News Archive

Update at Area Committee as Peatlands project funding application submitted

At yesterday's (Tuesday 11 February) Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee members were given an update on progress for the Flow to the Future project, an ambitious multi-million pound project to restore seven square miles of globally important peatlands which is being co-ordinated by RSPB on behalf of the Peatlands Partnership.  The Peatlands Partnership was formed in 2007 and promotes the special nature and interests of the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland (the Flow Country).  

Taxi fare review in Highland

Review The public is being asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to increase the cost of all fares, regardless of the distance travelled by 30p.   It is also proposed that the charge applied to compensate for the cost of the outward journey for hires which commence 3 miles or more away from the taxi or taxi base (whichever is the nearer) and where the customer wishes to travel further away be increased from a maximum of Ã��6.50 to a maximum of Ã��7.50.  

MISUSE OF ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS MUST BE TACKLED

Yesterday the Scottish Affairs Committee met with Scottish Officials of USDAW, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, in Falkirk to take evidence on the impact of zero hours contracts.   The Scottish Affairs Committee heard that companies are using �zero hours� contracts when there is not a justifiable business need, leading to unnecessary insecurity, lack of opportunity to access finance, mortgages or even rental housing, and loss of important employment rights.  

Scottish Affairs Committee Meets To Discuss Zero Hours Contracts

COMMITTEE TO MEET USDAW IN FALKIRK TO DISCUSS DAMAGING IMPACT OF ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS.   On Monday 10th February the Scottish Affairs Committee will meet with USDAW, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, in Falkirk to discuss evidence they have provided about the impact of zero hours contracts.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Week Commencing 3rd February 2014 Energy & Business Services: Pelamis Wave Power will be undertaking pre-planning application consultation events in the north next month as the company prepares to submit application to build a wave site at Farr Point in North Sutherland.  Events will be held in Bettyhill, Strathy, Durness and Thurso from 24th to 26th March.  

Results of Community Council interim elections

Six Highland community councils are able to continue operating following recent interim elections.   Nominations were invited from 21 January to 5 February 2014 for persons seeking election to Community Councils serving Caithness West; East Nairnshire; Inverlochy; Raigmore; Sinclairs Bay; and Wick In each case, the number of candidates nominated was less than the number of councillors to be returned, so no elections will take place, and the list of candidates for each community council are now declared to be elected as councillors.  

Business Oppotunities Event

Strathy North Windfarm - 26th February, Strathy Village Hall.   In February SSE are holding an information day for local businesses to find out about the ongoing opportunities around the construction of our �109m Strathy North wind farm in Sutherland.  

MSP Rhoda Grant Wants Crofters To State Their Views On CAP Changes

Highlands & Islands MSP Rhoda Grant said that the is concerned that the views and opinions of Crofters with regard to the consultation regarding the Common Agricultural Policy funds from 1st January 2015, may not be heard unless they act now.   She said, �The Highlands and Islands Agriculture Support Group working with the Scottish Government have tested the modelling of the James Hutton Institute on the payments that would be required to support Crofting.  

Kessock Bridge Resurfacing Begins on 10th February For 20 Weeks

The resurfacing of Kessock Bridge, Inverness, is being carried out by Bear Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland (the Scottish Government agency responsible for the maintenance of the A9 and Kessock Bridge).  The second phase begins on Monday 10 February 2014 and continues for 20 weeks.  

New industrial biotechnology innovation centre to create 1500 jobs

A new innovation centre for industrial biotechnology (IB) is forecast to increase IB related turnover to up to �3 billion by 2030, create 1500 jobs within five years and put Scotland at the forefront of a global transformation.   Funded by the Scottish Funding Council and supported by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the new Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) � hosted at the University of Strathclyde � is a key element of the National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology � Towards a Greener, Cleaner 2025.