The Members, staff and resources of Highland Council continue to be focussed on responding to the COVID-19 emergency. Staff across all services and areas are working hard, often in roles different to their normal jobs, to ensure a proactive, well organised and co-ordinated approach is taken across Highland.
People across Scotland offer their support during pandemic. Registrations to volunteer and help communities and public services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have reached more than 76,000 in Scotland.
More than 50 Scottish studies to tackle virus and its impact. Research projects to increase the understanding of coronavirus (COVID-19), screen potential treatments and support clinical trials will benefit from almost £5 million of Scottish Government funding.
Energy Minister to chair meetings of oil and gas group for COVID-19 and price crash response The Scottish Government is to convene regular meetings of the Strategic Leadership Group on Oil and Gas and Energy Transition with a renewed focus to work in partnership with the industry to identify actions to support the sector and its workforce during these unprecedented times. The oil and gas sector faces ongoing challenges to adapt operations during the global coronavirus (COIVD-19) pandemic, compounded by the crash in oil and gas prices.
Scotland's economy grew by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2019, according to statistics announced today by the Chief Statistician covering the period from October to December. Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth.
The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the amount of retail goods bought in Scotland fell by -1.1% during January to March 2020. Over the same period Great Britain as a whole saw a -1.6% contraction.
From Highland and Islands Enterprise. Further to Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop's announcement this morning that the Scottish Government's additional £100m fund for businesses impacted by COVID-19 will be open for applications from 2pm, we wanted to provide you with more information about this support.
From today, newly self-employed individuals who have not been able to access support through other schemes will be able to apply for a one-off grant of £2,000. Following the launch of the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Highland Council has been asked to administer the fund for Newly Self-Employed businesses within the Highland Council area.
Due to the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the planned date of the purchase of the South Tower by The Highland Council has changed. The Highland Council was due to complete its purchase of the building on 1 May 2020 and this is now likely to happen once the current period of lockdown is lifted.
The Highland Council is preparing for a budget gap of over £80M within the current financial year due to the impact of the Coronavirus crisis. All Members received an update today on the budget situation as part of their regular briefing sessions.
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that the Garden Waste Collection Service will be resumed from Monday 11th May 2020. Householders who have purchased a 2019/20 permit for the fortnightly collection of their garden waste are urged to check their calendars on The Highland Council's website for their collection day.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 29th) sold 773 store cattle and 38 OTM cattle. Bullocks (407) averaged 228.6p and sold to 270.9p per kg for a 275kg Limousin cross from 1 Howbeg, Lochboisdale and £1,155 gross for a pair of 567kg Aberdeen Angus crosses from Torispardon, Boat of Garten.
The Highland Council has welcomed the guidance issued today (29th April) by Scottish Government on ‘Donations of PPE and other supplies'. Cllr Ben Thomson, Chair of Highland Council's Housing and Property Committee said: "We welcome this new guidance from the Scottish Government which signposts people to a single national point of contact for those wishing to make or donate PPE to Covid-19NHSsupplychain@gov.scot.
Construction of a bridge or tunnel across the Corran Narrows in West Lochaber - replacing the long-established ferry service - is a viable proposition from an engineering, planning and economic perspective that deserves more detailed examination and costing. This is the conclusion of a high level feasibility study jointly funded by HITRANS, the regional transport partnership, The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 28th) sold 805, prime sheep. Old season lambs (791) averaged 214.2p and sold to 238.1p per kg and £101 gross.
The NDA have published a business plan covering 2020 - 2023. The consultation on the Plan ran for 8 weeks, from 23 December 2019 to 14 February 2020.
Gone unseen in the current lockdown is the fact that unsecured subprime lending has almost ground to a halt. Forcing some to make difficult choices.
The leading representative body for the UK's offshore oil and gas industry has warned that up to 30,000 jobs could be lost in the sector as it called for the transition to net zero to be put at the heart of recovery plans. The stark warning comes as companies in the sector report an increasingly grim outlook as they deal with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and a 20 year low in oil prices and a 14 year low for gas.
With government telling people not to move house unless they really have to and lenders withdrawing many loan products it is much harder now for many whether they are looking to buy a house or indeed paying mortgage where the low interest deals are coming to an end with consequent increases in the monthly payments. Articles online cover the issues - Homeowners suffer as mortgages vanish [url=https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-8155585/Halifax-Barclays-scrap-new-mortgages-40-deposit.html]Banking giants Halifax and Barclays scrap new mortgage deals unless borrowers have at least a 40% deposit[/url] UK lenders to grant 1.2m mortgage deferments.
Primary care services will remain open during the May public holidays, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has confirmed. Funded by £8.2 million from the Scottish Government, GP services and community pharmacies have been asked to remain open on the May public holidays, with NHS 24 operating with an increased number of call handlers.
