Fujitsu assure councillors of improved performance
Highland Councillors have accepted an apology from its ICT provider, Fujitsu, about its performance and welcomed assurances that efforts are being made to successfully deliver the £66 million 5-year contract.
Gearing up for winter
Northern Constabulary is joining Scotland's other forces to highlight the dangers associated with using the roads during the winter months.
Illegal fireworks sales to children
A fresh warning has gone out to those involved in the sale of fireworks that it is an offence to sell fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age. This follows an undercover test purchasing exercise over the past week, which resulted in three of the 12 retailers involved selling fireworks to an underage customer.
Council backs title bid for UHI Millennium Institute
Highland Councillors today (Thursday) endorsed an application being made for university title by UHI, the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands.
Supporting retention of vital rail services
The Highland Council has unanimously agreed to support the campaign to retain direct rail links between Inverness and London (the Highland Chieftain) and the Fort William – London sleeper service.
Successful 2010 Caithness Mòd
At the start of The Highland Council meeting today, Convener of The Highland Council, Sandy Park congratulated the Royal National Mòd organisers for a very successful event held in Caithness from 8 – 16 October.
Council commends response to Inverness care home fire
Highland Councillors have expressed their indebtedness to everyone who took part in the response to the fire which destroyed Culloden Court Nursing Home, Inverness, on Monday of last week.
Campaign to retain salvage tugs
The Highland Council is to work with other Highland and Islands councils to campaign for the retention of publicly-funded salvage tugs, based at Stornoway and Shetland. Councillors fiercely oppose the UK Government’s recent decision to end funding in September of next year of the tugs, which were introduced as the result of the inquiry by Lord Donaldson into the Braer Disaster, off Shetland in 1993.
Council offers support over Moray air base job losses
Highland Councillors have offered practical support and assistance to Moray Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Moray Task Force in their efforts to cope with the impact of significant job losses resulting from the impending closure of RAF Kinloss, and the continuing uncertainty over the future of RAF Lossiemouth.
Tarbat Community Council Elections
Residents living in and around Portmahomack are invited to stand for election to their local community council from next Thursday (4 November 2010).
The A830 Arisaig to Loch Nan Uamh Road Improvement wins prestigious Saltire Society Award
The A830 Arisaig to Loch Nan Uamh Road Improvement, the last section of the “Road to the Isles”, has won the prestigious Saltire Society Award for Civil Engineering design in the Environment Category.
Corran Ferry Timetable Update
Following successful “after dark” running trials using floodlighting, the timetable on the Corran Ferry between Ardgour and Nether Lochaber is being extended from Monday 1 November.
Science Baccalaureate proves popular in the Highlands
More than 50 secondary school pupils from across the Highlands will find out how an award in science can help their careers, at an information session at the Centre for Health Science, Inverness on Friday (October 29).
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber MSYP makes history at Scottish Parliament
Young people are set to take over the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament this weekend to make history, make policies, and discuss topical issues.
Evanton student is National e-Consumer Week prize draw winner
Inverness College student, Lucy Wilson from Evanton has won the ‘Free Pizza and Movie Night for Two’ prize draw held as part of National e-Consumer Week by Highland Council Trading Standards Service during September 2010.
Inverness shoppers advised of city centre footway maintenance
Work resurfacing the footway outside Marks and Spencer on Academy Street, Inverness, is planned to start on Monday (1 November) and there will be unavoidable disruption to the bus stop and taxi rank there. The contractor, Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd., will be lifting the footway slabs and re-laying an asphalt surface.
Contract awarded for Caithness landfill site extension
Work begins this week on a £950,000 extension to the Seater Landfill Site, near Bower, Caithness.
Inverness Winter Festival opens with Ness Islands Halloween show
The Inverness Winter Festival opens on Friday (October 29th) with a two day Halloween show that is guaranteed to fill the streets of Inverness with characters from a Rocky Horror Show.
Waste mascot launches mural competition for primary schools
Highland waste mascot, Compost the Cow, is getting creative and encouraging all primary schools to do the same.
Citizens’ Panel’s excellent response to annual performance survey
The annual public performance survey carried out by The Highland Council in June/July of this year attracted a 67% response rate from the new Citizens’ Panel, the majority of whom are satisfied with Council services.
HIE review
Highland Councillors are being asked next week to consider potential future governance and operations for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, should the agency be disbanded following a review of enterprise networks in Scotland.
Call for threat to be lifted on Minch emergency tug cover
The Chairman of The Highland Council’s TEC Services Councillor John Laing has said that today’s grounding of the HMS Astute off Skye highlighted the importance of the emergency tug cover that is provided from Stornoway.
Convener’s tribute to fire response teams
The Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park, has publicly thanked everyone who played a part in the response to the fire which destroyed Culloden Court Nursing Home, Inverness, on Monday night.
Business Roadshows
Entrepreneurs gained invaluable advice and networked with like minded people at an event at Dornoch run by Business Gateway and Enterprise Europe Scotland.
