More than 17,000 self-balancing scooters - or hoverboards- have been examined at national entry points since 15 October due to safety concerns*. Of these, over 15,000 (or 88%) have been assessed as unsafe and have been detained at the border.
Week commencing 30th November 2015 Energy and Business Services: Atlantis Resources Ltd, owners of the MeyGen project in the Pentland Firth, have just announced a newly-created post of Director of Power Generation. The postholder, Stephen Ward, will play a key role in the construction of MeyGen Phase 1A.
NorthLink Ferries support of a new conservation initiative has proved successful, with five harbour porpoises, a striped dolphin and a pilot whale spotted in the first four months of the project by the ferry firms crew members. The sightings, identified while NorthLink Ferries crew members travelled between the mainland and the northern isles, feed into a wider survey conducted by the marine mammal conservation charity ORCA.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 3rd) sold 1,155 store sheep. Lambs (752) averaged £42.31 and sold to £73.50 gross for Texel crosses from Hillend, Auldearn.
Positive discussions have taken place between Caithness Councillors and representatives from Wick and Thurso community councils earlier today (3 December 2015) over plans to ensure the budget savings for Community Services can be met. Whilst managing to provide the £63,000 saving necessary in Caithness, the Wick Nursery, which was earmarked for closure, has been retained, albeit delivering a reduced level of service.
A new conservation area for Culloden Muir near Inverness has been unanimously approved by Members of The Highland Councils City of Inverness Area Committee. This marks the final stages of the first formal review in 47 years to the existing conservation area of Culloden Battlefield which was first designated in 1968.
Highland Council urges Scottish Government to consider the impact of a minimum 25 hour primary school week. Chair of Education, Children and Adult Services Committee, Cllr Drew Millar is urging the Scottish Government to rethink their proposal to impose a minimum 25 hour primary school week.
The Highland Council's Trading Standards team are urging shoppers to know their new consumer rights as the countdown to Christmas gets underway. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 came into force from October 2015 and states that goods must: be of a satisfactory quality be fit for a particular purpose match the description, sample or model.
Who will get the new State Pension? The new State Pension scheme is being introduced for people who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. You will be able to claim the new State Pension if you're: a man born on or after 6 April 1951 a woman born on or after 6 April 1953 If you were born before these dates, you will get your State Pension under the current scheme instead.
Phil Gormley QPM has been appointed by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) as the next Chief Constable of Police Scotland. Mr Gormley will take up the post on 5 January 2016.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Shona Robison, has announced the appointment of the new Chair of Highland NHS Board. Highland NHS Board is responsible for the strategic planning of health services and the development of measures to improve the health of the communities in the Highland region.
Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP Rhoda Grant is becoming increasing worried about the financial state of NHS Highland and the effect on staff and patients. Yesterday continuing concerns were raised by some MSPs at the Scottish Parliaments public audit committee, commenting on the decrease in locums and the local authoritys policy over not filling some staff vacancies.
NorthLink Ferries has been named as the joint winner of a national award in recognition of the company's commitment to Fair Trade. The award was presented at the Scottish Fair Trade Awards to the Northern Isles ferry service for its partnership with Aberdeen Fairtrade Steering Group and Orkney Fair Trade Group.
Almost two thirds of residents in the Highland Council area believe that climate change is an immediate and urgent problem according to a survey of the Councils Citizens Panel. 66.4% of 989 respondents expressed this attitude towards climate change.
The first ever Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) Conference in the Highlands has been a great success. The Conference was held at the Highland Council Chambers on Friday (27 November) with over 60 people attending from The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Moray Council and Aberdeenshire Council, as well as individuals involved in the local community and development.
John Erskine, a Policy and Parliamentary Researcher to Scottish Labour Party leader Kezia Dugdale MSP and the Scottish Labour Candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross at this years UK General Election is launching his campaign to become a Scottish Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands at next Mays Scottish Parliament elections. John Erskine who was born in Inverness and grew up in Ross Shire, attending both Maryburgh Primary School and Dingwall Academy first sought election at the Highland Council elections in 2012, before going on to work for the Highlands and Islands Scottish Labour MSPs for three years based in Inverness.
Chief Medical Officer launches campaign to show children why literacy, maths and science matters. Scotlands Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood today visited Sciennes Primary School in Edinburgh to launch the Primary Futures ‘Who is in Health?' campaign; to help young children understand how people in the health sector use literacy, maths and science in their jobs.
Legislation to bring certainty for pupils, parents and teachers. Primary school pupils across Scotland will be guaranteed at least 950 hours a year (equivalent to 25 hours a week) of teaching time the Scottish Government has announced.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 1st) sold 54 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (12) averaged 203.1p (-13.8p) and sold to 212p per kg and £1,289.05 gross.
FOLLOWING the COSLA Leaders meeting last Friday, the Leader of Highland Council has warned staff that Local Government could be facing a cash reduction in its Grant of 4-5% for 2016-17. Current assumptions for the budget were based on a cut of 1.6% and a 4 or 5% cut would be a significantly worse position.
