News Archive
29/6/2011
Need some funding to help you grow?
This article is from Business Gateway In response to the interest generated from the funding article in the previous e-zine, we thought it would be useful to highlight a few other potential sources of finance available to growing businesses. We receive thousands of enquiries every year on the subject of funding and although Business Gateway is not a funding body, we regularly point clients in the direction of sources of finance and can advise on the various issues surrounding funding applications.28/6/2011
Highlands and Islands Consortium
THE Highlands and Islands Consortium, which is made up of Argyll and Bute Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, The Highland Council, Moray Council, Orkney Council and Shetland Islands Councils, has awarded framework contracts for providing design services in civil engineering, transportation, planning and environmental related projects. Framework contracts are agreements which set out specific terms and conditions for contracts.28/6/2011
Bogus Holiday Clubs Warning
Don't be caught out by bogus holiday clubs and scams warns Highland Council Trading Standards Advice and Enforcement staff from The Highland Council's Trading Standards will be on hand this weekend at Inverness Airport to offer advice and information to Highland holidaymakers heading for the sun. Every year it is estimated that almost 400,000 UK consumers fall victim to bogus holiday clubs at a cost of over £1 billion.26/6/2011
Aberdeen Engineering Company Set To Expand Caithness Operation 
AMC Engineering Ltd, whose head office is at Findon just outside Aberdeen, is set to expand their Caithness division by building a new workshop at their site outside Lybster, with the assistance of a grant of £76,250 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Managing Director Andrew Polson, who hails from Caithness and whose parents still live on the family croft at Smerlie next door to the company's workshops, explained that the skill and application of the local work-force was a key factor in deciding to site the new workshop in the north.
24/6/2011
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership
Week commencing 20th June: Energy: DSRL and Caithness Chamber of Commerce hosted a visit to the area this week from Dan Mistry UKAEA Culham Division, who met with a range of local companies and organisations to inform them of potential supply chain opportunities in the international fusion research programmes. In our wash-up meeting with Dan after his two days in Caithness it was encouraging to hear his views on the area's engineering capabilities, and to have it confirmed that contracts in the fusion sector are within the engineering capabilities of area businesses.23/6/2011
Industry can lead way to deliver distinct Caithness & Sutherland tourism identity
A report issued this week outlines how Caithness and North Sutherland businesses could benefit from working more closely together to create an area wide tourism identity. Following widespread consultation involving tourism providers and visitors, analysis by the Tourism Resource Company (TRC) which was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to support regional growth, outlines growing markets and points out that many operators displaying individual strengths could come together to support the region.23/6/2011
High Life Highland Independent Directors Appointed
The Highland Council has appointed eight independent directors to serve on the board of its new arms length company, High Life Highland, which will deliver community learning and leisure services on behalf of the Council. They are: - Craig Ewan Douglas Graham Linda Kirkland Elizabeth McArdle Donald McLachlan Kenneth Nicol John Watt Laurence Young They will join four Highland Councillors on the board.23/6/2011
Council Agree To Moratorium On Rural Primary School Closures
The Highland Council has accepted the imposition of a one-year moratorium on rural school closures but is to seek an urgent meeting with Scottish Cabinet Secretary, Mike Russell, to discuss the Council's current procedures in regard to reviewing its education estate and the broader issues relating to the education of pupils in rural schools. Councilors accepted that the moratorium until June 2012 would be used to allow a commission on the delivery of rural education to review the legislation and its application and to make recommendations on how to reflect best practice.23/6/2011
Classroom Support Needs review Agreed
The Highland Council has agreed that the budget for the service provided by classroom assistants in primary schools be reinstated in 2011-12 and that further work is carried out to redefine the role of classroom support needs to ensure that future support is child-centred and needs-driven. The Council agreed recommendations of a cross-party Working Group, which received advice from a professsional task force.23/6/2011
Councillors oppose any move to close Fort George army base
The Highland Council is to write to Dr Liam Fox the Secretary of State for Defence and Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, expressing its opposition to any moves by the UK Government to close the army barracks at Fort George. Meeting in Inverness on Thursday23 June2011, the Council discussed an emergency report from Stuart Black, Director of Planning which highlighted the importance to the Highland economy of the Ministry of Defence base near Inverness.23/6/2011
Care and Health Service Integrations Moving On
Planning for Integration - the development of a lead agency model in Highland for care and health services Highland Councillors and Directors from NHS Highland have agreed to proceed with plans to integrate health, education and social care services in the Highlands. Meeting jointly for the third time in Inverness on Thursday 23 June 2011, the Council and NHS Highland confirmed their commitment to producing a model for care and support services for adults and children, that they believe can also influence developments across Scotland.23/6/2011
Council welcomes breakthrough in tug campaign
The Highland Council has welcomed the finding of a UK Government Transport Committee enquiry which calls on the UK Government to withdraw its controversial proposals to modernise the Coastguard Service and review its decision to withdraw funding for the four emergency towing vessels Astationed around the UK coast, including tugs at Stornoway and Lerwick. Leader Councillor Michael Foxley and TEC Services Chairman Councillor John Laing have strongly and persistently argued that the Government's proposals are flawed and believe the compelling findings of the cross-party committee must be taken on board without qualification.19/6/2011
A9 Kessock Bridge Works
Public Thanked for heeding the Messages to Car Share, Let the Train take the Strain, Work from home and Avoid Peak Hours. Scotland Transerv are this morning thanking the public for their very positive adoption of the above mitigation measures so far and thereby reducing significantly the vehicle numbers travelling over the Kessock Bridge.Manufacturing efficiency brings results for Highlands and Islands Businesses
Thirty manufacturing projects delivered in the Highlands and Islands last year have helped generate £1.9 million in productivity. The figures are being released by the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) which works across the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise areas.16/6/2011
Caithness Children Promote Recycling Message
An award winning mural designed by North Primary School promoting recycling has been used to create eye-catching banners which will be on display at the Council's Recycling Centres at Wick and Seater. The Recycling Mural competition, run by the Council's Waste Aware Team, proved to be very popular with 55 primary schools submitting a total of 119 entries, with a wide array of styles and ideas.16/6/2011
National Convener of Children's Hearings Scotland visits Highland
Bernadette Monaghan, the National Convener of Children's Hearings, Scotland, met with members of The Highland Children' Panel Advisory Committee on thursday 16 June 2011 as part of her consultation with local authorities on the future structure and function of the Children's Panel Area Support Teams. Her post, and the reform of the Children's Hearings system that is underway, are all the result of the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, which was passed in January 2011.16/6/2011
Former Pupil Returns As Head For North School
The new head teacher of Wick North Primary School is Ms Wendy Scollay who is currently head teacher at Kilchuimen Primary in Fort Augustus. Originally from Wick and a former pupil at Wick North Primary, Ms Scollay starts as head teacher at the school in August for the new term.16/6/2011
NDA - On Fuel Removal From Dounreay
NDA to seek views on removal of fuel from Dounreay. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is to publish a report about the proposed removal of its nuclear fuel from Dounreay and wants to hear the views of the public.
16/6/2011
A Step Closer For Integration Of Health & Social Work Services
Planning for Integration - development of a lead agency model in Highland for care and health services Highland Councillors and the NHS Highland Board will be asked next week to press ahead with plans for the integration of health and social care services. The Scottish Government is looking to the Highlands to produce a model for care and support services for adults and children, that can influence developments across Scotland.14/6/2011
