News Archive
14/5/2013
Highland Council approves revised Planning Enforcement Charter
The Planning, Environment and Development Committee of the Highland Council today (15th May) approved a revised version of the Planning Enforcement Charter which details the Council’s statement of enforcement policy and procedure for dealing with breaches of planning control. The Highland Council has powers to enforce planning controls in cases where they have been breached, such as when development is carried out without planning permission, conditions of a planning permission or original plans are not complied with, or unauthorised work is conducted on Listed Buildings or protected trees.14/5/2013
Decrofting legislation introduced to parliament
Decrofting legislation to tackle specific difficulties owner-occupier crofters are facing when decrofting their land has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse announced recently that the Scottish Government would bring forward a Bill which will amend the crofting legislation.
14/5/2013
New Common Fisheries Policy Takes A Step Forward
Mechanisms to deliver important aspects of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) have been thrashed out by the European Fishing Ministers. Covering important areas such as the discard ban and regionalisation – and following input from the European Parliament – the details agreed are crucial to the new CFP being workable and giving the flexibility needed to deliver a better future for Scotland’s fishing industry.
14/5/2013
Help For New Entrants To Farming
New farmers can now get financial support thanks to a new scheme opened by the Scottish Government today. £2 million worth of funding will be available to support new entrants and deer farmers who are currently excluded from receiving single farm payments.
14/5/2013
Revised nitrates regulations take effect
A revised action programme to tackle nitrate loss from agricultural sources in Scotland comes into force today. The European Union’s Nitrates Directive aims to prevent or minimise nitrate pollutants draining from farmland and into surface waters and groundwater.13/5/2013
Revised proposals for £30m Spittal Hill Wind Farm
Revised proposals have been announced this week for a £30 million wind farm development at Spittal Hill, just over 2km north east of the village of Spittal in Caithness. Comprising up to 8 turbines, with an installed capacity of up to 24 megawatts (MW), the proposals have been brought forward by Spittal Hill Windfarm Ltd, owned by Statkraft and a group of Highland based shareholders.13/5/2013
Economic Growth A Priority For Caithness And Sutherland
The Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee of Highland Council will continue to pursue its interests in the economic growth of the area when it discusses Workforce Development and Skills Training at its next meeting at the Assembly Rooms, Wick on Monday 20 May. Councillor Deidre MacKay, Leader of the Area Committee said: “Members have received reports on the economic potential and current patterns of employment and unemployment in the area.13/5/2013
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 14th May 2013
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 14th) sold 63 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (41) averaged 231.8p (-2.0p) and sold to 249p per kg and £1,725.20 gross.13/5/2013
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2013
Employers all over Scotland will be encouraged to employ more Modern Apprentices as the second Scottish Apprenticeship Week gets underway on Monday 20 May. Skills Development Scotland wants to work with bosses to recruit 25,000 new Modern Apprentices – matching the 25,000 training last year across more than 80 different occupations.13/5/2013
Top Scot talks up the Highlands’ natural tourism credentials
One of Scotland’s most famous mountaineers, Cameron McNeish is helping endorse the Highlands’ natural credentials as part of the Year of Natural Scotland 2013. VisitScotland, in partnership with Highland Council, has launched its latest initiative to get people out and about during this year, targeting those living in Scotland and Northern England.
10/5/2013
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 6 May 2013 Energy/ Business Services: Ignis Wick Ltd, the company behind the combined heat and power scheme in Wick, have announced a further expansion of the district heating system with the connection later this month of the Wick Assembly Rooms. This will allow the north’s largest public performance venue to be heated entirely from renewable energy, enabling its oil-fired boiler to be switched off.9/5/2013
Gills Harbour Visit By Highland Council Convenor
Two top Highland Council leaders have been paying a fact-finding visit to Gills Harbour. Council convener Councillor Jimmy Gray and Caithness & Sutherland Area Committee chair Councillor Deirdre Mackay looked over facilities at the busy Canisbay facility, on the shores of the Pentland Firth's Inner Sound.
9/5/2013
Highland first time buyers to benefit from Council-backed mortgage guarantee scheme
First time homebuyers within The Highland Council area are set to benefit from the introduction of a mortgage guarantee scheme, using the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme model already successfully launched by a number of English councils. The scheme aims to support up to 33 new homebuyers in the current year in getting on to the property ladder.9/5/2013
Death and Injuries Caused by Disqualified Drivers - STOP THEM NOW
Police issue warning to disqualified drivers. The Highland and Islands Division continue to receive information and intelligence about drivers who drive illegally when they have been disqualified or do not hold an appropriate licence.9/5/2013
Five New Graduate Opportunities
Highland Council offers five new graduate opportunities. Five graduates will soon get the opportunity to conduct a six-month internship with The Highland Council under the pilot ‘Graduate Intern Programme’ developed and led by the Council’s Planning and Development Service.9/5/2013
Demolition gets under way at Wick Council offices
Work got under way today (Friday 10th May 2013) on the demolition of The Highland Council’s Caithness HQ at Market Place, Wick in readiness for an £8 million redevelopment of the town centre site as modern Council office accommodation. The Council has awarded a contract to Morgan Sindall to carry out the redevelopment of Market Place.
9/5/2013
Warning as fake "bargain" USB memory sticks hit the market
Buyers urged to beware of scams, stick to reputable traders. Scammers are trying to take advantage of the latest wave of large-capacity USB memory sticks by selling fake devices with much lower memory than advertised.7/5/2013
District Heating Network Expanding and Ready For New Customers
The district heating scheme in Wick is being expanded. Ignis is to supply heat to the Wick Assembly Rooms, which is the largest public performance venue north of Inverness.
6/5/2013
Europe Day 2013
Europe Day - EU Open Doors On 9 May 1950, Robert Schuman, the first President of the European Parliamentary Assembly, presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the 'Schuman declaration', is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.6/5/2013
