Local Authority News
16/5/2009
Thurso Precinct Refurbishment Completed
Work on the refurbishment contract in the Thurso Pedestrian Precinct has now been completed apart from the laying of coloured bitumen over the tarmac area running through the centre of the precinct and a few other minor works. The project which cost just over £370,000 was financed by The Highland Council's T.E.C and Planning & Development Services was designed by the councils Wick based engineering team who consulted with the Community Council and members of the public before finalising their plans.
10/5/2009
Call For New Foster Carers To Come Forward
The Highland Council is joining in with the UK-wide campaign Foster Care Fortnight which starts today (Monday 11 April), to attract more local people into fostering. The fortnight is co-ordinated by fostering charity Fostering Network, to raise the awareness of fostering and highlight the shortage of foster carers across the whole of the UK.
8/5/2009
Council clamps down on irresponsible dog owners
The Highland Council has issued a clear warning to irresponsible dog owners that it will not tolerate owners allowing their dogs to foul public areas without clearing up after them. The Council this week announced that during a crackdown week in April, officers issued eleven fixed penalty notices to members of the public and warned that this was just the start of the clampdown with other enforcement weeks to follow.28/4/2009
Council calls talented young people to apply for trust scheme
For the second year running young Highland people are to benefit from the Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme which provides grants totalling around £25,000 each year. The Highland Council is the governing body of which makes available scholarship, grants and assistance for young Highland people who have particular or exceptional talents in specific identified areas.20/4/2009
Council Awards Contract for the Mall Footbridge, Thurso
The Highland Council has awarded a contract for construction of a new footbridge which forms an important pedestrian link over the River Thurso, at Thurso Cemetery. The new bridge will replace the structure which was destroyed by river flood flow, in the storms of October 2006, and will re-establish the river crossing which is part of a popular local walking route.18/4/2009
Council Acts Swiftly to Replace Postbus Withdrawals
The Highland Council has put in place interim arrangements in five Highland communities to replace postbus services withdrawn by Royal Mail on Thursday. These arrangements will continue until the Council has met with local communities to identify sustainable long term arrangements.31/3/2009
Seamless Transfer of Business Gateway to Highland Council
Today (1 April 2009) responsibility for providing business advice has transferred from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to local authorities. Advice will be provided through the Business Gateway service which already operates in the rest of Scotland In The Highland Council area it will be managed by the Council's enterprise trust, Highland Opportunity and will be the first point of access for information and advice on all services to business and social enterprises in the Highlands.
31/3/2009
Red Tape Cut To Help Disabled Home Owners
A nationwide scheme which helps disabled people carry out essential home adaptations has been enhanced. Changes arising from the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 will trigger a simpler and fairer system of financial help.30/3/2009
High Societies Community Website Goes Live
Clubs, groups, organisations and societies in the Highlands can now register on The Highland Council's new free community information website www.high-societies.org that was launched on Monday 30th March 2009 at Dingwall Library. Developed by the Council's library service, High-Societies is designed to signpost members of the public to essential contact information for not-for-profit organisations and to their existing websites where appropriate.
25/3/2009
Council Offers Home Improvement Grants
The credit crunch may be biting but Highland Council has cash grants available to assist with home improvements. Home improvement and repairs 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.17/3/2009
Significant fall in number of new Highland homes built in 2008
A report published by The Highland Council shows that a progressive fall in the number of housing completions in 2008 highlights the increasing impact of the current recession on the housing market. In 2008, 1,471 new houses were completed; a 19% decrease on the 2007 figure of 1,806 new homes.2/3/2009
Council Reinforces the Hazards of Dog Fouling
The Highland Council is continuing its campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of dog fouling and is reminding owners that they can face a fixed penalty for not picking up their dogs mess. Education and Enforcement Officer Peter Taylor said: "Dog fouling is both unsightly, unpleasant and a potential health hazard.14/2/2009
Temporary Closures Of Seater Landfill Site
Temporary closure of Seater landfill site and the access road thereto due to essential repairs Last 3 weekends in march 2009 Please note that essential repairs will be carried out on the access road to the above facility during the last 3 weekends in March. The road will be closed from 2.00pm on the Friday afternoon and will re-open at 8.00am on the Monday morning during the following dates:- 13th March to 16th March 20th March to 23nd March 27th March to 30th March Householders can take their waste and recyclate to the recycling centres at Thurso and Wick which will be open from 11am to 4.00pm on all of these dates If you have any queries please contact 01955 641284..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
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
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.16/11/2008
Wick School Janitor Runner Up in Employee Of The Year Highland Council Quality Awards
Kate Birch, The Highland Council's Children's Services Manager for Inverness, Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey, has been chosen at the Council's Employee of the year. She received her prize at the Council's annual Quality Awards, held at the North Highland College, Thurso, on Monday night.
10/10/2008
New Kerbside Recycling Collections for Rural Areas in Caithness
The Highland Council has invested in a new vehicle and crew to expand the recycling routes in the far north. Caithness will be the first area in the Highlands to receive the Council's new kerbside recycling collection for rural areas.16/6/2008
Change to Council's Bulky Uplift Service
As of 1 July 2008 The Highland Council will be changing its policy for the bulky uplift service for certain household wastes, by removing bagged or other contained excess household waste from the list of approved items. This amendment to the service is designed to help improve the environment by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.16/6/2008
