News Archive

Three New Board Members For CASE

The board of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has been strengthened with the appointment of three new directors, who attended their first board meeting this week (Tuesday 1st March).   Joining the Local Enterprise Company's board are Steve Burness, Alexander Murray and Iain Young.  

CASE Approvals List - January 2005

The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month.   Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.  

SAC Single Farm Payment Meetings in HIE AREA

SAC is organising a series of meetings throughout the Highlands and Islands which aim to help farmers and crofters understand how the new Single Farm Payment Scheme works.   The meetings will take place over the next six weeks (see below for times and venues) prior to the deadline for IACS applications on 16 May 2005.  

New Energy Switching Service For Small Businesses

Powergen creates UK's first online energy switching service for small businesses Bosses who believe that 'time is money' can now change energy suppliers in the time it takes to boil a kettle with the UK's first online 'quick quote' service for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) 1 from leading energy supplier Powergen.   The new service is available at www.powergen.co.uk and allows SMEs to obtain a quote in around two minutes based on their current consumption levels.  

HIE Launches Its Biggest Public Consultation

A HUGE public consultation exercise is being launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Responses to the widest exercise of its kind in the 40-year history of the economic and community development agency and its predecessor, the Highlands and Islands Development Board, will help determine HIE's future activities.  

Skills Grants

People in Caithness and Sutherland who aren't working or who work part time and want to move into full time employment are being encouraged by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) to take up an individual skills development grant.   CASE offers help, advice and funding - up to �750 a year depending on circumstances - to people who can't find work or who are working part-time and want to improve their job prospects.  

Private Property Leasing Scheme - Do You Have Property To Let?

COUNCIL ENCOURAGED WITH RESPONSE TO PRIVATE PROPERTY LEASING SCHEME Highland Council's Housing Service has been greatly encouraged by its public appeal earlier this month to private property owners to consider leasing their properties to the Council.   Members and officials have welcomed the response from 24 people from throughout the Highlands who have contacted Housing staff to enquire about the Council's private leasing scheme.  

Taxi Increases To Take Effect From 10 January 2005

A 5% increase in taxi fares throughout the Highlands will come into force from Monday 10 January 2005.   The Highland Council has been able to confirm the increase following rejection of an appeal to Richard Hamilton McFarlane, Deputy Traffic Commissioner in the Scottish Traffic Area, that the increase was inadequate.  

New Directors For CASE

The chairman of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE), Pat Buchanan, long with chief executive Carroll Buxton, welcomed three new directors to the local enterprise company's board yesterday (Tuesday 14th December).   The three new members are David Halpin, who lives in Dornoch; Willie Calder from Thurso and Nick Gorton, based in Lochinver.  

Highlands & Islands Leading Environmentally-Positive Firms Announced

Companies go through to Scotland-wide final of VIBES awards next week The Highlands and Islands most environmentally-positive companies have been announced by judges of Scotland's leading environmental awards for businesses.   Global provider of total subsea solutions, Wick-based Subsea 7, has won the Highlands and Islands large company category, salmon farming specialist Loch Duart, based in Scourie, has won the Highlands and Islands medium-sized company category while Shetland-based recycling project Enviroglass came top in the Highlands and Islands category for small companies.