Community council updated on Expo plans
Scotland’s Housing Expo has launched a new-look website with information about this major event which will take place at Balvonie Braes off the A9 near Inverness throughout August 2010.
Drop in and drop them in it – Highland Council Trading Standards Scam Watch Campaign launched.
Throughout February 2010, Highland Council Trading Standards are taking part in the ‘Scamnesty 2010’ national campaign in a bid to end the scourge of mass marketed scams mailings targeting UK consumers.
Mountain Maintenance Days in Skye and Lochalsh
A group of eight Skye and Lochalsh volunteers ranging in age from 14 to 73 years gathered in Glenbrittle on Saturday 23rd January to take part in the last of the current series of Highland Council’s Upland Footpath Maintenance days with the Skye and Lochalsh Rangers.
Sutherland Local Plan – examination report highlights
People with an interest in The Highland Council’s Sutherland Local Plan can now see a copy of the ‘Report of Examination’ from The Scottish Government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals on the Highland Council’s website.
HMIe report – Kinlochbervie High School
The caring and supportive environment for learning was one of the three particular strengths highlighted by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education in a report published today on Kinlochbervie High School.
Highland Planning Review Body meets for first time
The Highland Planning Review Body will meet for the first time on Thursday. The nine-member group of Highland Councillors has been established by The Highland Council in response to the Scottish Government’s commitment to encourage planning applications to be determined locally.
Highland Council calls on landowners to check snow damaged trees
Following the recent spell of severe winter weather The Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which have been damaged by the weight of snow.
Follow-through HMIe Inspection of Lairg Primary School
As part of the inspectorate’s ongoing strategy for evaluating the educational provision of local authorities, a report is issued today on the inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Lairg Primary School.
Council pleased with call on companies to register for Framework Agreement
An open invitation for consultants, contractors and skilled trades businesses to submit an application to work for The Highland Council on contracts with an individual value of up to £25,000 and consultancy work for projects of all values has received a considerable response.
Call for greater benefits from marine developments
In its response to the UK Government’s review of the management of the Crown Estate in Scotland, The Highland Council has highlighted its eagerness to achieve substantial change which will result in greater local community benefit from marine developments, such as renewable energy projects.
Àiteachan rim faotainn air tachartas ionnsachaidh teaghlaich
Thèid tachartas ionnsachaidh teaghlaich, do theaghlaichean a bhruidhneas a’ Ghàidhlig, a chumail aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig san Eilean Sgitheanach san t-seachdain a’ tòiseachadh Diluain 5 Iuchar 2010.
Places available on Gaelic family learning event
A family learning event for Gaelic-speaking families will be held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye during the week beginning Monday 5th July 2010.
Environment Minister enjoys a lesson in wildlife conservation and children condem persecution of Golden Eagles
Efforts to strengthen populations of golden eagles in the Highlands were the focus of two visits by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham today.
Council confirms emergency measures to conserve road salt
Highland Councillors have confirmed that emergency measures to conserve road salt supplies will remain in place until the Council has built up a stock of at least 10,500 tonnes – seven days of treatment.
Children's Commissioner visits north schools
Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People will visit two schools in Moray and Highland tomorrow (Friday January 22) as a forerunner to a national initiative to seek the views and opinions of Scotland’s youth.
Food hygiene failure proves costly for restaurant owner
The operator of the Shapla Tandoori Restaurant and take-away at 2 Castle Road, Inverness has been prosecuted this week after Highland Council environmental health officers uncovered a catalogue of poor hygiene offences during inspections in 2008.
Blind persons travel scheme
A local Blind Persons Companion Travel Scheme is to be implemented in the Highlands by The Highland Council in conjunction with First ScotRail from 23 May 2010.
Council seeks clarification on Beauly to Denny power line decision
At today’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee members acknowledged the decision of the Scottish Government on the Beauly to Denny power line but expressed concern that the Council’s aspirations for the undergrounding and re-routing of the line in certain locations had not been taken up by the Government.
The Highland Council and HIE meet with Aberdeen and Northern Marts to discuss planned closures in Dornoch and Forres
Following the announcement by Aberdeen and Northern Marts of the planned closure in April of the Scotch Premier Meat plant in Dornoch with the loss of 29 jobs, representatives from The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise met with owner Aberdeen and Northern Marts in Inverurie on Tuesday 19 January.
Council To Keep Up Pressure For Nigg Redevelopment
Members of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee have unanimously agreed to keep up the pressure on KBR to make a clear decision about the company’s intention for the Nigg Fabrication Yard in Easter Ross.
