News Archive

UNISON have withdrawn from negotiating table with Police Scotland

UNISON, the union representing police staff in Scotland, has notified Scottish Police Authority and Police Service of Scotland that they will not participate in today's Joint Negotiation & Consultative Committee (JNCC).   The employers are refusing to discuss pay claims, department restructuring, police station closures and a £20m black hole in the police finances.  

Commission wants your views on local democracy in the Highlands

The Commission on Highland Democracy has published its Call for Evidence, and wants the public's views on local democracy in the Highlands.   The Call for Evidence states: "The Highland Council, like every other Council in Scotland, makes daily decisions about everything from home care to bin collections and from building schools to cutting grass.  

Moray sees highest percentage swing in fibre broadband coverage in Scotland

In the past three years the area has seen the largest percentage shift in fibre broadband coverage of any Scottish local authority area.   The first fibre broadband was launched by BT in Elgin in November 2013.  

Voucher scheme to help Scottish businesses prevent cyber crime

Small and medium-sized businesses across Scotland are being given the chance to enlist the services of an industry expert to assist them with a cyber security strategy.  The Cyber Resilience Voucher Scheme has been launched by Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership (formed of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Business Gateway and COSLA).  

Unconventional oil and gas research published

A package of six research reports have been published today to inform the Scottish Government's position on whether or not to allow any Unconventional Oil and Gas (UOG) development in Scotland.   The Scottish Government put in place a moratorium on UOG in January 2015 and, while it is in force, this prevents the development of any project involving hydraulic fracturing, also known as ‘fracking’, or any coal bed methane extraction technologies.  

£250,000 for trade unions

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced £250,000 to support modernisation of trade unions and help mitigate the negative impacts of UK legislation.   The new Trade Union Modernisation Fund will assist unions to mitigate the negative impacts of the Trade Union Act, so that the obligations placed on them through this legislation do not divert trade union reps away from supporting their members and helping employers embrace fairer working practices.  

Bigger Homes To Pay More In Council Tax

The Scottish Parliament has approved legislation that will protect household incomes, make local taxation fairer and that paves the way for an additional £500 million to be invested in education over this parliament.   The overwhelming vote in favour of the council tax order is the first step in the process of reforming council tax with the Scottish Government committing to further discussions on fair and progressive taxation over this Parliament.  

Highland Council is ready for winter

The Highland Council's Community Services Committee has confirmed that the local authority if ready for winter with respect to its gritting service of council roads.   Members have been assured that the council has adequate salt stocks for the region which were replenished in September and October; that the authority will have around 60,000 tonnes in stock for the start of the main winter season and that there are no concerns about future provision of deliveries from the council's supplier.  

"Right To Licence" checks for taxi and private hire car drivers

Under provisions of the Immigration Act 2016 which comes into force on 1 December 2016, The Highland Council will be unable, from that date, to grant a taxi driver or private hire car (PHC) driver licence to any person unless a check has first been made to verify that the person is not disqualified by reason of his or her immigration status from driving a taxi or private hire car (PHC).   This will mean that all applicants for taxi or PHC driver licences, including UK passport holders, will require to attend their nearest licensing office in person with original documents (passport or other acceptable documents) demonstrating that they have the right to work in the UK.  

Wick company wants more seaweed harvesters

Wick based New Wave Foods is looking for more seaweed harvesters to help with increasing demand for their products.   New Wave Foods has been sustainably harvesting high-quality seaweed for food over the last six months.