Scottish Water’s household charges will rise this April, 2014, by 1.6 per cent – 1 per cent below the level of inflation (RPI). This is only the second rise since 2009 and signals a determination to build on customer service improvements in recent years, maintain investment in upgrades to water works and pipes and ensure services are ready for the future.
The three officer-bearers of the community company which owns and operates Gills Harbour, the Scottish mainland’s most Northerly port in Caithness, held a surprise impromptu meeting with a top UK Cabinet Minister on Friday 24th January, 2014. The Rt.
Management at Dounreay are facing the challenge of how to accommodate additional work from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) whilst maintaining the same annual spend, the same Interim End State – and most importantly, the same priority on working safely and securely that the site is renowned for. The additional work has arisen because activities that were not sufficiently developed by the NDA at the time the competition was run in 2012 have now reached a state of maturity that allows them to be added to the existing programme of work.
Northlink Ferries is set to welcome the MV Hamnavoe back to service on Friday, 24 January 2014, complete with new livery. The photo here shows Hamnavoe on 5th January before the makeover.
Week Commencing 20th January 2014 Energy & Business Services: HIE colleagues have returned to Aberdeen this week for a further series of meetings with companies and agencies. As previously reported interest in Caithness as a place from which to do business is strong, with new companies showing interest in energy sector opportunities.
2 Day Crofting Course in Golspie next month. This course is ideal for aspiring, new and existing crofters and will get you up to speed with all things croft related from CAP reform to animal welfare, diversification and much more...
Survey to map Scotland’s tenant farming sector. Surveys are being sent to every tenant farmer in Scotland as part of a major piece of research that will influence the future of Scottish farming.
Unemployment rate at lowest in five years. Scotland is the best performing of the four nations of the UK in terms of unemployment and employment rates, according to new labour market figures which show for the period September to November 2013.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 22nd) sold 728 store cattle, 68 adult head of breeding cattle. Bullocks (498) averaged 238.8p, (+28.1p on the year) and sold to 298.8p per kg for a 415kg Limousin cross from Lochbuie, Newtonmore, and £1,600 gross for 667kg Charolais crosses from Hilton Farm, Tain.
Residents in the Highlands are being encouraged to bolster the ranks of their local Community Council as Interim elections take place to fill vacant positions serving eight areas of Nairn, Lochaber, Inverness and Caithness. The Highland Council, who administers the interim elections, are inviting nominations from people looking to fill vacancies on the following Community Councils.
Demand for statutory debt solutions continues to decline. Official statistics released this morning by The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB), Scotland’s insolvency service show that personal insolvencies have decreased by 2.2 per cent on the previous quarter and by 13.7 per cent on the same quarter of the previous year.
Mojo Maritime reaches a major milestone in building the Hi Flo 4 offshore construction vessel. Mojo Maritime has signed, on 16 January, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hammonia Reederei GmbH & Co.
The Highland Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) has recently been successful in securing further funding to support fishing communities in Highland under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund. Funding of £198,642 is available to help communities where fishing requires supporting measures to build skills and knowledge and increase the capacity of local fishing communities and business networks through innovation, collaboration and diversification.
The Highland Council’s Finance Housing and Resources Committee, which meets on Wednesday, is being recommended to contain the average weekly rent increase to 2%. This will see the average rent rising from £68.99 to £70.37, an increase of £1.38.
Week Commencing 12 January 2014 Energy & Business Services: There is further evidence of progress with the programme of upgrades to the electricity transmission network in the north with this week’s announcement that Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission has received final planning consent from Scottish Government for the reinforcement of the electricity transmission network between Caithness and Moray. This will involve a new overhead line between the new Dounreay sub-station and Mybster (on the Causeymire), as part of the wider £1.2bn programme, which includes a subsea link from the east coast of Caithness to the Moray coast.
Police renew warning to retailers following reports of 'ringing the changes' frauds. Police Scotland are renewing previous warnings about deception thefts targeting businesses across the Highlands and Grampian after receiving two reports of 'ringing the changes' frauds at retail outlets in the Aberdeen and Inverness area on Saturday 11 of January 2014.
A major new report has found record numbers of people are now employed in the renewable energy sector in Scotland. Scottish Renewables commissioned independent researchers to survey more than 540 companies in what is the most comprehensive study to date.
An Inverness visitor centre is to receive a new name and make-over to help attract more tourists through its doors. Highland councillors have supported the re-branding and re-launch of the Inverness Floral Hall by approving £39K funds towards a development plan.
Have you checked out ways to save money on heating your home yet? RDI in Thurso specialise in heating systems and are sending out the message to check if you qualify for the Scottish Government Cash back scheme before it ends. The Green Homes Cash Back deal is funded by Scottish Government to offer you cash back on home improvements which increase energy efficiency.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (January, 15th) sold 3,225 sheep of all classes. Lambs (1,214) averaged £54.15 and sold to £84 gross for Texels from Teanluick, Beauly (Beaton).
