The Highland Council is taking stock of the damage to its eastern coastline following storm surges over the weekend which resulted in damage to existing coastal defences and a number of harbours. Staff from The Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services were been deployed throughout the week end to respond to local flooding issues and clean up the debris resulting from the storms.
Finance Secretary John Swinney has welcomed new statistics showing the largest fall in the unemployment rate in Scotland for four years. Unemployment in Scotland has fallen by 19,000 during the most recent quarter, with a significant drop in youth unemployment over the year.
Steps are being taken that could see a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) equivalent to an area the size of Scotland being created in Scottish waters. If designated the MPA network would almost double the 12 per cent of Scotland’s seas currently protected, bringing the total area to more than 20 per cent.
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) invests £5.4m in network in Highland. The electricity network in Highland has been strengthened further through a £5.4m investment in preparation for the winter months as part of a planned £160 million company wide investment programme over the next four years.
Agreement on further planning reforms in Scotland has been reached following discussions between Local Government Minister Derek Mackay, Cosla leaders and other key stakeholders this afternoon. Mr Mackay announced a package of measures to speed up the updating and processing of local development plans, and to streamline the planning system as well as extending the number of developments that do not need to submit planning applications.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has announced a decision to proceed with the next phase of the National Nuclear Archive project, which will see a new purpose built archive facility constructed at Wick to provide long-term storage of records and other archive material from civil nuclear sites in the UK. The archive will be operated on NDA’s behalf by a specialist commercial partner and is expected to bring more than 20 sustainable jobs to the town.
Work will start early in the new year on the construction of a new Council headquarters for Caithness, in the centre of Wick. The contractor, to be confirmed soon, will demolish the old listed building at Market Place and refurbish/restore the adjoining, Stafford Place Buildings, retaining the listed façade, to accommodate 140 Council staff currently based in a number of offices in Wick.
The membership of the Council has changed with the switch of Councillor Alex MacLeod, Landward Caithness, from being a member of the SNP Group to being known as an Independent Nationalist. The membership is now:- Independent 35, SNP 21, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour 8, and Independent Nationalist 2.
As we approach 2013, nearly five years on from the start of the “Credit Crunch” of 2008, households in the Highlands and Islands Region continue to face many financial challenges. There are challenges for both borrowers and savers in equal measure; whether it is the saver who has seen interest paid on savings being slashed, or the borrower who can no longer access credit from their Bank.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has published its renewed Gaelic Language Plan, detailing actions which the development agency will take to support Gaelic language and culture over the next three years. HIE's Gaelic Plan 2012-15 builds on the organisation’s commitment to supporting Gaelic developments and has been approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The recruitment of new Board members for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is an opportunity that is both challenging and rewarding, according to one of its retiring members. Dr.
Week Commencing 3rd December 2012 Energy: At last week's Wave & Tidal Information Day in Thurso staff from Marine Scotland and Highland Council were present to talk about the ongoing work to develop a Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan. The pilot plan aims to develop a strategic decision-making framework for licensing and other consent applications in the marine area.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 11th) sold 64 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (17) averaged 208.3p (+0.9p) and sold to 220p per kg and £1,562.00 gross.
Finance Secretary John Swinney has today launched a consultation on establishing Revenue Scotland to administer taxes devolved under the Scotland Act 2012. The consultation is the next step in enhancing the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament for taxation and enshrining the independence of tax collection in Scotland.
Stuart Garrett, Managing Director of Serco NorthLink Ferries, said: “We remain hugely disappointed that the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has chosen to proceed with industrial action when they are aware we will not be making any compulsory redundancies and all seafaring staff are receiving a 4.25% pay rise this year and next year. “However we are making every effort to maintain the lifeline services linking the Northern Isles with the mainland.
Police in Thurso are appealing for witnesses to the theft of a 500m drum of three cored 16mm copper cable with distinctive violet coloured outer casing. This was taken some time between 1400 Wednesday 28 Nov 2012 and 0900 Monday 3 Dec 2012 from the new build football pitch at Halkirk.
Highland fishing communities are encouraged to apply for assistance from the European Fisheries Fund. The fund aims to help develop communities where fishing is in decline by supporting measures to build skills and knowledge and increase the capacity of local fishing communities and business networks through innovation, collaboration and diversification.
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Highlands and Islands companies shone at a glittering ceremony last night, taking home prestigious Scottish Green Energy Awards. Nigg Skills Academy won the Contribution to Skills and Training award, Edinbane windfarm won Best Project and Rob Gibson was named Best Politician.
HISCG members warn public to prepare for severe weather - Highlands and Islands. Multi-agency partners are advising people to prepare themselves for the impact of a spell of cold weather over the next couple of days.
