News Archive

Warm Homes For Winter

Up to 10,000 extra Scottish households will be given free help to cut their energy bills this winter, Nicola Sturgeon said today.   The Deputy First Minister has allocated a further �6 million to install vital energy efficiency measures, such as loft and cavity insulation into Scottish homes.  

Businesses get ready for Year of Natural Scotland

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing has today visited one of the thousands of Highland businesses hoping to benefit from the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013.   Mr Ewing toured The Scottish Dolphin Centre in Moray where visitors have some of the best land based opportunities in the world to see dolphins in their natural habitat.  

Mackerel Talks Unsuccessful

Talks in London during the past week aiming to secure a 2013 Coastal States mackerel agreement have failed to bring about a new international agreement.   Following the repeated failure in recent years of annual negotiations between the EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands to achieve an international mackerel fishing deal, negotiations for a 2013 deal took place this week, with the aim of finally putting in place a four-party agreement.  

AmbITion Scotland's Winter Workshop Series is open for registration

AmbITion Scotland is delighted to launch the winter training series, offered FREE for those in the cultural sector in return for a fully refundable deposit.  Join us on Wednesdays in November and December to learn about: Search Engine Optimisation (beginner/intermediate) 7 Nov, � day Recent research from Culture Sparks and Culture24 has shown that the majority of traffic to organisations websites is driven by search.  

Free Finance for Practioners Course

Just Enterprise are pleased to announce their 2 day "Finance for Practitioners" course in central Inverness during November 2012.   Specifically developed for a third sector audience, this 2-day course is designed around practical financial solutions that can be employed in your organisation.  

Social Enterprise Short Courses

More and more people in the third sector are seeing social enterprise as a way forward.  Taking a day or two out of your work routine to think about social enterprise and learn from your peers and practitioners is a great way of developing ideas.  

A New Landfill Tax For Scotland

Finance Secretary John Swinney today outlined the Scottish Government plans for a replacement tax relating to the disposal of waste to landfill including proposals for communities in Scotland to benefit more from Landfill tax than elsewhere in the UK.   The passage of the Scotland Act 2012 means that from April 2015 the Scottish Parliament will be empowered to introduce and manage taxes on the disposal of waste to landfill along with the purchase or leasing of land and buildings.  

Aon Hewitt acquires Babcock's pensions administration business in Caithness

Aon Hewitt, the global human resource solutions business of Aon plc (NSYE:AON), has today announced the acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, of Babcock International Group plc's Pensions Administration Office (PAO) at Brims House, Forss, in Caithness, Scotland.   The PAO is an established provider of high quality pensions administration services.  

Budget Blog Focuses On Recycling And Disposal Of Waste

The latest topic for discussion on The Highland Council's budget consultation blog asks the public for ideas on the recycling and disposal of waste.   The questions are posed by Councillor Dave Fallows, Chairman of the Council's Finance Resources and Housing Committee, who is encouraging comment on his budget blog on proposals to deliver Council services more efficiently and effectively.  

Scottish Police Authority Membership Announced

The first members of the new Scottish Police Authority (SPA) were announced today by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.   The SPA, which will go live on April 1, 2013, will support the Chief Constable and the new Police Service of Scotland as well as holding them to account.