The long-term viability of councils’ trading standards services is under threat, potentially leaving consumers without important protection from rogue traders, scams and unsafe goods, says the Accounts Commission. Protecting Consumers, a report published on Friday 1st February 2013, looks at trading standards and food safety services provided by Scotland’s 32 councils to protect the public in areas ranging from food poisoning to doorstep cons and internet fraud.
Issued by Scotland Transerv Work starts on the major refurbishment of the A9 Kessock Bridge on Monday 11th February 2013 for 17 weeks. The installation of the traffic management will start at 10pm on Saturday 9th February to be in place for the commencement of the works.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has published a new guide providing advice to community organisations for managing funds generated from renewable energy projects. As an economic development agency with a particular and unique remit to strengthen communities, HIE recognises the importance of this opportunity.
For the third year in succession, The Highland Council is recommending a council house rent increase below the rate of inflation. The Finance Housing and Resources Committee agreed to contain the average weekly rent increase to £1.35, the rent rising from £67.60 to £68.95.
Highland Councillors have agreed in principle to a “radical” new way of providing temporary accommodation for people who find themselves unintentionally homeless. The Council has a statutory duty in relation to homeless households and one of its key duties is to provide temporary accommodation until settled accommodation can be offered.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (January, 30th) sold 1,179 sheep of all classes. Lambs (836) averaged £39.53 and sold to £67.50 gross for Texels from Woodside, Muir of Ord Ewes (270) averaged £47.96 and sold to £94 gross for a Charolais from Whitebog, Rosemarkie.
The Highland Council is being recommended to freeze the Council Tax for a sixth successive year and confirm a budget of £548.436 million for 2013-14 when it meets on Thursday 7 February. The Council Tax bands will remain: Band A: £775.33: Band B: £904.56; Band C: £1,033.78; Band D: £1,163.00: Band E: £1,421.44; Band F: £1,679.89; Band G: £1,938.33; Band H: £2,326.00.
Council clears up and calls on landowners to check wind damaged trees. Following a night of severely windy weather (29 – 30 January 2013) The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which have been damaged by the gales.
The Scottish Government today confirmed it will accept all of the Electoral Commission recommendations on the referendum question and campaign spending limits. See full recommendations at - http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/scotland Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was delighted with the recommended question - ’Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes/No’ – and confirmed that it will be this question that is put before the Scottish Parliament.
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) lead to longer term employment, greater confidence and improved job prospects for young people, according to a new report. Ahead of delivering the inaugural Jimmy Reid memorial lecture in Glasgow tonight, First Minister Alex Salmond has welcomed the survey – published by Skills Development Scotland – as highlighting “the enormous value of Modern Apprenticeships” to individuals and the economy.
Plans for Scotland to retain its leading role in cutting emissions and to continue to lead global efforts to tackle climate change have been set out today. The Scottish Government is investing over £1.14 billion over the next three years on measures to address climate change and today published the second draft Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP2).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has signed joint working agreements with four of the regions’ leading ports to support the development of the offshore wind sector. The partnership aims to help the Ports attract a potential £100m of investment to the Highlands.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 29th) sold 64 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (32) averaged 208.4p (+0.9p) and sold to 224p per kg and £1,556.80 gross for a 695kg Limousin cross from Wester Craiglands, Fortrose.
Statistics on school pupils and college students supported under the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme were published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. These statistics relate to the 2011-12 academic year.
Scotland has set a target to cut carbon emissions from electricity generation by more than four-fifths by 2030, underlining the huge market for offshore wind beyond 2020. First Minister Alex Salmond revealed the new target at the Scottish Renewables-Scottish Enterprise Offshore Wind & Supply Chain Conference, Aberdeen.
Vulnerable children will benefit from improved support from local services, following updated guidance from the Scottish Government. To further support practice the Scottish Government has recently completed work on three manifesto commitments on child protection.
A number of permanent road improvements are being put in place ahead of the Kessock Bridge works starting in February. Transport Scotland, which is investing £13.2 million to bring the 30-year-old bridge up to modern standards, has confirmed a number of changes to the surrounding road layout.
Tourism, Food & Drink: Images of the Caithness area now feature in two separate Visit Scotland films promoting Scotland to prospective visitors. The "Surprise Yourself" promotional campaign is focused on the Natural Retreats development at John O'Groats, and also promotes the journey to get to the area.
Unemployment in Scotland has fallen by 14,000 over the three month period from September to November 2012, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics published today. The figures also show that the youth unemployment rate (among those aged 16 to 24) saw the largest annual drop since the time series began in 2006 and is now the lowest level since March to May 2011.
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