Budget Leader Cllr Bill Fernie welcomed the news that as a result of the budget deal agreed by Scottish Government, there will be a reduced cut to local authorities: "The deal effectively reduces our budget gap from £26 million to £20 million. This has meant that we have been able to reconsider some of the severe cuts to services and third sector groups which were necessary before.
Motorists are being advised that pay and display parking at Highland Council's headquarters car park comes into force on Monday 13 February 2017. The pay and display scheme is part of the Council's Decriminalised Parking Enforcement across the Highlands.
The Administration of The Highland Council is hoping to balance the council's budget with far fewer job losses and cuts to services than previously feared. Following considerable analysis of potential savings and consultation with staff and opposition groups, the Administration have developed a package of proposals to take to the Council meeting on 16 February for approval.
Highland Council continues to work with consulting engineers, Aecom, to find an affordable solution for the refurbishment of the Coghill Footbridge, Wick. New information on ground conditions, received in December 2016, has resulted in design changes and impacted significantly upon construction cost estimates, now in excess of the capital budget of £505,000 available to the project.
Scots accessing statutory debt solutions show little movement, according to Accountant in Bankruptcy figures Latest figures from Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) show the number of people accessing Scottish statutory debt solutions has remained steady in the third quarter of 2016-17. Figures for bankruptcies, protected trust deeds and debt payment programmes under the Scottish Government-backed Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) have stayed largely stable, showing a 1.9 per cent increase from the previous quarter to 3,145.
Draft strategy outlines ambitious vision for a modern, low carbon Scotland. A new target to deliver the equivalent of 50 per cent of the energy required for Scotland's heat, transport and electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030 was unveiled today, as part of a key consultation on Scotland’s first energy strategy.
Membership of new Trade Board confirmed. Scotland's international exports rose from £27.7 billion in 2014 to £28.7 billion in 2015.
How will the 2017 VED car tax changes affect you? From 1 April 2017, the UK's car tax system - also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) - is due to change. Will you end up paying more for your next car? So if you are thinking about a new car it might be cheaper for VED if you buy before 1st April this year.
Week Commencing 16 January 2017. Energy & business services: Following last week's very welcome news that Highland Council has approved the application to redevelop harbour-side buildings in Wick as an Operations & Maintenance base for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm (BOWL) project comes the first visualisation of what the restored buildings will look like - for picture see the BOWL Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/beatricewind .
Highland Council has updated Wick Campus stakeholders and confirmed that the Campus has now been handed over by Hub North Scotland to the Council. The building is not as yet operational, and there are a number of outstanding works to be completed.
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.
