News Archive

Enhanced ePlanning goes live in the Highlands on Tuesday 23rd February

An enhanced online system enabling people to submit planning applications, appeals against decisions, and track progress of proposals in the Highlands goes live on Tuesday 23rd February.   Applications will be processed electronically by a team of seven staff based at the Council's electronic processing centre in Inverness.  

Young People To Feature At Highland Environmental Conference

On Saturday 6 March 2010 The Highland Council will be hosting a conference in Inverness organised by the Highland Environmental Network (HEN) on the theme of encouraging young people to connect with the environment.   Entitled "Making Green the new Black", the day long event will feature guest speakers and workshops and will look at creative ways to get young people involved with their environment.  

National Skills Academy Nuclear Bursaries

Bursary Award - Fourth Round The National Skills Academy for Nuclear in partnership with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is rolling out a fourth round of their Bursary award scheme.   The scheme is aimed at quality individuals on programmes of study relevant to the decommissioning sub sector of the nuclear industry and includes Foundation Degrees, Honours Degrees, Masters Degrees and Post graduate CPD qualifications.  

Castletown Young Mothers Project Open Day Tuesday 16th February

A Young Mother's Project that was launched late last year in the Castletown area, is to hold an open morning in the Castletown Hotel on Tuesday 16th February.   The event will run from 10:00 to 12:00 and is for all Young Mums in the Castletown and surrounding areas.  

HIE Chief Executive To Take On Green Energy Role

Sandy Cumming CBE, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the past nine and a half years, plans to leave the organisation next month and take on a new, national role.   Mr Cumming (57), is the Scottish Government's choice to help spearhead the development of renewable offshore energy across the public sector in Scotland.  

Dounreay Heritage - Have Your Say

Dounreay was the centre of the UK's fast reactor research and development programme from 1955 until 1994, and is now Scotland's largest nuclear clean-up and demolition project.  By 2025, DSRL expects to have completed the decommissioning of the site.  

Support For Councils and Businesses

Package includes extra cash for road repairs and rate savings for 60 per cent of Scottish businesses Scottish councils are to receive a funding increase in 2010-11 to help protect frontline services despite the Westminster-imposed cut in the Scottish Budget.   Finance Secretary John Swinney today confirmed a package of support for local government and business in Scotland which includes: * Total funding for councils in 2010-11 of almost 12 billion pounds * Confirmation that councils will continue to receive an increasing share of the total Scottish Budget * Five million pounds over and above the funding settlement to be shared among councils to repair damaged roads following severe cold snap * A drop in business rates for almost 60 per cent of Scottish firms, delivering average savings of more than 1,300 pounds annually * Help for councils to manage the costs of back claims for equal pay Mr Swinney said:"We recognise the very real challenges faced by councils and businesses in a challenging climate.  

Population projections for the Highlands

If the trends of recent years continue, the population of the Highlands is set to reach 257,965 by 2033, representing an increase of 18% (38,565) from the 2008 population of 219,400.  This is a higher rate of population increase than given by the previous 2006-based projections.  

Highland Libraries launch High-CAT!

Readers in the Highlands can now browse a new library catalogue system provided by The Highland Council.  Talis Prism 3 known as High-CAT has been launched by the Council's Highland Libraries, the first local authority Library service in Scotland to provide the service.  

Council Tax Frozen For Another Year

Council Tax frozen as Council sets £607 million budget for 2010-11 The Highland Council will be asked to confirm savings of £12.1 million when they meet on Thursday 11 February to set a revenue budget of £607.2 million for 2010-11 and confirm a freeze on the Council Tax.  The budget is based on the Council Tax at Band D remaining at £1,163 for the fourth successive year.