UK metocean survey contractor Partrac has been deploying Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCPs) in support of the tidal and wave energy sector since 2008. The recent recovery of one unit from the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth in the UK marks the 50th successful deployment and recovery completed by Partrac at tidal energy sites.
Staff with a Caithness civil engineering firm, working on behalf of the Highland Council, have been taking advantage of a recent astronomical phenomenon to secure the future integrity of a key access road in the Far North. A small section of the foundations of the Council's 'spur' access road from the John O'Groats to Thurso A 836 route to busy Gills Harbour were undermined by the action of a 'very severe' sea-storm last winter.
The latest vessel in a Far North fleet servicing marine renewables in 'Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters' made her debut call at Gills Harbour on July 2nd, 2013 and was based there for the next three days. The motor vessel Ocean Explorer is a recent addition to the 6-strong flotilla of 'marine electricity support vessels' owned and operated by Leask Marine Ltd, of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.
Scotland Housing Regeneration - Increase in housing subsidy for councils and RSLs. Local authorities and registered social landlords (RSLs) are to benefit from a £44 million increase in housing subsidies, allowing them to create more social housing.
Police in Inverness are advising members of the public of increased traffic volumes during the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart later this week. The event, which begins on Thursday 11 July 2013, is expected to attract a number of people to the region and see increased traffic around the Inverness and Nairn areas, in particular on the A96.
Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division are offering advice regarding considerate driving to all road users during the summer months in an attempt to reduce frustration and collisions on the area's roads. Police are urging all road users to be mindful of other drivers and riders throughout the summer months when the area sees an increase of traffic especially holiday makers, who are unfamiliar with the region.
Scotland Housing. Survey reveals pressures on councils due to UK Govt welfare reforms.
Places still available at food and drink workshop, aiming to help businesses achieve maximum success. Several places still remain on a workshop for food and drink businesses interested in developing new innovative products and packaging.
Deputy Harbour Master Jason Hamilton (white hard hat) with new employee Donald McIntyre (blue hard hat). Scrabster Harbour Trust has been able to take on a new member of staff thanks to funding secured via The Highland Council's Employment Grant scheme.
By the end of 2013 the Royal Mail as we know it could be finished. Privatisation is once again within the governments sights.
Week Commencing 1st July 2013 Energy/ Business Services: CNSRP partners identified support for Wick Harbour Authority’s efforts to attract new business from offshore renewables as a priority, and we have been working with WHA to help deliver the first phase of this work. So it is particularly pleasing this week to see the first fruits of this joint effort, as both NDA and HIE have approved funding towards the establishment of a heavy-lift pad and associated dredging works on the commercial quay at Wick.
The only one north of Inverness! Pentland Energy Advice, which is based in Thurso, has just become a Green Deal Approved Organisation, and this following a lengthy technical assessment and approval process in order to meet the strict criteria the UK Government sets out for their scheme. This coveted achievement by Pentland Energy Advice also followers the success of two of its employees, Angela Craig and Gill Halliday, who both qualified as Green Deal advisors at the end of last year.
Cabinet Secretary given assurances over community partnership working. Left to right: Chief Superintendent, Julian Innes, Police Scotland (Highlands & Islands Division); Dr Ken Oates, Consultant, NHS Highland; Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive, The Highland Council; Jonathan Hart, Highlands & Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group; Drew Hendry, Leader, The Highland Council; Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice; Scott Hay, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (Highlands & Islands Area Manager).
The TA Centre in Wick is to close as part of the MOD reorganisation to save money. Although the TA is to be increased in numbers the range of bases will be reduced.
New evidence published today [Thursday 4 July 2013] shows the cost for householders in remote rural Scotland to achieve a minimum standard of living. The research will help inform public policy and highlight where it can make the biggest difference to alleviate higher costs.
The Highland Council Leader Councillor Drew Hendry has warmly welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that they are ending the right of Council house tenants to buy their Council homes. He said: “The Highland Council supported this proposal at the consultative stage, as we have welcomed previous changes that have restricted the Right to Buy.
Wick Harbour Authority's ambitious plans to attract new jobs to the area from the offshore wind industry have received a boost with the combined support of £450,000 from two partners in the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP). The Harbour Authority is positioning the port to attract business from the two large offshore wind developments in the Moray Firth, and is currently working on a multi-phase programme to ensure that its facilities meet the requirements of industry.
Council Leads the Charge on Green Energy Provision. The Highland Council is demonstrating its commitment to providing cleaner, greener energy for its sites with the award of a 4 year, £1.2M per annum contract for the servicing, maintenance and repair of biomass installations including the supply of woodfuel.
The Highland Council is introducing charging for concessionary places on school transport from the start of the new school session on 20 August. This charge will apply where there are seats available on school transport contracts for pupils who do not qualify for free transport on the grounds of distance, road safety or additional support needs.
IBM has come to the conclusion that all enterprise Tier 1 storage should be completely flash-based, and will be making the transition as fast as possible for the company. They have announced they will be investing $1 billion to integrate flash into all its servers and storage systems, and has also introduced its own flash-only storage appliance.
