Enhancing benefits from renewable energy developments A working group set up by The Highland Council to identify the most effective way of maximising benefits to communities from renewable energy developments is recommending changes that could not only increase the level of pay outs by developers but see the benefits more widely spread throughout the Highlands. In reporting back to the full council after five meetings, the Community Benefit Working Group says the guiding principle should remain that local communities accommodating developments should continue to benefit most.
From Highland Council Agenda 3 March 2011 Councillor Robert Coghill has shown his exasperation to restrictions placed on councillors in a written question to the Highland Council convenor on 3 March - To the Convener "We cannot, as Councillors, comment on planning applications and then sit on the Planning Committee. What will you do to rectify this injustice?" The response is circulated - See Below Mr Coghill will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Convener.
Katrina MacNab (Independent) has given notice of her resignation from the Council with effect from Friday 4 March 2011. Elected to the Council in 2003, she is one of three councillors representing Wick.
The proposed Mey Market is now being operated by Mey Village Hall themselves, with Jane Strugnell of Artisan Caithness acting as Manager not operator. Mey Village Hall were keen to offer every assistance with this venture and after some discussion, they were happy to take over the operation of the market with stall rents going towards the Hall's funding.
Residents in the Highlands could have more money in their pockets if they review and switch their energy supplier or energy deal. Nearly half of all Scots (48 per cent) have never switched their energy supplier or checked to see if they're getting the best deal on their energy bills.
Evaluation report on Caithness Mod confirms event's economic boost to the area. A survey of people visiting the Mod in Caithness 2010 has shown that over £2million was generated in direct expenditure and an additional £1million generated indirect expenditure for the area.
Global IT company Fujitsu is to create ten new jobs at its main Highland office in Inverness. The expansion will enable the company to provide remote IT support for existing Fujitsu customers across the UK and potentially elsewhere in Europe.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 24th) sold 36 registered Cheviot females at its Harbro sponsored show and sale. Hill Register judge Mr F.
Appointment of two senior officers to lead Highland integration of health and social care The Highland Council and NHS Highland have appointed two senior officers to lead the planning for the integration of health and social care. Jan Baird, the Director of Community Care for NHS Highland, will become the Transitions Director, leading a team of seconded staff from the Council and NHS Highland to develop and take forward the integration plan.
From Eann Sinclair Week commencing 14th February 2011 Programme activities: Now that we have agreed our priorities for the 2011-2014 period, work continues to implement the programme of delivery activities. This week I chaired the monthly meeting of the Partnership's Delivery Group, at which colleagues from HIE, Highland Council, DSRL and Caithness Chamber reported on progress with our two priority areas of energy and business services.
A Wick based hypnotherapist has become one of the first in the country to achieve a new national standard of excellence for her therapy. Donna Booth has been registered by the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the UK regulator for complementary healthcare.
Sustainable School Estate review - Wick and Thurso Associated School Groupings Head Teachers and Parent Councils in Caithness have been asked for their views on initial proposals by The Highland Council to review Primary School provision in the area. Feedback will help inform the production of the proposals for statutory consultation that will be submitted to the Council's Education Culture and Sport (ECS) Committee on Thursday 19 May for consideration by Elected Members.
SPEECH THERAPY TELEHEALTH INITIATIVE IMPROVES ACCESS FOR PATIENTS IN FAR NORTH The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team in North Highland has been working with their counterparts in Sweden to find new ways to reach patients in remote and rural areas of Caithness and Sutherland. Video-conferencing (VC) equipment is now being used to deliver services to patients in some areas of the two counties.
Cost rules out day off for Highland Council staff for Royal wedding Given the financial plight facing them, Highland Councillors have decided that it is not appropriate for them to sanction an additional day off for staff to celebrate the Royal wedding on Friday 29 April between Prince William and Kate Middleton. The ruling by the Council's Resources Committee includes schools, which will be open on this day.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 16th) sold 197 store cattle, 68 adult head of breeding cattle and 43 OTM cattle. Bullocks (121) averaged 170.8p and sold to 193.1p per kg for a pen of 360kg Limousin crosses from 145 Badnellan, Brora, and £955 gross for a 705kg Shorthorn cross from Ordmuir, Muir of Ord.
In recognition of the deteriorating condition of Highland roads, The Highland Council is to invest £2 million on repairing damage caused by snow and ice over the past two winters. The Council is to receive £1.645 million as its share of the £15 million allocated to Scottish councils for road repairs by the Scottish Government and a further £355,000 has been allocated to road repairs in 2011/12.
Update on capital budget impact at Raigmore Plans for a Day Services Centre at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness have been put on hold due to the reduction in NHS Highland's capital funding from £29.9 million in the current year to a figure of £13.6 million in 2011/12. However, two significant projects at the hospital, the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) and a second linear accelerator will still go ahead despite the reduction in funding.
Everyone has something to celebrate. You could have an important birthday coming up, a special anniversary, a graduation or a wedding.
The area around Craig More House was closed off as bulldozers moved in on January 28 and razed the building to the ground. The gaping hole in the skyline where it once stood is a stark reminder that Dounreay's days are numbered.
Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update Week commencing 7th February I brought together several local organisations currently working in the energy and renewable energy sector, along with Caithness Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the relative value of a more coherent local voice in the energy sector. Recent local comments on the effective roles played by Orkney Renewable Energy Forum and Shetland Renewable Energy Forum prompted the discussion, and we focused on how existing mechanisms might be used to better effect.
