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.
Highland Council is reminding pupils, parents and carers how to find out if their local school is closed or school transport is affected in anticipation of Storm Barbara hitting the north west of Scotland. Information on school closures is uploaded to the Council's school closures website www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures from 7am each morning School closure messages can be heard on the ‘school closures information line' by phoning 0800 564 2272 (with a school PIN number) to get the latest pre-recorded message from the head teacher of r child's school.
The latest findings of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Business Panel survey have been published (Tuesday 20 December). A total of 1,004 businesses throughout the region took part in the survey between 29 September and 3 November.
There could be more Scottish tatties on Christmas dinner tables across the UK this year. While there was a 5% drop in UK production this season, 2016 was a better year for potatoes up north.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 20th) sold 35 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (6) averaged 206.0p (+2.6p) and sold to 216.0p per kg and £1,414.80 gross.
Reacting to the Scottish Government's Budget Settlement for 2017-18, Budget Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Bill Fernie said:"Disappointingly, our worst predictions are realised in that there has been a real cash cut to councils of £350 million. The devil will be in the detail, but an early analysis equates this to a significant cut in the grant to our core budget.
Week Commencing 12 December 2016 Energy & business services: Good to see news yesterday (Thursday) that the second phase of the Meygen project has reached financial closure, allowing construction to take place in the inner sound of the Pentland Firth in 2017. The project will be taken forward by Stroma Tidal Power Ltd, a wholly owned company of Atlantis Resources Ltd.
"Not content with trying to dismantle Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) Board, the Scottish Government are now cutting the budget to this important organisation," said Highlands Regional MSP, Rhoda Grant. “Today we learned that the basic Government grant to the HIE is to be cut by £7.5 million from £74.5 million to £67 million.
Since the introduction of Decriminalised Parking at Highland Council in October, the demand for Inverness Parking Permits has increased dramatically. This has seen the number of applications and permits issues increase from around 80 per month, to an average of 210 per month in October and November.
Highland Council is introducing pay and display parking at its headquarters car park as part of its Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Schemes. Cllr Allan Henderson, Chair of the Council's Community Services Committee said: "This change has come from a savings proposal agreed by Council in the December 2014 budget for implementation in 2015/16 to save £20,000 per year.
Nominations now open for Scottish Education Awards 2017. The search for the Highlands' brightest education stars is underway as nominations are open for the Scottish Education Awards 2017.
