The proportion of schools reported as being in good or satisfactory condition has increased to 90.7% (90.4% in 2022). This is 29.6 percentage points higher than in April 2007 (61.1%).
Single use vapes could be banned in Scotland, as part of plans to protect public health and the environment. The Programme for Government outlined a commitment to take action to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and to tackle the environmental impact of single-use vapes, including consulting on a proposal to ban their sale and other appropriate measures.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September 5th) sold 8 Prime Cattle. Prime Bullocks (4) averaged 270.1 per kg and sold to 273.0p per kg and £1,802.00 gross.
Reducing poverty, delivering growth, tackling climate change and providing high-quality public services will be the Scottish Government's top priorities for the year ahead, First Minister Humza Yousaf has pledged. Outlining his first Programme for Government, the First Minister described it as "unashamedly anti-poverty and pro-growth".
From the First ministers speech. The Scottish Government has expanded ELC to 1,140 hours a year for all three and four year olds, and around a quarter of all two year olds.
All but statutory services stop from today. Birmingham City Council has effectively declared bankruptcy after being hit with a £760m bill to settle equal pay claims.
From the First Ministers Speech In addition we recognise housing costs are a key factor in determining people's standard of living. During the cost-of-living crisis, this government took prompt action to introduce emergency rent caps for most private tenants, and to introduce additional protections against eviction.
From the First Ministers Speech. Following consultation, I can confirm we will also enable councils to apply a premium on council tax rates for second homes - a demonstration of our desire to empower local government to tackle the challenges they face..
Dounreay has welcomed the 2023 instrument, electrical, mechanical, scaffolding, joinery, design and business apprentice intake. These young people will now take part in development programmes, which will see them have the skills and qualifications to make them the future of our workforce.
PORTREE, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd (September 4th) sold 3,092 store lambs and feeding sheep. Lambs (2,812) averaged £47.95 and sold to £107 gross for a pen of Texel Crosses from 44 Borneskitaig, Kilmuir.
Derek Brown takes up the post of The Highland Council's Chief Executive from today, 4th September 2023. Derek comes to the Highlands with extensive experience in his previous roles as Deputy Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Local Authority, a Professional Advisor on the National Improvement Framework, Derek started his career in teaching.
From Monday 4 September, nominations are invited from people seeking election to all Community Councils. This is your chance to help represent the views of your community to The Highland Council and other public agencies.
The Castle Street Energy Centre, a key city centre regeneration project, featured in a visit to the area by UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord. (Friday 1 September 2023).
A clampdown on fake reviews and hidden fees has been announced by the Government which will help customers cut the costs of living. Series of new business measures proposed to boost transparency and help consumers with cost of living as they shop.
The AI Safety Summit will bring together key countries, technology organisations, academia and civil society. Five objectives of the AI Safety Summit to be progressed shared by UK Government UK will work closely with global partners to make frontier AI safe, and to ensure nations and citizens globally can realise its benefits AI Safety Summit will bring together key countries, leading technology organisations, academia and civil society together.
New tool uses artificial intelligence to assess hospital data and help predict patients at risk of becoming long stayers, with resulting negative implications. The Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) supported the NHS AI Lab to develop a proof of concept (PoC) which could help identify patients at risk of unnecessary long hospital stays and the associated negative outcomes.
A report was presented to members of the Communities and Place Committee yesterday (Thursday, 31 August) outlining a number of Bereavement Services projects currently being progressed to maintain burial ground capacity and crematorium services within the Highlands. The update focused on matters around the progress of burial ground extensions and also on work which has been commissioned to review the options for a cremator replacement at Inverness Crematorium.
the government in England have pressed ahead with the doctors pay increase despite strikes still coming. Junior doctors will join the strike on 20 September, also with "Christmas Day" levels of cover.
Members of the Communities and Place Committee of Highland council were briefed on an imminent legislative change being brought forward by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), concerning the collection, storage and treatment of Upholstered Domestic Seating at Council facilities throughout the region. Currently the Council directs all Upholstered Furniture to landfill, however, yesterday's update outlined the operational and financial implications to the Council in adopting this legislative change and diverting Upholstered Furniture from landfill.
An article from the Fraser of Allander Institute published 31 August 2023 This morning the Scottish Government released the first statistics on applications and granting of licences for short-term lets by councils. The licensing scheme came into force in October 2022 for new operators, and existing operators must apply for a licence before 1 October 2023.
