News Archive

12/12/2014

Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill published

Traffickers to face life imprisonment under new proposals.   The Scottish Government has today introduced a Bill which will introduce a specific law to combat human trafficking and exploitation for the very first time in Scotland.  

11/12/2014 : Local Authority

Highland Council Distance Learning Course to Become a Primary School Teacher

Part-time distance learning primary teaching course.   Building on an existing successful partnership between The Highland Council and the University of Aberdeen, the next Distance Learning Initial Teacher Education Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (DLITE PGDE) (Primary) begins on 7 February 2015.  

10/12/2014 : Local Authority

 
Caithness House chosen as name for new Wick Offices

With staff due to move into the new council offices in Wick in March next year, one of the items on the Area Committee today was to agree a name for the building which will house 140 members of staff.   Local Councillors, keen to have a new name to encompass both the refurbished original listed building at Market Place and to reflect the new works to incorporate the adjoining building at Stafford Place put forward the suggestion of Caithness House which was unanimously agreed by the Committee.  

10/12/2014 : Marine Services

 
MeyGen Public Open Days, 16th - 17th December 2014

It is MeyGen's intention to start onshore construction at Ness of Quoys near to the village of Mey early next year and they are planning on holding two open days next week in order to assist with any questions about the works and the project in general.   Members of the MeyGen team will be on hand between 11am - 9pm on Tuesday 16th December at Mey Hall and 11am - 9pm on Wednesday 17th December at Caithness Horizons.  

10/12/2014 : Local Authority

North Councillors give support to Countryside Ranger Service

The work of Highland Council's Countryside Rangers was welcomed at the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee as Members gave their support for the wide range of work done by the Rangers and also gave their approval for the 2015/16 programme of events across the area.   Highland Council's Countryside Manager George Duff informed members of the achievements made by the Rangers in the last financial year for 2013/14 and highlighted some local events they had been involved in: · In Caithness and Sutherland 162 events took place which were attended by 1865 people with 98% of participants saying it met their expectations and 59% saying it exceeded expectations.  

10/12/2014 : Auctioneers

Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 10th December 2014

DINGWALL, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 10th) sold 162 weaned calves and store cattle, 26 adult head of breeding cattle and 104 OTM cattle.  Bullocks (85) averaged 236.6p per kilo and sold to 304.5p per kilo for 220kg Charolais crosses from Corriebheinn Farm, Portree, and £1,180 gross for 568kg Shorthorn crosses from Badden, Kiltarlity.  

10/12/2014

WANTED - Accredited Testing Company - Concrete Cube Testing Work

Accredited testing company required to carry out concrete cube density & compressive strength (BS EN 12390 -1,2,3,7).   Cube testing will be required from February 2015 to December 2016 approximately.  

9/12/2014 : Local Authority

 
No bags in Blue Bins To Improve Recycling

No bags in Blue Bins recycling message.   Clean, dry and loose, that's the simple message that The Highland Council is delivering to householders where it has been experiencing contamination issues with the blue recycling bins.  

9/12/2014 : Advisory / Counseling Services

NDA Launches Consultation On New 3 Year plan

Consultation began on 8th December 2014 on the Draft Business Plan 2015 to 2018 that sets out the key objectives and plans for delivering the NDA priorities over the next three years.   The total planned expenditure for 2015/16 is £3.31 billion, of which £2.09 billion will be funded by UK government and £1.22 billion by income from commercial operations.  

9/12/2014 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Nuclear Archive Plans Move Forward

Public consultation continues on NDA's plan for a nuclear archive at Wick in Scotland.  It will house over 70 years' worth of historic information from across UK's civil nuclear industry.  

8/12/2014 : Civil Engineering Contractors

 
Dounreay and Nuvia Ltd collaborate on new beach monitoring vehicles

Dounreay's beach monitoring fleet has a new look with the addition of new vehicles - the Metrac H5 all-terrain vehicle (ATV).  The H5s are fitted with the same GroundhogTM Evolution monitoring equipment as the current ATVs, so this is a change of looks but not a change of function.  

7/12/2014 : Visitor Attractions

 
Reactor control room moves to a new home

Last week saw the last of the Dounreay Materials Testing Reactor (DMTR) control room panels shipped off site and transferred to their new home in local five-star visitor attraction Caithness Horizons.   The control room panels and control desk have been donated to Caithness Horizons and reconstructed at the museum to form the basis of a new permanent exhibition representing Dounreay's significant part in Scotland's industrial heritage.  

5/12/2014 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Week Commencing 1 December 2014 Energy & Business services: SSE continues to progress its programme to build out the Caithness-Moray electricity Grid project.  Work has started on the major High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter station at Spittal, and SSE's Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission has this week awarded a £460M contract to ABB for the design, engineering, supply and commissioning of the overall system.  

5/12/2014

Police issue warning following increase in mobile phone scams

Police Scotland would like to remind members of the public that at this time of good will, that not everybody has goodness in their hearts.  Over recent months, there has been an increase in adverts on social media selling sites advertising high price mobile phones.  

4/12/2014 : Other Public Services

Our focus, your priorities for community safety say Police and Fire Services

Officers from Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be attending Highland Council Ward Forum Meetings over the coming weeks.   Members of the public are encouraged to attend the local meetings and have their chance to comment on the priorities for community safety in their community.  

4/12/2014

 
Invite for Businesses Interested In Tourism in Caithness and Sutherland

For all those interested in developing the tourism opportunities in Caithness and Sutherland we invite you to celebrate the launch of Venture North with an evening of entertainment and networking.   Where: Mackays Hotel, Wick When: 7pm Thursday 4th December 2014 Find out how far Venture North has come since it's inception in 2013 and how you can join our co-operative to help us pave the way for for tourism in Caithness and Sutherland.  

4/12/2014 : Auctioneers

Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 4 December 2014

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 4th) sold 1,507 store sheep.  Lambs (941) averaged £52.54 and sold to £83 gross for Beltex crosses from Lower Geanies, Fearn.  

4/12/2014 : Local Authority

An end to Poll Tax debts

Proposal to end collections on February 1.   A proposal to end the collection of Poll Tax debts from February 1 next year is contained within the Community Charge Debt (Scotland) Bill, which is published today.  

4/12/2014 : Local Authority

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places in Highland

CHANGES to a number of Polling Districts and Polling Places in the Highlands were agreed today at the meeting of the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee.   The Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places in Highland commenced in November 2013, in line with duties under the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.  

4/12/2014

Funding boost for Scotland's fishing industry

Fisheries Secretary confirms support for research.   Four fisheries projects that aim to improve our understanding of inshore fish stocks and reduce unwanted catches will receive almost £160,000 in funding.