News Archive
25/9/2011
Changes to sale and promotion of alcohol from 1st October
From 1st October 2011 consumers in Scotland face fresh restrictions on how they can buy alcohol and the way in which promotions are advertised. The new rules are the result of changes introduced by the Alcohol (Scotland) Act 2010.23/9/2011
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd Sale 24th September 2011
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (September 24th) sold 383 rams and females at its annual show and sale sponsored by Norvite. The overall show champion and winner of the Mountrich trophy was a Suffolk shearling from Mr J.22/9/2011
Sustainable Tourism Features At European Conference
Over 140 delegates from across Europe will be arriving in Inverness next week to take part in a conference looking at ways European destinations can promote the growth of sustainable tourism in mountain areas. The Sustainable Active Tourism Conference is being organised by The Highland Council in partnership with Euromontana to put the spot light on current issues surrounding developing tourism in mountain areas across Europe.22/9/2011
Potential November Closure Of Section of A82
Forestry Commission Scotland is urging transport companies, tour operators, haulage contractors and all other road users to be aware of a proposed closure of the A82 south of Fort William in late November / early December. The proposed closure would be required to carry out the controlled removal of a 200-250 tonne, unsafe rock from the hillside above the road.22/9/2011
'New' Drug On The Streets
Grampian Police and NHS Grampian have recently issued a warning to heroin users in the region in light of a recent drug-related death and an unconnected recovery of drugs in Aberdeen. It was confirmed that the Class A drug Fentanyl, a white powder sometimes called 'China White', had been implicated in a 40 year old man's death.20/9/2011
New Part-time Sheriffs Appointments
Part-time sheriffs Scottish Ministers have announced today 15 new appointments to the office of part-time sheriff. The appointments were recommended by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.20/9/2011
Council To Consult On Small-scale Wind Turbines
Council to consult on draft supplementary guidance for small-scale wind turbine proposals The Highland Council, in recognition of the demand and potential of small-scale wind turbine developments has produced Draft Supplementary Guidance and now wishes to consult over the proposals. Chairman of the PED committee, Councillor Ian Ross said: "The development of small-scale renewables, particularly of wind generators, can make a significant contribution to meeting energy needs at a local level.20/9/2011
Push For Education Improvement
There will be no let-up in taking forward improvements in Scottish schools following the roll-out of Curriculum for Excellence, Education Secretary Michael Russell said today at the Scottish Learning Festival in Glasgow. He outlined a number of actions which aim to build on recent momentum, including: Additional support for parents and teachers to ensure understanding of the new qualifications under development is maximised.20/9/2011
Scottish Government - Health
Health - Spending Review Resource funding for health in Scotland is set to increase by £826 million over the next three years. This will mean a record budget of more than £11.6 billion in 2012-13 and delivers on the Scottish Government's commitment to pass on the Barnett resource health consequentials in full to the NHS in Scotland.20/9/2011
Scottish Government - Capital Investment
A targeted capital investment programme worth around £9 billion over the next three years will create and support thousands of jobs, boosting Scotland's economy, Alex Neil said today. Commenting on today's Spending Review the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment welcomed the decision to switch over three quarters of a billion pounds from resource expenditure to support the capital programme from this year to 2014-15.20/9/2011
Education - Spending Review
Key investments in education will ensure Scotland's future workforce is equipped to achieve greater economic success, Education Secretary Michael Russell said today. The Spending Review 2011 includes: £50 million investment in an Early Years Change Fund over the next four years A deal with councils to maintain teacher numbers in line with pupil numbers Delivery of 100,000 training places over the next year.20/9/2011
Scottish Government Spending Review
Spending Review 2011 Over three quarters of a billon pounds will be transferred from resource expenditure into the capital investment programme to support economic recovery, it was announced today. The Scottish Spending Review 2011, published today, confirms that despite a 36 per cent real terms cut to Scotland's capital budget in the UK spending review, Government-supported investment will grow over the next three years.20/9/2011
Low carbon Scotland - Spending Review
Funding included in today's draft budget and Spending Review will help to tackle fuel poverty and energy inefficiency, as well as develop the low carbon economy and bring jobs and investment to Scotland. The Review, announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney, will help Scotland achieve its targets for renewable energy.20/9/2011
Culture - Spending Review
Culture - Spending Review The Culture and External Affairs budget is investing in people, places and opportunities to increase sustainable economic growth, Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop said today. Among the initiatives to be delivered through the portfolio is a new Young Scots Fund that will provide opportunities over the next four years for emerging young talent - in creativity, sport and enterprise.20/9/2011
Scottish Government Rural & Environment
Rural and Environment - Spending Review Opportunities to make our rural communities even stronger and increase their already significant contribution to economic growth is our main focus for the next three years said Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead today. Mr Lochhead said rural communities will continue to play a key role in rebuilding our economy and the budget published today will enable us to grow the rural economy through community empowerment; improving rural connectivity, building our world class food and drink industry and enhancing our natural resources as well as supporting renewables and tackling climate change.20/9/2011
Spending Review 2011 - John Swiney Speech
Finance Secretary John Swinney Statement to Scottish Parliament Wednesday, September 21, 2011 __________________________ Presiding Officer, in this statement, I welcome the opportunity to present to Parliament the Scottish Government's Draft Budget for 2012-13 and our spending plans for the subsequent two years. This Spending Review falls at a defining moment.20/9/2011
Crofting Reform
The modernisation of Scotland's vital crofting sector has taken an 'important step forward' with the second phase of the Act's commencement. As part of the implementation of the Crofting Reform Act 2010, the order laid in parliament will bring into force sections that will: Transform the Crofters Commission into the Crofting Commission with a new constitution and powers commencing on 1 April 2012 Place duties on tenant and owner-occupied crofters to occupy and work their crofts, to be enforced by the Commission, from 1 October 2011.20/9/2011
Justice - Spending Review
Investment has been prioritised in front-line services aimed at making Scotland's communities safer and reducing criminal activity as part of spending plans announced today by the Scottish Government. With recorded crime now at a 35 year low, reoffending levels at their lowest in over a decade and more than nine out of ten people rating their neighbourhoods as good places to live, Ministers have vowed to continue focussing investment on the areas that will make the greatest impact on protecting the public and the communities in which they live.19/9/2011
Post Office Allocations To Help Diversify
Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing today announced £1 million in allocations under the Scottish Government's Post Office Diversification Fund which will help to support business activities around local post offices The Fund, which recognises the vital role that post offices can play in supporting communities, will award up to £25,000 to 48 post offices in 24 areas. Successful applications include plans to create a community enterprise office and internet cafe.19/9/2011
