News Archive
2/3/2011
Council Respond to Accounts Commission Report On CHaP
The Highland Council has put in place new governance arrangements to prevent a recurrence of the deficiencies experienced in the early operating years of Caithness Heat and Power, the community-owned enterprise formed to deliver a biomass district heating system in Wick. The Accounts Commission has ruled that the lack of appropriate risk management and effective governance arrangements for the project was a corporate failure by the council.1/3/2011
Caithness and Lochaber - New Recycling And Refuse Collections 
Preparations for the introduction of the new refuse and recycling collections to households in Caithness and Lochaber step up a gear this week as The Highland Council begin the distribution of new calendars and booklets giving full details of the new service. Households in areas which presently have blue recycling boxes will also begin to be issued with blue wheelie bins; these will take a wider range of materials than the boxes - paper, food tins and drink cans, cardboard and plastic bottles.
1/3/2011
Launch of Green Dog Walkers Campaign 
www.highland.gov.uk/greendogwalkers Dog fouling has long been an issue in all parts of the Highland Council area and now responsible dog owners are banding together to stop it with the launch of the Green Dog Walkers scheme. Green Dog Walkers is a non confrontational friendly way of changing people's attitudes towards dog fouling in public places and encourages responsible dog ownership.
1/3/2011
Scotland's Census 2011
Scotland's biggest population count, the 2011 Census, takes place on Sunday 27 March and everyone must be included. The census is the only survey to ask us all the same questions at the same time.26/2/2011
Council Looks To Maximise Energy Community Benefits
Enhancing benefits from renewable energy developments A working group set up by The Highland Council to identify the most effective way of maximising benefits to communities from renewable energy developments is recommending changes that could not only increase the level of pay outs by developers but see the benefits more widely spread throughout the Highlands. In reporting back to the full council after five meetings, the Community Benefit Working Group says the guiding principle should remain that local communities accommodating developments should continue to benefit most.26/2/2011
Councillor Robert Coghill Questions Convenor On Planning
From Highland Council Agenda 3 March 2011 Councillor Robert Coghill has shown his exasperation to restrictions placed on councillors in a written question to the Highland Council convenor on 3 March - To the Convener "We cannot, as Councillors, comment on planning applications and then sit on the Planning Committee. What will you do to rectify this injustice?" The response is circulated - See Below Mr Coghill will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Convener.26/2/2011
Wick Councillor Katrina MacNab Resigns From Highland Council
Katrina MacNab (Independent) has given notice of her resignation from the Council with effect from Friday 4 March 2011. Elected to the Council in 2003, she is one of three councillors representing Wick.26/2/2011
Mey Market News - Starts 10 May 2011
The proposed Mey Market is now being operated by Mey Village Hall themselves, with Jane Strugnell of Artisan Caithness acting as Manager not operator. Mey Village Hall were keen to offer every assistance with this venture and after some discussion, they were happy to take over the operation of the market with stall rents going towards the Hall's funding.25/2/2011
Residents In The Highland Could Save £100 On Their Energy Bills
Residents in the Highlands could have more money in their pockets if they review and switch their energy supplier or energy deal. Nearly half of all Scots (48 per cent) have never switched their energy supplier or checked to see if they're getting the best deal on their energy bills.25/2/2011
Caithness Mod Was Big boost To Caithness Economy
Evaluation report on Caithness Mod confirms event's economic boost to the area. A survey of people visiting the Mod in Caithness 2010 has shown that over £2million was generated in direct expenditure and an additional £1million generated indirect expenditure for the area.25/2/2011
IT company Fujitsu announces new jobs for Inverness
Global IT company Fujitsu is to create ten new jobs at its main Highland office in Inverness. The expansion will enable the company to provide remote IT support for existing Fujitsu customers across the UK and potentially elsewhere in Europe.24/2/2011
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 24 February 2011
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 24th) sold 36 registered Cheviot females at its Harbro sponsored show and sale. Hill Register judge Mr F.22/2/2011
Integration Of Health & Social Work - Appointments
Appointment of two senior officers to lead Highland integration of health and social care The Highland Council and NHS Highland have appointed two senior officers to lead the planning for the integration of health and social care. Jan Baird, the Director of Community Care for NHS Highland, will become the Transitions Director, leading a team of seconded staff from the Council and NHS Highland to develop and take forward the integration plan.
22/2/2011
Regeneration Partnership Update - 14 February 2011
From Eann Sinclair Week commencing 14th February 2011 Programme activities: Now that we have agreed our priorities for the 2011-2014 period, work continues to implement the programme of delivery activities. This week I chaired the monthly meeting of the Partnership's Delivery Group, at which colleagues from HIE, Highland Council, DSRL and Caithness Chamber reported on progress with our two priority areas of energy and business services.20/2/2011
Local Hypnotherapist Meets New National Standards
A Wick based hypnotherapist has become one of the first in the country to achieve a new national standard of excellence for her therapy. Donna Booth has been registered by the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the UK regulator for complementary healthcare.19/2/2011
Sustainable School Estate review - Wick and Thurso Associated School Groupings
Sustainable School Estate review - Wick and Thurso Associated School Groupings Head Teachers and Parent Councils in Caithness have been asked for their views on initial proposals by The Highland Council to review Primary School provision in the area. Feedback will help inform the production of the proposals for statutory consultation that will be submitted to the Council's Education Culture and Sport (ECS) Committee on Thursday 19 May for consideration by Elected Members.19/2/2011
Speech Therapy Initiative Uses Video Conferencing Techniques
SPEECH THERAPY TELEHEALTH INITIATIVE IMPROVES ACCESS FOR PATIENTS IN FAR NORTH The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team in North Highland has been working with their counterparts in Sweden to find new ways to reach patients in remote and rural areas of Caithness and Sutherland. Video-conferencing (VC) equipment is now being used to deliver services to patients in some areas of the two counties.16/2/2011
Council Rules Out Day Off For Royal Wedding
Cost rules out day off for Highland Council staff for Royal wedding Given the financial plight facing them, Highland Councillors have decided that it is not appropriate for them to sanction an additional day off for staff to celebrate the Royal wedding on Friday 29 April between Prince William and Kate Middleton. The ruling by the Council's Resources Committee includes schools, which will be open on this day.16/2/2011
Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 16 February 2011
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 16th) sold 197 store cattle, 68 adult head of breeding cattle and 43 OTM cattle. Bullocks (121) averaged 170.8p and sold to 193.1p per kg for a pen of 360kg Limousin crosses from 145 Badnellan, Brora, and £955 gross for a 705kg Shorthorn cross from Ordmuir, Muir of Ord.16/2/2011
