THE CROWN ESTATE REAPPOINTS CHRIS BARTRAM, AND APPOINTS DIPESH SHAH OBE AND ANTHONY WHITE AS NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS The Crown Estate has announced yesterday, 22 December 2010, the re-appointment of Chris Bartram and the appointment of Dipesh Shah and Anthony White as Non-Executive Board Members. Chris Bartram, who has held the appointment as Crown Estate Board Member for four years has been reappointed for a further four year term with effect from 1 January 2011.
Water quality engineering firm Panton McLeod has completed another high profile cleaning project that will keep drinking water supplies at their purest levels in the Highlands. The firm - which is the UK's leading expert in cleaning, repairing and inspecting structures used to store drinking water - successfully cleaned one of the main storage tanks at a water treatment works in Caithness in order to maintain purity levels for customers in the region.
The Highland Council is taking a range of necessary measures to safeguard services and essential supplies, should the severe weather continue over the holiday period. These measures take account of the advice provided by the Scottish Government, and the unprecedented early severe weather that has been experienced in recent weeks, which may continue.
Scottish Affairs Committee Announces New Inquiry The Scottish Affairs Committee has agreed to conduct an inquiry on: Supporting Scotland's Economy This inquiry will examine the current economic situation in Scotland and the role of the UK Government, Scottish Government, other agencies and the banks in supporting Scotland's economy. Terms of reference The Committee will be looking at: * The current economic situation in Scotland, including: current levels of employment in both the public and private sectors, and predictions for future employment patterns; * the role of the UK Government in supporting small business, creating jobs and promoting growth in the private sector in Scotland; * the current levels of inward investment and exports; * the role and effectiveness of Government agencies in promoting Scotland as a location for overseas investors; * the role and effectiveness of Government agencies in supporting businesses in Scotland to increase their exports; * co-operation between the UK Government and the Scottish Government in supporting the economy in Scotland; * co-ordination between the Scotland Office and UK Government departments in supporting the economy in Scotland; * the role of UK banks in providing finance and support for businesses in Scotland.
Highland Council leader, Michael Foxley supports joint taskforce in opposition to Stornoway coastguard cuts. The Highland Council is proposing the establishment of a joint lobby group to respond to the UK government plans to close Stornoway coastguard station.
Ignis Energy Ltd has been invited by The Highland Council to be its Preferred Bidder to take over the district heating scheme - Caithness Heat and Power Ltd. The Board of Caithness Heat and Power Ltd (CHAP) has written to 260 householders who receive their heat and hot water through CHAP informing them of plans to work with the Council and Ignis aiming to agree a contract by 31 March 2011.
Due to the continuing severe winter conditions, there have been disruptions to waste and recycling collections in some Highland Council areas. This is especially so in remote areas or where roads have considerable inclines and also cul-de-sacs with restricted access.
Weeks commencing 13th & 20th December The Partnership's Executive Board met last week, and discussed the draft 2011-2014 Caithness & North Sutherland Action Plan. I will be making revisions to the Plan based on our discussions, and circulating a revised version aimed at honing down even further our priority activities.
The Gaelic-language service BBC ALBA will be available to viewers in Scotland on Freeview, following approval by the BBC Trust on Tuesday 21st December 2010, as part of a review of the service. The review looked at how well the channel is serving Gaelic speakers, how well it is attracting new and non-speakers, and how it should be made available to audiences in the future.
As Scotland's communities continue to face challenging, and in some cases, unprecedented winter conditions, I wanted to write and clarify an important legal issue in relation to the clearing of snow and ice by individuals and private businesses. Communities and individuals are looking to play their own part in beating the cold weather, and it's important that they can do this with confidence.
This article from the Scotts Contracting web site in the United States caught our eye as it refers to the Caithness Flat Project. It also may suggest that the United States is now heavily committing to wind farm projects rather than withdrawing.
Scottish Government working with industry on snow and ice issues The Scottish Government's Resilience Committee will continue to meet over the festive period to ensure that multi-agency action keeps Scotland moving and that emerging weather-related issues are dealt with quickly and effectively. The severe weather's impact on rural and farming communities will continue to be a central part of these discussions, with close attention being paid in particular to fuel distribution, the food supply chain and animal welfare issues.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 21st) sold 61 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (22) averaged 171.4p (+0.2p) and sold to 181p per kg and £1,221.30 gross.
LOCKING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS? REMEMBER TO PROTECT YOUR PIPES Scottish Water is calling on customers across the Highlands and Islands to help the public utility maintain normal services during the adverse weather by checking their private property for bursts or leaks, having them repaired quickly, and reporting any on the public network as soon as possible. Customers including holiday home owners, businesses, farms and public buildings such as village halls are also asked to ensure their property is heated, insulated and protected from the sub-zero temperatures - especially if it is likely to be unoccupied.
Three billion a year could be saved from costs of infrastructure says report A Government report by Infrastructure UK (IUK) today sets out a blueprint to save up to three billion a year on building and maintaining infrastructure. Treasury Ministers welcomed the plan saying it could promote growth by freeing up more money for infrastructure investment, as well as helping keep water, gas and electricity bill costs down for consumers by reducing costs for utility companies.
The Highland Council to develop serviced commercial plots in Inverness The Council has awarded contracts worth £1.6m to develop 13 commercial plots at the Carsegate Industrial Estate and a further 8 on the Longman. Work will commence this month and will be complete in the spring of 2011.
HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS CROFTERS AND SMALL LANDHOLDERS TRAINING PANEL Announce a 10 week part-time evening course. 'Crofting - Induction Course' Commencing JANUARY 2011 In Caithness Courses also being held in Isle of Skye, Grantown, Dingwall, Harris and Lochaber This highly acclaimed evening course is designed specifically for new, aspirant crofters, or anyone else interested in this traditional way of life.
Public sector procurement reform has direct impact for Scottish business. Scottish businesses have greater and more efficient access to public sector contract opportunities worth £9 billion annually - that's the conclusion of a two-year progress report launched this week.
North Highland Publishing Ltd is a new, innovative digital publisher helping authors to deliver their work to a wider audience. Based in Caithness but aimed at a global market.
The Highland Council has agreed savings to close a £17.8 million gap in its budget for 2011/12 and 2012/13, leaving a further £17 million to be found over the next two financial years. Budget Leader David Alston told councillors that as a result of recent budget announcements by the UK and Scottish Governments, the Council faced a reduction in funding of 2.5% in the new financial year, which equated to about 6% in real terms.
