From 1 April 2017 the Scottish Government is changing the basis on which properties are assessed for Council Tax and this will increase the charge for Council Tax properties that are banded E to H. The Highland Council has no discretion in this matter and must apply these increases to the Council Tax charges from 1 April 2017.
Highland Council is encouraging people across the region to have a go at balancing the Council's books - using a budget simulator. The Council is seeking feedback from local people as it prepares for the reduction in funding it receives from the Scottish Government.
Leader of The Highland Council, Margaret Davidson (Independent) has welcomed the outcome of the vote yesterday, 17th January 2017, in the Scottish Parliament, on the motion to reverse the decision to scrap the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Cllr Davidson said: "This vote sends a strong message to the Scottish Government about their incessant centralising agenda and we would now urge Ministers to reconsider their entire approach.
In September 2016 CYBG PLC, the parent company of Clydesdale Bank, announced that its branch network would be reducing as part of the Bank's strategy to create a truly integrated digital, mobile, telephone and branch service for its customers. Following last year's announcement, Clydesdale Bank has today confirmed that it will close 40 branches in 2017.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 17th) sold 35 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (11) averaged 208.8p (+2.6p) and sold to 216p per kg and £1,420.40 gross.
The property is located in a pleasant residential area and is approximately a 5 minutes walk from Wick railway station and the Caithness General Hospital. The facilities of Wick town centre and the expanding Wick Harbour are approximately a 10 minute walk.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 10th) sold 39 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (13) averaged 206.2p (+9.5p) and sold to 217p per kg and £1,407.00 gross.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (January, 11th) sold 2,324 sheep of all classes. Lambs (1220) sold to £70 gross for Cheviots from South Balkeith, Tain.
The deadline for commenting on The Highland Council's draft Landscape Appraisals to help in the consideration of future proposals for wind energy development is drawing near - but has been extended to 31 January 2017. Two landscape sensitivity appraisals are currently being consulted on: one for the Caithness study area and another covering The Black Isle, surrounding hills and Moray Firth Coast.
The Leader of The Highland Council, Margaret Davidson has written to the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Annabelle Ewing MSP, in relation to the recent press coverage on concerns raised about the handling of emergency calls in the Highlands and Islands. Councillor Davidson said: "It does raise concerns over the Government's decision to close the Inverness Fire control room and transfer responsibility for handling emergency calls to Dundee.
Ten wave energy development projects have been awarded a total of £3 million by Wave Energy Scotland. The projects, devised by individual companies and partnerships, will explore the potential of different materials and processes in the production of wave energy converters (WECs); devices that convert ocean waves into electricity.
Plans for a multi-million pound research and innovation campus in Stromness in Orkney are set to go ahead after the two organisations behind the venture agreed funding for the project. The 3.75-acre campus will support the growth of existing research and innovation activity and the expansion of companies in Orkney's world-leading marine renewables, energy and low carbon sector.
Works are continuing on the construction of the new £3.3M railway crossing in Muir of Ord to replace the existing bridge carrying the A862 over the main Inverness to Dingwall rail line. All 22 prefabricated concrete parapets have now been installed and recent surfacing works to the west of the new bridge has allowed traffic to be switched away from the existing road on to a newly laid temporary surface.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 3rd) sold 31 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (9) averaged 196.7p (-9.9p) and sold to 219p per kg for a 580kg Limousin cross from Drummond Farm, Evanton to Messrs Fraser Brother Butchers, Dingwall and £1,408.75 gross for an 805kg Charolais cross from Shawpark, Glaickmore.
Seagoing staff working for Marine Scotland lost £3000 of a £5000 retention payment because their management decided to abandon a two-year deal approved by a Scottish Government Reward and HR Policy panel in 2015. Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant received the information from Marine Scotland when she asked when the panel, which looks into the business case for Government posts, was due to meet again to decide on the remaining £2,000 of the retention payment.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, is to contact the Scottish Government about NHS dentistry services after constituents have raised concerns with him recently. The MSP has received complaints about patients being referred from NHS clinics to ‘High Street' general dental practices, with NHS Highland unable to give a guarantee that NHS dental treatment will be available at these practices as and when required.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 27th) sold 44 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (6) averaged 206.6p (+0.6p) and sold to 215p per kg and £1,455.30 gross.
Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, has been asked if the upgrade of Berriedale Braes will happen sooner than the three years previously mooted by his predecessor. Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has written to Mr Yousaf following reports that work has now started on the design for the project after the publication of the findings of a Local Public Inquiry.
Highland Council's administrative offices will close at 4pm on 23 December 2016 and reopen on 4 January 2017. The Service Centre will close at 4pm on 23 December and open as normal on 28, 29 and 30 December (closing at 4pm on 30 December) Service Points will be on reduced opening hours.
This is a short message to update you on activities relating to the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP). Enabling activities: Following last week's news that the Reporter appointed to lead the Public Local Inquiry (PLI) into the Berriedale Braes Improvement Scheme had recommended that the proposed Improvement Scheme should go ahead unamended, it was good to hear this week from Humza Yousaf MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Transport and the Islands, that work will now be undertaken to progress the scheme through the remaining statutory processes.
