New proposals to cut the amount of packaging produced and improve recycling rates in Scotland have been unveiled. Next month the public and businesses will be asked for their views on measures contained in the UK-wide strategy, 'Making the Most of Packaging', as part of a wider consultation on the Scottish Government's new National Waste Management Plan.
'Everybody Online - Caithness', the first project of its kind in the Highlands, is being launched to allow locals who have never had the chance to use the internet to discover what it can do. The project being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with the support of BT Scotland, is run by a national charity 'Citizens Online' and aims to use technology to help communities counter social disadvantage.
The importance of good transport services in rural communities has been recognised by Highland Councillors with an allocation of £1,004,000 worth of grants over the next two years to community transport projects. A total of 23 community groups in the Highlands will benefit from the allocation agreed by the Council's Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee.
Significant fire damage has been caused to Dunnet Head, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its cliff habitat and nesting seabirds, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) can now confirm. The fire burnt for several days in mid April 2009.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (June, 2nd) sold 73 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (53) averaged 169.9p (+1.4) and sold to 188p per kg and £1,216.60 gross.
MONDAY 15 JUNE 2009 CAITHNESS HORIZONS, THURSO 7.30am - 9.30am Presentation by Andy Kennedy Stirling City Centre Manager & Chair of Scotland's Association of Town Centre Management ATCM is Europe`s largest membership organisation dedicated to helping town and city centres realise their natural roles both as prosperous locations for business and investment, and as focal points for vibrant, inclusive communities. Come along & hear how other town centres in Scotland have realised their potential.
The search is on for a new convener to champion the cause of young people in the Highlands. Applicants for the position of Highland Youth Convener have until mid-day on Wednesday 17th June 2009 to register their interest in the 12-month position, which carries a bursary of £10,000.
Having a holiday in the European Union should mean rest and relaxation, but for the unfortunate few, it could turn into an unlucky break. Breaking your ankle while dancing in a beach club or while mountain climbing is bad enough to deal with, let alone having to cope in a foreign language and even more stressful when you have to worry about treatment procedures.
The Highland Council is to step up its lobbying of both the Scottish and UK Governments for increased investment in new affordable housing. The impact of the recession and financial constraints affecting housing associations have significantly reduced the Council's ability to meet the growing demand for affordable homes.
HIE plans to invest over £220m into local economy over the next three years Plans to invest more than £220 million over the next three years in economic and community development have been published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The enterprise agency’s latest operating plan – its first since transferring business advice services to local authorities on 1 April 2009 – details HIE’s contribution to deliver the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy in the Highlands and Islands.
Highland Council's Trading Standards team is participating in an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) campaign to warn consumers about bogus car buyer scams which cost UK consumers nearly £3 million every year. Bogus car buyer scams, which are sometimes referred to as "vehicle matching scams", target consumers selling cars and falsely promise to match them with definite buyers.
At its annual report to The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee on 20 May, Highland Opportunity Limited (HOL) was able to describe another year of solid support to Highland businesses, together with recent major developments in enterprise support. HOL is the Council owned Enterprise Trust with a remit to assist local businesses to start up and grow, to create or preserve jobs and make European trade connections.
Following a presentation to The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee Members have given their full support for the Council to work with its partners HIE and HITRANS to raise awareness of the economic problems facing rural petrol stations and look at ways of securing a sustainable and accessible network of fuel supply throughout the Highland area. Experian Catalist were commissioned to produce a comprehensive study looking at the future of the 231 petrol stations currently operating over the Highlands and Islands area.
A total of 18,340 Highland residents have asked to vote by post at the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections. The electorate in Highland is 171,601.
Tenant housing group representatives from across the Highlands have been working with The Highland Council to produce a new strategy that puts tenant involvement and communication very much at the centre of future housing service delivery and development. Launched on Monday 25 May 2009 the strategy replaces The Highland Council's previous strategy and, running up to 2012, it aims to improve opportunities for tenant participation across Highland and develop and maintain effective working relationships to progress the design and delivery of housing services.
The Local Returning Officer in the Highlands for the forthcoming European Parliamentary Elections, Alistair Dodds, wants voters to be aware of what they need to do to cast their vote on Thursday 4 June. In the 2007 Scottish Parliament and local Government elections voters were asked to use three different voting methods on three ballot papers.
Scottish Water today (25 May 09) revealed figures showing that its major investment in new water mains across the Highlands and Islands has paid dividends, with 106 fewer burst pipes in the past year. During 2008/09 Scottish Water dealt with 1,397 burst water mains in the Highland and Western Isles local authority areas, a seven per cent drop from 1,503 the previous year (07/08).
On 3rd June, from 4pm at Caithness Horizons, Thurso, GlobalScot Bob Creighton who lives and works in Connecticut USA, will address a small group of ambitious business people, brought together by Fusion. There is still time to book a place on this event if you wish to attend.
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the UK Met Office have announced a change to the Inshore Waters Forecasts that are broadcast on VHF radio by Stornoway and Clyde Coastguard during their Maritime Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts. The change has come about as a result of consultation between the MCA, UK Met Office and the Western Isles Fisherman's Association to better define the difference in the weather conditions between the Atlantic coast of the Western Isles and the Minch, Little Minch & Sea of the Hebrides which is covered by the Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath, including the Outer Hebrides forecast.
Staying Safe On The Road Is A Family Affair, Says RoSPA The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is urging mums, dads, carers and children to remember road safety is a family affair this half-term. RoSPA is supporting the UK's first National Family Week, with a message that everyone can do their bit for each other's well-being on the road.