Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Regeneration Partnership Update - Week Commencing 17 January 2011

27th January 2011

Week commencing 17th January
From Eann Sinclair - Programme Manage

The Partnership's Delivery Group met this week, and discussed progress on our two priority areas of energy and business services. Roy Kirk, HIE's Area Manager reported progress in existing businesses and with targeted inward investment research and campaigns in specific areas of both energy and business services.

We discussed with HIE, DSRL and Highland Council the opportunities and challenges associated with "shared services" - an increasingly common model, particularly in the public sector.

I delivered a presentation to the Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development (PED) Committee. I was able to update members on progress made since the launch of the 2007-2010 Caithness & North Sutherland Action Plan, and to highlight the areas of focus for the 2011-2014 period. As with all PED Committee meetings there is a webcast of the meeting available to view at http://www.highland.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_compact.php?a=50718&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB

The PED Committee also heard and noted an update on the recent submission by the Highlands & Islands Transmission Working Group (HITWG) to OFGEM's call for evidence into Project TransmiT, its review of transmission charging and associated connection arrangements. This is a key issue for the renewables industry in the Highlands & islands, as current transmission charging and connection arrangements are felt to disadvantage areas such as ours. A copy of the HITWG submission can be viewed at http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BE7CBAE5-BB20-4F43-95BE-CDE43BA475B5/0/Item12Ped0911.pdf

I met Jennifer Irvine of Business Gateway to discuss progress on business start-ups in Caithness. Although reports in the news this week have highlighted the ongoing difficulties for small businesses in the current financial climate, there have been a number of new businesses set up in Caithness during 2010/11. I hope to discuss North Sutherland figures with David Knight, Jennifer's equivalent in Sutherland, in the near future. Our aim is to share information between BG, the North Highland Regeneration Fund and HIE to maximise the resources available. BG and HIE already work closely together to evaluate current and potential growth companies, and NHRF provides valuable loan funding to local businesses.

I met today (Friday) with CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver, HIE Chief Executive Alex Paterson, Highland Council's Chief Executive Alistair Dodds and Director of Planning & Development Stuart Black to finalise relevant elements of the Partnership's 2011-2014 Action Plan. Sir Anthony has also recently discussed relevant aspects of the Plan with NDA representatives. We hope to present a report on progress to date, and plans for further activity in the coming years, when Partnership representatives meet the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather MSP next month.
Also today I met with Anna MacConnell of NDA and Roy Kirk of HIE to discuss ways in which these two partner organisations in CNSRP are able to work together on potential future funding opportunities.

This and all my previous updates are also available to view on the Partnership's Blog at http://blog.cnsrp.org.uk/ .

Eann Sinclair

Contact
Eann Sinclair
Programme Manager
Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership
Traill House, 7a Olrig Street, Thurso KW14 7BJ
Tel 01847 896834
Mob 07717 694055
Mail eann.sinclair[AT]hient.co.uk
Web: www.cnsrp.org.uk

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Dounreay Socio Economic Review 21 - 22Thumbnail for article : Dounreay Socio Economic Review 21 - 22
In April 2021, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) became a subsidiary company of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Group.  The Cavendish Dounreay Partnership ceased.  
30/9/2021
Space Hub Sutherland Will Be A Launch Pad For Jobs And The EconomyThumbnail for article : Space Hub Sutherland Will Be A Launch Pad For Jobs And The Economy
A new report launched (Wednesday 29th September 2021), commissioned by Caithness Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, demonstrates the economic benefits that Space Hub Sutherland will bring to the North Highland and Moray areas.   Space Hub Sutherland - a new satellite launch site - will bring huge employment and tourism benefits to the Scottish Highlands.  
Community Projects Benefit Over £80k In CNS Fund Latest Funding
Seven community projects are to benefit from over £80k of funding following the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund's latest grant awards.   CNSFund Chairperson David Glass said "Our latest funding includes improvements to youth activities, community and recreational facilities as well as progressing an ambitious project to establish a major visitor attraction in Caithness.  
£3m For Scrabster Harbour ProjectThumbnail for article : £3m For Scrabster Harbour Project
The second phase in a major upgrade of Scrabster Harbour in Caithness has secured up to £3m investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   The funding will enable the redevelopment of the existing St.  
New Face At Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration PartnershipThumbnail for article : New Face At Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership
In April 2019 Peter Faccenda took over the role of Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership manager.   He takes over from Eann Sinclair who was appointment as Caithness and Sutherland area manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  
Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Weeks commencing 20th & 27th May Energy & Business Services: The Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project this week reached an output capacity of 587.9MW (its installed capacity is 588MW), which is the highest output from any renewable source in Scotland.  And as the construction phase of the Beatrice Offshore project comes to an end it is good to see that offshore piling operations have begun for the Moray East offshore windfarm development.  
Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
SpaceHub Sutherland: The team continued with a programme of drop-in events on the ground around the area this week, running drop-in events at the Village Hall in Skerray and the Kinlochbervie Hotel.  For details on the project and the programme of events see http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/area-information/caithness-and-sutherland/uk-space-port/community-engagement.html Energy & Business Services: As previously highlighted, a meeting was held in Thurso to highlight the newly-established DeepWind Offshore Supply Chain Cluster.  
Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 29 April 2019.   Energy & Business Services: As we see positive progress with the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm development, and the development of both Moray East and West projects, a new initiative to support supply chain companies to learn more about opportunities will be held in Thurso on 13th May.  
Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Weeks commencing 8th-22nd April 2019.   Energy & Business Services: It was good to see the announcement this week by Dounreay that its Decommissioning Services Framework had gone live.  
Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Week Commencing 8th April 2019 Energy & Business Services: It was good to see this week in the Press & Journal's Energy Voice a piece confirming the transformational impact that the Beatrice Offshore project is having on Wick.  It is a timely reminder that although the £2.6Bn project is nearing the end of its construction phase, the economic impacts in the north will continue over the lifetime of the project through the operations base in the restored harbourfront buildings in Wick, which will be home to around 90 workers.