Sutherland Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

News Archive


18/3/2016
40,000 to be hit by cuts to disability benefits
Around 40,000 disabled people in Scotland will be worse off if the UK Government press ahead with their changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said today.   Mr Neil has written to the UK Government's Minister for Disabled People to voice his opposition to the cuts which will wipe £130 million a year from disability benefits in Scotland.  
18/3/2016
£1billion saving for small business
FM announces chair and remit for review of rates system.   Small businesses have saved £1 billion thanks to the Scottish Government's small business bonus scheme.  
13/2/2016
Funding to improve road safety for Dornoch pupils
Funding of £23,000 was approved at Sutherland County Committee to complete the works due to be undertaken at Evelix Road, Dornoch.   Councillors had previously approved £25,000 from the Cycling Walking and Safer Streets programme for this scheme which consists of a build out, gateway, lining and the creation of a new footpath leading from the town to both the primary and secondary school.  
13/2/2016
Funding approved for Carbon CLEVER projects in Sutherland
Three Sutherland community groups have been awarded funding from the Council for projects which will reduce the carbon emissions, and tackle climate change in the region.   The Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund was been established to help Highland communities reduce their carbon emissions, take leadership on carbon reduction, engage with others, raise awareness of climate change issues and promote low carbon behaviour.  
13/2/2016
New Sutherland County Committee met for the first time
The first meeting of the new Sutherland County Committee took place on Tuesday 9th February 2016 at Drummuie Council Offices in Golspie.   Committee members are Councillors George Farlow, Hugh Morrison, Linda Munro, Deirdre Mackay, Jim McGillivray and Graham Phillips.  
29/1/2016
HIE study will examine possible space role for Sutherland
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has commissioned a study to determine whether an area of north Sutherland might in future make a suitable location to launch satellites into Earth orbit.   A feasibility study is under way to examine the pros and cons of establishing a vertical launch facility for commercial satellites at The Moine, part of the Melness Crofting Estate near Tongue.  
16/12/2015
Timber from the Flow Country - rail conference delegates hear of ambitious plansThumbnail for article : Timber from the Flow Country - rail conference delegates hear of ambitious plans
Ambitious plans to transport timber from the Flow Country in remote North Sutherland to Inverness via rail instead of road could pave the way for other projects in rural communities throughout the UK, delegates were told at a rail stakeholder conference organised by HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands.   HITRANS is co-ordinating investigations into the feasibility of the proposal, called Branchliner, which would see a major new facility created at Kinbrace to freight the timber to southern markets via an expanded siding at Inverness railway station.  
16/12/2015
Big gains for fishing industry
The fish quota package agreed in Brussels includes big gains for the Scottish industry worth around £25 million to the whitefish fleet, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said today.   Mr Lochhead said the overall package includes increased fish quota in 16 out of 23 key Scottish stocks, including cod and haddock.  
16/12/2015
Fuel poverty in 2014 remains the sameThumbnail for article : Fuel poverty in 2014 remains the same
In 2014 the level of fuel poverty remained similar to the previous year: 34.9% or around 845,000 households were fuel poor and 9.5% were living in extreme fuel poverty.  This compares to revised estimates of 35.8% or 860,000 fuel poor households in 2013, with 9.8% living in extreme fuel poverty[1].  
16/12/2015
Employment continues to increase
The latest figures show that more people in Scotland are in employment compared to the previous quarter and the same time last year.  They also show that the number of people unemployed has fallen over the quarter.  
16/12/2015
Commission on Local Tax Reform
The Commission on Local Tax Reform has published Just Change: A New Approach to Local Taxation.   The cross-party commission, established jointly by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), brought together representatives from across the political spectrum to look at options for a fairer local tax system.  
16/12/2015
Scottish Public Sector Employment
Public Sector Employment Statistics for Scotland, released today by Scotlands Chief Statistician, show that over the year to Q3 2015, employment in the public sector in Scotland has decreased by 500 (down 0.1 per cent) to 544,700.  The lowest level seen since the series began in 1999.  
16/12/2015
Employment continues to increase
The latest figures show that more people in Scotland are in employment compared to the previous quarter and the same time last year.  They also show that the number of people unemployed has fallen over the quarter.  
21/10/2015
Planning Portal for Consultation On Planning Policies
Views sought on ­­Highland Planning Policies through new consultation portal.   The Highland Council has today launched three online consultations on planning and housing issues across the area, including a review of its main planning policy document the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.  
15/10/2015
Scottish Minister launches HITRANS rural airports project
HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, is spearheading a significant European-funded project to assist and develop rural and remote airports with use of new technologies.   SPARA 2020, which stands for Smart Peripheral and Remote Airports, is a three-year €2.4 million Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme area project.  
15/10/2015
Work on new link road for Dingwall starts next week
Work on the first stage of the Kinnairdie Link Road Scheme in Dingwall will begin on Monday when contractor, Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd will be on site to carry out improvements to the junction of the A862 Newton Road and the A834 Burn Place near to the Council Offices.   The A862 will be widened to provide additional stacking length on the approach to the junction from the South.  
14/10/2015
£520,000 RESURFACING IMPROVEMENTS - A9 Badacreamh Southbound and A9 South of Slochd
Works start Friday 16 October 2015.   Two locations on the A9 near Inverness are soon to be upgraded following an investment of £520,000 from Transport Scotland.  
12/10/2015
Fairer approach to social security
Respect and dignity at heart of new Scottish system.   Scotland's new social security powers will make it fairer and simpler for people to access benefits, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil has said.  
12/10/2015
Renewables debate moves to London
Scottish Government to host renewables roundtable & meet UK Energy Secretary.   The Scottish Government will today take its campaign on the future of renewable energy to London as it renewed calls for the UK Government to change course on its cuts in support for renewable energy.  
12/10/2015
Record increase for renewable heat
Amount generated from renewables rises by over a third.   The amount of heat generated by renewable sources in Scotland grew by 36 per cent during 2014.