News Archive

Council Get sTough To Create A Litter Free Highlands

Highland Councillors are being asked to adopt a zero tolerance approach to enforcement of littering and fly-tipping.  A report to the TEC Services Committee on Thursday recommends that: _ • enforcement officers should target Inverness city and other main towns on a regular basis; • the zero tolerance approach to enforcement should be supported by publicity in the local media to advertise the city/towns where enforcement is being targeted; • the numbers of fixed penalty notices issued should be published; • the number of staff authorised to issue Fixed Penalty Notices should be extended to include Community Wardens from Housing and Property Services; • TEC Services and the Housing and Property Service should continue to work with the Police and other agencies to promote a litter free Highlands; and • the effectiveness of the zero tolerance litter enforcement campaign should be monitored through the number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued.  

New Day Care Charge

From Monday 4 October, The Highland Council is bringing itself in line with most local councils in Scotland by introducing a flat rate weekly charge for day care services.   The £5 per week charge incorporates the existing transport charge of 50p per journey to a day care centre.  

Business Tourism Study for Caithness and Sutherland

Highlands and Islands Enterprise has commissioned a study to investigate the nature and impact of business tourism on the economy of Caithness and North Sutherland.   The report will assess the numbers of rooms currently being booked by business travellers and the trends anticipated in future from major demand generators like nuclear decommissioning and the emerging renewable energy sector.  

Euro Funding Bid For Lifeline Road Project

The Highland Council is seeking Euro funding to proceed with three lifeline road projects.   They are the: - • A890 Strathcarron to Balnacra, West Ross • A861 Drynie Hill, north of Acharacle, Ardnamurchan • A838 North approach to Laxford Bridge, North-West Sutherland The Council's capital programme has allocated £750,000 each year against lifeline roads in each of the next three years, and this is based on attracting grant from the European Regional Development Fund.  

Investment Supports Highland Community To Build The Future

A taste of country estate living for the guests visiting one of North West Sutherland's finest houses is providing more than the usual tourism benefits for the local area.   This is because the owners of the 12 bedroom Glencanisp Lodge are the Assynt community itself.  

Council Tax Rebate Scam

The Highland Council's Finance and Trading Standards teams have been alerted to the fact that Highland residents are currently being targeted by a Council Tax rebate scam.   The "phishing" scam involves attempts by callers to obtain bank details over the phone, on the false promise of being entitled to receive a rebate on their Council Tax payments.  

Death of former Highland Councillor

Former Highland Councillor Mrs Rita Finlayson from Helmsdale has died after a long illness.  She passed away on Sunday at the Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie.  

Expo Has Highland Young Ambassadors

Scotland's Housing Expo at Inverness running throughout August has been marked with the induction of its newest recruits.   Thirty-five students, all hailing from the Highlands, have been appointed as House Ambassadors for the month-long Expo, which kicked off on Sunday, 1 August.  

Reminder For Broadband Improvement Funding

A new deadline date of Wednesday 6 October has been set for community groups across the Highlands wishing to bid for Euro funding to help improve their broadband services.   Applicants should send their bids to their local Highland LEADER representative for final determination by the Scottish Government.  

Sutherland Fishermen Net Tourist Attention

Two fishermen with over 50 years experience on the seas between them are expanding their business to attract more tourists to the North West coast of Scotland.   Scourie's Roger Tebay and Paul Murray pooled their resources in 2008 to form Handa Shellfish.