News Archive

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Energy & Business services: Pelamis Wave Power has issued a project update on its Farr Point project off the coast of north Sutherland.  The company reports on the results consultation work and survey work in support of its likely application later this year to Marine Scotland for a 10MW array of Pelamis wave devices.  

Good progress with new school provision in Wick

The main construction contract for the new £15.4M Noss Primary School in Wick has been signed.  The site, on the existing North Primary School campus, is already cleared and ready for the foundation work to begin.  

Trading Standards launch doorstep and distance selling business advice survey

New rules that apply to business activities in an off-premises contract, such online sales, mail order, telephone sales and agreements made in a consumer's home came into force on 13th June 2014.   These new Regulations cover sales of goods and digital content and the supply of services and may affect a large proportion of Highland businesses involved home improvements, gardening and trades like plumbing, electrical, joinery, and painting as well as those Highland based businesses who regularly sell goods and services online by telephone or by mail order.  

Deloitte Consumer Tracker: Confidence Gathers Pace Across the UK

* Consumer confidence continues to improve and is now four points higher than a year ago; * The North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland see a six percentage point rise in confidence concerning household disposable income in Q2 vs Q1; * Overall, confidence about disposable income increases by 11 points year-on-year; * Confidence over level of debt falls two points since last quarter.   * The North of England*, Scotland and Northern Ireland saw a sharp rise in consumer confidence in Q2 2014, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker.  

Carbon Trust Comment on UK Government Launch of £20 Million Electricity Demand Reduction Pilot

Paul McKinney, EDR Project Director at the Carbon Trust, said:"Reducing peak time electricity demand is an absolutely critical part of delivering a secure, low carbon energy system at the lowest cost, helping to keep the lights on in the UK.  And improving energy efficiency frequently comes with a rock-solid business case, so the decision to invest in it seems like it should be a no-brainer.  

Scottish Government Announces £2.2 Million to Cut Costs for Offshore Wind

A project to cut the cost of offshore wind by at least 10% is being awarded £2.2 million by the Scottish Government, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.   The Carbon Trust's Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme, a joint industry and government scheme, brings together nine offshore wind developers with over 72% (31GW) of the UK's licensed capacity.  

Scottish pensions complex, uncosted and uncertain after separation

The Scottish Affairs Committee publishes its report on the Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Implications for Pensions and Benefits.   A report published by the Scottish Affairs Committee says the Scottish Government's failure to properly cost its plans for both public and private pensions will leave Scots with uncertainty in an area where most value security.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Week Commencing 14th July 2014 Energy & Business services: We welcomed a new business to the area this week, with Aberdeen-based Process Safety Solutions (PSS) opening a new base at the HIE-owned Wick Business Park.  The opening was carried out by John Swinney MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth whilst the Scottish Cabinet was in Wick this week.  

Scottish Cabinet Meeting 14th July 2014 at Wick

The Scottish Cabinet are meeting in Wick as part of a series of public question and answer sessions.  Members of the public had the opportunity to ask questions of Ministers about 'Scotland's Future'..  

Island airports deliver passenger growth for HIAL

Passenger numbers at HIAL's regional airports grew by almost 8000 during the last quarter, with the group's island airports driving growth.   Latest figures for the last quarter (April - June) show that passenger numbers at HIAL’s 11 airports grew by 7806, an increase of 2.2% on the same quarter last year.