News Archive
20/8/2012
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 21 August 2012
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (August, 21st) sold 67 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (46) averaged 205.7p (-2.7p) and sold to 225p per kg and £1,611.20 gross.20/8/2012
Guidance For Wind Planning Applications Launched
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has launched guidance designed to make planning applications for wind energy developments run more smoothly for developers, planning authorities and the communities affected. The guidance is a result of the GP Wind Project, a Scottish-Government led EU project which looked at the barriers to development of wind energy and ways of reconciling renewable energy objectives with environmental concerns, and actively involving communities in the planning process.20/8/2012
Highland Study Benefits Economy
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) will boast record numbers of students and generate an estimated £22.5 million into the economy after the Scottish Government invested £5.5 million to fund 1,000 additional places. The extra places were created as part of the Scottish Government's commitment to ensure every 16 to 19 year old in Scotland has a place in learning or education.19/8/2012
Council Budget Consultation With The Public 2012
The Highland Council has today (Monday 20th august 2012) launched a three-month long public consultation to help bridge a projected budget gap of almost £30 million over the next two financial years. A series of Ward Forums as well as briefing events with business, voluntary and specialist groups are planned before 19 October to complement the views expressed by staff, trade unions and the Council's Citizen Panel of 2,300 residents.19/8/2012
Measures To Tackle Anti-social Tenants
Scottish Government plans to give landlords more power to crack down on anti-social behaviour in social housing has won overwhelming backing, responses to a consultation have confirmed. More than 90 per cent of tenants groups and landlords support landlords being able to take into account previous anti-social behaviour when allocating social housing.16/8/2012
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Alasdair Hay will be the first Chief Officer of the new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The post will be one of the top fire jobs in the UK and one of the most demanding and high-profile roles in civic Scotland.
16/8/2012
All Change At Caberfeidh Court
Cairn Housing Association is pleased to announce that it's all change at Caberfeidh Court, Wick. After a fundamental review of the services offered at Caberfeidh Court it has been decided that the housing court at Wellington Avenue in Wick is to be redesignated as Retirement Housing.15/8/2012
Breakthrough In Delivery Charge Campaign
The Highland Council has made a breakthrough in its campaign to win a better deal for local consumers over delivery surcharges levied by internet companies. Since starting their investigations, Trading Standards officers have persuaded more than 20 internet trading companies to alter their trading practices to comply with the law.14/8/2012
Unemployment Falls For Fifth Consecutive Month
The latest labour market statistics, covering the three month period April to June 2012, show that for the fifth consecutive monthly statistics release employment in Scotland is rising and unemployment is falling. Scotland continues to have a higher rate of employment, a lower rate of unemployment and a lower rate of economic inactivity than the rest of the UK.13/8/2012
Gold Medallists Sought For Blooming Road Verges
The Highland Council wants members of the public to let them know where the most flowery road verges are in their local area with a view of looking to change cutting regimes to maximise the variety of flowers growing there. Chairman of TEC Services Committee, Councillor Graham Phillips said: "Safety is of course of paramount importance on roads, so cutting regimes will only be altered when it is safe to do so.
13/8/2012
Change To Late Hours Catering Licence Legislation
Businesses in the Highlands are being advised to consider whether a forthcoming change to the licensing of late hours catering establishments will mean that they may now require a late hours catering licence. A licence is currently required if businesses provide `meals or refreshments' to the public between 11pm and 5am, the most common types of premises being fast food takeaways and 24 hour opening supermarkets.9/8/2012
Probationer Teachers Welcomed To The Highlands
Over 100 probationer teachers were welcomed to the Highlands today at an induction meeting held at Milton of Leys Primary School, Inverness by Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of The Highland Council's Adult and Children's Services Committee. Hugh Fraser, Highland Council's Director of Education, Culture and Sport also welcomed the 103 probationers starting in the 2012/13 academic year.
9/8/2012
Highland Trading Standards Take Action On False Advertising
The Highland Council has today secured an order from Inverness Sheriff Court against an Inverness tourist business after an investigation by the council's Trading Standards Officers that was initiated following the receipt of a number of complaints about the activities of the business. Ali Raza Mohamed, who owns both the Highlander B&B in Ardconnel Street and Highlander Hostel in High Street, was found on more than one occasion to be falsely claiming membership of VisitScotland's quality assurance scheme.9/8/2012
Public Contracts To Boost Jobs And Economy
Changes to ensure public contracts do more to boost jobs, apprenticeships and the Scottish economy were revealed today. The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on new laws designed to improve the way the public sector buys goods, works and services.9/8/2012
Watchdog Calls For 21st Century Revamp Of Parcel Service
Thousands of people across the country are being penalised by poor parcel delivery services, watchdog Consumer Focus Scotland said today. Nearly 1 in 3 people have difficulties getting their parcel because of inconvenient opening hours at local delivery offices and collection points are too far away for over 1 in 10 people.7/8/2012
Back To School - Dates for 2012/13
Back to school: Primary pupils: Autumn term begins on 14th August Secondary pupils: Autumn term begins on 15th August Autumn Autumn term starts - 14 August 2012 (primary pupils) - 15 August 2012 (secondary pupils) Autumn term ends - 5 October 2012 Winter Winter term starts - 23 October 2012 (primary pupils) - 24 October 2012 (secondary pupils) Winter term ends - 20 December 2012 Spring Spring term starts - 7 January 2012 Mid term break - 11 to 15 February 2013 Spring term ends - 28 March 2013 Summer Summer term begins - 15 April 2013 Summer term ends - 28 June 2013 Public holidays Good Friday - 29 March 2013 Easter Monday - 1 April 2013 May Day - 6 May 2013 In-service days The first day back after summer - Monday 13 August 2012 (Primary and Secondary) The second day back after summer - Tuesday 14 August 2012 (Secondary only) The first day back after October break - Monday 22 October 2012 (Primary and Secondary) The second day back after October break - Tuesday 23 October 2012 (Secondary only) Three days following the February mid-term break - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 13, 14 and 15 February 2013 (Primary and Secondary).7/8/2012
Suggestions Wanted For Employment Land In North Highland
North Highland communities, landowners and businesses are being invited to make suggestions in a Highland Council 'Call for Sites' exercise which takes place from 8 August to 3 October 2012. The Council hopes the exercise will identify sites which may be suitable to support the marine renewables sector.6/8/2012
SQA results in Highland 2012
Delight at top grades. Highland pupils are celebrating a sharp increase in the number of candidates gaining top grades in this year's Higher exams.6/8/2012
SNH: new report will help inform renewables sector
Developers and planners in the renewables sector can now use a new report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on wild birds in an area of international importance to help inform future schemes. The SNH commissioned report 'Survey of the feeding areas, roosts and flight activity of qualifying species of the Caithness Lochs Special Protection Area' deals with Greenland white-fronted geese; greylag geese and whooper swans.
6/8/2012
