News Archive
13/7/2012
Contractors Deadline Extended By Highland Council
Deadline extended for local contractors to apply for construction works opportunities with Highland Council. Local contractors in the Highlands have been given an extra week within which to apply to The Highland Council to join its new Contractors Framework Agreement.13/7/2012
Salmond Announces Doubling Of Housing Fund
Rural communities to benefit from increase in Empty Homes Loan Fund. More affordable homes are expected to be created in Scotland's rural communities with the launch today of the Scottish Government's Empty Homes Loan Fund.9/7/2012
Council welcomes Scottish Open golf fans to the Highlands
The Highland Council is gearing up to play its part in the latest big event to take place in the area - the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open - to be played at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, near Inverness, from Thursday 12 July until Sunday 15 July. The Council has been working closely with the European Tour, the owners of the golf links, the police, Stagecoach, HIE and Event Scotland to ensure that the organisation of the event runs smoothly.
9/7/2012
Help For Highland Businesses To Create Jobs For The Unemployed
With many people facing increasing challenges in finding jobs and career opportunities The Highland Council, in partnership with the European Social Fund, has taken positive steps to help by launching an Employment Grants Scheme that will encourage and support businesses in the creation of additional posts for unemployed people. Targeted at small and medium sized businesses employing fewer than 250 people, a wage subsidy of up to £150 per week is available for 6 months to create additional and permanent posts.8/7/2012
Youth Trainee Project Is Springboard To Work Or Future Training
As part of a wider commitment to promoting youth employment, The Highland Council, with support from Europe, has launched a project which aims to be a springboard to full-time employment or future study or training for young people who have difficulty in securing work. The Youth Trainee Project has funding of £440,000 until March 2014 to provide 66 young people (16-24 years) with 6 months of paid work placements within Council Services.8/7/2012
Local Area Labour Markets In Scotland
Scotland's Chief Statistician 0n 5th July 2012 published statistics on Local Area Labour Markets in Scotland from the Annual Population Survey (APS). This publication presents annual estimates for a wide range of labour market indicators across local authority areas in Scotland.8/7/2012
Challenge For Scotland's Biodiversity
Scotland's Biodiversity strategy is set for a refresh to ensure it meets with new international requirements. Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson launched the consultation last Friday during a visit to the Linn of Dee as part of his three day visit to the Cairngorms National Park.8/7/2012
Schools IT Excellence Group Set Up
Education Secretary Michael Russell has appointed the Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Muffy Calder to convene an ICT Excellence Group to consider the future development of the schools' intranet 'Glow'. The new ICT excellence group will draw on the experience and expertise of end-users, and educational technology experts to scope the long-term user-centred future of Glow.8/7/2012
Call For Urgent Dairy Action
If a voluntary agreement cannot be reached to tackle plummeting milk prices then the option of legislation should be explored according Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead in a letter to DEFRA Agriculture Minister Jim Paice. The letter, which follows another round of price cuts imposed on Scotland's hard pressed milk producers, comes ahead of a meeting between Mr Paice and milk industry representatives on Wednesday, which will also be attended by Scotland's Chief Agricultural Officer Drew Sloan.8/7/2012
Underspend Should Generate Growth
UK Government underspend of £6.7 billion last year should be used to grow the economy, the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Secretary said today. New statistics published by HM Treasury show that UK Government departmental spending was £6.7 billion lower than planned in the year to March.6/7/2012
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update
Week ended 2 July 2012 This is a short message to update you on activities relating to the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership. Energy: The Marine Energy Group, which is co-chaired by Scottish Government and industry body Scottish Renewables, has published its Marine Action Plan, which updates on progress since the launch of the Marine Energy Roadmap in 2009 and highlights ongoing activities required of governments, agencies and private sector in five key areas to further development the marine energy industry.5/7/2012
Dounreay Closure Costs Down By One Billion Pounds
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority says significant acceleration in the clean-up and shutdown of Dounreay will bring real value to the taxpayer who funds the work. Its chief executive John Clarke, writing in the organisation's annual report published today, says the award of the site closure contract earlier this year was a milestone in the NDA's mission to clean up the UK's nuclear legacy and bring down the cost.
5/7/2012
New Recycling Bins Help Caithness Meet Recycling Targets
Figures released by The Highland Council to coincide with National Recycle Week show that the new refuse and recycling service introduced in Caithness in April 2011 has been a great success. This saw the introduction of a fortnightly refuse collection alternating with a fortnightly mixed recycling collection for paper, cardboard, food tins, drink cans and plastic bottles.
4/7/2012
NEW Natural Retreats John O'Groats to Open August 2012
Following a huge £6 million regeneration project of the area, luxury self-catering experts Natural Retreats are delighted to announce the opening of 23 standalone Residences, plus a brand new Outfitters activity service and co-operative Storehouse in the stunning wilderness of John O'Groats opening this August. With British patriotism at an all-time high and such a unique natural environment waiting to be discovered right here on our door-step, there's never been a better time to holiday at home in the UK.
4/7/2012
Serco Now In Charge Of NorthLink Ferries From Today
Serco Sets Sail - NorthLink Ferries Service Handover Complete Today, Thursday 5 July 2012, at 3pm Serco NorthLink Ferries officially began operating the Scottish Government contract for ferry services from the Scottish mainland to the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands. In Caithness the ferry "Hamnavoe" sets sail from Scrabster each day and gives great views of the west of Orkney including the Old Man Of Hoy.
4/7/2012
Victorian Escapee Arrested - Giant Hog Weed Under Control
Giant Hogweed is an impressive plant from the Caucasus region of far eastern Europe which can grow up to 12 feet tall and can have a flower head up to a foot across. These impressive statistics made it a plant that was sought after for Victorian estate gardens.
4/7/2012
The Shard Is Tallest Building In Europe - Can We See It From Wick?
The Shard opens to visitors: first tickets for 'The View from The Shard' go on sale 6 July 2012. Will you be the first Caithness person to go up to the visitors gallery?.
4/7/2012
Dounreay and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Working Together
As the opportunities for renewable energy increase in the North of Scotland, the lead partner in the Dounreay site, Babcock, announces its continued support to bring jobs into the area. The secondment of June Love, Dounreay, to support Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) activities in the sectors of Energy and Business Services demonstrates a real partnership working between the private and the public sectors.3/7/2012
Local Residents Wanted To Help Manage Community Fund
Residents living in three Community Council areas south and west of Wick are being recruited to be part of a local community panel to decide on how a £150,000 community fund should be distributed. Nominations are invited from residents of Latheron, Lybster and Clyth; Tannach and District; and Watten Community Council areas to represent their community on the E.ON Camster Community Fund panel when funds become available for community projects next year.3/7/2012
