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Local Authority News


3/11/2011
Highland Recycling Rates Best Yet
Recycling rate tops 40% for the first time thanks to public support.   The Highland public is being congratulated for helping The Highland Council achieve for the first time a recycling rate of more than 40 per cent.  
2/11/2011
Appointment of Director of Finance in HighlandThumbnail for article : Appointment of Director of Finance in Highland
Derek Yule was Head of Finance and Section 95 Officer in Aberdeenshire Council, has been appointed Director of Finance with The Highland Council.   He started in his new post with highland Council opn m,onday 31st October 2011 He will take over as Director of Finance from Alan Geddes, who retires at the end of September after 40 years in local government and 13 in his current post.  
27/10/2011
Changes to Council Planning Committees and Working Groups
At a meeting of The Highland Council held earlier today (Thursday 27 October 2011) Members voted to reduce the current three Planning Application Committees to two - a North Planning Application Committee and a South Planning Application Committee.   The new structure will come in to affect in January next year.  
27/10/2011
Council highlights adverse impact of UK welfare changes
Highland Councillors have voiced their grave concerns at "Draconian" changes in welfare payments planned by the UK Government through the Welfare Reform Bill.   Councillors David Chisholm (Dingwall and Seaforth) and Bill Barclay (Black Isle) successfully presented a motion to the Council requesting that a letter be sent to the Scottish Government asking them to refuse to legislate on those aspects of the Bill which relate to devolved matters.  
24/10/2011
Industrial Action On Pensions - Scotland
Most trade unions are asking their members to support a national campaign of industrial action over pensions.  Public sector pensions are in the news.  
20/10/2011
Gaelic Plan Consultation Meetings Begin In Thurso
Monday, 24 October, sees The Highland Council embarking on eight consecutive evening consultation meetings on its second generation draft Gaelic Language Plan.   The consultation meetings are taking place in the following areas: · Thurso at the High School on Monday 24 October, · Portree at the Fingal Centre on 25 October, · Ullapool Macphail Centre on 26 October, · Inverness at Bun-sgoil Inbhir Nis on 27 October, · Fort William at Lochaber House on 28 October, · Dingwall at the Community Centre on 31 October, · Aviemore, on 1 November at the International Starters, and finally · Golspie on 2 November at the High School.  
19/10/2011
Nigg Yard Finally Sold To Global Energy GroupThumbnail for article : Nigg Yard Finally Sold To Global Energy Group
Global Energy Group completes historic purchase of Nigg yard.   Leading energy industry service company the Global Energy Group today (20th October, 2011) announced it had succeeded in its bid to buy Nigg yard.  
19/10/2011
Council Tax levy to tackle empty homes
1345 empty homes targeted in the Highlands Local authorities are to receive new powers to tax empty homes that could help raise millions to build new affordable housing.   The Council Tax on Empty Homes and Housing Support Grant Bill proposals could apply to the 1345 properties that have currently been empty for more than six months and are liable to pay Council Tax in the Highlands.  
17/10/2011
Wick Schools Consultations
Following a period of statutory consultation, The Highland Council is recommending the replacement of Wick's four primary schools with two new purpose built facilities.   A report to be considered by the Education Culture and Sport Committee on Thursday 10 November will recommend the Council spends almost £20 million on two new community schools - one to the north of the River Wick and one to the south.  
13/10/2011
Highland Householders Advised To Research Solar Panel Deals
The benefits associated with the increased use of solar panels and other renewable energy sources in homes are clearly recognised by The Highland Council.   However, Trading Standards officers at The Highland Council, after being made aware of the existence of what appears to be misleading marketing practices by some solar panel suppliers, are offering a word of caution to householders and advising them to do their homework thoroughly before signing any deal.  
6/10/2011
Success Of Council Payment Strategy
A new payment strategy introduced by The Highland Council in April of this year is proving a success, with improving acceptance by customers of the new arrangements that are achieving significant efficiency savings.   Since April, cash and cheque payments of Council Tax, rent, non-domestic rates and debtor invoices were no longer accepted at Service Points or the council headquarters Cash Office.  
5/10/2011
Highland Pupils Cast Off On New Maritime Skills Course
Twelve senior pupils start a new course in maritime skills in Portree this week from six Highland secondary schools.   From Monday 3 October an SQA Skills for Work Maritime Skills Course is being offered on the curriculum to S5 and S6 pupils.  
4/10/2011
Bower Will No Longer Have A Community Council
Bower will no longer have a community council after it was revealed that not enough candidates came forward to make up half the designated number to form a council.   All of the other community councils in Caithness will be formed as previously but there will be no elections in Caithness as there were only enough candidates to fill the posts and not requiring an election.  
2/10/2011
Council Leader welcomes 11th hour reprieve for tugs
The Highland Council Leader Councillor Michael Foxley has joined in the welcome of the 11th hour decision by the UK Government to offer a three-month reprieve for the two emergency towing vessels based at Stornoway and Shetland while work continues on finalising a new longer-term contract.   The tugs, owned by a private company, JP Knight and on contract to the Maritime Coastguard Service, were due to have been withdrawn from service on Friday 30 September.  
28/9/2011
Highland Council Advice - Get Ready For Winter On Roads
Road conditions The Council's aim is to help keep you safe on the roads, whether you are driving or walking.  We shall take such steps as we consider reasonable to prevent the formation of snow and ice to the endangerment of vehicles and pedestrians.  
27/9/2011
Community Learning And Leisure Become A Trust
High Life Highland takes over community learning and leisure services From Saturday (1 October 2011) High Life Highland, an arms length company with charitable status, takes over the management and delivery of community learning and leisure services from The Highland Council.   More than 1,000 staff working in adult learning, archives, arts, leisure facilities, libraries, museums, outdoor education, sport and youth work will transfer from the employment of the Council to the new company.  
26/9/2011
Community Council Nomination Deadline Looms
Candidates considering serving on their local Community Council for the next four years are being reminded that the nomination deadline for election is only one week away.   To be able to stand for election, candidates must return their nomination forms to The Highland Council by 4 pm on Tuesday 4 October.  
25/9/2011
Archive Centre hosts symposium for Highland Archaeology Festival
Speakers from four partnership organisations will be talking at a Symposium during Highland Archaeology Festival on how archives can assist archaeology.   Organised by The Highland Council, Workers' Educational Association (Scotland), The Waterways Trust Scotland, and Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands, the one-day symposium is on Monday 10 October from 10am to 4pm at the Highland Archive Centre in Bught Park, Inverness.  
25/9/2011
Supporting The Transport Needs Of Local Communities
The Highland Council has awarded new public transport contracts which will run from 1 January 2012 until December 2016.   This involves 92 public transport contracts, of which 38 include provision for school transport.  
25/9/2011
Outcome of Highland Council under-age tobacco sales exercise
As a result of a test-purchase exercise undertaken across the Highlands that used the services of a young volunteer, The Highland Council Trading Standards has recently issued two fixed penalties for under-age sales of cigarettes.   The £200 penalties, which were new sanctions introduced by Scottish legislation earlier this year, were issued to the shop assistant who made the illegal sale and to the company operating the shop premises.