The Highland Council welcomes superfast broadband roll out in Highlands and Islands.
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed news that the UK Government has agreed to fund the delivery of superfast broadband in the Highlands and Islands.
Corran Ferry Update
Contractors working on a major refurbishment of the slipway at Nether Lochaber, which accommodates the Corran Ferry, have identified greater deterioration than was previously envisaged.
Inverness Highland Games visit delights Basques
An exhausted but happy Inverness Highland Games touring party arrived back in the Highlands on Wednesday with the applause of more than 100,000 Basques still ringing in their ears.
South West Inverness Flood Relief Scheme
Work is well underway on the first two phases of the Inverness South West Flood Relief Scheme and a contract for a third phase of work will be awarded early next month.
Corran Ferry timetable for the next two weeks
The timetable at Corran Ferry, which plies between Nether Lochaber and Ardgour, has been amended by The Highland Council while the slipway at Nether Lochaber is refurbished. The ferry can only operate in daylight hours while it berths at a temporary floating pier at Nether Lochaber and a 3-tonne weight restriction will remain in force, meanwhile. Work is likely to continue on the slipway until 10 December.
Badenoch and Strathspey Ward Forum looks at winter preparation
The focus of the next meeting of The Highland Council’s Badenoch and Strathspey Ward Forum will be “Getting Ready for Winter”.
Tain and Easter Ross Forum focuses on planning
Tain and Easter Ross residents are invited to a Ward Forum being held on Thursday 28 October to hear about The Highland Council’s role in planning.
Highland success at Good Practice Awards in Adult Learning 2010
A project for which the Highland Adult Literacies Partnership was successful in being granted LEADER funding has received a national award for good practice in adult learning from Scotland’s Learning Partnership.
Launch of Highland and Islands edition of Monopoly
The new MONOPOLY: Highlands and Islands Edition was launched today (Tuesday) at Loch Ness, which has grabbed the top property usually occupied by Mayfair, on the new game.
Temporary Road Closures for city events
Road users in Inverness are advised that temporary road restrictions will be in place during certain times over the next few weeks when four key events take place in the city.
Deadline for Challenge Fund applications
The deadline for applications to the Challenge Innovation Fund is fast approaching. The aim of the Challenge Innovation Fund, operated by Planning, Environment and Development Committee of The Highland Council, is to encourage third sector organisations to develop innovative approaches to assisting people with barriers to employment into training, work experience or jobs.
Praise for prompt response to major fire at Inverness home
Members of the local community in Smithton worked last night (Monday) with care home staff, social work and the emergency services to relocate 59 elderly people from Culloden Court Nursing Home after fire broke out in the home.
Curriculum for Excellence comes under the Spotlight
The new Curriculum for Excellence will come under the spotlight at the next Dingwall and Seaforth Ward Forum to be held in Dingwall on Wednesday 27th October.
Litter purge begins in Highland communities
Those intent on dropping litter and fly tipping are being given advance notice that enforcement teams will be in Dingwall, Fort William and Inverness over the next two weeks beginning on Monday 25 October – and they will be adopting a zero tolerance approach.
Inverness announced as 2014 Mòd venue
Event organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach are hailing this year’s Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd) a massive success as the week long celebration of Gaelic arts, music, culture and language in Caithness comes to a close.
Highland Junior Golf Championships at Spey Valley
A total of 42 young golfers from golf clubs in Highland and Moray took part in the eighth annual Highland Junior Golf Championships held at Spey Valley Golf Course, Aviemore, on Thursday 14 October.
Delhi meets Inverness – Salsa style
Inverness shoppers were treated to a taste of Eden Court’s Delhi Dance Week as participants from the event performed a range of devised dance pieces in Falcon Square.
Bridging the gap between generations of Gaelic speakers
Gaelic learners will be better able to extend their linguistic horizons by tapping into the rich and diverse heritage of the language.
Moves to ease social housing pressure in Highlands
Protocol for handling planning applications for customers with disabilities launched today
The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service has launched a protocol for dealing with planning applications for people with disabilities.
Caithness Folk Group are jubilant Mòd Ghallaibh winners
Fèis Ghallaibh Junior Folk Group A are winners of the Folk Group Competition for under 13 year olds at Mòd Ghallaibh 2010.
Adapting to Climate Change in the Highlands
The Highland Council is seeking the views of the public over its plans to respond to changing weather patterns.
Tributes paid to Inverness head teacher
The head teacher of Inshes Primary School, Mrs Ishbel Gilroy, has died at the age of 55.
Inverness road works
Starting on Monday 18th October, Scotland Gas Networks (SGN), the gas pipeline operator, will be replacing the gas mains on Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness, between its junction with Culduthel Road and its junction with Southside Road.
Budget consultation comments published
The Highland Council has published the 9,000 comments made during its extensive budget consultation earlier this year. The comments, which have been anonymised, will help shape the decisions to be made by the Council as it considers options for bridging a growing budget gap.
Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon
The Provost of Inverness, Councillor Jimmy Gray, has congratulated everyone who took part in last Sunday’s 2010 Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon, Baxter’s River Ness 10K, 10K Corporate Challenge, Baxter’s River Ness 5K Fun Run and the Baxter’s Wee Nessie.
Support for Gaelic-medium education and Gaelic Ambassador announced
On the opening day of the 2010 Royal National Mòd, the Minister for Gaelic said a new generation of Gaelic speakers can be achieved by the Gaelic community working together.
Council to mark 25 years of Gaelic Medium Education
Members of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee have welcomed plans to celebrate twenty five years of Gaelic Medium Education provision in the Highlands.
Locals mark their musical memories of Caithness Mod
People in Caithness are being invited to mark their own musical memories during Mòd Ghallaibh – the Caithness Mod.
Highland suppliers invited to take care of business
Highland local suppliers are being invited to attend events aimed at helping them to develop their skills in tendering for public sector contracts.
Northern Joint Police Board response to HMIC’s comments on police force structure in Scotland
Councillor Ian Ross, Vice-Convener of the Northern Joint Police Board, has responded to comments made by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Scottish Constabularies Bill Skelly suggesting that running eight police forces in Scotland is unsustainable and that the number of forces should be reduced to make cost savings.
Motorists warned of disruption caused by resurfacing work at Culloden Road, Balloch, Inverness
The Highland Council is warning motorists in Inverness of disruption to traffic movement on Monday (11 October) as the result of essential resurfacing road works in the Balloch area of the city.
Nairn youth initiative will foster leadership skills
A group of young people recently launched the Nairn Academy Interact Club which was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nairn.
Painted Pupils
The children at Cromarty Primary showed off their "Happy faces" at their school Open Day on Tuesday (5 October).
Amended Corran Ferry timetable
The timetable at Corran Ferry, which plies between Nether Lochaber and Ardgour, has been amended by The Highland Council while the slipway at Nether Lochaber is refurbished. The ferry can only operate in daylight hours while it berths at a temporary floating pier at Nether Lochaber and a 3-tonne weight restriction will remain in force, meanwhile. Work is likely to continue on the slipway until 10 December.
Rangers explore mystery of Highland Bronze Age site
People intrigued by the enduring mystery of Clava Cairns are being invited to join Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers on an interactive event during the Highland Archaeology Festival.
Lochaline pupils bid to rescue slow worms
Pupils of Lochaline Primary School in West Lochaber have embarked on a bid to catch slow worms and relocate them before building work starts on their new school.
Eden Court marks the spot on the map for Highland pupils’ art exhibition
An art exhibition, on the theme of maps, created by pupils from six Highland secondary schools goes on show this week at Eden Court, Inverness.
Old elm tree at Old High Church to be felled
An elm tree at Old High Church, Inverness, is to be felled next week as the result of a detailed inspection, which identified significant decay and a danger of collapse on to the old church and old valuable gravestones.
Workforce management
In the face of growing budget pressures, The Highland Council has agreed a number of measures to manage its workforce.
National Pay Award agreed by Resources Committee
The Highland Council’s Resources Committee has agreed to implement a decision of Leaders of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on the application of pay increases to staff over this and the next two financial years.
High level meeting sought with Council ICT providers
The Highland Council is to hold a high level meeting with their Information Communication and Technology providers, Fujitsu, to seek assurances over improvements to the contractor’s performance.
Red squirrel treasure hunt at Abriachan
Families looking for fun and adventure are being invited to take part in a Red Squirrel Treasure Hunt at Abriachan Forest this Saturday 9 October 2010.
Temporary arrangements introduced at Corran Ferry.
Temporary arrangements will be introduced tomorrow (Tuesday) to ensure a service is maintained on the Corran Ferry while essential work begins on the refurbishment of the slipway at Nether Lochaber.
Public urged to take pride in City environs
An initiative that aims to improve the amenity of Inverness and its surrounding villages has received unanimous endorsement from members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee.
Highland pupil lands trip to NASA Space Center
A senior Highland secondary school pupil is over the moon after securing a place on a trip to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas . Corrin MacKenzie, of Inverness Royal Academy, is one of only 12 pupils in Scotland making the trip with the Scottish Space School.
Highland communities help wildlife
A three year programme comprising 24 local biodiversity projects and drawing together the efforts of over 250 volunteers across Highland drew to a close this summer.
Temporary road closure on Nairn High Street
From Monday 11 October a temporary closure of Nairn High Street will begin to allow the completion of carriageway resurfacing, which is pat of the second phase of a £1.3 million package of town centre improvements.
Celebrations mark official hand over of Portree High School and Fingal Centre
Pupils, staff, guests and members of the local community gathered in Portree today (Friday 1 October) for a ceremony to mark the official hand over of Portree High School and Fingal Centre.