'Giving every Highland child and young person the best possible start in life' is the aim of a plan which was launched today (Fri 12 March 2010) at the Highland Joint Committee on Children and Young People in Inverness. "For Highland's Children 3" was welcomed at the Joint Committee on Children and Young People which is jointly chaired by Highland Councillor Margaret Davidson and Pam Courcha, NHS Highland Board Member.
Thinking of starting your own business in the next few months, or developing your existing business - then contact Jennifer Irvine, Regional Development Officer, Business Gateway, Caithness - on 01955 605360; mobile 07921758450 - or email jennifer.irvine[AT]highland-opportunity.com - to book a place on the following FREE workshops: Tuesday 6 April: Record Keeping - Mackays Hotel, Wick Wednesday 7 April: Marketing & Selling Skills - Mackays Hotel, Wick Thursday 15 & Friday 16 April: 2 Day Business Start-Up - Naver Business Centre, Thurso Thursday 27 & Friday 28 May: 2 Day Business Start-Up - Mackays Hotel, Wick Wednesday 23 June: Employment Law - Naver Business Centre, Thurso All courses times: 9.30am to 4pm.
With the build up and results of the annual Oscar ceremony very much in the news this week, young budding film makers in the Highlands are being given the chance to call "lights, cameras and action" with the launch of a new competition to come up with a short film to promote waste recycling. The Highland Council's Waste Aware Team are inviting 11-16 year olds to use their creativity, imagination and flair to come up with an original storyline for a short film on the theme of waste and recycling.
Design duo lend support to Government's Go Greener campaign Householders were today urged to insulate their homes in insulation to save hundreds of pounds on heating bills and reduce our impact on the environment. As part of the latest phase of the Scottish Government's Go Greener campaign, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham was joined by interior design duo Colin and Justin to help make insulation the must-have home improvement for 2010.
Tom Aitchison, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Chair of the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives (ALACE) in Scotland and Councillor Michael Cook, COSLA's Human Resources Management Spokesperson, have today (Monday) announced that Council Chief Executives have agreed to forego a salary increase in 2010/11. In recognition of the colossal financial pressures facing public spending in Scotland, Scotland's 32 Council Chief Executives have joined Scotland's Council Leaders in not accepting a pay increase for the coming financial year.
Local support continues with the HomeAid outlet in Thurso making space available for a Mod Information point. The information point, which will be staffed by volunteers from the local organising committee, will be open 6 days per week from 10.30am to 4.30pm and will have merchandise on sale as well as providing leaflets and general information on Mod activities throughout the year.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts (March, 6th) sold 28 cattle, 15 sheep, 3 goats, 4 ponies, 4 rabbits, 432 lots of poultry, 63 lots of eggs and 14 lots of poultry equipment at their poultry and rare breeds of livestock sale. Cattle (28) sold to £3,000 for a yearling Highland heifer from the Dunvegan Fold, Corriebheinn Farms, Portree, Isle of Skye.
The Highland Council's pilot webcasting scheme is to be extended so that by the end of this year all council and strategic committee meetings held at Council headquarters in Inverness can be viewed by the public from their computers. At present, the Council webcasts meetings held in the Council Chamber of the Planning Environmental and Development Committee as well as the Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Applications Committee and the Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey Licensing Committee.
Highland Councillors meeting, on 4th March 2010, approved a draft Community Council Scheme for Highland for consultation between April and June this year. The Council began a major review of Community Councils last September, commencing with a three month consultation on boundaries.
The Highland Council has agreed proposals for consulting with the public over options to identify major savings in 2011/12 and 2012/13. At its meeting on 11 February, the Council identified more than £12 million of savings in 2010/11 and more than £11 million of savings in 2011/12 and 2012/13.
To mark Fairtrade Fortnight and as part of the current campaign for the Highlands to become officially recognised as a Fairtrade zone representatives from the Inverness Local Fairtrade Group were at Council Headquarters earlier today (Thursday 4 March 2010) to promote a leaflet highlighting local cafes and traders who have signed up for FairTrade. The group chatted to Councillors as they served FairTrade tea and coffee and on display were examples of locally produced food items and FairTrade gift ideas.
Highland Councillors were advised today (Thursday) that the funds available to them in 2011-12 to promote affordable housing developments is to be significantly reduced by the Scottish Government. Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee, revealed that funding was being cut to £17.5 million - a bigger cut than anticipated and 45% less than the current funding level of £32 million.
People living in Caithness are being offered expert advice and information on taking the next step in their careers. Skills Development Scotland, Scotland's national skills body, is hosting a careers convention on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 at 6.00pm onwards in Wick Assembly Rooms.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 25th) sold 47 registered Cheviot females at its inaugural show and sale. The adverse weather conditions seriously affected the hill sheep entry and intending purchasers, but a very satisfactory trade was realised for the brave souls that made the sale.
NATHAN WINS TOP APPRENTICE AWARD Nathan Mackay, 20 from Watten scooped the Scotland Apprentice of the Year award at last weeks National Skills Academy for Nuclear Annual Awards ceremony in Manchester. Nathan, employed by Rolls Royce at Vulcan completed his Modern Apprenticeship in Instrument Technician in the record time of three years and one month.
A total of 16 secondary schools and 72 primary schools were closed today (Thursday) as a result of the continuing adverse weather. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Primary School Closures (29): Ardross; , Bonar Bridge; Bower;, Bridgend (Alness); Coulhill (Alness); Craighill (Tain); Crossroads (Caithness); Dornoch;, Edderton; Gledfield (Ardgay); Halkirk; Helmsdale; Hill of Fearn; Hilton of Cadboll; Inver; Kiltearn; Kinbrace; Kinlochbervie; Lairg; Milton; Newmore; Obsdale; Reay; Rogart; Rosehall; Scourie; South Lodge (Invergordon); St Duthus Special School (Tain); Tarbat Old.
The Highland Council has this week written to a random sample of 14,000 Highland households, with the aim of securing agreement from 2,300 volunteers to serve on a Citizens' Panel. The Panel will be used on an ongoing basis by the Council as one method of consultation with the public.
Three months in and Alternative Vitality continues to be an oasis of calm and relaxation in the centre of Wick. Offering a wide range of cognitive and complementary therapies such as hypnotherapy, life coaching, meditation, HypnoBirthing and Hypno-Band (which is a virtual gastric band), massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, Swedish massage, Indian head massage and Indian Face massage.
Councillors Bill Fernie, Chair of the Education Culture and Sport Committee and David Henderson, Councillor for Inverness Ness Side respectively along with the Council's Youth Convener Magnus Monahan and Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey ditched their shirt and ties for cycling gear. They were be at the Inverness Leisure Centre to launch the re-developed Black Isle Cycle Challenge in aid of Highland Hospice.
Exclusive offer - 25% off only available until 14 March 2010 Highland Hospice is offering a time limited discount for a week aboard the beautiful Bristol Pilot Cutter "Mascotte" and the modern "Gael Force". By booking on this ethical holiday before March 14 sailors and aspiring sailors can support a worthy cause (90% of funds go directly to the charity) and gain the holiday of a life time as they sail on the stunning West coast of Scotland.
