News Archive
24/3/2013
Helicopters Boost Wick John O’Groats Airport To Strong Air Traffic Growth
Passenger numbers at Scotland’s regional airports increased by 2.2% last month. Latest figures from airport operator HIAL show that its 11 airports handled 87,476 passengers in February, an increase of 1,869 passengers compared to the same month last year.
22/3/2013
Meet the Buyer Event for Caithness and Sutherland Subcontractors
Miller Construction is extending an invitation to subcontractors and suppliers based in the Caithness and Sutherland area to a Meet the Buyer event to find out more about future opportunities for local businesses in the area. As a Tier 1 contractor with hub North Scotland Limited, Miller Construction is preferred bidder on a £50m pipeline of work to be delivered over the next three years in Wick and Tain and is seeking suitable local partners to deliver these projects and others when they arise.21/3/2013
Highland population growth spans the ages
The latest Census figures released by the National Register of Scotland, show that Highland’s population growth spans the age range. Highland’s population has risen by 23,000 between 2001 and 2011 to 232,000.21/3/2013
The Highland Council – Welfare Reform
New legislation from the UK government means that, from 1 April, a deduction will be imposed on housing benefit claimants in council or housing association homes with a spare room or rooms in their homes. The new rule is estimated to affect more than 2,200 council house tenants in Highland.21/3/2013
Advice for landlords on 'Bedroom Tax'
Landlords should consider all possible options and use all reasonable means to prevent evictions of housing tenants struggling to pay rent due to the bedroom tax, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said today. The Scottish Government has called for the UK Government’s under occupancy measures, that will cut housing benefit for those deemed to have a spare room, to be scrapped.21/3/2013
Unemployment in Scotland falls by 4,000
Official statistics published today by ONS show that unemployment in Scotland fell by 4,000 over the three months to January 2013. Youth unemployment experienced the biggest fall in 20 years.19/3/2013
Highland Council raises no objections to off-shore Wind Farm proposal
The Highland Council has raised no objections to a consultation from the Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) regarding an application by Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd for the construction and operation of 3 offshore wind farms and associated electricity transmission works in the Outer Moray Firth. The application has been submitted under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 so although The Highland Council is not the determining authority, it is an important consultee so today (Tuesday 19 March) Members sitting on the North Planning Applications Committee considered the proposals.19/3/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 19th March 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 19th) sold 86 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (58) averaged 216.1p (-2.1p) and sold to 233p per kg and £1,597.50 gross.17/3/2013
New Offices Almost Ready For Hugh Siimpson Contractors, Wick
New offices for Hugh Simpson contractors well known locally for cranes and oil have new offices almost ready at Wick harbour. The ofices are on the site of the former Wick Power station that was finally demolished in October 2008..
17/3/2013
Intermediate Preparing to Export course - Caithness and Sutherland
11 April 2013 Highlands and Islands Enterprise, in partnership with Scottish Development International, is offering an Intermediate Preparing to Export course for companies that are already exporting to 2/3 markets and would like to further develop their export capabilities. • Course kick-off: 2-day residential on 11th & 12th April 2013 (1 nights accommodation and dinner will be provided) • Course continues on: 4 additional sessions held over 6-8 weeks: 25th April, 9th May, 23rd May and 6th June 2013 Location: The Norseman Hotel, Wick This programme is fully funded by Smart Exporter, an ambitious new international trade skills programme, and is targeted at Scottish companies that are already exporting and wish to develop their export capabilities to grow their business.16/3/2013
Tea Cosy - Simply Unique Opens After Winter Break
Winter break over! The Tea Cosy / Simply Unique will be open from Easter onwards, a warm welcome waits. New exciting menu and some old favourites.
16/3/2013
Round two of the Scottish EDGE is open for entries
After the first round of the Scottish EDGE competition, where over £500,000 was given to help 17 of Scotland’s brightest entrepreneurs, they are ready to start all over again! This next round will award in the region of £750,000 to young Scottish businesses. The closing date for round two applications is 5pm Tuesday 16 April 2013.16/3/2013
Government Support for Business R&D and Innovation
20 March 2013 The Government Support for Business R&D and Innovation event is a free workshop to highlight the wide range of Government support available to help small and medium sized enterprises invest in R&D and innovation and to grow their businesses. Each session will be led by a representative from the relevant delivery body, including HMRC, the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Design Council and HIE.16/3/2013
Results from 2012 December Agricultural Survey
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today published Results from the 2012 December Agricultural Survey, covering winter sown crops, hay and silage production, livestock and machinery. This Statistical Publication provides commentary and graphics on the latest data and trends over the past ten years.16/3/2013
Births, deaths and other vital events - preliminary 2012
Provisional figures for births, deaths, adoptions, marriages and civil partnerships registered during 2012 are published today by the National Records of Scotland. The statistics show that marriages in Scotland have risen for the third consecutive year and are now at their highest figure since 2005.16/3/2013
Start of less favoured area payments
Payments from the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme will start to arrive in bank accounts from Friday, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed earlier this week. The Scottish Government has now authorised payment of 10,190 claims to farmers and crofters working in some of the most challenging conditions in Europe, worth £56 million – around 86 per cent of the total £65.5 funding for the scheme.15/3/2013
Council And Cromarty Port Authority To Sign Agreement
Memorandum of Understanding seeks to strengthen economy & bring new jobs in the Cromarty Firth. The Highland Council and the Cromarty Firth Port Authority are to sign a partnership agreement to promote co-operation and joint working, with the aim of creating good quality employment opportunities and facilitating the development of new and existing port facilities at Invergordon and in the Cromarty Firth.15/3/2013
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week commencing 11th March 2013 Energy: Applications from Meygen Ltd and Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd will go before next Tuesday’s meeting of the Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee. You can view the applications at http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/committees/npac-comms/2013-03-19-npac-ag.htm Business Services: Good news this week that recent investment by HIE in local company Escape Technologies has helped create 4 new jobs, bringing the company’s staffing complement to 9 as it moves into new premises in Thurso town centre.14/3/2013
Mackays Hotel Officially Recognised as “Staymakers” by Olympic Training Scheme
Inspired by the success of the London 2012 Olympics’ Gamesmakers, Mackays Hotel in Wick has become the latest organisation in the UK to gain national recognition for its dedication to excellent customer service, joining an elite segment of hospitality businesses that have achieved the status. The family run hotel received news this week that it is the first hotel in Caithness & Sutherland to be awarded WorldHost Recognised Business status, a training programme that was used to train the tens of thousands of staff and volunteers for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and nearly one million people worldwide, in exceptional customer service.
14/3/2013
