News Archive

20/2/2019

Fuel Poverty In Scotland Targeted By Scottish Government

A bill outlining new measures to tackle fuel poverty was debated in the Scottish Parliament today.   Members were be asked to agree to the general principles of the Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill, which has three main aims.  

20/2/2019

Brexit concerns raised by third sector

The concerns of stakeholders from across society on the possible impacts of Brexit have been highlighted by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a speech in Glasgow to leaders from the third sector.   Following the launch of the Scottish Government's £150,000 Brexit Stakeholder Engagement Fund in May 2018, 11 projects across the country have been examining the impacts that Brexit may have on communities in Scotland.  

19/2/2019

 
Test Blasting At Berridale Road Improvement Programme

Trial Small Scale Rock Blasting Notification Period 1pm-4pm Tuesday 26th February 2019.   RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd have been awarded the contract by Transport Scotland to construct improvements to the road alignment and the existing tight hairpin bend on the A9 at Berriedale Braes.  

19/2/2019 : Auctioneers

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 19 February 2019

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 19th) sold 4 prime cattle.   Prime heifers (4) averaged 211.0p (-1.2p) and sold to 213.0p per kg and £1,354.50 gross.  

19/2/2019

 
£40m Charitable Bonds Funding For Affordable Homes

The £40 million additional investment in charitable bonds for 2019/20 is expected to generate £10 million of donations, with the grant donations created by the programme so far having already provided funding for over 250 homes for social rent.   Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said:"The government's innovative use of charitable bonds is making a real contribution to the delivery of our target to deliver 50,000 affordable homes by March 2021.  

19/2/2019

 
Calls For EU Nationals To Stay In Scotland

The Scottish Government will increase its efforts to encourage EU citizens to remain in Scotland, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will confirm in an address to the Assemblee Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament, as she describes the UK's decision to end Freedom of Movement as part of its Brexit deal as a ‘self-defeating measure.' Speaking to the Foreign Affairs Committee after opening the Scottish Government's new office in Paris, the First Minister will give her support to EU citizens currently living in Scotland.  She will say: "Those EU citizens of course include 13,000 French people, who are our colleagues, friends, neighbours and in many cases our family.  

19/2/2019

 
£18m For Oneweb Satellite Constellation To Deliver Global Communications

Affordable worldwide internet coverage is one step closer today, after £18 million of UK Space Agency funding was awarded to OneWeb through the European Space Agency, to aid the development of its next generation satellite constellation.   A global communications network in space, the system will be comprised of approximately 650 satellites initially and scale to more than 900 satellites over time.  

19/2/2019

Farming And Climate Change - Young Farmers Leading The Way

Four young farmers and crofters have been appointed to champion a cultural and behavioural shift towards low-carbon, environmentally sustainable farming in Scotland.   The Young Farmer Climate Change Champions will work through peer-to-peer learning to highlight how farmers can improve efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce costs, and enhance the sustainability of their businesses.  

19/2/2019

Making Tax Digital For VAT From 1st April 2019

Making Tax Digital: how VAT businesses and other VAT entities can get ready.   If you run a VAT-registered business with a taxable turnover above the VAT registration threshold (currently £85,000) you are required to keep digital VAT business records and send returns using Making Tax Digital (MTD)-compatible software.  

19/2/2019

 
Wages Rising Fastest In A Decade

UK wages are increasing at their joint-fastest rate in a decade, with unemployment remaining low at 4 per cent.   UK wages are increasing at their joint-fastest rate in a decade, with unemployment remaining low at 4 per cent.  

18/2/2019

Reforming succession law

The public is being asked for their views on how the law covering inheritance rules in Scotland could be made fairer.   A newly-launched consultation asks how an estate should be split when there are both a surviving spouse and children.  

17/2/2019 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Week commencing 11 February 2019.   SpaceHub Sutherland: The SHS team are holding more events this week - in both the Melness Community Centre (Tuesday 19th February, 15.30-20.00) and the Pentland Hotel, Thurso (Wednesday 20th February, 15.30-20.00).  

16/2/2019 : Taxis

 
Caithness Taxi Firm Jimmy's In Running For Award

Local Caithness Taxi firm Jimmy's Taxis is heading south to find out if they will win the "Family Business of the Year Award" at the Scottish Taxi and Privare Hire Awards ceremony.   The STPH Awards will take place in the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow, on Saturday 9th March 2019.  

14/2/2019 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Does Not Go For Maximum Council Tax Increase

Highland council today agreed at the budget meeting not to apply the 4.79% increase recently allowed by Scottish Government in their budget but instead are restricting it to 3% increase for 2019/20.   Council Tax is charged on all domestic properties and each property is banded in one of 8 bands (A to H) based on the assessed value of the property.  

14/2/2019 : Local Authority

Highland Council Saving On Grass Cutting

Highland council today 14th February 2019 agreed a budget saving of £70,000 in grass cutting.   Amenity Services maintains approximately 900 hectares of parks, open spaces and cemeteries on behalf of the Council.  

14/2/2019 : Local Authority

Highland Council's budget for change agreed with many cuts and increases in charges

The Highland Council today set a revenue budget for 2019-20 with savings also identified for years two and three of the three-year budget.   The Council approved the Council's change programme "A Sustainable Highland" which is set to deliver £37.456m savings over the next three years.  

14/2/2019 : Local Authority

Highland Council To Dim Street Lights To Save

One of the smaller cuts to save money at Highland council budget meeting today 14th February 2019 was the dimming of street lights on new LED systems.   Further reduction in street lighting energy consumption between 24:00 and 06:00.  

14/2/2019 : Local Authority

Budget Cut In Highland For Specialist Early Years Support

At the budget meeting held by Highland council today 14 February 2019 a cut of £250,000 for 2019/20 was agreed.   The report stated - "There is a need to provide a greater focus on supporting Additional Support Needs in early years, with the roll out of 1140 hours.  

14/2/2019 : Local Authority

Small Changes To Recycling Centre Opening Hours For Small Saving

Highland council agreed to another small saving t the budget meeting on 14 February 2019.   £40,000 saving spread over two years 2019/20 and 20120/21.  

14/2/2019 : Local Authority

Newstart - Removal Of Grant Funding For Waste Management

Newstart Highland that took over Home Aid in Caithness is set to lose a £75,000 grant from 2019/20.   The Highland council agreed the reduction at its budget meeting on 14th February 2019.