News Archive
9/6/2020
Community funding maps
A new collection of digital maps is to display the funding being given to support communities across Scotland affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). The online dashboard enables users to view financial support by local authority across four main funds.9/6/2020
More support for small businesses - Grants extended to help more companies in need
Small businesses which share properties but do not pay business rates are now eligible to apply for grants to help with the impact of COVID-19. The extension to the Small Business Grant Fund will apply to firms occupying shared office spaces, business incubators or shared industrial units and who lease the space from a registered, rate-paying landlord.9/6/2020
Advisory Board on Social Renewal
An expert advisory board is to be established to drive progress towards a fairer, more equal Scotland in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The group will listen to and learn from people with lived experience of poverty and inequality and membership will draw on expertise from equality and disabled people's organisations, housing and homelessness bodies, town centre and regeneration groups, and anti-poverty campaigners.9/6/2020
£300,000 for young carers
Carers Week launched with additional support. £300,000 from the £350 million communities funding to support people and communities affected by COVID-19, is being given to support young carers across Scotland.9/6/2020
Highland pupils enjoy Wake Up Shake Up classes online
Highland pupils have been jumping out of bed in great numbers to join ‘Wake Up Shake Up' sessions online since mid-May, as part of the High Life Highland to support communities during the Covid-19 crisis. The movement and dance sessions are available to primary school age pupils with a Highland Google account, and are led by Amy Gallagher of High Life Highland.9/6/2020
Updated Advice For People Shielding
Outdoor exercise can be taken from later this month. People who are shielding are being advised that though they should continue to do so until at least the end of July, they can if they choose, go outdoors to exercise from 18 June while maintaining strict physical distancing.9/6/2020
Action against inequality
A new expert group will work with the Scottish Government to provide a clearer picture of the impact on minority ethnic communities of coronavirus (COVID-19). Following indications that minority ethnic communities may face higher risks from COVID-19, the group will consider evidence and data being gathered by the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, National Records of Scotland and the NHS, and advise on policy actions to mitigate any disproportionate effects.9/6/2020
New Health Measures For Travellers To Scotland
Further safeguards from Monday to prevent new COVID-19 cases. New public health measures will come into force on Monday (8 June) to help suppress coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent new cases being brought into Scotland.8/6/2020
Algal Toxins Affecting Shellfish In Coastal Waters - East Isle Of Skye - Kyles Of Scalpay
The Highland Council's Environmental Health Team has identified raised levels of naturally occurring Algal Toxins following routine monitoring at Kyles of Scalpay, off the east coast of the Isle of Skye. Eating shellfish such as mussels, cockles, oysters or razor fish from these areas may pose a health risk arising from the consumption of these algal toxins.8/6/2020
Highland Council Staff Share Their Views On Lockdown, Home Working And The Future In New Video Series
Highland Council has been speaking to staff about their wellbeing during the coronavirus lockdown, working from home and how they see their roles developing in the future. Today, the local authority launched the first in a series of video interviews with staff, who offered honest accounts of how the crisis has affected them and how it has changed their roles.8/6/2020
Safe Walking And Cycling Routes In Response To Coronavirus Pandemic
Following a successful award of £752,954 from Scottish Government's Spaces for People fund, The Highland Council is now delivering the first in a series of active travel interventions across Highland in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The coming weeks and months will see streets across Highland giving more space to people walking, wheeling and cycling.7/6/2020
Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust - Adaptive and Collaborative Communities Awarded £249,168
Eleven community organisations in the Highlands and Islands have been awarded a total of £1.5m to develop and deliver long-term solutions to tackle poverty based on local priorities and needs The Aspiring Communities Fund, which levers in European Social Funds, was launched by the Scottish Government in 2017 to help reduce poverty and enable inclusive growth in disadvantaged and fragile communities across Scotland. Regional development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), helped community organisations in the region to apply to this recent round of funding.7/6/2020
Urgent Call For Charity Funding Clarity
Tens of millions of pounds of lifeline funding has been fast-tracked to charities by the Scottish Government since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis despite delays in clarity over Barnett consequentials, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell has said. Highlighting the key role the third sector has played in delivering vital support during the pandemic, Ms Campbell urged the UK Government to be clear in its support for vital services, by indicating when a £10 million shortfall in funding would be resolved.7/6/2020
Wellbeing Of Pupils To Be Prioritised
Guidance for education authorities and teachers published for next academic year. New guidance will help teachers and councils prepare for the ‘blended model' of both classroom and home learning when schools re-open in August.6/6/2020
Highlands Young People Encouraged To Apply Without Delay For Education Maintenance Allowance
All eligible young people are being encouraged to apply for a weekly, term time allowance of £30 per week from August. The Highland Council administers Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in respect of eligible young people from across its 29 secondary schools.6/6/2020
ouncil Gives Health And Safety Advice And Support To Businesses
The Highland Council is responsible for the ‘policing' the new The Health Protection (Coronavirus)(Scotland) Regulations and coronavirus restrictions such as physical distancing and enhanced hand hygiene controls in a range of business premises including shops, hotels, offices and leisure industry. The new law was made in response to the serious and imminent threat to public health which is posed by the incident and spread of coronavirus in Scotland and came into force at the end of March 2020.5/6/2020
Caithness Business Fund Covid-19 Support Scheme Now Open - First Round Closes 12 June
The Caithness Business Fund is pleased to announce that, thanks to a generous contribution of £100,000 from Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL), it will be running a series of application rounds designed to support local businesses in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This support will be provided in the form of grants ranging from £500 up to a maximum of £5,000, and will be made available initially to eligible businesses in Caithness and North Sutherland which require assistance towards costs incurred in reopening business premises as a result of COVID-19.5/6/2020
Charities Active In Countering The Impact Of Covid-19
The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has today published the findings of research into the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland's charities. On 05 May 2020, OSCR emailed the principal contacts of all Scottish charities to ask for their help with completing a short survey.3/6/2020
Criminals Seek To Exploit Covid-19 Outbreak
Organised crime groups target most vulnerable. Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and playing on the fears of businesses and the public, Scotland's Serious Organised Crime Taskforce has heard.13/3/2020