The message that money from Europe remains available to support business and employment opportunities in Highland was confirmed at today's meeting of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee. Over the years European funding has played a key investment role in the economic development and growth of the Highland economy including safeguarding and creating jobs and helping the area’s most deprived communities seek support.
Total income from farming is estimated to have increased by £245 million in 2017, after a modest increase in 2016. The Chief Statistician in the Scottish Government today published Total Income from Farming Estimates for Scotland 2015-2017, which contains near-final estimates of Total Income from Farming (TIFF) for 2016 and an initial estimate of 2017 TIFF.
Since the creation of the Scottish Welfare Fund in April 2013, 275,690 households have received rewards of more than £148 million. Latest figures show that between July and September 2017 councils received 42,760 applications for Crisis Grants, an increase of 3% on the same quarter the previous year.
Scotland's schools are in line to receive a share of over £120 million next year to help close the poverty-related attainment gap, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has announced. Pupil Equity Funding is being allocated to 2,387 schools from the Scottish Government's £750 million Attainment Scotland Fund in 2018/19.
Scotland's NHS, the economy, public sector workers and the low paid will benefit from the Scottish budget, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said today as he confirmed he had reached an agreement that will see the financial plan passed at all stages by the Scottish Parliament. The budget takes steps to mitigate UK Government cuts, increases funding for the NHS by £400 million, invests in the expansion of early learning and childcare, delivers on our commitments to broadband, supports the building of 50,000 new homes, backs small businesses and innovation and provides essential funding for our frontline police and fire services.
During 2017 Quarter 4, the retail sales were flat in volume terms (0.0 per cent growth), according to statistics announced today by Scotland's Chief Statistician. The value of retail sales in Scotland increased by 1.1 per cent during 2017 Quarter 4, meaning that consumers spent more than they did in the previous quarter to buy the same quantity of goods.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 30th) sold 14 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (2) averaged 217.5p (+8.5p) and sold to 218.0p and £1,253.50 gross.
Highland Council's South Planning Applications Committee has approved a major planning application for an alloy wheel manufacturing facility at Fort William in Lochaber. The facility involves an investment in excess of £130 million which will sustain and create around 570 jobs; expand business opportunities and provide a value added product for the UK motor vehicle manufacturing industry which could reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.
The Highland Council would like to remind householders to only put clean and dry items into blue recycling bins. Cleaner recycling means less waste, less landfill and therefore more value.
Several roads in the centre of Inverness will be temporarily closed to traffic on the morning of Saturday 10 February as the city gears up to host the opening ceremony of the 2018 Snowman Rally. Drivers are being advised that from between 7.30am and 12 noon the following roads will be closed to all vehicles: Eastgate closed at its junction with Crown Road to its con-junction with the High Street; The High Street closed at its con-junction with Eastgate to its junction with Castle Street; Hamilton Street closed at its junction with Academy Street to its junction with Eastgate.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has said she is dismayed by the latest response she has received from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) about the closure of 13 branches in the Highlands and Islands. The MSP wrote again to the bank at the start of the year, stressing again, the impact their decision to close the branches will have on its customers, its staff and the wider communities in general.
Plans to reform the Scottish Crown Estate, and give local communities more control of its assets, has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Crown Estate Bill will establish a framework for changes in the management of Scottish Crown Estate assets and give communities a stronger voice in how these assets are managed.
£1.5 million to applicants in second round of funding. Six projects across Scotland will be offered a share of £1.5 million in the second round of Decommissioning Challenge Fund awards.
A kit home and window manufacturer with operations in Caithness and Inverness has been shortlisted for a national award for innovation. Norscot is one of three finalists in the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2018 Innovation of the Year category, after developing a system for clients to view their new homes on site virtually before building work starts.
Energy & business services: The Scottish Government's Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme is now open for applications. Financial support through the programme has been designed to encourage innovation of both design and business models.
The meticulous approach to managing historical records at the Nucleus archive has secured the highest accolade from the government's records regulator. ‘Place of Deposit' (PoD) status was granted by The National Archives at Kew (TNA) and National Records of Scotland in December 2017, on schedule, after a comprehensive assessment of all operational aspects at the £20 million facility near Wick.
The Office for National Statistics has released its latest commentary on the Labour market in the UK. The number of people in work reached a new record, with 32.21 million people in work in the three months to November 2017.
Funding Applications can now be made from January 2018. Deadline 30th April 2018.
Highland Council has listened to its customers and agreed a below-inflation rise in garage and garage sites rents. The results of a Highland Council consultation on housing, garage and garage sites rents has directed the decision making of Highland Councillors today (Thursday 25 January 2018) at the Council's People Committee.
Highland housing tenants are to receive a small 0.5% increase in council house rents for the coming financial year 2018/19 which equates to an average weekly rise of 36p. Members of Highland Council's People Committee have approved the 0.5% rent increase which would result in an increase in the average weekly council house rent from £72.88 to £73.24 (£0.36p).
