News Archive
31/5/2009
HIE plans to invest over £220m into local economy
HIE plans to invest over £220m into local economy over the next three years Plans to invest more than £220 million over the next three years in economic and community development have been published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The enterprise agency’s latest operating plan – its first since transferring business advice services to local authorities on 1 April 2009 – details HIE’s contribution to deliver the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy in the Highlands and Islands.31/5/2009
Trading standards warn of £3million bogus car buyer scam
Highland Council's Trading Standards team is participating in an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) campaign to warn consumers about bogus car buyer scams which cost UK consumers nearly £3 million every year. Bogus car buyer scams, which are sometimes referred to as "vehicle matching scams", target consumers selling cars and falsely promise to match them with definite buyers.31/5/2009
European Health Insurance Card - don't go on holiday without it!
Having a holiday in the European Union should mean rest and relaxation, but for the unfortunate few, it could turn into an unlucky break. Breaking your ankle while dancing in a beach club or while mountain climbing is bad enough to deal with, let alone having to cope in a foreign language and even more stressful when you have to worry about treatment procedures.31/5/2009
Council to Lobby for More Affordable Housing
The Highland Council is to step up its lobbying of both the Scottish and UK Governments for increased investment in new affordable housing. The impact of the recession and financial constraints affecting housing associations have significantly reduced the Council's ability to meet the growing demand for affordable homes.Enterprise Trust Reports On A Successful Year Supporting Highland Businesses
At its annual report to The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee on 20 May, Highland Opportunity Limited (HOL) was able to describe another year of solid support to Highland businesses, together with recent major developments in enterprise support. HOL is the Council owned Enterprise Trust with a remit to assist local businesses to start up and grow, to create or preserve jobs and make European trade connections.26/5/2009
Focusing On The Future Of Rural Petrol Stations
Following a presentation to The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee Members have given their full support for the Council to work with its partners HIE and HITRANS to raise awareness of the economic problems facing rural petrol stations and look at ways of securing a sustainable and accessible network of fuel supply throughout the Highland area. Experian Catalist were commissioned to produce a comprehensive study looking at the future of the 231 petrol stations currently operating over the Highlands and Islands area.26/5/2009
One-Tenth of Highland Electorate Seek a Postal Vote
A total of 18,340 Highland residents have asked to vote by post at the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections. The electorate in Highland is 171,601.25/5/2009
Tenant Groups Help To Shape New Strategy For Housing in the Highlands
Tenant housing group representatives from across the Highlands have been working with The Highland Council to produce a new strategy that puts tenant involvement and communication very much at the centre of future housing service delivery and development. Launched on Monday 25 May 2009 the strategy replaces The Highland Council's previous strategy and, running up to 2012, it aims to improve opportunities for tenant participation across Highland and develop and maintain effective working relationships to progress the design and delivery of housing services.
25/5/2009
"X" Marks the Vote in Euro Elections
The Local Returning Officer in the Highlands for the forthcoming European Parliamentary Elections, Alistair Dodds, wants voters to be aware of what they need to do to cast their vote on Thursday 4 June. In the 2007 Scottish Parliament and local Government elections voters were asked to use three different voting methods on three ballot papers.24/5/2009
100 FEWER BURSTS - NEW NORTH WATER MAINS STOP THE POPS
Scottish Water today (25 May 09) revealed figures showing that its major investment in new water mains across the Highlands and Islands has paid dividends, with 106 fewer burst pipes in the past year. During 2008/09 Scottish Water dealt with 1,397 burst water mains in the Highland and Western Isles local authority areas, a seven per cent drop from 1,503 the previous year (07/08).22/5/2009
Ideas For Growth - Bringing Businesses Together in Thurso
On 3rd June, from 4pm at Caithness Horizons, Thurso, GlobalScot Bob Creighton who lives and works in Connecticut USA, will address a small group of ambitious business people, brought together by Fusion. There is still time to book a place on this event if you wish to attend.
22/5/2009
New weather forecasts for the Northwest Coast of Scotland and the Western Isles
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the UK Met Office have announced a change to the Inshore Waters Forecasts that are broadcast on VHF radio by Stornoway and Clyde Coastguard during their Maritime Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts. The change has come about as a result of consultation between the MCA, UK Met Office and the Western Isles Fisherman's Association to better define the difference in the weather conditions between the Atlantic coast of the Western Isles and the Minch, Little Minch & Sea of the Hebrides which is covered by the Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath, including the Outer Hebrides forecast.22/5/2009
Staying Safe On The Road Is A Family Affair
Staying Safe On The Road Is A Family Affair, Says RoSPA The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is urging mums, dads, carers and children to remember road safety is a family affair this half-term. RoSPA is supporting the UK's first National Family Week, with a message that everyone can do their bit for each other's well-being on the road.Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant Back In Business After Arson Attack
The owners of the Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant are back in business after their small restaurant in Castletown was destroyed by an arson attack. Only weeks after being put out of business they have restarted but this time in Halkirk.
21/5/2009
The North Highland Initiative announces new Chairman
David Whiteford has been appointed as the new Chairman of The Prince's North Highland Initiative. Mr Whiteford will take up the position on 1st June 2009.21/5/2009
Eight-ton Fans Will Drive Fuel Plants Clean-up
Like a giant Meccano set, some 1500 parts are being fitted together to create a new ventilation system that will protect workers decommissioning some of Dounreay's most hazardous facilities. The network of fans, electrical infrastructure, supports, ducts, chambers and stacks will vent the airflow during the next stages of cleaning out and dismantling the key plants that made up the Fuel Cycle Area.
21/5/2009
£1.5 Million Project Regenerating Wick's Pulteneytown
Funding to transform a derelict site in Pulteneytown, Wick, into high quality houses has been awarded this week by The Highland Council's Planning, Environmental and Development Committee. Members have approved £297,836 of funding from the Pulteneytown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme to the Highland Housing Alliance towards a £1,512,836 redevelopment project, which will transform a derelict site into 11 residential properties and bring new life into Pulteneytown's historic streets.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.
15/5/2009
Dounreay Gains Planning Permission For Two Big Construction Projects
Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd has received planning consent for two of the biggest construction projects needed to complete the site clean-up. The new facilities will look after low and intermediate-level radioactive waste from the remainder of the site closure programme.
15/5/2009
