News Archive

​Study examines feasibility of extending Air Discount Scheme

Research is being carried out to explore the feasibility of the Scottish Government reintroducing the Air Discount Scheme for all types of business users and extending the scheme to include local authority personnel, as well as individual travellers.   HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, has commissioned a study to examine the benefits and costs of the scheme, which significantly reduces the cost of air travel for those living in eligible geographical areas of the Highlands & Islands.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Energy & Business Services: As previously covered in this update Atlantis Resources Ltd has now completed the acquisition of tidal energy assets from Scottish Power Renewables.  http://renews.biz/102590/atlantis-seals-tidal-expansion/ I was delighted to meet Cameron Smith of ARL this week, and to take him to meet Scrabster Harbour Trust in a week that the port was very busy with large oil & gas industry vessels (see our online blog page for pictures).  

Businesses invited to China food and drink event

Food and drink businesses in the Highlands and Islands interested in exporting to China have the opportunity to access specialist information and advice at a free event in Inverness this month.   Organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), in partnership with the China-Britain Council (CBBC) and the EU SME Centre, the event takes place on Tuesday 24 May at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness from 9:30am-4:15pm.  

Gail Ross (SNP) Elected As MSP For Caithness Sutherland and Ross

The result in Caithness , Sutherland and Ross.   Gail Ross - SNP - 13,937 Jamie Stone - Scottish Lib Dems - 10,024 Struan Mackie - Scottish Conservatives - 4912 Leah Francetti - Scottish Labour - 3334 Turnout 58.4%.  

Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan - Information Event

A pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan has been developed by a working group consisting of Marine Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and Highland Council and has received endorsement from both councils and ministerial approval.   We are holding events in Thurso (24 May, Caithness Horizons) and Stromness (25 May, Warehouse Buildings) where you can come along to hear more about the Marine Spatial Plan.  

Experts Comment On 2016 Scottish Election Results

Commenting on last night's election results, the political challenges they imply for the Scottish Parliament and the diversity of the newly elected MSPs, Friends and Fellows of the Centre on Constitutional Change made the following observations: Professor Michael Keating (1) said,"The main story is that the SNP did not exceed their 2011 performance but that that is disappointing only in comparison with 2015.  The Conservatives have moved forward in gaining constituencies and Labour had a very bad night.  

List MSPs Elected For Highland Region

Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross Edward Mountain Donald Cameron Scottish Labour Rhoda Grant David Stewart Scottish National Party Maree Todd Scottish Green Party John Finnie The full results of all 129 seats for the Scottish Parliament are - SNP - 63 Conservative - 31 Labour - 24 Greens - 6 Liberal Democrats - 5 Overall SNP do not have a majority and will form a minority administration.   They fell short by 2.  

Communities to be consulted on public conveniences

The budget for operating public conveniences across Highland was reduced by £250,000 in 2016/17 and a further £344,000 in 2017/18, at Highland Council in February 2016 as part of the overall budget savings, leaving a budget of £639,000 thereafter.   The council operates 102 public conveniences and 27 comfort schemes with annual costs of £1.233 million.  

Pay all social care workers living wage, says UNISON

UNISON is calling on all employers to pay the living wage to care workers and all councils to adopt UNISON's Ethical Care Charter in its Social care manifesto for Scotland to improve working conditions for some of the worst paid public workers in Scotland.   UNISON manifesto Social Care in Scotland is launched today (Monday 2 May2016).  

Housing initiatives aim to prevent homelessness and improve people's lives

Members of the Community Services Committee have warmly welcomed the initiatives being undertaken to prevent homelessness and improve the lives of homeless people in Highland.   The Temporary Accommodation Re-Provisioning Project aims to reduce the use of leased private sector rooms and bed and breakfast type accommodation and invest the savings generated in the building and acquisition of Council owned accommodation.