News Archive
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
Tribute paid to retiring Council director
Tributes were paid at the full meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 19th December 2013 to Neil Gillies, Director of Transport Environmental and Community Services, who is retiring on 31 January next year after 35 years service. Convener Councillor Jimmy Gray and Councillor Graham Phillips, Chair, TEC Services, praised Mr Gillies for his leadership and dedication as director of a crucial frontline service.20/12/2013
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 16th December 2013 Energy & Business Services: As apprentices on the North Highland College engineering programme go out into work placements during Year 2 of their course, the attached video highlights student views on the course and the lessons they have learned to date from their experiences in the workplace. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3vgSxfzJFQ Tourism, Food & Drink: Caithness Horizons in Thurso celebrates its 5th birthday this month, and it was good to meet this week with directors, staff and local stakeholders to commemorate this milestone.20/12/2013
Urgent News from Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) engineers have been working since the early hours to repair damage to the electricity network in the north of Scotland following the high winds. Good progress continues to be made with power restored to over 8,000 customers overnight and throughout today.20/12/2013
MSP Backs SSPCA Campaign On Pets As Christmas Presents
Highlands & Islands (Labour) MSP Rhoda Grant backs SSPCA warning that pets should not be seen as cute gifts to give just at christmas, but they are for all year round and for the life of the pet. SSPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, "Every year we stress that pets should never be bought on a whim or given as surprise gifts, but some people clearly aren't getting the message.19/12/2013
Council agrees tax freeze for 7th year in a row
The Highland Council has agreed to freeze the Council Tax for a seventh successive year and confirmed a budget of £563.697 million for 2014-15. The Council Tax bands are: Band A: £775.33; Band B: £904.56; Band C: £1,033.78; Band D: £1,163.00; Band E: £1,421.44; Band F: £1,679.89; Band G: £1,938.33; Band H: £2,326.00.19/12/2013
Council to challenge legislation on betting shop licensing laws
The Highland Council is to write to the UK Government seeking a change to licensing law to prevent over-provision of betting shops in a local community. Members unanimously supported a motion proposed by Councillor Richard Laird, Inverness Central, that the Council should make representations to the UK Government requesting that it amend the 2005 Gambling Act to re-introduce over-provision as grounds to refuse an application and to permit limits on the number and type of gaming machines permitted in a premises or area.19/12/2013
Council agrees amendments to service management teams
Detailed proposals to realign The Highland Council’s Service management teams into 5 directorates – from the existing 7 – achieving savings of £350,000 per year and delivering more customer-focused services were unanimously accepted at today’s Council meeting. The 5 Directorates will be: · Care and Learning · Finance · Corporate Development · Development and Infrastructure · Community Services The changes will be implemented in two phases.18/12/2013
Contractors - Time To Apply Or Renew Registration With Highland Council
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 £50,000.17/12/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 17th December 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 17th) sold 58 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (18) averaged 231.6p (-1.2p) and sold to 239p per kg thrice for a 625kg Limousin cross from Findon Mains, Culbokie, a 640kg Charolais cross from Udale, Poyntzfield, and a 675kg Limousin cross from Wester Craiglands, Fortrose, and £1,613.25 gross for a 675kg Limousin cross from Wester Craiglands.16/12/2013
Crackdown on Ross roadside adverts
In the run up to Christmas, The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service is getting tough over the display of unauthorised posters and placards near the roadside in the Beauly, Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Tore and North Kessock areas as it deems them to be an eyesore and a serious hazard to road users. Similar action will take place in other parts of The Highland Council area during 2014.16/12/2013
