"The forward look of the Council is one of ambition, improving outcomes and working across Communities". This is the view of the external audit report on The Highland Council.
More than 800,000 premises in Scotland can now benefit from fibre broadband, following 34,000 connections in the last six months. The £428 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) scheme is on track to meet its target of 95% by the end of this year.
Work to establish a Scottish National Investment Bank takes a step forward today with the launch by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon of a public consultation on the details of the Bank's operation. Addressing an international conference on inclusive growth in Glasgow, the First Minister set out a number of steps the Scottish Government is taking to reduce inequalities and ensure that all parts of society benefit from economic prosperity.
Scotland's council tax base increased to 1.967 million Band D equivalents in September 2017. This figure, calculated after taking account of Council Tax Reduction, is much higher than that for 2016, due primarily to the increases in the multipliers in Bands E to H, which took effect from April 2017.
The Council has a legal duty to provide certain advice and information services on debt, welfare and housing for local residents. Employment rights advice is also provided but there is no statutory duty on the Council to provide this.
Highland Council is fully supportive of the aim to close the poverty-related educational attainment gap between children and young people from the least and most disadvantaged communities. In Highland, 1537 Primary and 1006 Secondary School children live in the most deprived data zones.
The above panel have been working over the last few years to build a website which would benefit people living in and visiting Caithness, in relation to visiting/using "accessible" services for people with disabilities. http://www.caithnessaccesspanel.co.uk/ We are now at the stage that we need information of local businesses that provide services to the public to input onto our website.
Simon Henrick, Head of News at Green Flag, commented: "Statistics show that the price of petrol has crept up by over 3p per litre in the past three months. This means owners of cars with 55 litre tanks are spending £1.65 more every time they fill up than they were in July.
Last week, The Highland Council issued rent suspension orders (RSO) in relation to a number of properties being operated as unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMO). The orders, which have been served on the owners and tenants, mean that the tenants are no longer under any obligation to pay rent to their landlord.
The Highland Council is ready for winter and prepared to grit council roads as the council's winter maintenance programme starts on 14 October. Trunk roads in Highland are the responsibility of Transport Scotland and their operators Bear Scotland.
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 14th) sold 259 weaned calves and store cattle, 24 OTM cattle and 8 adult head of breeding cattle. Bullocks (183) averaged 221.4p and sold to 286.3p per kg for a pen of 255kg Simmental crosses from Moy Farm, Banavie, and £940 gross for a 490kg Simmental cross from 7 Back of Keppoch, Arisaig.
The Leader of The Highland Council Councillor Margaret Davidson welcomed the First Minister's announcement of a Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to deliver much needed improvements to tourist infrastructure to support the rising numbers of visitors to the Highlands. This comes the week after figures were published for August which showed Highland visitor attractions were performing 17% higher compared to August last year, a result that is backed by accounts from residents and businesses that the area has been hugely popular with visitors this season.
Around 12,000 mainstream social tenants across Scotland aged under 35 could collectively face an annual rent affordability gap of between £5.3 million and £8.6 million when a UK Government cap on housing benefit (or the housing element of Universal Credit) for social housing tenants at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates comes into force in April 2019. This is a key finding of new research commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government and published today (11th October 2017).
Huge expansion of free early learning and childcare. Spending on childcare will double to £840 million a year by 2021-22 in a bid to transform the life chances of children in Scotland.
Trading Standards are looking for young people to take part in test purchasing exercises. We want to find out which shops are breaking the law by selling age restricted products to young people under 18.
Scottish shortbread makers, confectioners and bakeries could benefit from support to combat shortages and rising prices in the butter market. The Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) will undertake an urgent feasibility study to explore opportunities for collective buying and storage, to increase market competitiveness and boost sales.
A recent study from Forex Bonuses finds the countries among the 20 largest economies who are adapting quickest to using cashless systems like phones and contactless cards - revealing that Canada narrowly edges out Sweden for the top position. The economies adopting the most cashless technology have been revealed in new research from global trading site Forex Bonuses.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (October, 6th) sold 136 rams at its annual show and sale of Blackface rams, sponsored by PKN Nutrition and Scottish Woodlands. The overall champion was a shearling from Messrs MacDonald, Dalbuiack, Carrbridge, realising £1,000 to Mrs M.
Week commencing 25 September 2017 Tourism, Food and Drink: · Last weekend saw the staging of the annual "Taste North" event organised at Ackergill Tower by Venture North with support from a range of organisations including CNSRP partner the NDA. Despite the less than ideal weather, the event attracted a record number of visitors (around 1,000), and a range of food, drink and tourism companies from across the north, and featured a range of activities and demonstrations, including masterclasses with renowned chef Nick Nairn.
Let Happy Tumbles make your event that little extra special. Our soft play equipment is clean and well maintained, offering bright colours and a range of exciting shapes to climb on, slide down and ball pools to explore.
