News Archive

Your Community Group Could Get Grants To Lower Heating Costs

Community and Renewable Energy Scheme CARES stands for Community and Renewable Energy Scheme and is the Scottish Government's rebranding of the previous Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) programme.   Community Energy Scotland were awarded the contract to deliver CARES across the whole of Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government for three years from May 2009.  

7000 Graduates to Get Job Market Head Start

Around 7000 graduates' career prospects have been given a boost, now that over fifty universities have taken up the Government's �13.6 million fund to provide internships in small businesses by the end of the year as part of the Backing Young Britain campaign to help young people into work.   The graduate internship programme, which is being promoted by the Federation of Small Businesses, will support small businesses to take on - and get the best from - a graduate intern.  

Highlands and Islands Enterprise To Cut Staff Numbers

HIE efficiency drive aims to put more resources towards priorities Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is to reorganise its workforce to better deliver its role in supporting the region's economic and community development.   The agency is to target greater resources towards a number of priority areas of work, while also running a voluntary severance scheme with the aim of reducing staff numbers and payroll costs overall.  

Dounreay Heritage - Have Your Say

Dounreay was the centre of the UK's fast reactor research and development programme from 1955 until 1994, and is now Scotland's largest nuclear clean-up and demolition project.  By 2025, DSRL expects to have completed the decommissioning of the site.  

Support For Councils and Businesses

Package includes extra cash for road repairs and rate savings for 60 per cent of Scottish businesses Scottish councils are to receive a funding increase in 2010-11 to help protect frontline services despite the Westminster-imposed cut in the Scottish Budget.   Finance Secretary John Swinney today confirmed a package of support for local government and business in Scotland which includes: * Total funding for councils in 2010-11 of almost 12 billion pounds * Confirmation that councils will continue to receive an increasing share of the total Scottish Budget * Five million pounds over and above the funding settlement to be shared among councils to repair damaged roads following severe cold snap * A drop in business rates for almost 60 per cent of Scottish firms, delivering average savings of more than 1,300 pounds annually * Help for councils to manage the costs of back claims for equal pay Mr Swinney said:"We recognise the very real challenges faced by councils and businesses in a challenging climate.  

Population projections for the Highlands

If the trends of recent years continue, the population of the Highlands is set to reach 257,965 by 2033, representing an increase of 18% (38,565) from the 2008 population of 219,400.  This is a higher rate of population increase than given by the previous 2006-based projections.  

New Business Start Up Grant Scheme Launched In Highlands

A new grant scheme has been introduced in the Highlands to help new businesses with their start up costs.   It is hoped that at least 120 businesses will benefit from a grant - which can be used, for example, to buy equipment or market the new business.  

Council Tax Frozen For Another Year

Council Tax frozen as Council sets �607 million budget for 2010-11 The Highland Council will be asked to confirm savings of �12.1 million when they meet on Thursday 11 February to set a revenue budget of �607.2 million for 2010-11 and confirm a freeze on the Council Tax.  The budget is based on the Council Tax at Band D remaining at �1,163 for the fourth successive year.  

Social Enterprise To Recycle Household Electical Appliances

Social Enterprise awarded contract to recycle household waste electrical appliances for the Highlands.   Alness based social enterprise, ILM (Highland), has recently been successful in being awarded a two year contract to recycle all household waste electrical appliances.  

Caithness Volunteers Clear Castletown Path

A path in Castletown which was overgrown with gorse has been cleared by the Caithness Countryside Volunteers group.   This latest activity of the group took place on Sunday 31st January.