News Archive
27/5/2012
Tailored policies needed now for rural Scotland, argues new SAC report
National policies must be better tailored and localised for supporting rural Scotland, argues a new SAC Rural Policy Centre report published today 28th May 2012. Rural Scotland in Focus 2012 (RSiF 2012) draws together the available evidence to paint a detailed picture of rural Scotland today and how it is changing.
27/5/2012
Alleged Fraud at Hotels and B & B establishments - Female detained
Police in the Western Isles have traced a woman in connection with allegations of fraud at numerous Hotels and Bed and Breakfast establishments throughout the Highlands. The woman, who is 28 years of age was expected to appear at Stornoway Sheriff Court today, Monday, 28th May, 2012.25/5/2012
Taking The Highlands To Cannes
Twenty years of films locating in the Highlands being celebrated in Cannes. The Highlands of Scotland Film Commission, which is part of The Highland Council, is twenty years old, and to celebrate a brand new Highlands film app is being promoted in Cannes.
25/5/2012
Smart Grids To Create Up To 12,000 Jobs In Scotland
A key industry strategy to capitalise on Scotland's smart grid expertise and create thousands of new jobs in Scotland is published today. The strategy includes a target to create up to 12,000 new jobs by 2020, by supporting work to secure Scotland's place as an exemplar in smart grid adoption and as a leading international provider of Smart Grid technologies and know-how.25/5/2012
Scotland's lead in offshore renewables set to create thousands of jobs
Wave, tidal and offshore wind developments have international attention. Scotland is leading the world in the development of offshore renewables - according to two senior figures from development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).25/5/2012
New Committee Structure For Highland Council
The Highland Council will be asked at its next meeting on Thursday 31 May to agree a new committee structure and elect office-bearers. A motion from the Administration of SNP, Liberal Democrat and Labour Group members - to be moved by the Leader, Drew Hendry and Depute Leader David Alston - proposes the creation of four strategic committees, namely: Finance, Housing and Resources; Planning Environment and Development; Transport Environmental Community Services and Adult and Children's Services.25/5/2012
Alcohol minimum pricing bill passed
Cut-price alcohol will become a thing of the past after Parliament today passed the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill. This will pave the way for the introduction of a preferred minimum price of 50p per unit The move is a significant step forward in the Scottish Government's efforts to tackle Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol.25/5/2012
Scottish firms benefit from contracts website
Thousands of Scottish companies are landing contracts after signing up to a free website for public sector work, a report revealed recently. The Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) site advertises billions of pounds' worth of contracts offered by the Scottish public sector.25/5/2012
Digital Scotland Job Boost
Around £500 million will be invested to deliver next generation broadband to communities and businesses across Scotland by 2015, potentially supporting thousands of jobs and boosting Scotland's economy, Alex Neil pledged this week. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment was speaking as the Scottish Government published a procurement plan detailing how contracts will be awarded to reduce the digital divide and to deliver a significant improvement in speed and coverage of broadband for every community in Scotland by 2015.25/5/2012
Ministers reject regional pay proposals
The Scottish Government today submitted evidence to the independent UK pay review bodies which challenges the coalition government's economic case for regional pay. The UK Government is proposing to reduce the pay of those working in parts of the public sector by aligning pay with local market conditions.25/5/2012
Grow Your Own
The increasing appetite for 'grow your own' was served up a cash boost earlier this month by Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson Mr Stevenson announced a £600,000 package of support to encourage the development of more community growing and support the growth of Scotland's grow your own sector. £450,000 of the funding has been allocated to the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund and will be distributed to community growing projects over three years.25/5/2012
Millions for disadvantaged communities
Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital investment, in early Maay 2012 announced the new People and Communities Fund to promote and support community-led regeneration initiatives across Scotland, is open for applications. The People and Communities Fund will invest in community anchor organisations that deliver local regeneration activity and promote change in our most disadvantaged communities.25/5/2012
Consultation on controlling Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)
A movement ban on Persistently Infected cattle is being proposed as part of plans to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in Scotland. The next phase of the eradication programme kicked off today with a consultation into the latest stage of the scheme.25/5/2012
New children's bill announced
Legislation to deliver the best package of early learning and childcare in the UK will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament next year as part of the new Children and Young People Bill. Following consultation with local authorities, health boards, children's organisations and other experts, the Bill will bring together, and enhance, earlier plans for separate legislation on children's services and rights to better support Scotland's children and families.25/5/2012
Improving police and fire reform
Amendments to ensure police and fire reform plans are as robust as possible have been announced by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. The series of Stage 2 amendments to the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill have been tabled by the Scottish Government, listening to recommendations from the service, staff associations, the Justice Committee and others.25/5/2012
£18 million marine energy fund open for bids
A multi-million pound fund to help develop Scotland's first commercial wave and tidal power arrays was opened in Aberdeen. Addressing the AllEnergy conference in Aberdeen, First Minister Alex Salmond announced that Scotland's Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) was now open for bids by marine energy developers.25/5/2012
Welfare Reform Bill
The Scottish Parliament has taken steps that could help to mitigate against draconian reforms to the benefits system being introduced by the Westminster coalition. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the passing of Stage One of the Welfare Reform Bill.25/5/2012
600,000 for "inspirational" awards programme
An innovative awards scheme that brings together young people from different backgrounds to work for the benefit of their communities will be backed by a 600,000 pounds grant from the Scottish Government, First Minister Alex Salmond announced this week. The Outward Bound Trust, together with The Mark Scott Foundation will receive the funding over the next three years to help expand their work tackling divisive issues in society through practical community projects, enabling more young people in Scotland to take part.22/5/2012
Police urge cyclists to 'Lock it or Lose it'
As summer approaches, Northern Constabulary is reminding cyclists about the importance of locking their bikes, every time they use them. Bicycle theft is a problem nationwide, and the Highlands are no exception.22/5/2012
