News Archive
18/11/2012
Highlands and Islands Businesses Learn Exporting Tips
Businesses interested in moving into international markets attended an export training event held in Inverness on Wednesday and Thursday this week. In partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) held two Smart Exporter courses this week – ‘Introduction to Developing your International Tourism Markets’ and ‘Preparing to Export: Introduction’.18/11/2012
Six Communities for Broadband Pilot - Can Yours Qualify
Six communities selected for Community Broadband pilot. Residents in six communities across Scotland are to benefit from a £5 million fund to bring next generation broadband to hard to reach rural areas.18/11/2012
Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee - Second Meeting At Wick
A meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee will take place in the Assembly Rooms, Sinclair Terrace, Wick, KW1 5AB on Monday, 19 November 2012 at 10.30 am. Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.18/11/2012
Impact of Independence on UK Economy?
Rupert Soames, CEO of Aggreko plc, will be questioned by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on Tuesday 20 November 2012, as part of their inquiry into the impact on the UK economy of Scottish independence. The Committee will quiz Mr Soames on issues including.18/11/2012
Equity Swaps and Revised Arrangements with Caithness Oil Limited
Trapoil (AIM: TRAP), the independent oil and gas exploration and appraisal company focused on the UK Continental Shelf ("UKCS") region of the North Sea, is pleased to announce the signing of a legally binding agreement with Caithness Oil Limited ("Caithness") and its parent company. Caithness Petroleum Limited ("Caithness Petroleum"), to exchange equity interests and vary certain of Caithness' pre-existing farm-in obligations in respect of the Knockinnon (Licence P.1270, Block 11/24) and Forse (Licence P.1286, Block 11/23 and Licence P.1270, Block 11/24) prospects, subject to the satisfaction of certain pre-conditions.17/11/2012
Waste Management Review
A review is to be made of The Highland Council’s waste management strategy to ensure the Council meets its new statutory requirements under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012. The 2011/12 household recycling rate for Highland was 46% and equivalent municipal waste recycling rate was 40%.17/11/2012
Road Safety Advice - Winter Conditions
Below are some important tips being offered by Police. During the winter months, road conditions can be extremely difficult and dangerous.17/11/2012
River Ness Flood Scheme Update
Work on diverting vital Services beside the River Ness to pave the way for the flood defences which will protect 800 homes and 200 businesses in Inverness will impact next week on the Ness Bridge at its junction with Castle Road, Bank Street and Bridge as well as on Huntly Street, between Young Street and Greig Street. The travelling public are advised that work will be carried out overnight (8pm - 6 am) on Monday (19 November), Tuesday (20 November) and Wednesday (21 November) at the Ness Bridge/Castle Road/Bank Street/Bridge Street junction.17/11/2012
Chancellor must act on reality of flat-lining economy
The Chancellor must take urgent action in his Autumn Statement to tackle unemployment and stimulate growth, First Minister Alex Salmond said today. Speaking after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published labour market figures, Mr Salmond said George Osborne must address the reality of the UK’s flat-lining economy and not hide behind the impact of the Olympics afterglow on employment in parts of the UK.17/11/2012
Salt supplies at maximum levels in readiness for winter
Salt supplies in the Highlands are at maximum levels as The Highland Council prepares for the winter. Stocks stand at 67,300 tonnes.17/11/2012
Majority concerned about cost of energy bills this winter
Households across the country are being urged to act now to cut their bills and make their homes warmer through a national public awareness campaign launched today, which aims to encourage people to call the Home Energy Scotland Hotline [0800 512 012] for free energy advice and support. This comes after a new survey1 found that almost 80 per cent (77%) of Scots are concerned about the cost of their energy bills this winter.
17/11/2012
Salmon Is Far Eastern Promise
If Scotland could secure an extra 1 per cent of Japan's salmon import market it would increase the value of exports to Japan by 100 per cent, to approximately £6.4 million. That was the message from Scotland's Food and Drink Secretary Richard Lochhead today as he visited the world-famous Nobu restaurant in Tokyo where top quality Scottish salmon is now served.
17/11/2012
Achieving a fairer deal for Internet shoppers
A campaign spearheaded by The Highland Council to win a fairer deal for consumers over delivery charges for goods bought on the internet, especially for those living in remote communities, is continuing to produce beneficial outcomes for consumers. Members of The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee heard on Thursday how the work being carried out by Trading Standards professionals across the North of Scotland.17/11/2012
New challenge prize fund for young innovators
Prize money worth up to £300,000 plus a year’s dedicated business support is up for grabs in a new competition for Scotland’s young innovators. The Young Innovators Challenge – launched today by First Minister Alex Salmond and Youth Employment Minister Angela Constance – will be open to young people aged 18-24 who are in their final year of college or university, taking part in a national training programme or studying for a Modern Apprenticeship.Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration - Latest Update
Week commencing 12th November 2012 Enabling activities: Partners developing a one day event aimed at highlighting current and future job opportunities met this week to agree a revised timetable of work, leading to the staging of an event in February next year. The day will involve businesses, Caithness Chamber of Commerce, agencies such as Job Centre Plus, Skills Development Scotland, Highland Council and HIE, as well as North Highland College and a range of training providers.17/11/2012
23,000 to be helped into training or education
Protected student places and a key role in the drive to get young people into employment will place colleges at the heart of Scotland’s economic growth. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Education Secretary Michael Russell reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s support for the sector and the reforms being undertaken to ensure it fully delivers for Scotland’s people and the economy.15/11/2012
Revised Guidance on Small Scale wind Turbines
In recognition of the demand and potential of small-scale wind turbine developments in the Highlands and following a public consultation, The Highland Council has revised its Supplementary Guidance for Small-Scale Wind Turbines. The document will now become part of the statutory adoption process to be passed on to the Scottish Government.14/11/2012
Council Introduces New Crackdown On Dog Fouling
New campaign urges owners to clean up after their dogs. A new poster campaign has been launched in the Highlands to remind dog walkers that people who do not pick up after their pets have fouled will be issued a fixed penalty notice.
14/11/2012
Highlanders urged to get behind European Week for Waste Reduction
The Highland Council is set to hold a number of events to raise awareness of the importance of waste reduction as part of this year’s European Week for Waste Reduction (17 – 25 November). To celebrate the week, The Highland Council is joining organisations across the region in a bid to raise awareness of how even small changes can make a big different to the amount of waste we produce.13/11/2012
