DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 23rd) sold 68 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (27) averaged 162.1p (-5.6p) and sold to 169p per kg and £1,190.70 gross.
The cost of posting first and second class letters is to increase by 3p to 39p and 30p from April, the Royal Mail announced. The stamp price rises follow increases last April, when first class stamps rose by 2p to the current 36p and second class by 3p to the present 27p.
The drive to make Scotland a Zero Waste society today received a further boost with the distribution of almost £18 million to local authorities. The investment, which will aim to improve recycling rates and cut the amount of waste going to landfill, comes from the Scottish Government's Zero Waste Fund for 2008/09.
A joint agreement on flooding reached between the Scottish Government and the insurance industry will give homes and businesses greater protection Environment Minister Michael Russell said today. The Scottish Government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have agreed to work together to minimise the flood risks and to help people quicker when flooding occurs.
Over 10 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill in the first week of the rural recycling collections in Caithness with 60% of residents putting out their bins for collection. Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor John Laing said: "I would like to thank the public for their high level of commitment to making the new service such a success.
Prof Iain Baikie, Director of KP Technology in Wick, picked up a John Logie Baird Award - one of the major innovation awards open to Scottish businesses- last week. At a reception for over 300 people in the Glasgow Science Centre, KP Technology won in the "Impact in Innovation" category.
The credit crunch may be biting but The Highland Council has cash grants available to assist with home improvements, adaptations and repairs. Home improvement and repair grants are available to help people living in owner-occupied or privately-rented housing to meet the costs of having their homes improved, repaired or adapted.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced further steps to reduce bureaucracy, while still ensuring high levels of environmental protection. Changes have been put in place to how SEPA enforces three sets of regulations; the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) and the Trans Frontier Shipment Regulations (TFS).
With the Climate Change Scotland Bill now in parliament, it is important that everyone starts thinking how they will contribute to the ambitious world leading targets set out in the Bill. As Scotland's environment watchdog, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a key role in addressing climate change and has today (19 December) published its climate change plan for SEPA.
The Highland Council is to step up its campaign to persuade HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Government to reverse their decision to close the HMRC Office in Wick in 2012. The Wick office, which employs 23 staff, is scheduled to be closed as part of a national restructure which will see the closure of 20 sites across Scotland.
Dingwall, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 19th) sold 165 lots of Christmas poultry. Oven ready turkey (81) averaged 231.2p per lb and sold to 317.6p per lb for an 8.5lb bird from Dalrachney Beag, Carr Bridge, £65 gross for a 23.5lb bird from Home Farm Cottages, Aberlour.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December 17th) sold 104 MV accredited pedigree females at the annual show and sale, sponsored by Teddy's Home Cooking at the Mart. One of the largest crowds ever witnessed a highly successful sale, establishing this as an annual fixture.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 16th) sold 72 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (40) averaged 167.7p (+5.2) and sold to 174p per kg and £1,198.50 gross.
Scottish Water today 15 Dec 08 revealed the progress being made in Caithness & Sutherland with its 2010 Vision for the Highlands, the £200million campaign of improvements across the region. By 2010 Scottish Water expects to have invested around £20million in Caithness & Sutherland since 2006.
Pupils from across the Highlands and Islands are being encouraged to think green in a Schools Sustainability Competition which is being organised by the Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University. Teams from the Highlands and Islands to Tayside have been invited to devise a policy to encourage behavioural change in some aspect of sustainable practice such as recycling, energy efficiency, fair trade or transportation.
Elections took place for Highland Youth Voice- the Highland's Youth Parliament, last month. Approximately one-hundred young people were elected to represent their schools and local youth forums in the youth parliament.
As a result of two late developments, The Highland Council's Modernising Employment Sub Committee has agreed to postpone the issue of the job evaluation letters, advising of new pay and grading structures, to its 10,000 non-teaching employees. Employees had been advised that letters would be posted today (Friday).
Highland Councillors are being advised that the Council's Administration is making good progress in identifying savings that require to be made to bridge a gap in the budget caused by rising fuel and energy costs, the freeze on Council tax and other pressures. A report to the full council on Thursday 18 December advises councillors how the Council's Administration will manage the budget of four of its seven Services over the next two years.
STORNOWAY, Dingwall & Highland Marts., (December, 11th) sold 27 cattle and 309 sheep of all classes at its Christmas show and sale. The prime cattle champion judged by Mr I.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (December, 10th) sold 1,280 store lambs, breeding and feeding sheep. Lambs (607) averaged £29.70 and sold to £55 gross for Texel crosses from Blargie Farm, Laggan, Newtonmore.
