News Archive
25/5/2012
Alcohol minimum pricing bill passed
Cut-price alcohol will become a thing of the past after Parliament today passed the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill. This will pave the way for the introduction of a preferred minimum price of 50p per unit The move is a significant step forward in the Scottish Government's efforts to tackle Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol.25/5/2012
Scottish firms benefit from contracts website
Thousands of Scottish companies are landing contracts after signing up to a free website for public sector work, a report revealed recently. The Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) site advertises billions of pounds' worth of contracts offered by the Scottish public sector.25/5/2012
Digital Scotland Job Boost
Around £500 million will be invested to deliver next generation broadband to communities and businesses across Scotland by 2015, potentially supporting thousands of jobs and boosting Scotland's economy, Alex Neil pledged this week. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment was speaking as the Scottish Government published a procurement plan detailing how contracts will be awarded to reduce the digital divide and to deliver a significant improvement in speed and coverage of broadband for every community in Scotland by 2015.25/5/2012
Ministers reject regional pay proposals
The Scottish Government today submitted evidence to the independent UK pay review bodies which challenges the coalition government's economic case for regional pay. The UK Government is proposing to reduce the pay of those working in parts of the public sector by aligning pay with local market conditions.25/5/2012
Millions for disadvantaged communities
Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital investment, in early Maay 2012 announced the new People and Communities Fund to promote and support community-led regeneration initiatives across Scotland, is open for applications. The People and Communities Fund will invest in community anchor organisations that deliver local regeneration activity and promote change in our most disadvantaged communities.25/5/2012
Consultation on controlling Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)
A movement ban on Persistently Infected cattle is being proposed as part of plans to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in Scotland. The next phase of the eradication programme kicked off today with a consultation into the latest stage of the scheme.25/5/2012
Grow Your Own
The increasing appetite for 'grow your own' was served up a cash boost earlier this month by Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson Mr Stevenson announced a £600,000 package of support to encourage the development of more community growing and support the growth of Scotland's grow your own sector. £450,000 of the funding has been allocated to the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund and will be distributed to community growing projects over three years.25/5/2012
£18 million marine energy fund open for bids
A multi-million pound fund to help develop Scotland's first commercial wave and tidal power arrays was opened in Aberdeen. Addressing the AllEnergy conference in Aberdeen, First Minister Alex Salmond announced that Scotland's Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) was now open for bids by marine energy developers.25/5/2012
New children's bill announced
Legislation to deliver the best package of early learning and childcare in the UK will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament next year as part of the new Children and Young People Bill. Following consultation with local authorities, health boards, children's organisations and other experts, the Bill will bring together, and enhance, earlier plans for separate legislation on children's services and rights to better support Scotland's children and families.25/5/2012
Improving police and fire reform
Amendments to ensure police and fire reform plans are as robust as possible have been announced by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. The series of Stage 2 amendments to the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill have been tabled by the Scottish Government, listening to recommendations from the service, staff associations, the Justice Committee and others.25/5/2012
Welfare Reform Bill
The Scottish Parliament has taken steps that could help to mitigate against draconian reforms to the benefits system being introduced by the Westminster coalition. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the passing of Stage One of the Welfare Reform Bill.25/5/2012
600,000 for "inspirational" awards programme
An innovative awards scheme that brings together young people from different backgrounds to work for the benefit of their communities will be backed by a 600,000 pounds grant from the Scottish Government, First Minister Alex Salmond announced this week. The Outward Bound Trust, together with The Mark Scott Foundation will receive the funding over the next three years to help expand their work tackling divisive issues in society through practical community projects, enabling more young people in Scotland to take part.22/5/2012
Police urge cyclists to 'Lock it or Lose it'
As summer approaches, Northern Constabulary is reminding cyclists about the importance of locking their bikes, every time they use them. Bicycle theft is a problem nationwide, and the Highlands are no exception.22/5/2012
Pulteneytown Clean Up Appeal
Volunteers are being sought for a major community clean up in the Pulteneytown area of Wick. Local Community Works Manager for The Highland Council, Stuart Bell said: "The area has been blighted with dumping of waste for many years and this is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to help clean it up for safe disposal, to protect the environment and to make things right.22/5/2012
Big Lottery Could Help Your Community
Big Lottery Fund (BIG) taking bookings for the information-sharing event scheduled to take place at the Town House in Inverness next Thursday. BIG provides a wide range of funding opportunities and, at present, some 12 programmes are potentially available to groups in Highland.22/5/2012
Highland High School Eco Heating Makes Money For Council
A High School in the Highlands is seeing significant reductions in its heating bills thanks to the installation of a renewable heating system by Scotland's leading biomass company. The biomass heating system at Lochaber High School in Fort William was installed by national biomass heat specialists HW Energy in March last year.20/5/2012
Drop them in it! - Scam Awareness at Eastgate Centre, Inverness
Throughout May, The Highland Council's Trading Standards officers are taking part in the 'Scamnesty 2012' national campaign in a bid to end the scourge of mass marketed scam mailings targeting UK consumers. A focus of the campaign is to invite the public to hand over scam mailings to Trading Standards Officers and Highland consumers will get a chance to do this on Friday when officers take a presence at the Eastgate Centre, Inverness.20/5/2012
Record Presence At International Energy Show From Highland
Largest ever regional presence for Highlands and Islands at international energy show. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland will once again have the largest regional presence at the All Energy exhibition and conference in Aberdeen this week (Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th May 2012).19/5/2012
Mey Market on Tour
Mey Market have started their weekly Tuesday markets in Mey Hall but are branching out this year in an effort to reach more customers, either those who can't get to Mey on Tuesdays, or who just haven\'t got round to visiting the market yet. Three "Awaydays" have been organised.17/5/2012