Education Minister visits Acharacle Primary School
The Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, visited one of the country’s most innovative and sustainable schools, Acharacle Primary in Ardnamurchan, today Monday (August 31, 2009).
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, a Celebration, Moladh air Deagh Bhàrd
Àrainn Shuaineirt, The Sunart Centre, in Strontian is to host a special conference next Saturday (12th September) to celebrate the life and works of the great Moidart poet Alasdair mac Mhaighster Alasdair.
Planning for the Future at Ward Forums
Community Councils, voluntary, community and business representatives in the Black Isle and Cromarty Firth Wards have the opportunity to say what they think their area should be like in the future as The Highland Development Plan, which is currently out for public consultation, will be top of the agenda at both Ward Forums.
Council Seeks Reassurance From Fujitsu
Following yesterday’s announcement that the IT services unit of electronics giant Fujitsu plans to cut up to 1,200 jobs in the UK, The Highland Council has been in touch with the company and are pressing for a reassurance that Highland staff will not be amongst those to lose their jobs.
Provost remembers Veterans at St Valery-en-Caux
Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, visited St Valery-en-Caux last weekend to renew and strengthen bonds of friendship with the city’s French twin town.
The Kirking of the Council
The Kirking of The Council, taking place on the morning of Sunday 13 September 2009 in Inverness, will be marked with colour and pageantry as the combined Pipe Bands of the Royal British Legion and Northern Constabulary will lead uniformed youth groups along High Street and down Church Street to the Old High Kirk – the oldest church in the city.
Inverness Rangers get batty and literary
Highland Council Rangers are inviting outdoor lovers to join them this weekend on three guided walks in the Inverness area. Two of the walks will focus on bats and the third will explore the impact that the Highland landscape has on writers, artists and musicians.
Work To Start On Dingwall Streetscape
The first phase of a £947,000 package of town centre improvements is due to start in Dingwall High Street on September 14 2009.
Young Musicians Start On The Right Note
Millburn Academy in Inverness will be alive with the sound of music this weekend as three of The Highland Council’s Regional Music Groups begin rehearsals fro this year’s packed programme of events which will include a special weekend of celebrations later in the year, culminating in a gala performance to be held in the Empire Theatre, Eden Court to mark the 21st anniversary of regional music groups.
Fire Update
Residents in Rosehaugh Road, South Kessock, have been advised that their homes can safely be re-occupied following a fire at M and H Carriers, Carsegate Road.
Public Consultation On Shaping the Future Of The Highlands
A series of Information Days will take place across the Highlands to give people the opportunity to find out how they can get involved in shaping the future of the Highlands. These events have been arranged to complement the official ten week public consultation on the Highland-wide Local Development Plan which starts on Monday 31 August.
Skye and Lochalsh Mobility Action Group celebrate improved access to the countryside
Members of ‘The Way Forward’ Skye and Lochalsh mobility action group today (26 August) met with staff from Scottish Natural Heritage and The Highland Council to celebrate the introduction of 3 mobility scooters to the group that will enable its members to gain access to paths in their area that were previously inaccessible to them.
Assurance given to South Kessock residents following fire
The Highland Council and NHS Highland have issued an advisory note to 500 households in the South Kessock area of Inverness following a fire at M and H Carriers, Carsegate Road, Merkinch , Inverness on Tuesday (25 August), which has resulted in demolition of the building.
Public to have their say on Beauly Square improvements
Members of the public are being invited to have their say on environmental improvements to Beauly Square on Wednesday 2nd September.
First Live Webcast of Northern Joint Police Board
Members of the public across the Highlands and Islands will have the opportunity to watch the Northern Joint Police Board meeting from their homes, when it is webcast live, for the first time on Friday (28 August).
£1.5 Million Pounds for Gaelic Schools in Highland
The Highland Council has welcomed the allocation from the Scottish Government of £1.5 million to allow preparation works to begin on proposed new Gaelic Medium Primary Schools at Fort William and Portree.
HMIe Report on Stratherrick Primary School, Inverness
In an HMIe report on Stratherrick Primary School, Inverness, a range of key strengths were identified. The primary school was strongly commended for its confident, friendly children who work hard and enjoy learning, its partnerships with parents and the wider community and the success of staff in making learning interesting and relevant for children.
Positive Follow through Report by Inspectors for Lochinver Primary School
In an HMIe follow through report on Lochinver Primary School the teamwork of staff in bringing about improvement, the positive atmosphere in school and the very supportive learning links with the local community were identified as key strengths.
Opportunities in the Baltics
Businesses in Inverness will have the chance to learn more about the untapped business opportunities that exist in the Baltic States. A breakfast seminar, being organised by Cormack Consultancy Baltic (CCB) and sponsored by Enterprise Europe Scotland, will take place in The Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Tuesday 8th September starting at 7.45 am.
Temporary Closures Required to Permit Flit to New Archive and Registration Centre
The transfer of archives and equipment to the new Highland Archive and Registration Centre at the Bught, Inverness, will require temporary closures of existing services at Inverness Library in readiness for the opening of the new centre on Monday 26 October.
