News Archive

Gaelic Medium Provision At Glen Urquhart Primary School

A proposal to establish Gaelic Medium education provision at Glen Urquhart Primary School in Drumnadrochit took a step forward this week.   At The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee members were informed about the outcome of a recent statutory consultation on the proposal to establish Gaelic Medium provision at the school.  

Internal Audit Report into Caithness Heat and Power

Caithness Heat and Power is a joint project supported by The Highland Council since its inception in 2004 because of its potential to provide renewable energy in an area of fuel poverty via an innovative biomass district heating system at Pulteneytown, Wick.   The project has, to date, failed to achieve its objective due to problems relating to technology, and an internal audit report by The Highland Council's Head of Audit and Risk Management into the enterprise has highlighted that the Council's and the company's governance arrangements covering the project should have been stronger .  

Weather Update Tuesday 12 January 2010

Schools: Only one secondary school, five primary schools and four nursery schools in the Highlands were closed today (Tuesday 12 January 2010) as a result of adverse weather conditions.  Kingussie High School remained closed due to health and safety concerns.  

North Police Advice For Motorists Tonight

Northern Constabulary Issue Advice Following Possibility of Freezing Rain in North Highlands and Islands Northern Constabulary are issuing safety advice to members of the public following a warning of possible freezing rain in parts of the Highlands and Islands tonight and tomorrow.   Freezing rain is very hazardous in that the precipitation falls as rain but freezes on contact with the ground.  

HELPLINE FOR FUEL POOR EXTENDS HOURS

Calls soar as households seek help to beat the freeze Scotland's national energy assistance helpline will be operating an extended hours service, as the country experiences the biggest snow fall for thirty years.   The service will now be available weekdays from 9am until 7 in the evening and at the weekends on Saturday between 9am and 1pm.  

Road Report at 0630 hours 8/1/10

The following roads are currently affected by weather within the Northern Constabulary area: Ross-shire: Unclassified Kishorn to Applecross road (Bealach na Ba) remains closed due to snow Sutherland: B871 Kinbrace to Syre remains closed due to snow B869 Unapool to Lochinver remains closed due to snow Badenoch: B9007 Carrbridge to Glenferness remains road closed due to snow Isle of Skye: B885 Struan to Portree remains closed due to snow Unclassified Breakish to Kylerhea is passable with extreme care Western Isles: Unclassified Pentland road from Carloway to Stornoway is not recommended by Police due to surface ice.   Whilst all other roads in the Northern Constabulary Force Area are open, many of them, particularly minor roads, remain affected by snow and ice, especially following the extremely cold temperatures experienced overnight.  

Council staff go the extra mile to get to home care clients

Council care at home staff throughout the Highlands are going the extra mile to maintain services to clients in rural areas.   An example of the efforts being made to get to older and vulnerable people has been witnessed in the Dingwall area and the Black Isle, where staff have gone beyond the call of duty in order to visit their clients.  

Mutual Aid Provided By Highland Council On Salt Supplies

A number of councils in Scotland are experiencing shortages of salt and, through Mutual Aid arrangements, the Council is in a position to assist those councils with the most pressing needs.   The Council is expecting a fresh supply of salt from our suppliers in Northern Ireland.  

Events Officer Appointed To Support Caithness Mod 2010

Carol-Anne Mackay has been appointed as Event Support Officer to support the National Modd which is being held in Caithness in 2010.   Carol-Anne will provide support to the local organising committee of Mod Ghallaibh, for a full programme of events, leading up to, and during the Royal National Mod.  

Council Calls For Patience During Wintry Weather

The Highland Council's Convener Councillor Sandy Park is calling for patience when it comes to clearing Highland roads and pavements.   Since the recent wintry conditions have started the Council's entire fleet of 114 road, and 54 pavement gritters and over 200 winter maintenance staff have been working flat out within the Council's gritting policy to keep roads clear.