Week commencing 2nd December 2013 Energy & Business Services: Partnership representatives were once again in Aberdeen this week. A CNSRP-sponsored business influencers’ event was held in association with the Scottish Council for Development & Industry (SCDI), and attracted around 70 attendees, with key guest speaker Fergus Ewing MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism.
A high-powered team from the Crown Estate visited Gills Harbour this week where it met directors of its Canisbay community-owned port and its (partial) lessee Mr Andrew Banks, managing director of Pentland Ferries Ltd. 'Preliminary discussions' on several matters of mutual interest took place, including a brief introduction to and description of the present 'Coastal Community Fund'.
Today (5 December 2013) 56 schools, 7 Service Points and council offices were closed due to lack of power, bad weather or loss of water. There were issues with the Council’s website and school closures online which are being investigated.
The Highland Council and Police Scotland are to work together to ensure parking management is maintained in the Highlands when the traffic warden service – currently provided by the police - ends. Police Scotland have given notice of the completion of their phased withdrawal from the service from 3 February, next year.
The Highland Council’s snow clearing / gritting route policies and area maps are online for 2013/14 at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting. Road condition and gritting treatment reports by The Highland Council’s, Transport, Environmental and Community Services for Thursday 5 December 2013 are as follows: Caithness, South Sutherland and East Ross U2126 Oykel Bailley Bridge Road closed due to flooding.
A planning application outlining proposals for the revised Spittal Hill wind farm, located between 2 and 3 km north east of the village of Spittal in Caithness has been submitted to Highland Council, and is awaiting assignment of a case reference number. Comprising of 7 turbines, with a total installed capacity of up to 21MW, the proposals have been submitted by Spittal Hill Windfarm Ltd, owned by Statkraft and a group of Highland based shareholders.
Mark Blanchard, Head of property claims at Zurich, said:"As some of the most disruptive weather in many years bears down on parts of the country and especially the East Coast today we have already seen a 50% rise in calls from customers asking for us to help get them back on their feet. "High winds matched with high tides are a potentially devastating combination and our overriding advice for people at home and at work who are facing this bad weather is to baton down the hatches and be prepared.
Local MSP and long time road safety campaigner, David Stewart MSP, who jointly launched the HGV 50mph campaign in December 2012, has welcomed the decision by the Transport Minister, Keith Brown to pilot a 50mph speed limit on the A9 for HGV’s. Speaking today he said “ Back in December 2012, Conor Mckenna came to see me on behalf of local HGV drivers and raised his concerns about the speed limit of HGV’s on the A9.
Mackays Grocers in Thurso will make hampers up to your speciifications. Want a Caithness product theme - no problem.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority recognised the role played by a Wick-based manufacturer at Dounreay in its national awards for the UK supply chain. Kongsberg Maritime Ltd supplied a camera capable of working in the harsh radiation environment inside the Dounreay Fast Reactor.
Specially developed KONGSBERG camera receives innovation award from the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Kongsberg Maritime Ltd, the UK arm of Norwegian maritime and offshore technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime, has received the award for ‘Best application of an innovative solution with tangible savings/benefits (SME)' at the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Estate Supply Chain Awards, held in Manchester this November. David Craigie, the product designer holding the award.
Another pioneering in-house invention has allowed the PFR reactor dismantling team to complete one of the final phases of the reactor dismantling ready for final demolition. The centre guide tube was successfully raised from the reactor core, demonstrating that internal fixtures can be safely removed.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the public body that owns Dounreay and funds its clean-up, today set out key milestones for the site over the next three years. A draft business plan for 2014-17 ( http://www.nda.gov.uk/news/draft-bus-plan14-17.cfm) sets out the progress needed on major projects to complete the closure of the site by 2022-25.
Thinking of decorating your rooms for xmas or early spring clean to cheer up your house then call ANDY SUTHERLAND your local painter and decorator on 01955621655 or 07884354147 And a very merry xmas .
Currently firms are contacting businesses asking for support for an educational programme on cyber bullying. The line is that councils have cut back on their funding and they can offer help to classes in your local school if you donate to the programme.
Visit MSP Rhoda Grant's surgery for money advice and hwo to join a credit union at Pulteneytown People's Project, Huddart Street, Wick on Friday 6th December between 1.00 – 2.00p.m. Following the launch of the Debtbusters campaign in at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Wick last month, Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP Rhoda Grant issued a Debtbusters survey to homes across Wick in order to get a better picture of the current financial situation for those living in the county.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 3rd) sold 58 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (23) averaged 233.9p (-28.2p) and sold to 244p per kg and £1,864.00 gross.
With empty shops seemingly a growing trend more place are looking to try new ways to let their space. Retail may be changing but some people want to try new business ideas and this is where a pop up shop can help letting anyone try and idea for a few days or a few months.
Nearly all companies leaving new arrangements to the last minute, risk paying higher rates. Up to 99% of companies in Scotland are unprepared for new refuse recycling regulations that come into force on 1st January 2014, and could face substantial fines as a result.
Police are reporting the success last Friday of a road safety initiative across the Highlands and Islands as part of the continuing Operation Route. On Friday 29 November 2013, officers were deployed throughout the Division to focus on vehicle checks with the aim of improving road safety and deterring travelling criminals.
