Scottish Learning Disability Week is Scotland's learning disability awareness raising week, which takes place in May every year and celebrates the rich contribution that people with learning disabilities make to society. Every year has a different theme that is important to the lives of people with a learning disability.
Today (Thursday 4 May 2023), Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed to continue to build on the success of the 2022/23 Community Regeneration Programme for 2023/24. Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful first year the new Highland Community Regeneration Programme model has been well received, bringing a streamlined application, grant award and claim processes to project applicants and grant recipients.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace have today visited the shipyard where the next generation of AUKUS nuclear submarines will be built for the Royal Navy. Australia Prime Minister and UK Defence Secretary visit Barrow-in-Furness shipyard.
During the last year, over 2000 Highland businesses have been supported to start-up and grow by Highland Council. Supported by the Council's business development service, businesses have secured start-up and growth finance, and have accessed advisory support through the Council's Business Gateway service.
Councils can now apply for their share of £4.5 million to support the provision of after school and holiday clubs for Scotland's most disadvantaged communities. The funding will help improve both indoor and outdoor spaces in the school estate, with schools also encouraged to consider wider community needs.
This week, the Shut Out Scammers campaign is focused on maintenance and home improvement scams. In one recent case, cold callers knocked on a man's door and offered to fill the potholes in his driveway with tarmac.
Members at today's (4 May 2023) Economy and Infrastructure Committee reviewed and approved the next steps for the future of Highland Council's three airfields. The report highlights that current resource committed to the operation and maintenance of the airfields at Ashaig in Skye, Dornoch and Plockton is not sufficient to meet all of the maintenance liabilities and legal requirements.
99% of households initially eligible through DWP will have been directly paid £301 by the government by end of today (3 May 2023). The payments are the first of 3 new Cost of Living Payments worth up to £900 in 2023/24 for those eligible - though some people will receive up to £1,350.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts (May, 2nd) sold 107 adult sheep and 1 goat at their rare & traditional breeds sale. Ewe with lamb at foot (26) sold to £220 gross for a Roussin Ewe with 1 Roussin Tup Lamb at foot from Burnbank, Linside.
Withholding tips from staff becomes unlawful as the Tipping Bill achieves Royal Assent, with more than 2 million workers to have their tips protected. Withholding tips from staff becomes unlawful as Tipping Bill achieves Royal Assent.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May 2nd) sold 17 Prime Cattle. Prime Heifers (17) averaged 286.8p per kg (-11.3p) and sold to 295.0p per kg and £2,057.20 gross.
West of Orkney Windfarm have a series of public consultation events starting 16th May in Thurso, through to 25th May in Stromness. The meetings will include feedback, updates, and an insight into environmental assessments.
People living and working in the Lockerbie area in Scotland are to benefit from significantly improved mobile phone connectivity as the first UK government-funded rural mast upgrade is completed. First UK government-funded phone mast upgrade activated in Lockerbie, Scotland, to give a major 4G mobile coverage boost to the community.
Delivering even more tailored support to tens of thousands of households is at the heart of a major expansion of this year's Fuel Insecurity Fund. The First Minister announced in March that the Fund will be tripled to £30 million this year.
What is inflation? Inflation is a measure of how prices of goods and services are changing in the UK, and it can have a big impact on people's household finances. Each month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes the latest annual inflation rate, which measures the change in the price of regularly purchased items (known as the basket of goods and services) compared with the same time the previous year.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has named two Belize registered companies as promoters of a tax avoidance scheme in the UK. Minerva Services Ltd and Buckingham Wealth Ltd, who share the same official business address in Belmopan, the capital of Belize, were promoting and marketing a tax avoidance scheme known as the Umbrella Remuneration Trust (URT).
A report by the Public Accounts committee of the UK government shows the reduced amount of taxes collected during over the two years (2020-21 and 2021-22). 4000 staff were moved from compliance work to help deal with other work related to the pandemic.
Tackling poverty and inequality is the biggest challenge facing Scotland, First Minister Humza Yousaf will say at today's anti-poverty summit. Led by the First Minister, the summit offers a vital opportunity for the Scottish Government to listen to, and work with key partners, campaigners, cross-party representatives and those with direct experience of poverty, to help inform Scotland's drive to tackle poverty and inequality.
On Thursday 4 May 2023, Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to approve the establishment of a Short Term Let Control Area for Badenoch and Strathspey (Ward 20). Ward 20 may be the first area for Short Term Rent controls but is probable that other areas will follow so anyone renting property may want to study this report.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will consider updated developer contribution rates for education and community facilities when they meet on Thursday. Approval of the report will allow the Council to apply revised developer contribution rates for schools and community facilities in line with up to date construction costs and taking account of the latest evidence on the implications of housing development for schools and other infrastructure.
