Companies are being invited to LINC together and support Scotland's largest decommissioning project thanks to an innovative new scheme designed to increase the number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) delivering clean-up work at Dounreay. Up to five companies will be invited to help understand and develop the best proposal for size-reducing all of the machinery and components that will need to be removed from Dounreay's Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) - the largest to be built at the Caithness site.
Chair of the Highland Council's People Committee, Councillor Alasdair Christie, today questioned proposals for changes to the governance of schools, set out in the Scottish Government programme announced this week. Speaking at today's Council meeting, Councillor Christie said: "The biggest risk to our goals for improving children's attainment in education is in the Scottish Government’s plans to dilute the role of Local Authorities.
The Highland Council has agreed a five-year Programme which sets out a number of strategic goals across 5 themes: a place to live, a place to learn, a place to thrive, a welcoming place and a redesigned council. Council Leader, Margaret Davidson said: "Our Programme builds on the foundations of localism that we have been establishing over recent months.
New guidance for local authorities. Guidance on regulating landlords in the private rented sector has issued to all local authorities.
The Highland Council has agreed to proposals for a restructure of services which will release further savings and streamline management in the Council. The changes would reduce the Senior Management costs of the Council by £235,000 per annum (including on costs).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is offering its clients across the region support to protect themselves from cyber attacks, by launching the Cyber Strong business project. Co-inciding with Digital Leaders Cyber Resilience Week (11-15 September 2017), the agency is launching a programme to help local businesses and social enterprises achieve national Cyber Essentials accreditation.
The Highland Council has agreed its approach to potential £160m budget gap. The Highland Council has considered and agreed its strategic approach to an uncertain and challenging financial outlook over the next five years, at its meeting on 7 September.
At the start of today's Highland Council meeting Convenor Cllr Bill Lobban paid tribute to Deputy Chief Executive Michelle Morris and wished her well in her new role as Managing Director of Blaenau Gwent Council in Wales. He said: "We will really miss her.
Good progress has been made in the delivery of the Council's Programme, Highland First, for the period 01 April 2016 to end 31 March 2017. Of the 72 commitments, 64 (89%) are either complete, progressing well or performance is being maintained.
The Highland Council has opted to take the lead in a proposed Strategic Transport Appraisal of the wider Fort William area as a priority, due to congestion and delays on the A82. A motion put to the Council today, 7 September, signed by Councillor N McLean, Councillor A Baxter and Councillor M Smith states: "Highland Council acknowledges that congestion on the A82, as it passes through Fort William, has reached a point where it is causing unacceptable delays for all road users.
The integrated health and social care partnership between NHS Highland and The Highland Council performed significantly better or matched national averages in Scotland in eight out of 12 benchmark performance areas, according to a report. The first-ever annual performance report on the North Highland Health and Social Care Partnership (NHHSCP) was stipulated by the Scottish Government this year in order to help gauge and compare the progress of integration of all the health board and council services across Scotland.
The Highland Council has agreed to write to the First Minister regarding Police Scotland's plans for the Inverness Control Room. The motion which was signed by The Leader of the Highland Council, Margaret Davidson and the Vice Chair of Corporate Resources Cllr Andrew Baxter states: ‘Highland Council is appalled at the circumstances surrounding the future proposed closure of the Inverness Control Room, a facility that has stood the test of time and countless emergencies with distinction.
The notice, which outlines construction costs of approximately £9 million, invites prospective bidders to formally apply to participate in the procurement to construct major improvements to this important route in the north of Scotland. The project will see improvements to the road alignment and the existing tight hairpin bend.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 6th) sold 85 store cattle, 39 adult head of breeding cattle and 31 OTM cattle. Bullocks (27) averaged 214.0p and sold to 325.0p per kg for an 80kg Aberdeen Angus cross from Proncy Farm, Dornoch, and £1,120 gross for a pair of 510kg Limousin crosses from Carrol Farm, Brora.
‘Don't leave it too late to apply for a licence’ Highland Council’s warns all organisers of community fireworks events. Public entertainment licence applications must be submitted soon to Highland Council if organisers wish to have a licence in place for Bonfire Night.
Week Commencing 28th August 2017 Energy & business services: It has been a good summer for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project. This week comes news that the project has hit another milestone with the installation of 75% of the foundation piles for the 84 turbines due to be deployed at the site off the Caithness coast.
Seizing the opportunities of the low carbon revolution, investing in future economic growth and improving the lives of all our young people will be central to the Scottish Government's Programme for the coming year. Outlining the Government’s priorities First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said action would be taken to phase out the need for petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032 and fast-track the development of a Scotland wide charging network.
The resignation from the Scottish National Party and Highland SNP group of Councillors will come as great shock to many party members but seems to be symptomatic of the malaise since the election in May. Councillor Gowans who represents the Inverness South ward has issued a statement - "It is with great regret and a heavy heart that I have arrived at the conclusion that whilst I remain committed to the cause of independence for Scotland, I feel that my personal views and ethos are no longer compatible with those of the leadership of the SNP Highland Group.
Vice-principals take up roles at University of the Highlands and Islands. The University of the Highlands and Islands has appointed three new vice-principals to its senior management team to increase representation from the 13 colleges and research institutions which make up its partnership.
Chair of Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee questions Police Control Room decisions Chair of the Council's Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee, Cllr Bill Lobban (Independent), has questioned Police Scotland's proposals for closing the Inverness Control Room and establishing two National Database Enquiry Units (NDEUs). His comments follow a presentation by Police Scotland to members at the local Committee today, Tuesday 5 September.
