Progress on the Highland Council's review of its public conveniences has been welcomed by the Council's Administration. Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of the Council's Environment Development and Infrastructure Committee said: "It's important that we put the review into context and acknowledge that Highland Council is the largest provider of public conveniences in the UK.
A major reform of mental health services, investment in infrastructure and legislation to underpin a Scottish National Investment Bank are at the forefront of the Scottish Government's priorities for the year ahead. The First Minister delivered her Programme for Government during a speech to the Scottish Parliament today.
Concern about climate change is at a record high, according to findings of the Scottish Household Survey 2017. The annual survey found that 61% of people believe that climate change is an immediate and urgent problem - an increase of 6 percentage points in a single year - and just 7% think climate change will only affect other countries.
Ahead of unveiling her Programme for Government, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced £16.7 million additional funding to help Scotland lead the way in transforming to a low carbon country. Last year's Programme for Government committed to set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the electrification of the road network, with the aim of removing the need for new petrol or diesel cars or vans on Scotland’s roads by 2032.
Nearly four out of five businesses in the Highlands and Islands have highlighted the importance of employing and retaining young people and are taking steps to address the challenges of doing so. The latest Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Business Panel survey interviewed 1,000 businesses in June this year.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has produced a leaflet, What to expect from your care worker, to let people know what type of behaviour and values they can expect from their care worker and what to do if they have a concern. The leaflets will be available in all GP surgeries in Scotland from September.
The increasing challenges of the Isle of Skye tourism industry were discussed today at Highland Council's Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee during a report to Councillors by the Council's Principal Tourism Officer, Colin Simpson. Mr Simpson outlined the Council’s role in tourism; presented figures on the level of Skye tourism and updated Members on the Council’s initial and proposed bids to the Scottish Government’s Rural Infrastructure Fund.
Week commencing 27 August 2018 UKVL Sutherland: Today (Friday) marks Roy Kirk's last day as Area Manager for HIE in Caithness and Sutherland, as he will move next week to become full-time director for the Sutherland Spaceport project. Following Roy's move I have been offered (and have accepted) the role of acting Area Manager for Caithness and Sutherland, which in the short term I will take forward in addition to my CNSRP work.
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 31st) sold 1,307 store sheep of all classes. Lambs (1,127) sold to £60.50 for Mule lambs from Ardtornish Farms, Morven.
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced her intention to appoint Richard Lochhead as Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science. Mr Lochhead will be able to undertake some Ministerial duties immediately and will be put forward for approval by Parliament next week (subject to Parliamentary timetabling) and Her Majesty the Queen in September.
Salaried doctors and dentists working in Scotland, who earn below £80,000, are to receive a 3% increase in pay in 2018/19. The Dentists' and Doctors’ Pay Award will be backdated to 1 April 2018.
Caithness Councillors have welcomed information that shows progress being made in respect of destinations of pupils on leaving Wick High School in recent years. The information was presented at the Caithness Area Committee meeting held in Wick on Tuesday 28 August.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has made leadership changes in Caithness and Sutherland, following the recent announcement of plans to create a spaceport near Tongue. Roy Kirk has moved from his role as area manager to become project director for the new spaceport, where he will lead HIE's plans to develop the new satellite launch facility.
The Corporate Revenue Monitoring Statement for Quarter 1 (Apr - June 18), has been considered by the Council's Corporate Resources Committee. The paper sets out actions to address the projected 1% overspend of £5.1m.
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland. Scotland's Chief Statistician today published the above statistics on the progress and results of revaluation appeals following the 2010 and 2017 Revaluations, as at 30 June 2018.
Scotland's new public service to make first social security payments. Carers will receive the first payments of the new Carer's Allowance Supplement from mid-September, back-dated to April.
Scotland is known for its vision as a world-leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation, one in which growth and innovation go hand-in-hand with fair work and delivering in a way which benefits everyone. The £650,000 funding package will support the next generation of entrepreneurs, building on Scotland's CAN DO vison, to encourage more people set up new businesses and social enterprises and for the government itself to be more entrepreneurial.
A new industry leadership group will aim to make Scotland the best country in the world for employee-owned (EO) businesses, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced this week. The First Minister confirmed the establishment of ‘Scotland for EO' when she travels to Arran for a meeting of the Scottish Cabinet.
Businesses in Scotland are to benefit from the most advanced ‘Internet of Things' (IoT) network in the UK as part of a £6 million project. The new network, called IoT Scotland, will provide a wireless sensor network for applications and services to collect data from devices and send that data without the need for 3G/4G or Wi-Fi, supporting businesses develop new and innovative applications, changing the way they work.
LOCHMADDY, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 27th) sold 2,614 store lambs. Lambs (2,614) averaged £48.70 and sold to £86 gross for a Texel lamb from Druim Torrach, 17 Hougharry.
