News Archive

Small Business Bonus saves Highland businesses �37m

Approximately �37 million worth of rates relief have been awarded across the Highlands local areas since the introduction of the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) in 2008, Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said today on a visit to The Drawing Room in Inverness.   The Drawing Room, owned by Highland businesswoman Mairi Fraser, is one of 8,383 businesses premises to have benefited from rates relief since the introduction of the SBBS in 2008.  

NDA Sets Out Supply Chain Opportunities

More than 700 visitors from across the UK and beyond took advantage of face-to-face networking opportunities at the second supply chain event for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate.   The event at the De Vere Whites Hotel, Bolton, was organised jointly by the NDA and its site licence companies, including Dounreay.  

Cereal And Oil Seed Rape Harvest Statistics

Scotland's Chief Statistician today published the Final Estimate of the Cereal and Oilseed Rape Harvest 2012.   This publication updates the provisional harvest estimates published in October and provides commentary and graphics on the latest annual changes and trends over the past 20 years.  

Record Breaking Renewable Electricity Generation In 2012

New figures published today for the first three quarters of 2012 show Scotland�s renewable electricity output was on track for the best year ever.   The figures, which were released this morning by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, point to 2012 being a record year for renewable electricity generation in Scotland, with the first three quarters of 2012 generating 15.2 per cent more electricity than the same period in 2011, the previous record breaking year.  

Authorities Braced For Repeat Of The Big Storm This Week

SEPA warns of potential flooding across Scotland.   The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned of potential flooding across Scotland through Thursday and Friday.  

Energy Sector Boosts Passenger Numbers At HIAL Airports

Passenger numbers at Scotland�s regional airports jumped by more than 10% last month, with the booming energy sector responsible for much of the growth.   Latest figures from airport operator HIAL show that its 11 airports handled 101,701 passengers in November, an increase of 10.5% on the same month last year.  

Limekiln Wind Farm Could Create Skilled Jobs Lost From Dounreay

Green energy firm Infinergy has officially submitted its planning application for a 24-turbine wind farm at Limekiln, in Caithness.   Infinergy believes the project will significantly offset the carbon footprint of the area and create new industries, jobs and skills that will outlast the decommissioning of nearby Dounreay Power Station.  

Board Confirms End Of Door Entry Policy

The Highland Licensing Board has confirmed its decision to abolish its door entry policy, which required customers at 13 night clubs across the Highlands to enter the premises by midnight.   The Board took a policy decision to abolish its door entry policy at a meeting on 20 November on the basis that it had not been demonstrated that the policy continued to serve any of the 5 licensing objectives.  

Council Help And Advice For Private Landlords

Highland Council publishes help and advice for private landlords and letting agents.   Private landlords are being given information about new laws and advice about what they need to do to meet their new duties in the latest edition of The Highland Council�s Landlord News published this week.  

Council assesses storm damage to East Highlands

The Highland Council is taking stock of the damage to its eastern coastline following storm surges over the weekend which resulted in damage to existing coastal defences and a number of harbours.   Staff from The Council�s Transport, Environmental and Community Services were been deployed throughout the week end to respond to local flooding issues and clean up the debris resulting from the storms.