Town Hall Refurbishment in Full Flow
2nd May 2006
The building enabling work for Caithness Horizons has begun, with the contract for the first phase of work being awarded by Highland Council to local firm MM Miller (Wick) Ltd.
Caithness Horizons has held its first annual general meeting and is delighted to announce that directors Paul Cariss, the company's chairman, and Tina Wrighton of UKAEA have both been co-opted back onto the board.
Paul Cariss said: "I am proud to be part of this project and as work begins on the building the feeling within the team is one of great excitement, after almost five years of hard work and dedication. The new facility, which is due to open in spring 2008, will bring many benefits to the area, not just during the construction phase but for the long-term future of the local community."
The cataloguing of artefacts from Thurso Museum and the Town Hall is well underway and the project working group are making plans for the structural work to commence.
Work on the building will be ongoing throughout the coming months, with crucial design work and surveys being carried out. The main construction work is scheduled to commence towards the end of the summer.
John Thurso MP, Honorary Patron, said: "I am delighted that the enabling work has now begun and that a local firm has been awarded the contract. Caithness Horizons have done an excellent job in securing the funding and I looking forward to the
projects completion in 2008."
Pictured is Jeanette Farquhar who is assisting Alan McIvor of Thurso Heritage Society with the cataloguing at the Forss store. Jeanette's pictured with the bust of Robert Dick, the modest baker who resided in Thurso but became known throughout the country for being self taught in botany, geology and various other subjects. (Photo By Alan McIvor)
Information regarding the building refurbishment and the project's progress will be regularly updated on the Caithness Horizons website at: caithnesshorizons.co.uk
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The Inverness Castle Experience is delighted to announce the appointment of three senior roles, adding to its leadership team ahead of its highly anticipated opening later this summer. The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
Members of today's Corporate Resources Committee (Thursday, 20 March) were presented with and approved the organisation’s Talent Strategy and Talent Action Plan These have been designed to support initiatives to grow and retain talent within the Council, ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future. The Talent Action Plan includes initiatives such as developing apprenticeship programmes, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and promoting flexible work models.
The Highland Council has today received confirmation from Scottish Government that it will continue to provide funding to the Wick-Aberdeen Public Service Obligation (PSO) into financial year 2025/26. The funding provided by Scottish Government in 2025/26 will be up to £1 million, as in previous years, and The Highland Council will continue with its own already agreed commitment of £300,000.
As agreed at The Highland Council's budget meeting on Thursday 6 March, more than £2 million has been approved for investment in environmental and community services throughout the Highlands including a community development fund, a community-focused operating model, Access Rangers and grass cutting maintenance. Councillor Bill Lobban, Convener of Highland Council, said: "These investments reinforce our commitment to working with communities to create a resilient, sustainable and nature-positive Highland.
The Highland Council is taking part in the 2025 Welcome to Your Vote Week campaign run by the Electoral Commission which launches today (Monday 10 March). Every year the Electoral Commission asks schools, colleges, youth groups and universities to celebrate democracy by teaching democratic education with their students and young people.
A £4.3m investment for education was agreed in Highland Council's 2025/26 budget. This investment is a key indicator of change for Highland schools, its 31,000 pupils and their 2,000+ teachers and support staff that will further consolidate the Council's on-going path to improvement.
Highland council agreed a 7% increase in Council Tax, one of the lowest increases in Scotland, with 2% of this allocated to create capital investment fund for schools and roads as part of the Highland Investment Plan. Members agreed a budget which will see over £4.5 million of revenue investments for 2025 - 2026, over £17 million additional reserves investment for major developments and the creation of over 100 jobs across the Highlands.
As part of The Highland Council's proposed three-year Medium Term Financial Plan, £14 million has been allocated for expansion of bus company operations across the Highlands and shared investment in renewable energy opportunities. £6 million is proposed to be allocated for an ‘Investment in Community Transport’ programme to build on the success of the Council’s in-house bus service by expanding its services to benefit more communities across the Highlands.
After receiving numerous complaints from businesses and the public, Highland Council Trading Standards has seized a significant quantity of illicit tobacco products from a retailer in the Highlands. This operation underlines the Council's commitment to protecting consumers and supporting legitimate businesses.
The Highland Council is delighted to announce a significant increase in positive destinations for school leavers in the academic year 2023/2024. An impressive 96.5% of Highland leavers have secured a positive destination, up 1.2% from last year.
