News Archive
1/4/2012
NDA Business Plan Sets Out Goals For Dounreay Clean-up
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority today publishes its business plan for 2012/13, setting out key clean-up goals for sites such as Dounreay to achieve. "Our business plan for 2012/2013 sees us entering into the second year of funding allocated in the last spending review," says NDA chief executive John Clarke.1/4/2012
Rural Parliament for Scotland
Scotland is a step closer to having its own rural parliament to empower rural communities and give them a greater opportunity to influence decision-making, network and share expertise. A report, published today, highlights the experiences of countries which already have rural parliaments, including the benefits and potential pitfalls, success stories and the various formats used.1/4/2012
Patients Law Comes Into Force
An independent advice service has been set up to offer advice and support to NHS patients across Scotland. As part of the Patients Rights Act, from April 2, the Patient and Advice Support Service (PASS) will raise awareness of patients rights and provide support to patients on how to give feedback about their healthcare.1/4/2012
Scotland Beats 2011 Green Energy Target
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has welcomed new figures that demonstrate Scotland will beat the 2011 renewables target. Statistics published today show that the amount of renewable electricity generated in 2011 rose 45 per cent on 2010 to 13,750 Gigawatt hours.[Forestry]
31/3/2012Log Building Course At Dunnet Forest
Dunnet Forestry Trust are holding a FREE log-scribing course in Dunnet Forest under the instruction of Dan Franklin www.woodenways.com who runs the British Isles School of Log Builders. The course will start on Monday 11 June 2012 and there will be a limited number of places available for students who must own their own chainsaw and hold a certificate of competence for crosscutting and chainsaw maintenance.
31/3/2012
"Flavours" A New Ice Cream Shop At John O'Groats
A new ice cream shop opened in John O'Groats today. "Flavours" will feature Capaldi's ice cream in addition to a range of sweets and other local yummies like cakes and chocolates.
31/3/2012
Drivers Fines And Penalty Points For Mobile Phones Use Soars
Drivers across the Highlands and Islands are being warned to concentrate on driving and not to use handheld mobile phones or other communication devices behind the wheel. The warning comes in the wake of concerns raised during Northern Constabulary's online engagement with young people on Facebook led by Chief Superintendent Innes.29/3/2012
170 Candidates to contest 22 Council multi-member wards
Full List Of Candidates on the Highland Council Web Site at http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/elections/highlandcouncilelections/list%20ofcandidates2012.htm The elections for the 80 seats on The Highland Council, being held on Thursday 3 May, will involve 170 candidates contesting all of the 22 multi-member wards. The breakdown of candidates is as follows: - Independent, 49; Scottish National Party (SNP), 33; Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, 22; Scottish Liberal Democrats, 18; Scottish Labour Party, 17; Scottish Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship, 9; Scottish Green Party, 4; UK Independence Party, 3; the Labour and Co-operative Party, 2; Scottish Liberal Democrat Focus Team, 2; Scottish Anti-Cuts Coalition, 2, All Scotland Pensioners Party, 1; No description,8.29/3/2012
Deadlines for Council Elections
Nominations Closed Thursday 29th March. 5 pm Wednesday 18 April: Deadline for receipt of new requests to vote by post or postal proxy, or to change or cancel an existing postal or proxy vote arrangement 5 pm Wednesday 25 April: Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy) except for medical emergencies.29/3/2012
3000 Highlanders To Pick Litter - Will You Join Them?
lmost 3,000 people from Highland signed up to tackle nations litter problem - will you join them? A campaign to support communities in their effort to tackle litter - one of the most commonly perceived problems affecting Scottish neighbourhoods and communities - gets underway this weekend. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead praised the efforts of almost 3,000 people from Highland who have already committed to taking part in the National Spring Clean, which runs from 1 April to 31 May, as he launched it at Portobello near Edinburgh (Thursday 29 March).29/3/2012
Council Welcomes New Sponsors of Scottish Open
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed today's news that global investment management group, Aberdeen Asset Management plc is the new title sponsor of the Scottish Golf Open, being held at Castle Stuart, near Inverness, between 12-15 July 2012. The Convener of the Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park was at Edinburgh Castle for the announcement by European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady CBE, Aberdeen Asset Management Chief Executive Martin Gilbert and the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, Scotland's First Minister.29/3/2012
New Rules Give More Protection For Scotland's Deer
New deer management rules coming into effect this weekend (1 April) will give more protection to Scotland's wild deer, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has advised. Changes to the Deer Scotland Act (1996) mean deer can no longer be culled during the close season without authorisation from SNH.29/3/2012
Regeneration Partnership Latest Update
Week commencing 26th March Energy: Understanding and responding to the skills required to support jobs in the energy sector was the subject of a meeting this week. Organised by Skills Development Scotland, the event brought together representatives from public sector bodies (SDS, JobCentre Plus, Highland Council, HIE, SQA) to hear from key energy/ power sector employers (Scottish & Southern Energy, Global Energy Group) and sector skills councils EU Skills (energy & utilities sectors) and OPITO (oil & gas).29/3/2012
Windfarm Industry To Share Thoughts On Bird Impacts
More than 80 developers, consultants and planners involved in windfarm development will gather in Battleby, near Perth on Tuesday (3 April 2012) to share information on assessing the impacts of windfarms on birds. The event is part of the themed Sharing Good Practice programme organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in partnership with the Scottish Windfarm Bird Steering Group (see Notes).29/3/2012
Independent Group Delighted With Nominations
Following the publication of the nominations for the Highland Council elections the Independent Group are delighted to see 54 individuals standing as independents. The present Independent Councillors have been working together and have produced a Charter of priorities and aims for the group in the next Council.28/3/2012
Successful culmination of Drugs Operation Asteroid
THE SENTENCING of Louis MacLean earlier this week (26 March 2012) at the High Court in Edinburgh is the culmination of a long term covert drugs investigation by Northern Constabulary, called Operation Asteroid. Louis MacLean was sentenced to four years and nine months for supplying Cocaine.28/3/2012
Partnership Initiative To Tackle Doorstep Crime
A multi-agency initiative to protect the most vulnerable members of the Inverness Community from doorstep crime was launched recently at Trading Standards offices, Harbour Road, Inverness. The joint campaign is the result of a partnership between Highland Council Trading Standards, Northern Constabulary and NHS Highland.Two New Services From Business Gateway Highland
Business Gateway Highland has created two new services for businesses in the Highlands with the aim of creating new jobs and helping businesses to grow. One of the new services offered by Business Gateway Highland will help create new jobs in some of the region's most remote, rural areas.28/3/2012
Event Fund announced for Homecoming Scotland 2014
Homecoming Scotland 2014 will welcome visitors from around the world to join the inspirational year-long celebration. A £3miliion event fund has been announced for Homecoming Scotland 2014.28/3/2012
