News Archive

1/11/2015 : Local Authority

Appeal to private landlords to assist with housing Syrian refugees

The Highland Council is appealing to private landlords or people who own vacant houses who may be able to offer a house for rent to a Syrian Refugee family.   The Council is expecting to take around 25 to 30 families from Syrian Refugee camps early in the new year as part of the UK Refugee Resettlement Programme.  

1/11/2015

Thurso Cinema To Be Re-opened by Merlin Cinemas

Merlin Cinemas who have chain of cinemas are to re-open Thurso cinema.   So will you go back to the pictures once gives an opening date? First films to be shown include the new James Bond film 'Spectre' and the final installment of the Hunger Games.  

1/11/2015

 
Wave energy first for Scottish aquaculture

Aquaculture will play a key role in the development of future wave energy technology in a new collaboration between the public and private sector.   Wave Energy Scotland (WES), a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has announced a £720,000 partnership, which will demonstrate wave energy converters as a means of powering offshore aquaculture installations and potentially, remote island communities.  

1/11/2015

 
We are North Highland College UHI

Filmed in 2015 by Storyboard Films in the North Highlands of Scotland.   The North Highland College (NHC) UHI covers almost 4,000 square miles of the scenic Highlands.  

1/11/2015

Highlands and Islands marks 50 years of development

Fifty years on from the start of government supported economic and community development in the Highlands and Islands the region has emerged as a major contributor to the Scottish economy.   This week (1 November) sees the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB), which subsequently became Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  

1/11/2015

Developing Scotland's young workforce

£500,000 to deliver elements of Youth Employment Strategy.   Schools will receive additional support to help prepare young people for the world of work, it has been announced today.  

1/11/2015

Small Businesses Boost

Record numbers benefitting from bonus scheme.   Record numbers of small business properties are benefitting from the Scottish Government's Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS), according to new figures.  

1/11/2015

Tackling low pay and zero hours

New public sector procurement guidance to promote fair work.   As Living Wage Week kicks off, new statutory guidance for the public sector comes into force (Sunday November 1) formalising the Scottish Government's commitment to fair work procurement practices.  

1/11/2015

 
Scotland's Population Projected to Continue to Rise

Scotland's population is projected to continue to increase into the future.   Statistics published today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show the population of Scotland is projected to rise from 5.35 million in 2014 to 5.51 million over the next ten years, and then to continue to rise to 5.7 million by 2039 - an increase of seven per cent over the 25 year period.  

1/11/2015

Non-Domestic Rates Relief Statistics for Small Businesses in Scotland 2015

Scotland's Chief Statistician today published Non-domestic Rates Relief Statistics for Small Businesses in Scotland 2015.   The publication provides statistics on the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS), which provides non-domestic business rates relief (business rates discounts) to small businesses in Scotland.  

1/11/2015

Key high value fish stock increase

Monkfish, megrim and West of Scotland langoustine stocks are increasing, according to new scientific assessments published on 30th October 2015.   The increased quotas for these high value stocks that are of vital importance to our fishing communities could potentially provide an additional £11 million to the Scottish fleet.  

1/11/2015

Consumer and competition policy

Recommendations for a new system following transfer of powers to Scotland.   Scotland should have a new statutory body to champion Scottish consumers, according to an expert report published today.  

1/11/2015

Research strategy and genomics fund announced

Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn opened the annual NHS Research Scotland conference in Glasgow.   The event showcases the best examples of clinical research across Scotland; bringing together more than 400 delegates to listen, learn and discuss the opportunities and challenges for clinical research now and in the future.  

1/11/2015

Insolvencies down by a quarter since 2014

Accountant in Bankruptcy figures show long term decline continues.   The latest quarterly figures from Accountant in Bankruptcy show Scottish total personal insolvencies, which include both bankruptcies and protected trust deeds, are 25.4 per cent lower than in the same quarter a year ago.  

1/11/2015

Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure, 2014/15

Updated statistics on HRA Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure (2014/15) have been released today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.  The main findings are: Total housing income and expenditure.  

31/10/2015

Higher Tax On Insurance Premiums Starts From 1st November 2015

It may have slipped many people's notice form the last budget in July but from 1st November 2015 there will be higher taxes levied on insurance premiums.   The tax increases from 6.5 percent to 9 percent.  

27/10/2015 : Local Authority

Facebook Chat Today About Council Tax With Leader Of Highland Council - Begins at 5.30pm

For the eighth successive year, the Council has frozen the Council Tax.  Like other Local Authorities, The Highland Council is facing a forecast budget deficit over the next 3 years.  

24/10/2015 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Energy & Business Services: CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) ran an event this week as part of the Nuclear Supply Chain project which it runs jointly with Scottish Enterprise.  The project aims to provide practical, independent advice and support to companies wishing to enter the nuclear supply chain for the first time, or to existing supply chain companies wishing to enhance their capabilities.  

24/10/2015

Moray Firth Turbines Project Could See 30% Aqcuired By Three Gorges Corporation Of China

EDP Renováveis, through its subsidiary EDPR UK Limited, has entered into an investment cooperation agreement with China Three Gorges (CTG), whereby CTG would invest in and co-develop the Moray Firth project.  CTG would acquire an up to 30% stake in Moray Offshore Renewable Limited (MORL).  

24/10/2015

Big increase in assaults on public service workers, says UNISON

UNISON Scotland is publishing today (22 October 2015) Violence at Work: A Survey of UNISON employers and Staff in Scotland 2015.  It shows an increase of 1,227 assaults compared with 2014.