Highland Council introduces Direct Debit payments for housing rents
The Highland Council’s 14,000 Council house tenants now have the option of paying their rent by Direct Debit.
Development Plan is Focus of Lochaber Ward Forum Debate
The next meeting of The Highland Council’s Joint Lochaber Ward Forum will be held at 7pm on Monday 31 August in the Council Chambers, Lochaber House, Fort William to discuss the new Highland Wide Local Development Plan.
Tribute to Poolewe Pupil Drowned in Canoeing Incident
The Head Teacher of Poolewe Primary School has paid tribute to a 7-year-old pupil who drowned with his father in a canoeing accident on Loch Maree.
Highland Partnership Aims To Make Learning More Personal For Young Adults
The Highland Council and the Shirlie Project have started a pilot in partnership with local schools and employers to boost the career prospects for young adults with additional support needs.
Planning for the Future in Caithness
Residents, Community Councils and community representatives in the Caithness Wards of Wick, Thurso and Landward have the opportunity to say what they think the area should be like in the future at their Joint Ward Forum on Tuesday 8th September
Focus on Council Tax
A new information resource has been produced by The Highland Council to help customers better understand Council Tax.
Restaurant Owner fined £2,250 for poor hygiene standards
The former owner of a now closed, Indian restaurant and take-away has been prosecuted by The Highland Council after Environmental Health Officers found poor hygiene conditions.
Zero Waste Plan Unveiled
Scotland's first ever Zero Waste Plan was unveiled today at The Highland Council headquarters in Inverness.
Council to Streamline Property Maintenance Services
Members of The Highland Council's Resources Committee have approved a proposal which will streamline its property maintenance services and clarify the roles and responsibilities of its maintenance teams.
Anti-fraud Initiative Proves Popular In West Highlands
A high-tech initiative, designed to help prevent passport fraud and stop those set on using other people’s identities to carry out serious crimes, is proving successful in Lochaber.
Inverness pupils Jump2it
Pupils from ten Inverness Primary Schools will be taking part in the national Scottish Sports Futures Jump2it health initiative from 24 – 28 August.
Inverness Ward Forum Discusses Development Plan
The next meeting of The Highland Council’s Inverness South Ward Forum will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 25 August in Inshes Primary School to discuss the new Highland Wide Local Development Plan.
Countdown to Highland Homecoming begins
The countdown to Highland Homecoming begins today (Wednesday 19 August) with the launch of the full programme at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.
Major Works to Start at Skye Care Home
An Acarsaid, The Highland Council’s care home for older people in Broadford, Skye, is to undergo a £1.4 million refurbishment over the next eight months.
East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum Focuses on Highland Wide Development Plan
The next East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum will meet at 7.30pm on Monday 24 August in Helmsdale Community Centre to discuss the new Highland Wide Local Development Plan.
Highland Council is leader in food hygiene training by e-learning
The success of an individual Highland Council employee in becoming the first Local Authority employee in Scotland to pass the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) e-learning Intermediate Food Hygiene course has resulted in the local authority being the first public sector organisation to be approved by the Institute as a training centre to deliver the course.
Committee rejects Heat and Power Plant Application at Invergordon
The Highland Council’s Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross Planning Applications Committee has refused an application by Combined Heat and Power (Highland) Ltd to establish a waste to energy combined heat and power plant within the Cromarty Firth Industrial Park at Invergordon.
The Highland’s new Archive and Registration Centre is handed over
After almost 18 months of construction work, Morrison Construction, part of the Galliford Try group, has handed the keys over to The Highland Council for the new Archive and Registration Centre at the Bught Park, Inverness, following an independent inspection and it is now ready for the Council to begin the transfer of its archives and registration services into the new facility over the coming months.
Sponsorship of City Roundabouts
Following the launch of a city roundabout sponsorship scheme in Inverness earlier this year, The Highland Council has attracted its first sponsor.
Proposed A82 Closures
Highland Councillors from Lochaber met with representatives of both Transport Scotland and Scotland Transerv last week to discuss the overnight road closures proposed to take place at two points on Achintore Road, within the speed restrictions, in mid-September, from 8pm to 6am, for two to three weeks.
Normandy veterans lay up colours
Members of The Highland and Islands Normandy Veterans NVA 60 Branch will lay up their colours and present their standard to The Highland Council on Sunday 23rd August, 2009.
Opening of new Highland inter-agency centre for autism
A new £1.2 million centre has opened in Inverness to improve outcomes for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families throughout Highland.
Probationer Teachers Welcomed To The Highlands
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, and Hugh Fraser, The Highland Council’s Director of Education, Culture and Sport have welcomed 112 probationer teachers who will be working in Highland schools in the new session at their induction day in Inverness.
Reducing Accidents in Highland
Highland Councillors have welcomed a report that confirms that Highland is performing well in reducing road accidents, including those involving drivers aged 17-25.
