UKAEA has completed a three-month programme of offshore monitoring surveys to improve understanding of the location of irradiated fuel particles in off-shore sediments using a remotely-operated monitoring device. The results are being compiled and a preliminary report has been sent to the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group and Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
HOTSPUR CELL CLEAN-OUT IS DECOMMISSIONING MILESTONE. Dounreay has passed an important decommissioning milestone by successfully cleaning up and dismantling the first of the heavily-shielded facilities in the fuel cycle laboratories, known as the Hotspur cell.
Personnel from BNG's sites at Chapelcross and Hinkley Point visited the practical training facility at Dounreay recently, to watch a training session for the second year SVQ apprentices taking place in the simulated nuclear plant. Gordon Anderson, John Rogerson and Charles Thomson were on a fact-finding visit to see at first hand how the simulator training is improving the skills of the apprentices.
Dounreay is once again the location for the child safety awareness event Safe Highlanders. Around 335 primary seven pupils from Caithness and North Sutherland will attend the event, sponsored by Caithness Community Safety Action Team and UKAEA, at Dounreay Visitor Centre over the next two days.
Companies in the Highlands and Islands who are interested in exploring new ways of maximising their business opportunities now have the opportunity to take part in an innovative new programme. Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Intellectual Assets Management company development programme aims to help businesses to harness untapped value to help unleash their potential.
FOOD and drink producers in the Highlands and Islands are invited to come along to the Inverness Caledonian Thistle stadium on September 26 to learn some valuable advice on developing their business operation. The event, featuring a number of leading speakers, is the first in a new programme of meetings organised by the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Forum.
An E-learning system developed by The Highland Council to train staff on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit fraud awareness is such a success that it is now being used by 270 other local authorities across the UK. The training package entitled "Focus on Fraud Awareness" makes the process of delivering quality training to a large number of front-line staff spread across a large geographical area both effective and efficient.
The hunt has begun to find the Highlands and Islands' answer to Richard Branson. The ICT Hothouse Youth Challenge 2007 is looking for young entrepreneurs with bright ideas.
A number of inaccurate and misleading statements about radioactive particles in the marine environment around Dounreay have been published today in an article in the Daily Telegraph. UKAEA believes it is important the public has access to accurate and balanced information about particles and the risk they pose, so that people can make informed judgements about the use of beaches etc.
There is definitely something unique about the Tea Cosy at East Mey. Apart from the fact that it serves freshly prepared food using local produce wherever possible is situated near a fascinating part of the Caithness coast.
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.
FIRST STEPS TO SHAFT DECOMMISSIONING NEAR COMPLETION. The first stage in the shaft isolation project is nearing completion with the finishing touches being put to the raised working platform.
The prestigious Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards sponsored by Scottish Provincial Press, Royal Bank of Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise & AVC Media are the annual celebration and recognition of the best of the Industry and this year the event will focus on those important values that give the Highlands and Islands their true sense of place for visitors from around the world - one Hundred Thousand welcomes (ceud mile failte). Tourism businesses throughout the region are invited to apply for any ofthe thirteen awards.
The Highland Council's TEC Services has approved increased taxi fares following consultation with the trade and public and these will take effect from Monday 18 September. The Council undertook a review of the maximum level of charges for the hire of taxis or private hires cars fitted with taxi meters in accordance with the requirements of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
SUMMARY The July 2006 unemployment figures were released on 16th August 2006. During the month, June 2006 to July 2006, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain rose by 0.7%, from 925,466 to 932,191 (6,725 claimants).
The new direct air link between Inverness and Benbecula will offer single fares from under £40, inclusive of tax, it was announced Highland Airways will launch direct flights between the Highland capital and the Uists on Monday 4 September. The Inverness-based airline has now placed its new fares on its website booking engine in advance of its enhanced range of services between Inverness and the Western Isles starting next month.
In Germany on 8 August the sale of RWE Solutions to the global private equity group Advent International was completed. The deal is effective from 1 April 2006 and includes all the NUKEM Group's international activities.
Top UK businesses believe young employees need to bridge the business skills gap before entering the workplace, according to a new survey from Young Enterprise. Many young employees come to the workplace with few business skills, too much text book theory and too high an estimation of their abilities-all at a significant cost to business.
UKAEA today welcomed the arrival of Britain's first purpose-built nuclear decommissioning test centre. The T3UK complex, incorporating a research institute of the UHI Millennium Institute, aims to become the country's leading site for trialling the techniques and equipment needed to safely dismantle Britain's nuclear legacy, as well as undertaking test work for the offshore and environmental sectors.
