Nearly eight out of ten public sector contracts in Scotland are now awarded to small and medium businesses as a result of Scottish Government legislation. In 2017/18, of the 22,000 contracts advertised through Public Contracts Scotland, 17,500 were awarded to SMEs, of which 13,500 were Scottish businesses.
New legislation set to be ‘toughest in the world'. Scotland will become one of the first countries to achieve a 100% reduction in carbon emissions, Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has said.
94 PER CENT BACK FITTING SPRINKLERS IN NEW BUILDS. Proposals for mandatory fire sprinklers in new-build social housing have been met with overwhelming public support.
The FLEXICIENCY project aims to demonstrate how, inside the European Union, the implementation of novel services dedicated to energy market can be boosted by the introduction of a Market Place that allows the exchange of data, services and tools among the operators. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement n° 646482.
Business Gateway workshops to be held in Thurso and Wick. The Paths into Public Procurement workshop is new and is being held in the evening for clients' convenience..
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland In work In 2017, 2,618,100 people (aged 16 years and above) were in employment in Scotland, the highest level on record. The employment rate was also the highest on record at 74.3 per cent, although this is below the UK rate of 74.7 per cent.
The Highland Council is looking for new members to fill its vacancies on the six local outdoor access forums in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness & Nairn, Skye & Lochalsh and Lochaber. There are currently at least 2 vacancies on each Forum The Forums are set up to advise the Council on matters relating to outdoor public access and are a part of the Council's duty under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman has written to the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Esther McVey for the third time to complain about her department reneging on agreements. This latest letter follows notification from the DWP that they would no longer be able to meet formal agreements made on the 9 March to provide important data on carers.
The number of households in Scotland has continued to increase to 2.46 million in 2017, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS). 'Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2017' shows over the last ten years the number of households in Scotland has grown by around 145,000 (six per cent).
The public is being asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to review the maximum level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hire cars fitted with taxi meters operating under licence of The Highland Council. The Council has a statutory duty in terms of Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to review its scales for the fares and other taxi related charges every 18 months.
AVIEMORE now has access to free WIFI in and around the centre of the town thanks to a project led by the Highland Council and funded by the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. The free WiFi, called "High-Fi", is aimed at stimulating economic growth and will increase digital inclusion across the Highlands.
Banking & Financial Services. The Wick branch of Royal Bank of Scotland closed its doors for the last time on Thursday 17th May 2018.
A report published today by the local authority spending watchdog looks at how councils are using the estimated 130 ALEOs (arms-length external organisations) in Scotland, which have an annual spend of more than £1.3 billion, and the impact they are making. ALEOs can take many forms - such as companies, community organisations or charities.
Councillor Matthew Reiss, who represents the Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward, has been elected as Chairman of The Highland Council's Caithness Committee. He takes over from Councillor Donnie Mackay who has held the role since June 2017.
Members of The Highland Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee have given their backing to new shop front guidance aimed at ensuring high quality designs for traditional, replacement and new shopfronts throughout the Highlands. The Guidance sets out general principles for repair, reinstatement and replacement of shopfronts, as well as general principles for new shopfronts in new development.
Members of the Caithness Committee have on Wednesday 16th May 2018 approved the Council's 2018/19 structural maintenance programmes for roads in the area for the coming year which reflects both the strategic network and the importance attached to local roads by rural communities. The revenue budget for road maintenance activities in Caithness for 18/19 is £1.214M of which £0.539M is allocated for winter maintenance with a further capital budget of £0.785M The Highland Council's allocation to areas for structural road maintenance is based on the results of the annual Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey, safety inspections, service inspections and input from local members.
The Highland Council remains on track to deliver much-needed affordable homes across the Highlands as recent figures produced show all new home completions in Highland are on the up. In its Strategic Housing Plan 2018-2023 the Council has a pledge to approve a minimum of 500 units each year of which 70% will be for affordable rent and 30% for low cost home ownership.
Nurses in the Highlands and Islands can become fully qualified midwives in just 20 months, through a new £500,000 pilot scheme. The shortened midwifery programme will be available to local registered adult nurses, and those from further afield who wish to study at the University of Highlands and Islands and then work in the region.
Households renting in the private and social sector have been severely affected by UK Government welfare policies, a new report shows. The Impact of UK Welfare Policy on Housing report highlights the negative effect of Universal Credit on both tenants and landlords, due to the major increase in rent arrears.
The Scottish Government has invited Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to apply for European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to establish a multi-million pound Challenge Fund to protect and promote the Highlands & Islands natural and cultural heritage assets. The fund will support the sustainable development of the rich and varied natural and cultural assets in the Highlands & Islands, targeting the more rural parts of the region.