New bid for Euro Funding on A855 Portree to Staffin Road
The Highland Council is to make a second bid for Euro funding to help upgrade the A 855 Portree – Staffin road to two lane status.
Red Squirrel Event
Red Squirrels will be the theme of a guided afternoon walk on Sunday 23 August at Tradespark Woods.
Record Turnout For Sand Sculpture Contest
A record number of people took part in the annual sand sculpture contest,on Clachtoll Beach in North West Sutherland which was organised by The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers based in Assynt.
Funding Clinics For Community Projects
The Highland Council's Cromarty Firth Ward is hosting two special Project and Funding Clinics with support from Ross-shire Voluntary Action. These clinics will give people the chance to come along and find out how they can get support and money for their community projects.
Planning For The Future At Ward Forum
Residents, Community Councils and community representatives in the Tain and Easter Ross Ward have the opportunity to say what they think the area should be like in future at their Ward Forum next Wednesday (19 August).
New Public Toilets For Fort Augustus
Visitors will soon be able to make use of new public toilet facilities at Fort Augustus.
Anti-counterfeit work wins award for The Highland Council
The Highland Council has received a Certificate of Excellence for its work relating to authenticity testing of branded spirits.
Strengthening bonds of friendship between Inverness and St Valery-en-Caux
Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, will visit St Valery-en-Caux later this month to renew and strengthen bonds of friendship with the city’s French twin town.
Want to know what goes on behind closed doors?
There is a chance next month (September) to explore more than 30 buildings in The Highland Council area, which are not normally open to the public. As part of the annual National Doors Open Days event, a range of fascinating buildings – old and new - including stately homes, state-of-the-art medical facilities and historic churches will be opening their doors to visitors on Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 September.
Invergordon Planning Refusal Confirmed
The Highland Council’s Planning Environment and Development Committee has confirmed a decision taken by its Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Planning Applications and Review Committee on 19 May this year to refuse the council planning consent to vary the permission in place for the handling of recyclable waste at its municipal waste facility at Unit 26 Cromarty Firth Industrial Park, Invergordon, to include the handling, storage and bulking up of residual waste.
ASDA Planning Decision
The Highland Council has been notified of the Scottish Ministers’ decision to confirm approval of ASDA’s planning application at Slackbuie, Inverness.
Young people urged to unlock finances to help them stay on in education
Young people in the Highlands who have decided to stay on in education are being reminded by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service to apply now for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
Revised Policy Aims to Increase Housing in the Countryside
The Highland Council’s Planning Environment and Development Committee is being asked on Wednesday to revise its guidance on housing in the countryside to allow more homes to be built and help the local economy.
Meeting the Planners at Belladrum
The Highland Council Development Plans Team were at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival at the weekend asking people what they would like to see in their new Highland wide Local Development Plan.
Pilot Webcasting Scheme for Highland
The public will soon be able to follow debates on important Highland planning and licensing issues from the comfort of their own homes.
Public to be Consulted over Future Growth of Highlands
Members of The Highland Council’s Planning Environment and Development Committee have the opportunity to discuss progress of the Highland Wide Local Development Plan at their meeting on Wednesday (12 August) before the draft document goes out to public consultation on 31 August for 10 weeks.
Olympians receive standing ovation from Highland Council
A group of athletes who took part in the 2009 Special Olympics at Leicester received a standing ovation from members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee today as they attended the meeting to report their triumphs at the games.
Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group
Members of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group ( HISCG) have welcomed the publication of the Audit Scotland report titled ‘Improving civil contingencies planning’.
Highland Youth work receives Council support for future direction
The future direction of Youth Work in the Highlands was endorsed today by members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, who also commented on the positive impact youth work was having on their communities.
Council Welcomes Dingwall Streetscape Funding
The Highland Council has been successful with a funding bid to the Scottish Government for a facelift of Dingwall High Street.
Social Work Budget Recovery Plan
A robust recovery plan is being drawn up to tackle an overspend in The Highland Council’s Social Work budget, projected to be £3.437 million by the end of this financial year in March 2010.
Scottish Qualification Results 2009 - Highland
Initial indications are that Highland pupils have once again done well in their Scottish Qualification Authority exams.
Rangers spot Northern Green dragon at Little Assynt
Seasonal Highland Council Countryside Ranger in Assynt, Tina Lloyd-Jenkins recently led a guided walk to Little Assynt in search of the elusive “Great Northern Green Dragon”. Forty adults and children accompanied her on her quest.
Multi Agency Partners Look Ahead to a Safe Belladrum 2009
Partner agencies are looking forward to what they hope will be another safe year at Belladrum music festival.
32 Whyte and Mackay redundancies hit East Ross economy
The Highland Council is to seek an early meeting with distilling company Whyte and Mackay, who have announced it is entering a 30-day consultation on its intention to cut its Invergordon workforce from 133 to 103 and its workforce at Dalmore Distillery, Alness, from 17 to 15.
Councillors to consider remedial action for Social Work overspend
A report will be discussed at The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee on Wednesday 5 August which projects a £3.437 million overspend following the first three months of the financial year 2009/10.