New legislation introducing a tax supplement on purchases of additional residential properties has been passed by Parliament. Following this afternoon's Stage 3 debate, MSPs have this evening voted in favour of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill - meaning a supplement will now be levied on the purchase of additional homes such as second homes or buy-to-let properties.
Fergus Ewing MSP, the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, has this morning announced the appointment of John Thurso as the new Chair of the Board of VisitScotland. Boasting significant industry experience, John became Europe's youngest 5 star hotel manager when appointed Managing Director of the Savoy Group's Lancaster Hotel in Paris at 27.
Inverness Service Point customers are being advised that the service is moving to the Town House. The entrance to the new Service Point at the Town House will be on Castle Street and will have a separate public entrance from the existing Town House reception area.
Scottish Registrars are struggling to meet the new demands on the service. That's the finding of an UNISON report Registering our Concern, which is launched today (Tuesday, 8 March 2016) UNISON carried out a survey of registrars in Scotland to investigate how they are coping with new demands and cuts on their service.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts (March, 5th) sold 2 cattle, 3 horses, 8 goats, 91 sheep and 538 lots of poultry, eggs and poultry equipment at their poultry, rare & traditional breeds of livestock sale. Cattle (2) sold to £250 (twice) gross for Shetland heifers from Fair A Far, Kirkhill.
An additional £100 million a year will be invested in schools across Scotland as a result of a package of reforms to council tax outlined today by the First Minister. To make the system fairer from April 2017, the rates paid by those in the four highest council tax bands (E, F, G and H) will be adjusted in a move that will generate £100 million a year.
A new delivery agency will be set up to administer social security payments worth £2.7 billion when they are devolved to Scotland. Speaking in the first Scottish Parliament debate on social security since the fiscal framework to transfer welfare powers was agreed, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil confirmed there will be a phased transition of the administration of powers over the next few years.
Week Commencing 29 February 2016 Energy Business Services: The Scottish Government's recently-announced Transition Training Fund was established to help address the current labour market issues caused by the decline in the price of oil, and its knock-on effects on the economy. The Fund is to be managed by CNSRP partner Skills Development Scotland, and it's been useful to talk through with local SDS colleagues some of the early opportunities to help individuals affected.
• UK Green Investment Bank and Equitix commit £10m to the acquisition and expansion of Wick renewable energy plant and district heating network. • The scheme will undergo a major upgrade with the aim of connecting it to 150 new customers.
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy confirmed this week he has agreed to The Highland Council's request for flexibility in the use of Council Tax income from empty and second homes. Commenting on this agreement the Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: This is very welcome news and I appreciate the positive response from the Deputy First Minister.
Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP and Scottish (Labour) Transport Spokesperson, David Stewart, has written to Lord Ahmad, the Under Secretary of State for Transport, over anomalies with drivers requiring to be re- assessed for driving after a medical condition meant their licences had to be suspended. I have been in dialogue with DVLA and the Driving Assessment Centre in Edinburgh over the lengthy waiting list for drivers re-sitting their test.
Its Generation Game for Kenneth. The Caithness Agricultural Society has a new President with Kenneth Sutherland Jnr taking the reins for the society's 175th Anniversary show this year.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (March, 2nd) sold 719 store cattle Bullocks (457) averaged 228.9p and sold to 310.3p per kg for a 290kg Limousin cross from Balvullich, Muir of Ord, and £1,300 gross for a 750kg Limousin cross from Cambusmore Estate, Dornoch. Heifers (254) averaged 219.8p and sold to 288.5p per kg for a pair of 260kg Limousin crosses from Refouble, Glenferness, and £1,260 gross for a pair of 550kg Simmental crosses from Bunchrew, Inverness.
Highlands & Islands (including Moray) MSP and Scottish (Labour) Spokesperson for Transport, David Stewart, has championed the cause of drivers who have had their licences suspended because of medical reasons and who are having to wait up to seven months before being offered a re- test. David Stewart said " For the last couple of years now I have been working away on two constituent cases in particular in relation to this issue.
An audience of around 60 north forestry professionals will gather in Inverness this week to hear how the future is shaping up for the sector. Three speakers will provide updates on the economic value of forestry in Scotland; progress towards driving up health and safety standards in the industry; and local forestry priorities for the north.
Workshops sponsored by businessgateway. Book your spot early.
Time is running out to have your say on the Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan (CaSPlan). The publication of the Proposed CaSPlan represents another major step forward in the preparation of a new planning framework for Caithness and Sutherland over the next 20 years and beyond.
Week Commencing 22 February 2016 Energy & Business Services: Good to see in Gordon Calder's piece in today's John O' Groat Journal the upbeat views from Project Director David Taaffe on the likely jobs impact of the MeyGen tidal energy project. The news is also given a balanced and thoughtful welcome in the paper's Leader Column.
Energy & Business Services: It was good to speak last week with Magnus Davidson of Thurso's Environmental Research Institute (ERI) about the transnational EU-funded project called REGINA. The project aims to reduce the vulnerability of small communities in remoter areas of the Nordic Arctic and Scotland which face the development - or closing down of - large-scale industries.
HGVs to have 24hr access. The Forth Road Bridge is to fully reopen today Saturday 20 February at 11.00pm.
