Highlands and Islands Enterprise, in partnership with Scottish Development International, is offering an Intermediate Preparing to Export course for companies that are already exporting to 2/3 markets and would like to further develop their export capabilities. Course kick-off: 2-day residential on 11 & 12 April 2013 (1 nights accommodation and dinner will be provided) Course continues on: 4 additional sessions held over 6-8 weeks: 25th April, 9th May, 23rd May and 6th June 2013 Location: The Norseman Hotel, Wick This programme is fully funded by Smart Exporter, an ambitious new international trade skills programme, and is targeted at Scottish companies that are already exporting and wish to develop their export capabilities to grow their business.
The 2014 Legacy Challenge: New programme launched to help food and drink businesses The 2014 Food & Drink team has this week announced a new package of innovation support, designed to help all Scottish food and drink companies to capitalise on the business opportunities presented by events taking place in Scotland during 2014. The project, known as the 2014 Legacy Challenge, encourages companies to act now to start thinking about how they can innovate to develop a new product or creating exciting new packaging for 2014 and beyond, and kicks off with an Innovation Workshop in Edinburgh on 29 April.
Companies across the region are being urged to seize the opportunity to promote their products and businesses by entering this year’s Highlands & Islands Food and Drink Awards. The Awards, now in their ninth year and sporting a fresh new logo and website, recognise and reward the businesses which are displaying best practice, achieving exceptional standards and pushing boundaries in a key growth industry sector.
The findings of a new industry-led tourism initiative designed to put the Far North on the map have been presented to local business and community leaders in Caithness and North Sutherland. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have funded the project and contracted Glasgow School of Art Centre for Design and Innovation to work with businesses and community groups in Caithness and Sutherland.
Double-dip recession hitting hard-up drivers in the pocket. Younger motorists are selling their cars in droves as tough financial times mean they have to juggle their debts to pay for life's essentials, figures obtained by a leading vehicle sales website have shown.
Highland Councillors have set a target of providing 200 new homes over the next four years for people who find themselves in an emergency homeless position. They plan to gradually reduce the amount of money spent on purchasing temporary accommodation from the private sector, such as Houses of Multiple Occupation, and instead build and acquire an expanding pool of one-bedroomed homes in appropriate locations that can be used as a temporary base for the homeless.
Highland Councillors have agreed to adopt a “sympathetic ” policy for those Council house tenants affected by the new Bedroom Tax, who unavoidably fall into rent arrears through the loss of housing benefit for under-occupying their homes. It is estimated that 2,200 Highland Council tenants (16%) are affected by the introduction of the Social Rented Sector Size Criteria Restriction (Bedroom Tax), which sees people who are under-occupying by one bedroom having their benefit reduced by 14% and those under-occupying by more than one room having their benefit reduced by 25%.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (April, 11th) sold 802 sheep of all classes. Lambs (364) averaged £47.66 and sold to £95 gross for Mules from Glendoe Estate, Fort Augustus, and Beltex crosses from Easter Aberchalder, Gorthleck.
Councils face tougher challenges in the year ahead, particularly in dealing with budget pressures, says the Accounts Commission in its annual overview report published today. Pressures on resources and demands on services mean that councils may now have to consider decisions, which they had previously ruled out, to balance their budgets.
Sutherland Brothers Annual Trade Day is being held in Wick Assembly Rooms on Thursday 25th April between 2pm and 8pm. If you are a business looking to purchase from a local wholesaler why not come along and meet us along with many of our local and national suppliers.
DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd, (April 10th) sold 25 Young Farmers over-wintered cattle at their annual show and sale, kindly sponsored by Messrs Home Farms, Inverness & Messrs Craiglands Quarry, Fortrose. Bullocks (15) averaged 250.2p and sold to 264.2p per kilo for the Craiglands Quarry Homebred Reserve, a 545kg Charolais cross from Skye MacGillivray, Glasstullich, Nigg Station, to Messrs McKenzie Craiglands Ltd, Fortrose, and £1,450 gross for the Home Farm Reserve Supreme Overall, a 595kg Limousin cross homebred from Donna Maclennan, c/o Mains of Clunas, Nairn to Mr D Budge, Brae-edge Farm, Castletown.
Highlands & Islands Labour MSP David Stewart has hit out at plans revealed by the Scottish Court service which indicate that there are plans to close 10 of Scotland’s Sheriff Courts and seven JP Courts. David Stewart said “It appears that the Government plan to make savings by closing 10 Sheriff Courts across the country.
The £50M project for two new Primary Schools, a new High School, and new Community Facilities, incorporating a replacement Library and swimming pool, due for completion for use in August 2015, takes another step forward this month. The planning process for major works includes a “Pre-Application Consultation” in which the proposals are shared with the public, so that comments at this stage can be considered by the architects before formal Planning Applications are submitted.
Regional airports group HIAL has today launched a draft Gaelic Language Plan for consultation. In common with other public authorities, HIAL is required by the Scottish Government to produce a Gaelic Language Plan under the terms of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
A landmark memorandum of understanding has been signed today joining in partnership the Highland Council and the Cromarty Firth Port Authority. This will further strengthen good working relationships and produce a blueprint for the future of the Cromarty Firth.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 9th) sold 80 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (47) averaged 227.7p (-1.1p) and sold to 246p per kg and £1,782.50 gross.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (April, 10th) sold 766 Aberdeen Angus, native bred and continental store cattle in a special show and sale and 11 OTM cattle. Aberdeen Angus bullocks (326) averaged 230.1p (+9.5p on the corresponding sale from last year) and sold to 289.5p per kilo for the champion a 380kg Aberdeen Angus cross from Gaskbeg, Laggan, and £1,330 gross for a 695kg Aberdeen Angus cross from Ardjachie, Tain.
The Chief Executive of The Highland Council, Mr Alistair Dodds, has announced his decision to retire, with effect from 31 August 2013, after 22 years service with the Council, the last six at the helm. He has given more than four months notice of his retiral to give the Council the opportunity of finding a successor before he leaves.
SHE Transmission moves forward with Caithness-Moray subsea link following completion of the Dounreay-Beauly grid upgrade. Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission), is progressing to the final stages of developing a significant subsea link between Caithness and Moray following the successful completion of its £78 million investment to upgrade the Dounreay to Beauly overhead transmission line.
Anna Dawson and Derek Cairns on board to identify and advise on recruitment and skills needs. Employers in the Highlands can now benefit from more direct support and advice to help them recruit and develop the skills they require in today’s competitive environment.
