Local Authority News
30/1/2013
Landowners Called To Check Tree Wind Damage
Council clears up and calls on landowners to check wind damaged trees. Following a night of severely windy weather (29 – 30 January 2013) The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which have been damaged by the gales.28/1/2013
Drivers Alerted To Roads Changes Around Kessock Bridge
A number of permanent road improvements are being put in place ahead of the Kessock Bridge works starting in February. Transport Scotland, which is investing £13.2 million to bring the 30-year-old bridge up to modern standards, has confirmed a number of changes to the surrounding road layout.23/1/2013
Trading Standards warn consumers to avoid on-line fake goods
Trading Standards Officers at The Highland Council are warning consumers to avoid being stung by sellers of poor quality counterfeit goods online or through social networking sites. 2012 saw an increase in complaints and information to Trading Standards about the use of the internet to sell fake goods, especially clothing, handbags, perfume, jewellery, shoes, headphones and hair straighteners.22/1/2013
Thurso Charrette Leaflet - Programme
Work on the new Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan will begin later this month. As part of this the communities of Wick and Thurso will each have a unique opportunity to shape the future of their community and influence future development decisions in the area.
22/1/2013
Wick Charrette Leaflet Programme
Work on the new Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan will begin later this month. As part of this the communities of Wick and Thurso will each have a unique opportunity to shape the future of their community and influence future development decisions in the area.
21/1/2013
Highland Council winter road condition reports for 21 January 2013
The Highland Council’s snow clearing / gritting route policies and area maps are online for 2012/13 at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting. Road condition and gritting treatment reports by The Highland Council’s, Transport, Environmental and Community Services for the morning of Monday 21 January 2013 are as follows: South Sutherland and East Ross Priority routes being treated.19/1/2013
Kessock Bridge Resurfacing - Starts 11 February 2013
The resurfacing works for the Kessock Bridge will start on 11 February and continue until 7 June. Everyone using the bridge whether once or regularly will need to plan for delays that are being stated will happen.
19/1/2013
The Highland Council Business Travel Reductions
This audio Powerpoint presentation was developed by Malina MacDonald in the Chief Executive's Office following requests to present on the success of The Highland Council's business travel CO2 and cost reductions. Malina was happy to present but was unwilling to travel to the central belt therefore developed this solution..
18/1/2013
End Of An Era At Wick Council Offices
Offices of The Highland Council at Market Place, Wick, will close their doors for the last time at 3 pm today (Friday) ahead of an £8 million redevelopment of the site as modern Council office accommodation. Eighty staff, including those at the Service Point, are relocating to Government Buildings, Girnigoe Street while the new offices are built at Market Place.
18/1/2013
Highland Council Leader Meets First Minister
The Leader of The Highland Council Councillor Drew Hendry met with First Minister Alex Salmond today (Friday 18 Jan 2013) to discuss the key issues that are facing the Highlands. Meeting at Inverness, Council Leader Drew Hendry highlighted the Council’s priorities, giving an update on progress of projects and initiatives throughout the vast area covered by the Council.
17/1/2013
Council to advise and support private facility owners affected by December storm
Members of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee have agreed that the Council will continue to provide advice and support to privately owned facilities which have been affected by the storm surge. Members were informed today (Thursday) that the extent of damage to 24 Council harbour facilities and coastal defences during the 14/15 December 2012 storm is likely to exceed the current estimate of £2.555 million.17/1/2013
Draft Economic Recovery and Development Plan for The Highlands
The Highland Council has produced a proposed strategy for growth for the public and private sectors over the next five years to ensure Highland climbs out of recession with a stronger and more sustainable economic base and having the potential for growth. Following approval of the draft Plan at todays (Wednesday 16 January) Planning, Environment and Development Committee, it will now go out to key public and private sector partners for wider consultation before being adopted.15/1/2013
Wick and Thurso communities to get unique opportunity to plan their futures
Work on the new Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan will begin later this month. As part of this the communities of Wick and Thurso will each have a unique opportunity to shape the future of their community and influence future development decisions in the area.11/1/2013
Extent of Highland December storm damage estimated at £2.555 million
Members of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee will hear next week that the extent of damage to Council harbour facilities and coastal defences during the 14/15 December 2012 storm is currently estimated at £2.555 million. In a report to the TEC Services Committee, members are advised of the extent of the damage to facilities at 24 locations including: Scrabster – East Gills; John O’Groats Harbour; Freswick Harbour; Ackergill Harbour; Keiss Harbour; Staxigoe Harbour; Victoria Street, Wick; Scalesburn, Wick; Service Bridge, Wick; Latheron Harbour; Dunbeath Harbour; Helmsdale Harbour; Brora Harbour; Golspie; Embo Harbour; Portmahomack and its harbour; Hilton; Balintore and its harbour; Shandwick; Rockfield; Rosemarkie; and Nairn.
11/1/2013
New Guidance For Assessing HMO Planning Applications
Highland Councillors are being invited to adopt revised guidance to help assess planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) across the Highlands. Comments have been taken on board from a public consultation in late 2012, which included a debate on the options for Inverness City Centre at the Council’s City of Inverness and Area Committee.
10/1/2013
New Wick Council Telephone Numbers From Monday 21st January
The Wick Offices of Highland council at Market Square will close on Friday 18th January and reopen on Monday 21st January 2013 at Girnigoe Street, Wick. A new telephone system has been installed and new telephone numbers allocated - see the listing attached.
10/1/2013
Council Response To Pentland Firth Tidal Array Consultation
The Highland Council has decided to raise no objection to a consultation on proposals by MeyGen Limited to construct and operate a 86MW tidal array scheme in the inner sound of the Pentland Firth. The Council’s response to Marine Scotland reaffirms its support of renewable energy development in the Highlands and highlights the economic benefits that this can bring to the area.10/1/2013
Council Prepares For Wick Office Flit
The Highland Council is ready to move from its base in Market Place in Wick to temporary accommodation in nearby Girnigoe Street in preparation for the £8 million redevelopment of the Market Place site as modern Council office accommodation. Offices in Market Place, including the Service Point, will close on Friday 18 January at 3pm and relocate to Government Buildings, Girnigoe Street.8/1/2013
Contract Opportunities Now Open At Highland Council - Deadline 29th January
Opportunities for local contractors to renew existing applications or apply for construction works with Highland Council. The Highland Council is currently in the process of renewing and reviewing its Contractors Framework agreement, which may be used by Services within the Council for selecting contractors to carry out construction works covering reactive day to day repairs, general maintenance works and minor projects up to the value of £50,000.8/1/2013
