Scotland's recycling and composting rate continues to make steady progress. Figures released today (Friday 13 February), by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), show that Scotland's annual recycling and composting rate rose to 32.9% for the year October 2007 to September 2008.
The first in a series of training days for warranted Water Bailiffs across Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross took place at Achfary, on the Reay Forest Estate last week for bailiffs from the North & West District Salmon Board. The training days are part of an ongoing Police initiative to tackle Wildlife Crime in the Far North by the Police working in partnership with gamekeepers, water bailiffs, countryside rangers, conservationists and other organisations involved in countryside.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 17th) sold 80 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (46) averaged 169.5p (+0.8p) and sold to 180p per kg and £1,261.60 gross.
The prolonged period of adverse weather conditions this winter has resulted in a significant increase in the usage of rock salt to treat roads in the Highlands. The average annual usage of rock salt over the past five years has been 55,000 tonnes.
Temporary closure of Seater landfill site and the access road thereto due to essential repairs Last 3 weekends in march 2009 Please note that essential repairs will be carried out on the access road to the above facility during the last 3 weekends in March. The road will be closed from 2.00pm on the Friday afternoon and will re-open at 8.00am on the Monday morning during the following dates:- 13th March to 16th March 20th March to 23nd March 27th March to 30th March Householders can take their waste and recyclate to the recycling centres at Thurso and Wick which will be open from 11am to 4.00pm on all of these dates If you have any queries please contact 01955 641284..
People looking for an alternative holiday or the opportunity to get hands-on conservation experience this spring are being encouraged to join Trees for Life's award-winning work to restore the Caledonian Forest in the Scottish Highlands. The charity's Conservation Volunteer Weeks have just been selected (in February 2009) as one of the Top 10 Conservation Holidays in the world by BBC Wildlife Magazine.
The Highland Council has advised customers of its Wick district heating system that their supply of heat and hot water will continue as it investigates the best way forward for delivering heat to their homes in the future. Letters were hand delivered to 247 homes immediately following a special meeting of the Council on Thursday 12th February 2009 when councillors concluded that the technology installed at the Caithness Heat and Power plant to produce heat and hot water and electricity was unlikely to deliver what it set out to achieve.
Highland romantics are being encouraged to get fresh this Valentine's Day by turning on ... the tap.
A freeze in the Council Tax and a growth in spending to accommodate priority front line services has been confirmed by The Highland Council. The Independent/Liberal Democrat and Labour Administration were successful with their recommendation to keep the tax at 2008/9 levels and deliver a revenue budget for 2009/10 of £598 million, an extra £23 million (or 4.3% increase) over the current financial year.
The Scottish Government is boosting payments to Housing Associations to ensure construction work continues in the current economic climate. The standard Housing Association Grant assumptions are being increased by an average of six percent.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (February, 11th) sold 2,209 store sheep of all classes. Lambs (1,680) averaged £51.24 and sold to £78 gross for Texels from Fairmuir Road, Muir of Ord.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs have secured reassurances that there is no immediate threat to Caithness and Sutherland fire services, following a vote in the European Parliament. The MSPs have visited fire stations and been in discussions with the Fire Brigade Union and the Fire Master for the Highlands and Islands and have also been in touch with Euro MEP, Catherine Stihler and UK Government Minister, Scottish Secretary, Jim Murphy MP.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (February, 10th) sold 70 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (41) averaged 168.7p (+3.4p) and sold to 180p per kg and £1,177.35 gross.
Members of The Highland Council's Inverness City Committee have given the final go ahead for a sponsorship scheme of the City's roundabouts. Five roundabouts within Inverness will soon be advertised by the Council and interested businesses can bid for the right to sponsor the landscaping on each roundabout.
Pupils at a Caithness primary school have been named as the winners of a competition to celebrate Healthy Highland Week in which they had to suggest healthy alternatives to sweets as rewards. Members of SNAG, the School's Nutrition Action Group, at South Primary School in Wick were presented with a cheque for the school on Wednesday (February 4) for coming up with the best ideas in the competition organised by NHS Highland.
Would like you help Highland BlindCraft? Easy - Just help boost their sales by checking out the high quality beds and other furniture. A difficult trading year by the company that manufactures and sells high quality beds and furniture has resulted in a loss last year.
Following The Highland Council's success at the Loo of the Year Awards, staff from the Education, Culture and Sport service who are responsible for looking after the award winning toilets were presented with their certificates at a special ceremony in Inverness held on Tuesday 3rd February 2009' Mike Burton, Managing Director of Albany Washroom Services who sponsor the Awards travelled to Inverness to make the presentation. He congratulated everyone involved for the superb results and said: "It is obvious that Highland Council has galvanised an enthusiastic team of motivated cleasing personnel and management that take tremendous pride in the standards of the toilets that they maintain.
A total of 63 schools in Highland were closed or partially closed today (Thursday 5 February 2009) as a result of the adverse weather. This involved 48 primary schools, 10 secondary schools, one school for pupils with additional support needs and four nursery units.
A freeze in the Council Tax is being recommended by the Independent/Liberal Democrat/Labour Administration of The Highland Council when the Council holds a special meeting on Thursday 12 February to confirm the 2009/10 Council Tax levels. The tax is set to remain at the 2008/9 level and deliver a revenue budget for 2009/10 of £598 million.
