News Archive
30/12/2011
Councillors' Pay Frozen By Scottish Government
Local Government Minister Derek Mackay has decided not to implement recommendations of the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee (SLARC) 2010 review which suggested a range of changes to the salaries of councillors. Instead, Ministers will consider the recommendations next year ahead of 2013-14.30/12/2011
Criminals' Cash Goes To Communities
Coinciding with a visit to the Parkhead Youth Project in the East End of Glasgow, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill today confirmed that more than £6.5 million has been allocated to youth work projects through the CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund. The Fund is administrated and delivered by YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work.30/12/2011
£5.7m for education in Highlands and Islands
The Highland economy will benefit from a substantial funding boost for further education in the region, Youth Employment Minister Angela Constance announced today. More than £5.7 million of European Structural Funds will go towards the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) specifically to aid economic recovery in the area.30/12/2011
Council Tax Freeze Continues
Finance Secretary John Swinney has welcomed confirmation that all councils in Scotland have agreed to freeze the council tax for another year. All 32 councils have confirmed, in principle, to accept the Scottish Government's funding offer for next year which also maintains maintain police and teacher numbers.30/12/2011
Blue Badge Scheme Crack Down
A wave of improvements to the Blue Badge scheme will help end misuse of disabled parking places. The reforms announced by the Scottish Government, alongside the Department for Transport, include sophisticated new anti-fraud technologies and better managed records of badge holders.30/12/2011
Two Wind Farms Approved
Two wind farms which can power over 90,000 homes have been approved by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. The 177 MW Dorenell wind farm on the Glenfiddich estate, near Dufftown in Moray, will power 84,000 homes - double the number of homes in Moray.29/12/2011
Mackays Hotel Special Dinner To Recognise Unsung Heroes
Mackays Hotel, Wick are arranging a special dinner to recognise unsung heroes in our community and you can nominate people for the tickets they are giving away. Ellie and Murray Lamont who run the hotel reckon that there are many people who do things all the time for others and the dinner will let you give them something to thanks them.29/12/2011
More Drink Drivers Caught Than Last Year
Eleven people have spoiled their own festive season after being caught drink driving during Christmas week. Those who were caught on Christmas Eve, which included an 18-year-old from the Strathspey area, had to spend Christmas Day in the cells prior to the next available court date, which was Wednesday.24/12/2011
Artist Sought to put Visitors to John O'Groats on the Right Track
Following a public meeting on the future artistic shape of John O'Groats, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is offering professional artists an early opportunity to transform the coast around the village. Award-winning artists Dalziel + Scullion, who are the concept artists putting together a broader plan for the iconic site, held an open workshop with the local community earlier this month.22/12/2011
Caithness Chamber Points Out Arts Business Opportunity
The Caithness Chamber of Commerce has put out information that might be of interest to creative entreprenuers. The 2012 Starter for 6 Main Programme is now open for applications.22/12/2011
Highland Wide Local Development Plan - Examination Report
The Highland Council has received the Report of Examination for the Highland wide Local Development Plan from the Scottish Government's Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals. The Highland wide Local Development Plan is the key planning document to guide development across Highland for the next ten years.19/12/2011
Councillors Back Introduction Of Minimum Pricing Of Alcohol
Highland Councillors Back Introduction Of Minimum Pricing Of Alcohol. Highland Councillors have voiced their unanimous support for the introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol as a means of tackling the growing incidence of alcohol misuse in the Highlands.19/12/2011
Policy to maximise Community Benefit approved
Highland Councillors have taken an important step towards securing significant local funding for communities across Highland from renewable energy developments. They have agreed the recommendations of their Community Benefit Working Group which will determine how future funds are allocated and set out how the Council will secure the highest level of benefit possible.19/12/2011
No more cuts needed in setting 2012/13 budget
The Highland Council's Budget Leader has said that the Council will require to make no further cutbacks before setting its budget for 2012/13 on Thursday 9 February, next year. Councillor David Alston told the full council meeting (Thursday 16 Dec 2011) that £20.4 million of savings had been identified earlier in the year and thanks to prudent budget planning - involving consultation with the public - the budget was balanced for the new financial year.19/12/2011
Closing the gap in health inequalities
The need to redirect resources to improve the health of a growing number of deprived people living in the Highlands emerged from a major debate by Highland Councillors on health inequalities. The Highland Council and NHS Highland have a joint annual spending power of more than £1 billion and councillors felt there was adequate scope to identify monies within the joint budgets to target resources to improve the health and wellbeing of those most in need.[Training]
18/12/2011New Classes at the Pulteney Centre, Wick
Pulteneytown People's Project in Wick will be opening the doors to its new community Centre, Pulteney Centre, at the end of January and promises to bring a huge variety of new classes to the town. Pulteney Centre will be the first of its kind in Wick, offering a comprehensive collection of groups and educational classes all housed under the one roof.17/12/2011
Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards
Starting and running your own business shows drive, dedication, and commitment - to say nothing of the ability to put plans into action. By seeking out the best student and graduate entrepreneurial talent across the country, the Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards provide recognition for the great businesses of tomorrow.17/12/2011
Turbine Dry Run - Dunmaglass Wind Farm
On Tuesday 20 December 2011, RES will be undertaking a wind turbine dry run for Dunmaglass Wind Farm. A specialist haulage contractor, Collett, will drive the route using a specially modified collapsible vehicle.16/12/2011
Highland welcomes cities' growth plan
The Highland Council has welcomed the creation of a £5 million Cities Investment Fund to support a Scottish Cities Alliance. Senior council representatives were present in Edinburgh when Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, Nicola Sturgeon, announced that initiative, which will see leaders of Scotland's local authorities team up in a new economic partnership to attract investment, create jobs and help Scotland's cities compete more successfully on the international stage.16/12/2011
