News Archive

Council to press Network Rail for improved safety measures

Members of The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee have agreed that the Council will write to Network Rail to press for improved safety measures at automatic open level crossings in the Highlands.   The action follows an update to members on the report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) into the fatal accident at the Halkirk level crossing in September 2009.  

Step Forward For Community Footpath Projects

Members of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee have agreed to allocate �134.4K to 19 community based path upgrading and improvement projects.   The money comes from the first phase of the Highland Core Path Implementation Programme which is supported by the Council and LEADER.  

Berriedale Braes Included In Ministerial Discussions

Regular meetings between senior Highland councillors and the Scottish Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Minister, Stewart Stevenson, are delivering benefits for the Highlands.   This is the view of Council Leader, Michael Foxley, Chairman of the Transport Environment and Community Service Services Committee, John Laing, and the Provost of Inverness, Jimmy Gray, who have been meeting with Mr Stevenson on a quarterly basis to discuss progress on the Joint Action Plan which was developed to track progress on the outcome of the Scottish Government's Strategic Transport Projects Review, and other key transport projects in the Highlands.  

PREPARING FOR WINTER

The Scottish Government has published information on preparing for winter at www.ReadyScotland.org which contains some practical advice and simple steps people can take to protect themselves, their families and their businesses.   Last winter Scotland experienced some of the coldest weather and the worst snow and ice that we have seen for many years.  

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 17 November 2010

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (November, 17th) sold 516 weaned calves and store cattle and 138 OTM cattle.  Bullocks (282) averaged 168.3p and sold to 225p per kg for a 320kg Charolais cross from Wester Tomloan, Glenferness, and �840 gross for a 560kg Charolais cross from 16 Balvaird, Muir of Ord.  

Scotland's largest marine energy conference comes to Inverness

Companies with an interest in working in the marine renewables sector are being invited to attend Scotland's largest renewable marine energy conference in Inverness next week (24 and 25 November).   The free-to-attend event at the city's Drumossie Hotel is being organised by trade association Scottish Renewables with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  

Preferred Business model for potential Highland ALO chosen

Preparations for the potential delivery of The Highland Council's Community Learning and leisure Services through an arms length organisation took a further step forward last week.   Members of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee agreed that the preferred business model for any arms length organisation which might be set up by the Council would be a company limited by guarantee with charitable status and with the option of a trading subsidiary.  

Ask a Global Entrepeneur Questions On Tuesday

Obama advisor supports business community find opportunities in changing North economy Global entrepreneur Ken Morse will consider the challenges facing the Moray, and wider Highlands and Islands economy as part of a live web cast tomorrow (Tuesday 16th November 2010) looking at how communities can create opportunities from change.   Businesses from across the region can take part in the event with the founding Managing Director of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center who has recently been appointed by President Barack Obama to the new US National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  

New Rent Structure Agreed By Council

A fairer system of charging Council house rent has been agreed by The Highland Council's Housing and Social Work Committee following consultation with tenants and an examination of rent structures of other local councils and recognised rent systems.   Consultation indicated that the size and the type of the property were important to tenants in setting rent charges as was the condition and energy efficiency of a property.  

Rok Administration - Council Contracts

Members of The Highland Council's Housing and Social Work Committee have expressed their disappointment and concern that Rok plc has gone into Administration.   Rok have a number of Council contracts and also provide a sub-contracting service on other projects.