News Archive
1/10/2012
Highland Businesses Given Help to Seize Wind Farm Opportunities
One of the UK's leading renewable energy developers is holding Meet the Buyer events in Inverness and Thurso for businesses interested in seizing opportunities in the growing sector. RWE npower renewables, an already established developer and operator of both wind farms and hydro electric plants in the region, is hosting the session for the wide range of businesses which could play a part in projects they, and other developers, have in the pipeline for the Highlands and Islands.29/9/2012
Protection Against Whooping Cough
Pregnant women will be vaccinated against whooping cough to protect their newborn babies following a rise in cases amongst young infants. The vaccination programme aims to boost the short-term immunity passed on by pregnant women to protect their newborn babies - who normally cannot be vaccinated until they are eight weeks old.29/9/2012
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week Commencing 24th September 2012 Energy: Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd, the consortium of EDP Renewables and Repsol, will be holding public meetings in the north next week to update on its submission to Scottish Government to construct offshore wind projects at three fields (Telford, Stevenson and MacColl) in the outer Moray Firth, just off the coast of Caithness. The events will be at Helmsdale Community Centre on Monday 1st October from 12-8pm and at Mackay's Hotel, Wick, on Tuesday 2nd October from 12-8pm.29/9/2012
£3 Million For Youth Employment Schemes
Thousands of young Scots will be helped into jobs following the allocation of £3 million Scottish Government funding for the third sector. Twenty-four projects across Scotland will receive investment from the Third Sector and Social Enterprise Challenge Fund with projections showing that 2,019 young people will be given the chance to improve their employability.29/9/2012
Fall In Farm Payment Euro Rate
The exchange rate to be used for the 2012 Single Farm Payment Scheme is €1 = £0.7985, the Scottish Government has confirmed. The exchange rate to be used was set on Friday by the European Central Bank and has fallen when compared with last year.29/9/2012
Short Breaks For Carers
More than 2,600 adult and young carers from across Scotland will benefit from the latest round of funding from the Scottish Government's Creative Breaks programme. Almost £1 million from the programme will support over 60 projects, giving carers and young carers the chance to enjoy a range of activities, including residential weekend stays, daytime breaks, social activities, overnight and therapeutic woodland based activity breaks.29/9/2012
Funding To Help Planners With Wind Applications
A fund to help Planning Authorities deal with high numbers of applications for wind turbines has now opened for business. The £300,000 funding will be available to help those planning authorities who have experienced a significant increase in the number of planning applications for wind turbines, putting pressure on their ability to meet statutory deadlines.29/9/2012
NHS Treatment Law Comes Into Force
From today, NHS patients requiring planned inpatient or day case treatment will be covered by a 'Treatment Time Guarantee' enshrined in law. The guarantee will mean that patients will have a legal right to receive treatment within a maximum of 12 weeks from when they are diagnosed and agree to the treatment.29/9/2012
Scotland Ready For Winter
The extensive range of specialist equipment that will be used to clear Scotland's roads this winter was on display in Edinburgh on Thursday. Other measures and improvements implemented since the winter of 2010-11 include: A commitment to have more salt stocked at the start of this winter than used across Scotland in the entire winter of 2010-11 A strengthened network of weather stations and new cameras at 24 sites to improve decision-making New guidance for Operating Companies on when to use alternative de-icers that work in severe conditions Publication of daily gritting plans to give the public and media more access to more information about the treatments taking place A Freight Scotland Hotline for drivers to highlight network problems and guidance for HGV drivers New YouTube on Winter Service Provision produced for key stakeholders and the public Transport Scotland sits on the World Road Association Winter Technical Committee to discuss international lessons Transport Minister Keith Brown tested two RAIKO Ice Breakers which have been purchased by Transport Scotland.28/9/2012
Visitors Fall For The Highlands This Autumn
Autumnal short breaks and holidays in the Highlands are being promoted as part of the national tourism organisation's latest seasonal push. A promotional destination teaser entitled Explore Scotland - We'll point you in the right direction has been developed in partnership with Highland Council.27/9/2012
Get Bids In Fast for Play Parks
Community groups to benefit from Landfill Community Fund. Highland community groups are being invited to make a bid for a new tranche of £100,000 of funding, to develop or enhance children's play areas.26/9/2012
Council Goes for Preventative Spending
£3 million preventative spending aims to promote wellbeing of young, old and deprived. The Highland Council has published proposals to improve the circumstances of young people, older adults and those struggling with deprivation by committing at least £3 million of the Council's budget each year on earlier interventions to stop situations getting worse.26/9/2012
Big Council Office Reductions Proposed For Inverness and Dingwall
Office review in Inverness and Dingwall identifies scope for rationalisation. Highland Councillors have been advised that reducing the number of Council offices in Inverness and Dingwall from 22 to 4 by 2020 has the greatest potential to deliver significant benefits and improved value to the Council when compared to retaining the current office estate.26/9/2012
New Secondary School for Inverness
Council welcomes funding boost for IRA replacement. The Highland Council has warmly welcomed confirmation that Inverness Royal Academy is one of the 67 schools in Scotland to benefit from major funding from the Scottish Government's "Scotland's Schools for the Future Phase 3" Programme.25/9/2012
FREE Christmas Advertising For Caithness Businesses
If your business is located in Caithness and you want to let everyone know about your Christmas stock then send us a short item with a photo (jpeg) and we will set it up for you on these pages. Just email your item to bill[AT]caithness.org any time over the next few weeks.24/9/2012
On Or Under the Water With Mackay Underwater Technology
"Professional Equipment for Work & Leisure, At, On or Under the Water" Mackay Underwater Technology - Watersports is based at Wick harbour, close to the marina, and offers a wide range of quality chandlery equipment to the boat user. "With the success of Wick's marina, and the county's deep seated tradition of working at sea, it seemed only logical to expand the business into the chandlery area.
24/9/2012
Contracts awarded for early design work on A9 dualling programme
A9 dualling Perth to Inverness "Work to dual the A9 by 2025 is gathering pace with the award of two major contracts this week" said Transport Minister Keith Brown today. The Minister was speaking as he announced details of two consultants appointed to undertake preparatory work for dualling 80 miles of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.24/9/2012
Council deals with weather impact in the Highlands
Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Services (TECs) staff are currently dealing with weather-related incidents in Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey and Lochaber. TEC Services staff have cleared one fallen tree on the B970 at Insh and three trees on Carr Road at Carrbridge.24/9/2012
Agricultural Census Shows Need For Coupled Payments
The latest agricultural census in Scotland highlights the need for continuing Common Agricultural Policy coupled payments. That was the message from Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead as he commented on the June 2012 Scottish Agricultural Census which was published today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.24/9/2012
