As from September all children in Highland are being offered a Pre-school Orthoptic Vision Screening (POVS) assessment in the year before they are eligible to start school. Orthoptists are trained to detect and treat eyesight problems, particularly in young children, so are considered the most appropriate professional to carry out the screening tests.
The Highland Council and NHS Highland have cemented their partnership to face the ongoing challenge of supporting the region's population to maintain a healthy weight. Members of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee (on behalf of the Council) have adopted NHS Highland's Healthy Weight Strategy and nominated Councillor Hamish Wood as their champion for Health and Wellbeing.
The Highland Council has agreed to grant planning permission in principle to Inverness Estates Ltd for a mixed use development to form a major urban extension to Inverness, including a new town centre, housing and commercial uses. The application is for over 2500 houses in phases up until 2025.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has commissioned a study to investigate the nature and impact of business tourism on the economy of Caithness and North Sutherland. The report will assess the numbers of rooms currently being booked by business travellers and the trends anticipated in future from major demand generators like nuclear decommissioning and the emerging renewable energy sector.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highlands Marts Ltd, (September, 13th) sold 4,202 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual show and sale. The gimmer judge, Mr D.
FORT WILLIAM, Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 11th) sold 445 weaned calves and store cattle and 6 OTM cattle. Bullocks (266) averaged 180.2p and sold to 225.5p per kg for a pen of 235kg Charolais crosses from Ardtornish Farms, Oban, and £780 gross for a 540kg Charolais cross from Achtuie, Drumnadrochit.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (September, 10th) sold 9,445 store lambs including 1,583 from Lewis Livestock Producers. Cheviot wedder lambs (1,963) averaged £47.08 (+ £10.45 on the year) and sold to £65 gross from An Teallach, Mulbuie.
The Chairman of the new Highland Licensing Committee and Highland Licensing Board is Councillor Peter Corbett, Inverness Central. Vice-Chairman is Councillor Margaret Paterson, Dingwall and Seaforth.
The Highland Council and the Scottish Government have committed to building a new high school in Wick. The Scottish Government will provide a substantial element of the funding over the next three financial years and the Council has already committed to matching this funding over this period.
Trading Standards officers of The Highland Council are launching an initiative to tackle the sale of counterfeit goods within the workplace. They have written to local employers to advise them of the damage caused by counterfeiting to local businesses, which sell genuine goods.
A new generation of workers emerging from the shutdown of Dounreay can become the backbone of Scotland's biggest offshore development since the discovery of oil in the North Sea over 40 years ago. Jamie Stone, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, believes a multi-billion pound investment in marine energy off Scotland's north coast will open doors for a new wave of workers leaving Dounreay, just as offshore oil and gas did in the 1970s.
Recent changes to the Highland LEADER programme have included an increase to the rates of grants available which could now mean rates of up to 90% funding for community projects until December 2010. In addition a further £2.33 million for community facilities and development plans from SRDP Rural Priorities has been transferred to LEADER for projects in the Highlands.
A Caithness family bakers says that winning Scotland's top prize in the prestigious national Great Taste Awards felt like winning the Scottish Cup. At the glittering awards on Monday night at Fortnum & Mason in London, the Reids of Caithness team were on the edge of their seats as the live scoring took them into the top eight in the chase for the UK supreme champion.
Following workshops held in June to provide a basic Gaelic starter course two additional classes have been organised. The events, hosted by North Highland Tourism, will be held on Tuesday 14th September in Castletown Heritage Centre from 1030-1230 hrs and from 200-400 hrs in Mackays Hotel, Wick.
Bills on Scottish Water and Double Jeopardy included in ambitious programme First Minister Alex Salmond today set out the Scottish Government's priorities for the final year of the parliamentary term and beyond. In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister outlined a programme of legislative and non-legislative action to support businesses, families and communities through tough economic times and protect and improve vital public services.
Giant tidal turbine successfully installed on the seabed at the EMEC facility Orkney: Atlantis Resources Corporation has successfully deployed its AK1000™ tidal turbine - the world's largest rotor diameter tidal turbine - on its subsea berth, in 35 meters of water at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, Scotland. The installation follows the turbine unveiling ceremony, held in Invergordon on August 12th and attended by officials and dignitaries from seven different countries.
The Original Factory Shop is set to open two new stores in Thurso and Wick and employ up to 50 people. The shops were until earlier this year Ethel Austen stores but the company went in to administration.
Scotland's Housing Expo in Inverness closed this week after boosting the local businesses taking part. The Expo welcomed visitors including construction and housing professionals and families throughout August.
Public Views Sought on the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan and the SEA (Strategic Environment Assessment) The public are being invited to have their say on the Stage Two report of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) and the accompanying Environmental Report and four Appendices. The N-RIP report has been published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise (SE), and the SEA Report by the Scottish Government in conjunction with HIE and SE.
Future of rural health care comes under the microscope at Highland conference The innovative use of modern technology to promote health and prevent illness is the subject of a national conference being held in Inverness next month. Doctors, researchers, technical experts and business people will share their expertise at the P4 Digital Healthcare Convention, organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), on Friday, October 1, at the city's Eden Court Theatre.