The Highland Council is to step up security at its Inverness headquarters as the result of a recent break-in. The Council has commissioned a security firm to patrol the building during the day and through the night to deter intruders.23/12/2013
Scottish Water reminding customers to be prepared
Scottish Water is taking the opportunity during this mild spell of weather to remind customers to ensure homes and businesses are protected and prepared for winter. Protect your pipes - Be prepared, is Scottish Water’s winter message, asking customers to protect their pipes, be prepared and heat, insulate and protect their home and business.
23/12/2013
BT awards 26.9m subsea cabling contract to three firms
Ship will lay 20 fibre optic undersea cables across Highlands and Islands in BTs biggest ever subsea project in UK territorial waters. BT has awarded three firms a 26.9 million contract for an ambitious subsea cabling project which will help deliver fast, fibre broadband to the Highlands and Islands.22/12/2013
Protecting shellfish production
Scotland first country in UK to ensure continued protection of shellfish waters. New legislation comes into force today to ensure the continued protection of Scottish shellfish growing waters.21/12/2013
Offshore wind decision must be reversed
Ewing hits out at DECC’s FID plans. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has criticised the UK Government for removing all planned Scottish offshore windfarms from their list of 10 projects which will get a FID (Final Investment Decision) contract, and has called on the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change to reverse their decision before the finalisation of their plans in March next year.21/12/2013
Views sought on fishing controls
Consultation launched on licensing arrangements. Streamlining and simplifying licensing arrangements for fishing vessels in Scotland are two of the issues being looked at in a new consultation.20/12/2013
Black Isle by-election result
The by-election for a councillor to represent the Black Isle Ward on The Highland Council has been won by Mrs Jennifer Barclay, who will join the Independent Group on the Council. Mrs Barclay was one of eight candidates who contested the vacancy, following the death of her husband, Councillor Billy Barclay.20/12/2013
Funding boost for 3 town centre planning events
The Highland Council has been successful in bidding for £15,000 of Scottish Government funding towards the cost of organising town centre planning consultation events (known as mini-charrettes) early in the new year to plan the future of the town centres in Fort William, Nairn and Tain. Councillor Thomas Prag, Chair, Planning Environment and Development Committee, revealed the good news at the full council meeting in Inverness today (Thursday).20/12/2013
Parking management talks ensure continuity of enforcement
The Highland Council is continuing discussions with Police Scotland to ensure continuity of parking management and enforcement in the Highlands following the full withdrawal of the Highland traffic warden service from 3 February next year. Council Leader, Drew Hendry, assured members of the Council at its meeting in Inverness on Thursday that responsibility for enforcement of parking offences post 3 February would lie with Police Scotland, who have given the Council assurances that police officers will respond to parking incidents and take the appropriate action.20/12/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Poultry Sale 20th December 2013
Dingwall, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 20th) sold 133 lots of Christmas poultry. Oven ready turkey (82) averaged 282.3p per lb and sold to 413.0p per lb for a 14.5lb bird from Balnakyle Farm, Aberlour, and £60 gross six times for birds from No 1 Achavandra, Dornoch, Kinloss Farm, Elgin and Balnakyle Farm.20/12/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Pedigree Females Sale 18 December 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 18th) sold 31 MV accredited pedigree females at its annual show and sale. The judge, Mr Philip Gill, Wester Raddery, Fortrose, awarded the Suffolk champion and overall interbreed champion to a gimmer by Glenhead Gibbs, carrying a single to Binhill Champagne Charlie, from Mr R.20/12/2013
Survey seeks tenants’ views on council homes
Survey seeks tenants’ views on council homes Tenants of council houses in the Highlands are being asked for their views on the services provided by The Highland Council, as their landlord. The Council is offering ten £50 vouchers in a free prize draw for those tenants who respond by the deadline of 13 January 2014.20/12/2013
