Other Public Services News

Gaelic Language Plan Consultation By Northern Constabulary

Northern Constabulary has completed its draft Gaelic Language Plan for the period 2012-2013 for consultation prior to its submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig in April.   The plan, which has been developed in accordance with the Gaelic Language ( Scotland) Act 2005, outlines Northern Constabulary's commitment to the sustainability of the Gaelic language.  

Regeneration Partnership - Latest Update

Week commencing 6th February: Energy: The Scottish Government's Energy Advisory Board met this week, and announced the recommendations of the short-life working group on planning and consenting for offshore renewable energy.  The working group, co-chaired by the Energy, Enterprise & Tourism Minister and featuring industry, regulatory bodies and The Crown Estate, has made recommendations designed to streamline the scoping, planning and consenting of offshore renewables projects.  

Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration P'ship - Update

Week commencing 16th January: Energy: Scottish Government has announced that Scrabster harbour is one of 14 sites across Scotland to become an "Enterprise Area".  Scrabster is included as one of five sites in the Low Carbon & Renewables - North grouping.  

Regeneration Partnership Manager Looks At 2011 Highlights

Eann Sinclair the Programme Manager for Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership look s back at some of the business highlights last year in Caithness.   January Staff move into the new £4M Centre for Energy & the Environment in Thurso, and begin the £3M MaREE research programme, with funding from HIE, ERDF, UHI, Scottish Funding Council.  

Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update

Week Ending 9th January 2012 Energy: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd has published a contract notice for the design of the subsea hub and off-shore platform proposed for the Moray Firth (in the area of the Beatrice field), to support the provision of a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea link from Caithness to the Moray/ Aberdeenshire coast.  This is a key milestone in the ongoing electricity Grid enhancement programme for the area, and the proposed timetable would see the facility built and commissioned by the end of 2014.  

New Pulteney Centre Opens 23 January

When Pulteney Centre opens to the public on January 23 there will be plenty of new classes and groups to join, running both during the day and evening.   Why not make it your New Year's Resolution to try something different this year with one of the following, all held in Pulteney Centre.  

What Pulteney Centre Will Bring to the Community

Pulteney Centre will be a "one-stop-shop" for the community's needs, offering a unique package of social groups, training and facility hiring opportunities all within the same building.   The large function room will be available to hire for a variety of different purposes such as: * Birthday parties * Small wedding parties * Children's themed parties with full use of the soft play area and other fun activities such as face painting * Business meetings and community meetings The multi-purpose hall will also be available for hire for a wide use of needs, including: * Use as a sports hall for games of five-a-side football, badminton and lots of other sports * A venue for conferences or large meetings * Perfect for community events or special occasions * All with full use of the changing rooms, showers and other facilities As well as all this Pulteney Centre will be offering: * A band practice room * Youth drop-in * Restaurant/bistro offering good quality food and refreshments for families * Cinema facilities * And lots of classes and groups you can find out about in this newsletter Pulteney Centre will open up a range of possibilities for people and businesses in the local community and the wider area.  

Caithness Chamber Points Out Arts Business Opportunity

The Caithness Chamber of Commerce has put out information that might be of interest to creative entreprenuers.   The 2012 Starter for 6 Main Programme is now open for applications.  

Regeneration Partnership - News and Updates

Week commencing 12th December: Energy: I met this week with Trudy Morris (Caithness Chamber), Ian Couper (Energy North), Jacquie Black (ERI) and Keith Muir (HIE) to discuss a possible follow-up event to the supply chain event these two membership organisations held in North Highland College last spring.  As previously reported UHI is staging an international conference in Orkney next May, and following discussion with the event organiser for that Conference it was agreed that an event could be run on the final day of the Conference offering local/ regional companies the chance to talk directly to a broadly academic audience which is involved in key research and development activities in the marine renewables sector.  

Regeneration Partnership Latest Update

5th December 2011 Energy: Meygen, the leaseholders of the "Inner Sound" tidal site in the Pentland Firth, held two public information days this week to update on key issues such as project timescale, environmental surveys, the potential locations and scale of expected onshore works and the technical solution for exporting power to the grid.  Nearly 100 people attended over the two days, and heard that Meygen will be submitting its Environmental Statement to consenting authorities in the New Year for a Phase 1 of up to 86 turbines, each of which will be separately connected to the grid.