News Archive

The Caithness Solution - supply chain opportunities

The Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) is organising an event to allow companies to better understand the Investment and Supply Chain opportunities in the Caithness area.   This one day programme is suitable for Oil & Gas companies who either need capacity for servicing West of Shetland / Atlantic Frontier opportunities, or want to explore the excellent skills base in the area.  

Councillor Praises Highland Residents For Recycling Figures

The Highland Council recycling rate has reached 45% pushing it up to number 11 in the rankings of the 32 Scottish Local Authorities according to new figures released by SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) for 2013.   Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Council's Community Services Committee, said: "These latest figures are great news and testament to the commitment of Highland residents to recycling.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Stornoway Rams Sale 6 October 2014

STORNOWAY, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 6th) sold 197 rams of all classes.  Rams (197) sold to £480 gross for a Suffolk from 24 Laxay, Isle of Lewis.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 7 October 2014

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 7th) sold 58 prime cattle.  Prime bullocks (13) averaged 218.3p (+4.3p) and sold to 230p per kg and £1,495.00 gross.  

Put Retirement Saving Above Politics

John McTernan, former political secretary to Tony Blair, recently commented that, in the aftermath of the Budget, without consultation, the entire structure of the British pension settlement was torn up by the Chancellor.....it is the death of private pensions, it is the death of occupational pensions in the medium term and the death of pensions in their totality.   (Money Marketing, 18 September 2014.) In a new article published today by the Centre for Policy Studies, Michael Johnson considers the validity of this statement and concludes that the UK needs an independent Savings Commissioner tasked with developing policy, free of the electoral cycle, to catalyse a broad-based, retirement saving culture.  

Pensioners Are the UK's Savviest and 'Switchiest' Savers

New research commissioned by Gocompare.com Savings has found that when it comes to looking after their nest eggs, the UK's over 65s are the savviest and 'switchiest' savers.   Researchers asked over 2,000 UK adults questions about their attitude towards and knowledge of their savings and found that the over 65s were the most likely age group to regularly review their savings, to know what interest rates they were earning, and be most likely to switch to better-paying accounts.  

Employment and Social Situation: Quarterly Review Shows Recovery Still Fragile

The economic recovery which started in the spring of 2013 remains fragile and future employment developments remain uncertain, according the European Commission's latest Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review.   The Review also takes a look at differences in income inequality among Member States, and underlines the relevance of investing in skills through life to increase the employability of workers.  

Contract For Thurso Library Awarded

High Life Highland (HLH) has announced that that the contract to refurbish Thurso Library has been awarded to local company O'Brien Construction Ltd.  The work is set to commence on the 27th October 2014 with completion expected end of June 2015 and the library should re-open to the public early July 2015.  

Head teacher appointed for new Caithness school

Mr Ally Budge has been appointed by The Highland Council to the post of head teacher for Noss Primary School - the new North of the River Primary School in Wick which will replace North and Hillhead Primary Schools.   His appointment (in advance of the school opening in August 2015) is to ensure a smooth transition of both Hillhead and Wick North Primary Schools into the new Noss Primary School.  

SNH Announce New Licence Measures To Reduce Wildlife Crime

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will prevent the use of general licences to trap or shoot wild birds on land where there is evidence of wildlife crime against birds.   Decisions will be made on the basis of strong evidence provided by Police Scotland, and will be based on a civil standard of proof, rather than the criminal standard of proof.