News Archive

Council Confirms Council Tax Freeze and Growth in Key Services

A freeze in the Council Tax and a growth in spending to accommodate priority front line services has been confirmed by The Highland Council.  The Independent/Liberal Democrat and Labour Administration were successful with their recommendation to keep the tax at 2008/9 levels and deliver a revenue budget for 2009/10 of £598 million, an extra £23 million (or 4.3% increase) over the current financial year.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sale 11 February 2009

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (February, 11th) sold 2,209 store sheep of all classes.  Lambs (1,680) averaged £51.24 and sold to £78 gross for Texels from Fairmuir Road, Muir of Ord.  

Reassurance No Immediate Threat To Caithness & Sutherland Fire Services

Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs have secured reassurances that there is no immediate threat to Caithness and Sutherland fire services, following a vote in the European Parliament.   The MSPs have visited fire stations and been in discussions with the Fire Brigade Union and the Fire Master for the Highlands and Islands and have also been in touch with Euro MEP, Catherine Stihler and UK Government Minister, Scottish Secretary, Jim Murphy MP.  

Council to offer businesses City roundabout sponsorship deals

Members of The Highland Council's Inverness City Committee have given the final go ahead for a sponsorship scheme of the City's roundabouts.   Five roundabouts within Inverness will soon be advertised by the Council and interested businesses can bid for the right to sponsor the landscaping on each roundabout.  

Highland BlindCraft - High Quality Beds and Furniture

Would like you help Highland BlindCraft? Easy - Just help boost their sales by checking out the high quality beds and other furniture.   A difficult trading year by the company that manufactures and sells high quality beds and furniture has resulted in a loss last year.  

Staff Presented With Top Toilet Awards

Following The Highland Council's success at the Loo of the Year Awards, staff from the Education, Culture and Sport service who are responsible for looking after the award winning toilets were presented with their certificates at a special ceremony in Inverness held on Tuesday 3rd February 2009' Mike Burton, Managing Director of Albany Washroom Services who sponsor the Awards travelled to Inverness to make the presentation.  He congratulated everyone involved for the superb results and said: "It is obvious that Highland Council has galvanised an enthusiastic team of motivated cleasing personnel and management that take tremendous pride in the standards of the toilets that they maintain.  

Highland Council Administration Recommends Council Tax Freeze

A freeze in the Council Tax is being recommended by the Independent/Liberal Democrat/Labour Administration of The Highland Council when the Council holds a special meeting on Thursday 12 February to confirm the 2009/10 Council Tax levels.   The tax is set to remain at the 2008/9 level and deliver a revenue budget for 2009/10 of £598 million.  

BUDGET FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PASSES SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

The second budget of this Scottish Government has been passed by Parliament, securing vital public spending at a time when the economy needs it most.   John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth said the vote in favour of the spending plans would ensure a massive investment programme across Scotland would go ahead, keeping the economy moving and supporting nearly 5,000 jobs.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 3 Feb 2009

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 3rd) sold 74 prime cattle.  Prime bullocks (33) averaged 165.3p (-1.3p) and sold to 173p per kg and £1,164.40 gross.  

2008 Scottish Farm Income Estimates

Scotland's Chief Statistician has published the Aggregate Estimates for Total Income from Farming (TIFF) for 2008 and the Estimates of Average Net Farm Income (NFI) for 2007-08.   The statistics show that total income from farming decreased by £11.9 million in 2008 to £629.6 million, a fall of 1.8 per cent over the previous year before inflation is taken into account.