The Scottish Welfare Fund continues to help Scottish households in need. Scotland's Chief Statistician today released statistics on the Scottish Welfare Fund covering the period from 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2016.
Consumer protection will be at the heart of an independent review into how legal services are regulated, Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing has announced. The review, led by NHS 24 chair Esther Roberton, will make recommendations to modernise laws underpinning the legal profession's current regulatory system including how complaints are handled.
A new way of tracking and reporting on Scotland's ever-changing landscapes has been launched this week by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Scotland's Landscape Monitoring Programme (LMP) is accessible on SNH’s website allowing anyone to follow how our dynamic landscapes change over the years.
Around 400 pupils and teachers attending Newton Park Primary school and Nursery at Wick Campus in Wick will walk to their new school on Wednesday 26 April setting off at 9am from the Old Pulteneytown Academy building. The procession of pupils in their new school uniforms will be led by Highland Bagpipers Alistair Miller and Chester Henry, a P7 pupil, along the new pedestrian access path and ramp down to the new building.
Extra funding for the Scottish Ambulance Service will help them up-skill paramedics, treat more patients in the community and reduce the numbers requiring hospital admission. A total of £6.3 million Scottish Government funding will support delivery of the Towards 2020: Taking Care to the Patient strategy - focusing on increasing the Service's capacity for care at home or in the community.
Kishorn Dry Dock in Strathcarron, Wester Ross, will come out of a 23 year long hibernation after an agreement to use the site during the construction of the world's largest floating wind farm. HIE has invested £158,932 in the £450,000 costs of upgrading the dry dock in readiness for new contracts.
Mears signs new cost savings deal on PPP Highland schools project. Mears has signed a new deal with the Highland Council which will see millions of pounds saved over the lifetime of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) Highland Schools Project.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (April, 20th) sold 429 sheep of all classes. Lambs (331) averaged £42.75 and sold to £73 gross for Blackfaces from Bogburn Farm, Duncanston.
Scotland's Rural College launches its new strategy today (19.04.17), setting out the direction it will take to better serve Scotland's rural communities and economy. The launch begins a month-long period of discussion with staff, students and stakeholders to determine how the goals set out in the discussion document, ‘Towards a new strategy for SRUC', should be delivered effectively at regional, national and international levels.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 19th) sold 16 pedigree bulls at their annual show and sale sponsored by Messrs Mackenzie, Whitebog, Fortrose, Aardvark Contracting Limited, Fortrose, Bank of Scotland & Surecalf with Zoetis. The judge, Mr R.
New regulations effective from 17 April 2017 restrict the numbers of certain shellfish species that can be taken by unlicensed fishing boats on a daily basis. The Shellfish (Restrictions on Taking by Unlicensed Fishing Boats) (Scotland) Order 2017 sets daily restrictions on taking by unlicensed boats as: Lobster 1 Nephrops 10 Crab (any species) 5 Scallops 6 Fishing vessels that are registered in the UK (with the Register of Shipping and Seamen in Cardiff) are only allowed to fish if they have the necessary licence to do so, and a fishing vessel licence is required to land catches of sea fish for profit.
Working for HIE. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government's economic and community development agency for a region that covers more than half of Scotland.
Scotland's latest Innovation and Investment Hub, Scotland House, has officially opened in London with more than 450 businesses registering their interest in becoming members in the first few weeks. Aimed at helping ambitious Scottish companies take advantage of business opportunities in London and internationally, Scotland House will provide touchdown facilities and a place to meet customers and target new markets, secure investment and showcase products and services.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 18th) sold 7 prime cattle. Prime heifers (7) averaged 213.7p (-0.4p) and sold to 216.0p per kg and £1,231.20 gross.
Today at Wick Harbour 'Rix Lynx'could be seen tied up. Wick Harbour is fast becoming a hive of activity with the work now well underway at the former Steven's yard.
Known throughout East Caithness for the past 47 years as " A I WILLIE" for his dedicated service to the farming community and his voluntary work across the county of Caithness. Willie Mackay has represented Landward Caithness successfully as a Highland Councillor for the past ten years and now wants to do even more for the constituents in the new ward of Wick and the rural townships and villages of East Caithness.
How often do we hear candidates in elections saying they will make things better if they get elected? Often they paint a pessimistic picture that they will improve if they get elected. It is easy to make statements to that effect but much more difficult to bring about successful conclusions with so many competing requirements.
Being a Councillor is a tremendous responsibility and privilege. The people you elect on 4th May could deliver change in every area of your life, from your bin day to your children's education.
The clean-up of the nuclear estate is a key priority for both the Scottish and United Kingdom governments. Dounreay's decommissioning is well established with the site due to reach an interim end state by the early 2030s.