News Archive
24/12/2008
HIGHLAND COUNCIL RESPONSE TO THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Highland Councillors accepted the recommendations for the credit crunch at their meeting on 18th December 2008. SUMMARY This report offers a brief overview of the economy as context to the Council's proposed response to the economic downturn.24/12/2008
HIE BRINGS FORWARD £2.5M DEVELOPMENT TO AID ECONOMY
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announced this week that it has brought forward construction of a ý2.5m state-of-the-art business unit on The Enterprise Park, Forres in Moray. The move follows last week's announcement by the agency that it intends to accelerate its capital spending programme where possible to alleviate the current slow down in the construction industry.23/12/2008
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 23 Dec 2008
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 23rd) sold 68 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (27) averaged 162.1p (-5.6p) and sold to 169p per kg and £1,190.70 gross.23/12/2008
Stamp Prices To Rise By 3p As Post Faces Stiff Email Competition
The cost of posting first and second class letters is to increase by 3p to 39p and 30p from April, the Royal Mail announced. The stamp price rises follow increases last April, when first class stamps rose by 2p to the current 36p and second class by 3p to the present 27p.22/12/2008
£18 Million To Improve Waste Performance
The drive to make Scotland a Zero Waste society today received a further boost with the distribution of almost £18 million to local authorities. The investment, which will aim to improve recycling rates and cut the amount of waste going to landfill, comes from the Scottish Government's Zero Waste Fund for 2008/09.22/12/2008
Good News For Customers As Agreement On Flooding Insurance Reached
A joint agreement on flooding reached between the Scottish Government and the insurance industry will give homes and businesses greater protection Environment Minister Michael Russell said today. The Scottish Government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have agreed to work together to minimise the flood risks and to help people quicker when flooding occurs.21/12/2008
Good Start For Rural Kerbside Recycling Collections In Caithness
Over 10 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill in the first week of the rural recycling collections in Caithness with 60% of residents putting out their bins for collection. Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor John Laing said: "I would like to thank the public for their high level of commitment to making the new service such a success.
21/12/2008
KP Technology wins National Innovation Award
Prof Iain Baikie, Director of KP Technology in Wick, picked up a John Logie Baird Award - one of the major innovation awards open to Scottish businesses- last week. At a reception for over 300 people in the Glasgow Science Centre, KP Technology won in the "Impact in Innovation" category.21/12/2008
Council Offers Home Improvement Grants
The credit crunch may be biting but The Highland Council has cash grants available to assist with home improvements, adaptations and repairs. Home improvement and repair grants are available to help people living in owner-occupied or privately-rented housing to meet the costs of having their homes improved, repaired or adapted.21/12/2008
SEPA cuts red tape in waste regulations
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced further steps to reduce bureaucracy, while still ensuring high levels of environmental protection. Changes have been put in place to how SEPA enforces three sets of regulations; the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) and the Trans Frontier Shipment Regulations (TFS).21/12/2008
Climate Change Plan for SEPA published
With the Climate Change Scotland Bill now in parliament, it is important that everyone starts thinking how they will contribute to the ambitious world leading targets set out in the Bill. As Scotland's environment watchdog, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a key role in addressing climate change and has today (19 December) published its climate change plan for SEPA.21/12/2008
Council to Lobby Against Decision to Close Wick Tax Office
The Highland Council is to step up its campaign to persuade HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Government to reverse their decision to close the HMRC Office in Wick in 2012. The Wick office, which employs 23 staff, is scheduled to be closed as part of a national restructure which will see the closure of 20 sites across Scotland.21/12/2008
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Christmas Poultry Sale - 19 Dec 2008
Dingwall, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 19th) sold 165 lots of Christmas poultry. Oven ready turkey (81) averaged 231.2p per lb and sold to 317.6p per lb for an 8.5lb bird from Dalrachney Beag, Carr Bridge, £65 gross for a 23.5lb bird from Home Farm Cottages, Aberlour.17/12/2008
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 17 Dec 2008
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December 17th) sold 104 MV accredited pedigree females at the annual show and sale, sponsored by Teddy's Home Cooking at the Mart. One of the largest crowds ever witnessed a highly successful sale, establishing this as an annual fixture.16/12/2008
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 16 Dec 2008
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 16th) sold 72 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (40) averaged 167.7p (+5.2) and sold to 174p per kg and £1,198.50 gross.15/12/2008
CAITHNESS & SUTHERLAND BOOST FROM 'VISION FOR THE HIGHLANDS'
Scottish Water today 15 Dec 08 revealed the progress being made in Caithness & Sutherland with its 2010 Vision for the Highlands, the £200million campaign of improvements across the region. By 2010 Scottish Water expects to have invested around £20million in Caithness & Sutherland since 2006.15/12/2008
Pupils in the Highlands & Islands Encouraged to think Green
Pupils from across the Highlands and Islands are being encouraged to think green in a Schools Sustainability Competition which is being organised by the Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University. Teams from the Highlands and Islands to Tayside have been invited to devise a policy to encourage behavioural change in some aspect of sustainable practice such as recycling, energy efficiency, fair trade or transportation.14/12/2008
Highland Youth Voice - Caithness
Elections took place for Highland Youth Voice- the Highland's Youth Parliament, last month. Approximately one-hundred young people were elected to represent their schools and local youth forums in the youth parliament.14/12/2008
Postponement of Job Evaluation Letters
As a result of two late developments, The Highland Council's Modernising Employment Sub Committee has agreed to postpone the issue of the job evaluation letters, advising of new pay and grading structures, to its 10,000 non-teaching employees. Employees had been advised that letters would be posted today (Friday).14/12/2008
