After listening to feedback from communities across the Highlands, Highland Council's Administration have decided to take more time to rationalise toilet provision in the Highlands. Budget Leader and Chair of Corporate Resources Cllr Alister MacKinnon and Cllr Allan Henderson, Chair of Environment, Development and Infrastructure report: "In view of serious community proposals coming forward and being assessed, by groups such as North Coast 500 and others across the Highlands, through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, it is prudent to allow extra time for the review.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 12th) sold 9 prime cattle. Prime Bullocks (3) averaged 227.3p (-1.8p) and sold to 230.0p per kg and £1,265.60 gross.
Since the news came out in the John O'Groat Journal that Stage coach are to change bus services for Gills and John O'Groats protests have been getting louder. the proposed bus timetable changes from 20th August which effectively abolish the direct route from Wick to John o'Groats and Gills.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed a new regional head of innovation and technology. Based in An Lòchran, Inverness, David Howie is responsible for a dynamic portfolio that includes all HIE activities on innovation, technology and advanced engineering.
Whether you're a school leaver looking to make the best of your qualifications; a job seeker looking for a new opportunity; a careerist looking for a change of direction, or maybe one of our work based qualifications is what you're after. Whatever it is, we have something for you.
A major new survey gets underway this week to track the changing attitudes and aspirations of young people in relation to the Highlands and Islands. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has commissioned the work.
Highland Council's Trading Standards team will be supporting national Scams Awareness Month during June. The national campaign is being organised by Citizens Advice and is about creating a network of confident, alert consumers who ‘don't miss a trick’ when it comes to scams.
The Highland Council, in partnership with Enterprise Car Club an E-Car Club, have recently launched car clubs at multiple Council offices throughout the region. The scheme's newest location, Fort William, is being launched on 4th June 2018 and will form part of a 6-month pilot.
FORT WILLIAM now has access to free WiFi in and around the centre of the town thanks to a project led by the Highland Council and funded by the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. The free WiFi, called "High-Fi", is aimed at stimulating economic growth and will increase digital inclusion across the Highlands.
Tourism: Interesting to note that Whitbread have this week confirmed an intention to submit planning application to build a Premier Inn in Thurso. The proposal is for ground near Thurso railway station, and the news has been given a cautious welcome, with some questions about effects on existing hotel businesses.
An Entrepreneurial Academy is being rolled out across the Highlands and Islands to support the region's entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth. Originally launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 2017, the Entrepreneurial Academy will now provide a series of one day, practice-based workshops across the region.
The Entrepreneurial Sales workshop is part of the Entrepreneurial Academy workshop series being delivered across the Highlands and Islands region in 2018-20 This workshop gives you a structured six-point process to help understand the selling cycle from initial research to generate leads to post-sale management of the account. It provides you with practical tools and techniques to build rapport with potential customers, understand buyers' motivations, present the features and benefits of your product or service, handle objections and close the sale.
Reacting to the publication today (31 May 2018) of the Auditor General's report on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Denise Christie, regional secretary of the FBU in Scotland, said: "Many areas of this report are extremely concerning for firefighters and the communities of Scotland. The FBU are extremely proud of the work firefighters do but we have concerns about the management and funding of the service.
Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, has announced that 12 beaches in the Highlands have received Scottish Beach Awards in 2018, recognising the high standards provided to users - from keeping sand litter free to providing excellent information and accessible amenities. Signalling the start of the traditional Scottish bathing season on 1st June, the annual Scottish Beach Awards celebrate some of the best managed beaches in the country and act as a benchmark for local environmental quality on Scotland's coastline.
Speaking after the passing of the Scottish Government's Islands (Scotland) Bill, Cllr Margaret Davidson, Leader of the Highland Council said: "I welcome the passing of this Bill which recognises the importance of our Island communities and considers the impact of legislation and policies on people who live there. "The Bill refers to a national islands plan which is aimed at improving outcomes for island communities and I really look forward to positive discussions with the Scottish Government about this plan.
Turning the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) into a more flexible, modern service has been steady but slow, says the Auditor General. Caroline Gardner's report says real progress has been made with integrating the eight former services into a single body.
The trial expansion of early learning and childcare in 6 centres in Highland was welcomed by Members of Highland Council's Care, Learning and Housing Committee today (30 May 2018). The aim of the expansion is to provide high quality, flexible early learning and childcare that is accessible and affordable for families.
Everyone north of the Kessock Bridge will be thankful for improvements to this junction. So many of us have wasted time and burnt fuel waiting to get through it.
The work of Highland Council's Care and Learning Service to provide sustainable quality education in Highland communities was further endorsed today by members of the Council’s Care, Learning and Housing Committee. Members gave their approval to the reframing of the previous "Management in Schools Programme" to an updated and revised “Sustainable Education in Highlands” programme.
People to have their say on Scotland's public services. People across Scotland are being invited to join a conversation about community decision-making to help make public services more locally focused.