Over 90 people to develop a new City Vision for Inverness
Over 90 people from Inverness will participate in the British Council’s Future City Game today (Wednesday 20 January) where they will develop ideas to help with the development of a new city vision for Inverness.
Inverness City Forum – Tuesday 26 January 2010
The Highland Council wishes to clarify that the main focus of business at the forthcoming ward forum at the Town House, Inverness, will be policing in the city.
3-D Natural Magic show for Highland galleries
An exhibition of stereoscopic images by artist Calum Colvin entitled ‘Natural Magic’ is currently on show at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery before going on display in Thurso, Wick and Kingussie.
Community Development Fund has significant impact in Lochaber
Today (January 19th) sees the first anniversary of the current Highland LEADER programme operating in Lochaber and to date there has been a significant impact to local communities with £538,000 going to help 27 individual projects in the area.
HMIe Inspection of Castletown Primary School
As part of the inspectorate’s ongoing strategy for evaluating the educational provision of local authorities, a report is issued today on the inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Castletown Primary School. The report is based on an inspection visit which was carried out in November 2009 and comments on the quality of education at Castletown Primary.
Councillors to consider revised management rules for Highland Burial Grounds
At a meeting of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community (TEC) Services on Thursday 21 January Highland Councillors will be asked to approve revised management rules for burial grounds that will include arrangements for burial lairs to be sold in perpetuity.
Invitation to focus on policing issues and Highland Council budget at City Forum
Community groups and members of the public are invited to attend a City Forum next week which will provide the opportunity to hear about the budget challenges facing The Highland Council and also find out about the different roles the Police have in relation to community safety.
Ward forum to discuss Council budgets
The next Black Isle Ward Forum, which takes place on Thursday (21 January), will focus on The Highland Council’s budget and take a look at the financial challenges facing Local Government and the rest of the public sector over the next four years.
Public thanked for help with roadside surveys
The Highland Council would like to thank motorists in the Inverness area for their assistance and understanding when traffic surveys were undertaken in November last year.
Positive HMIe report for Strathgarve Primary School
In a recently published HMIe report on Strathgarve Primary School, the following key strengths were identified.
Highland Council appoints new Head of Education
John Considine, former Rector of Inverness Royal Academy has been appointed as Acting Head of Education Services with The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service.
Review focuses on increasing recycling
Highland Councillors are being asked to review the Council’s waste collection strategy to ensure a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill and to increase the amount of waste recycled.
Temporary traffic restriction on A862 at Lentran
From Monday (18 January) planned maintenance work will begin on the road bridge at Lentran on the A862. Drivers are being warned that they could face delays at peak travel times.
Report in on Sutherland Local Plan
The Sutherland Local Plan Examination has been concluded and the Council has now received the Report of Examination from the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA).
Highland Council to participate in Scotland’s Islands 2011
The Highland Council is to participate in ‘Scotland’s Islands 2011’ – a themed year that will showcase and develop islands life, locally, nationally and beyond through developing tourism, and provide opportunities in the arts, sport and cultural experiences.
Council to build new school in Inverness area.
Members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee have agreed that a new Primary school will be built for the Milton of Leys area of Inverness.
Gaelic Medium provision at Glen Urquhart Primary School
A proposal to establish Gaelic Medium education provision at Glen Urquhart Primary School in Drumnadrochit took a step forward this week.
Preparing for the thaw
The Highland Council is preparing to combat the threat of flooding, which may result from the thaw of heavy snow and ice blocking some drains.
Solar tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig Bun-sgoil Ghlinn Urchadain
Ghabh moladh gus solar foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a stèidheachadh aig Bun-sgoil Ghlinn Urchadain ann an Druim na Drochaid ceum air adhart an t-seachdain seo.
Committee agrees review of Highland school estate
The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee has agreed to review its school estate, which includes 183 primary schools; 29 secondary schools and 3 special schools.
Measures to conserve salt
As a result of national shortages of road salt, The Highland Council has taken emergency measures to preserve salt stocks.
Inverness Traditional Music Classes – Clasaichean Ceòl Traidiseanta Inbhir Nis
The Highland Council is urging people of all ages to join in traditional music, song and dance classes which are currently taking place in Inverness until the 25 march 2010.
Transforming Community Care Services in the Highlands
The Highland Council is to modernise community care services, in association with partners in NHS Highland and the independent sector, to meet the increasing demands of an ageing population, and growing numbers of people with complex needs.
Council house rent increase contained to 1.3%
The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee has recommended that the increase in council house rents for 2010-11 should be contained to 1.3% - an average weekly increase of 83p.
Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group and British Waterways Scotland warn people about frozen stretches of water.
Police and partner agencies are again warning people about the dangers which exist around frozen stretches of water, as the big freeze continues.
Statement issued by the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership
The Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP), a multi-agency group with representatives from The Highland Council, NHS Highland, Northern Constabulary and the Scottish Prison Service, met on Tuesday 12th January to give careful consideration to recommendations for changes to the way the needs of drunk and incapable people are to be met across the Highlands in the future. A range of options were considered and rated against agreed criteria which included looking at how well it might meet the needs of service users, equality of access, sustainability and affordability.
Work to start on Dingwall Streetscape Phase 2
The second phase of a £947,000 package of town centre improvements is due to start in Dingwall High Street on February 8th 2010.
Weather update - 12 January
School closures and road conditions update
Internal audit report into Caithness Heat and Power
Caithness Heat and Power is a joint project supported by The Highland Council since its inception in 2004 because of its potential to provide renewable energy in an area of fuel poverty via an innovative biomass district heating system at Pulteneytown, Wick.
School closures - Tuesday 12 January 2010
Only one secondary school, five primary schools and four nursery schools in the Highlands were closed today (Tuesday) as a result of adverse weather conditions.
HMIe Inspection of Pennyland Primary School
As part of the inspectorate’s ongoing strategy for evaluating the educational provision of local authorities, a report is issued today on the inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Pennyland Primary School. The report is based on an inspection visit which was carried out in November 2009 and comments on the quality of education at Pennyland Primary.
Weather Update – Monday 11 January 2010
Review of current road conditions
School closures – Monday 11 January 2010
We have 33 schools in Highland which were not able to open today after the holiday break, due to a combination of bad weather and heating failures and damage caused by the bad weather.
European funding announcement
Weather update - Friday 8 January 2010
Weather conditions: Limited snowfall has allowed wider treatment of priority 3 and 4 routes.
Nigg ready to capitalise on offshore developments
The oil facility at Nigg, East Ross, is ideally placed to provide the base for construction of the turbines needed to service the two major offshore wind energy developments proposed off the north Highland coastline.
Service Centre opens at weekend
The Highland Council is responding to the high number of enquiries received from the public about the bad weather and will open its Customers Service Centre this weekend.
Back to school on Monday
Every effort will be made to ensure Highland schools are able to open after the holidays on Monday 11 January, despite the adverse weather.
Mutual aid provided by Highland Council on salt supplies
A number of councils in Scotland are experiencing shortages of salt and, through Mutual Aid arrangements, the Council is in a position to assist those councils with the most pressing needs.
Weather update - Thursday 7 January 2010
Review of current road conditions
Community Service at work in Lochaber
Offenders, subject to a community service order in the Fort William area, are playing their part in the winter clear up.
Council response to Beauly – Denny overhead transmission line go ahead
The Highland Council has noted the decision by the Scottish Government to grant planning permission to Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Ltd to install an overhead electricity transmission line over 200 km from Beauly sub-station to Wharry Burn, near Dunblane.
Weather update - Wednesday 6 January 2010
Review of current road conditions: A number of roads remain closed as a result of heavy snow on Tuesday.
Communities advised of likely disruption to Corran Ferry services
A meeting of The Highland Council’s Fort William and Ardnamurchan Ward Forum is being held at Strontian tomorrow (Thursday) night when the public will be advised of the need for essential repairs to the Nether Lochaber slipway, which serves the Corran Ferry.
Emergency Services urge people to look out for their neighbours
EMERGENCY Services in the Highlands and Islands are calling on neighbours to look out for each other during the severe weather we are currently experiencing.
Highland winter road condition report for Wednesday 6 January
Winter Road Condition Report for areas across the Highlands on the morning of Wednesday 6 January
Council staff go the extra mile to get to home care clients
Council care at home staff throughout the Highlands are going the extra mile to maintain services to clients in rural areas.
Weather update Tuesday 5 January 2010
Review of current road conditions: Good progress was made on Monday in clearing Priority 3 and 4 routes.
Praise for Council staff in combating winter weather
The Highland Council has thanked its winter maintenance crews and home care workers for their efforts in maintaining services during the worst weather conditions to affect the area for 30 years.
Weather Update
An udpate on Highland Council's road gritting and service provisions.
Keeping New Year fitness resolutions on TRACC
People in the Tain and Invergordon areas wanting to get fit and stay in shape in the New Year will be spoiled for choice at TRACC (Tain Royal Academy Community Complex) and Invergordon Leisure Centre.