Week commencing 8th July 2013 Energy/ Business Services: A seminar this week highlighted the opportunities for the Highlands and Islands in the oil & gas industry, as outlined by noted petroleum economist Professor Alex Kemp in his keynote presentation. I was able to help discuss particular actions that will help realise some of these significant opportunities in our area.
Homes for Scotland has announced the appointment of experts in housing finance from the world renowned Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research and LSE London to assist a sector-led group to identify and attract new sources of investment to help expand Scotland’s rental sector. With an estimated 465,000 new homes needed in Scotland by 2035 to cope with expected housing demand, the expert project team, headed by Homes for Scotland and backed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Construction Scotland, believes that the targeting of pension funds and other institutions could help deliver new, high quality, sustainable homes at significant scale, protecting jobs and stimulating activity in the home building sector.
The Scottish Government’s vision to provide an affordable home for all by 2020 is an ambitious one. The supply of housing is not keeping up with levels of need and the government needs to clarify how it will work with councils and other partners in the sector make sure its targets are met.
The Scottish Government will need to make sure its financial reporting is more comprehensive and transparent as it prepares for new tax and borrowing powers. An Audit Scotland report published last week, "Developing financial reporting in Scotland", highlights why good financial reporting matters.
13th of July a the Pentland Hotel Thurso 11:00 to 16:30 Come and speak to all our property experts. Local experts for Home building, interior designer, kitchens, renewable energy, joinery, home decoration, Home reports, plumbing, Electrical contractors and many more Come and speak to our expert mortgage advisor.
The Highland Council Leader Councillor Drew Hendry said he was disappointed to hear of the loss of up to 40 professional, technical and scientific jobs at Lifescan Scotland’s Inverness operation as a consequence of a decision by the company to reduce its global workforce by 300. He said: “This is always a terribly worrying time for those who will be losing their jobs.
Reporter Bill Mowat France is making a determined push to harvest the energy of its tidal streams and perhaps challenge Britain's lead in this hew 'horizontal hydro electricity' field, with employment-creating developments occurring on the other side of the English Channel. A major shareholder in MeyGen Ltd, the consortium that aims to kick-off tidal stream electricity in the Pentland Firth's Inner Sound as early as next year (2014), wants to build a second 'pilot plant' to harness the fast-flowing tides in the ten miles-wide strait between Alderney, in the Channel Islands and Normandy in Northern France.
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed the Capital and Infrastructure Committee’s report into community transport published last week. Community Transport is a vital part of overall transport provision.
The Highland Council has been commended for its efforts to improve its use of paper in a report published today by a European environmental watchdog. Identified as a “high-flyer” by the European Environmental Paper Network (EEPN), the Council was placed third in the Government sector, and in the top band of scores overall.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (July, 9th) sold 45 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (20) averaged 253.8p (+13.0p) and sold to 270p per kg and £1,701.00 gross.
UK metocean survey contractor Partrac has been deploying Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCPs) in support of the tidal and wave energy sector since 2008. The recent recovery of one unit from the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth in the UK marks the 50th successful deployment and recovery completed by Partrac at tidal energy sites.
Staff with a Caithness civil engineering firm, working on behalf of the Highland Council, have been taking advantage of a recent astronomical phenomenon to secure the future integrity of a key access road in the Far North. A small section of the foundations of the Council's 'spur' access road from the John O'Groats to Thurso A 836 route to busy Gills Harbour were undermined by the action of a 'very severe' sea-storm last winter.
The latest vessel in a Far North fleet servicing marine renewables in 'Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters' made her debut call at Gills Harbour on July 2nd, 2013 and was based there for the next three days. The motor vessel Ocean Explorer is a recent addition to the 6-strong flotilla of 'marine electricity support vessels' owned and operated by Leask Marine Ltd, of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.
Scotland Housing Regeneration - Increase in housing subsidy for councils and RSLs. Local authorities and registered social landlords (RSLs) are to benefit from a £44 million increase in housing subsidies, allowing them to create more social housing.
Police in Inverness are advising members of the public of increased traffic volumes during the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart later this week. The event, which begins on Thursday 11 July 2013, is expected to attract a number of people to the region and see increased traffic around the Inverness and Nairn areas, in particular on the A96.
Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division are offering advice regarding considerate driving to all road users during the summer months in an attempt to reduce frustration and collisions on the area's roads. Police are urging all road users to be mindful of other drivers and riders throughout the summer months when the area sees an increase of traffic especially holiday makers, who are unfamiliar with the region.
Scotland Housing. Survey reveals pressures on councils due to UK Govt welfare reforms.
Places still available at food and drink workshop, aiming to help businesses achieve maximum success. Several places still remain on a workshop for food and drink businesses interested in developing new innovative products and packaging.
Deputy Harbour Master Jason Hamilton (white hard hat) with new employee Donald McIntyre (blue hard hat). Scrabster Harbour Trust has been able to take on a new member of staff thanks to funding secured via The Highland Council's Employment Grant scheme.
By the end of 2013 the Royal Mail as we know it could be finished. Privatisation is once again within the governments sights.
