News Archive
16/1/2013
There has been another significant fall in the number of people assessed as homeless in Scotland, Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess announced yesterday. Official statistics released today show that there were 10,269 applications for homelessness assistance between July and September 2012 � down 13 per cent from 11,604 in the same period the previous year.
Ackergill Tower, Wick 25/01/2013 to 27/01/2013. Come and join us this Burns Night at Ackergill Tower and celebrate in true Scottish Style.
Work on the new Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan will begin later this month. As part of this the communities of Wick and Thurso will each have a unique opportunity to shape the future of their community and influence future development decisions in the area.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 15th) sold 46 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (22) averaged 209.1p (+1.0p) and sold to 217p per kg and �1,472.90 gross.
15/1/2013
Work prospects for young Scots are being boosted with Scottish Water launching a number of schemes to provide training and employment opportunities. The utility's Modern Apprentice programme now has 77 young people enrolled, working across the business from operations to engineering, customer service and science.
15/1/2013
Police appeal following report of a man being struck by a vehicle in Thurso on Saturday Police are appealing for witnesses following an alleged report that a man was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning(12 January 2013) in Thurso. The incident is reported to have taken place shortly after 03:00 hours in the Millbank Road area of Thurso.
A Business Gateway film suggesting ways to finance your business..
Starting a New business? Find out what deductions, reliefs and allowances you can claim to help reduce what tax you pay..
Whether you�re starting or growing your new business, find out how we can help make your business idea a reality. For assistance with your new or existing business, call 0845 609 6611 or request a call back.
Check out www.highland-opportunity.com. The business of HOL is that of an Enterprise Trust for the Highlands � a body whose purpose is to stimulate economic activity, promote the start up and growth of business ventures including social enterprises, to help create new jobs, improve access to employment and foster business activity and trade.
Any business looking to expand to take on new employees would do well to check out what is on offer at Highland and Islands Enterprise (HIE). www.hie.co.uk.
Week commencing 7th January 2013 Energy: The new year brings further good news from Subsea 7 as it secures another significant contract which will help maintain its current workforce of around 120 at Wester, near Wick. The contract, for Dana Petroleum, will involve pipeline construction for Dana's Harris and Barra fields located to the east of Shetland.
Just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day that the shop will be open. Further reductions with bargains starting at �2 - more than 50% OFF! Come and see us between 10am and 5pm for great deals on scarfs, earrings, necklaces, bags, purses and more...
Members of The Highland Council�s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee will hear next week that the extent of damage to Council harbour facilities and coastal defences during the 14/15 December 2012 storm is currently estimated at �2.555 million. In a report to the TEC Services Committee, members are advised of the extent of the damage to facilities at 24 locations including: Scrabster � East Gills; John O�Groats Harbour; Freswick Harbour; Ackergill Harbour; Keiss Harbour; Staxigoe Harbour; Victoria Street, Wick; Scalesburn, Wick; Service Bridge, Wick; Latheron Harbour; Dunbeath Harbour; Helmsdale Harbour; Brora Harbour; Golspie; Embo Harbour; Portmahomack and its harbour; Hilton; Balintore and its harbour; Shandwick; Rockfield; Rosemarkie; and Nairn.
Highland Councillors are being invited to adopt revised guidance to help assess planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) across the Highlands. Comments have been taken on board from a public consultation in late 2012, which included a debate on the options for Inverness City Centre at the Council�s City of Inverness and Area Committee.
11/1/2013
Colleges will be able to support learners into employment in 2013/14 with a ring-fenced share of a �52 million fund to help people into jobs, following the announcement of the second tranche of the Employability Fund today. The Employability Fund, announced as part of the Scottish Budget, brings together a number of pre-existing training programmes to make life simpler for both providers and prospective trainees and better align training for all with local and regional needs.
11/1/2013
Increasing the rate of successful oil and gas recovery in the North Sea by just 1 per cent would deliver �22 billion of extra tax revenue, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing will tell the Scottish Parliament today. Maximising the amount of oil and gas recovered from existing oil wells would have enormous benefits for the Scottish economy, increasing the level of tax, ensuring that this precious asset is available for future generations, and creating further opportunities for innovation and job creation in our world-leading oil and gas sector.
11/1/2013
A new modern apprenticeship programme to give young people the opportunity to enter Scotland�s �500 million fishing industry has been launched. Developed alongside fishermen from across Scotland, the Modern Apprenticeship in Sea Fishing will offer young people aged 16 to 24 an entry route into a fishing career.
11/1/2013
Rules designed to prevent nitrate pollution of the water environment, in designated areas of Scotland, have been revised. Following a consultation last year, the Scottish Government is amending its Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs).
The Wick Offices of Highland council at Market Square will close on Friday 18th January and reopen on Monday 21st January 2013 at Girnigoe Street, Wick. A new telephone system has been installed and new telephone numbers allocated - see the listing attached.