The Highland Council is today (12 October 2020) launching an eight week Common Good consultation giving the Dornoch community until 9 December 2020 to respond to a proposal to change the use of an area of Dornoch Links to a site for the location of a takeaway food van. The Council is keen to hear the community's views on the proposal and all submissions will be given full regard before a decision on whether, and how, to proceed is made.
Consultation launched on banning common single-use plastic items. Plans to ban some of the most environmentally damaging single-use plastic items in Scotland, including plastic cutlery and plastic straws, have been published for consultation.
Businesses need to take action now to prepare for the UK's new start on 1 January 2021. With just 81 days to go until the end of the transition period, Business Secretary calls on companies to take action now to prepare Government to host range of webinars to help businesses get ready for the UK's new start Sector-specific webinars will cover areas such as visas, work permits, and tariffs Businesses need to take action now to prepare for the UK's new start on 1 January 2021, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma will write in a letter to over 600,000 firms across the UK tomorrow (Monday 12 October).
The Highland Council would like to thank householders who have purchased a Garden Waste Collection Service permit for 2020/21. The current permit started on the 1st of September and will run until the 31st of August 2021, with collections continuing until the end of November.
The Bowel Screening Programme which was paused in March because of coronavirus (COVID-19) will resume today (Monday 12 October 2020). As part of the wider remobilisation of the NHS, bowel screening kits will begin to be posted out again, and people who were sent a screening kit before the pause are now also being asked to complete and return them.
Councillor Margaret Davidson, Leader of The Highland Council has today confirmed that Highland Council will work closely with the Scottish and UK Governments to press for the rapid delivery of a full fibre broadband network across the region. This follows on from positive discussions with Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands in the Scottish Government and Iain Stewart Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland Commenting on these meetings Cllr Davidson said:"I was really encouraged by the positive tone at these meetings and the willingness to make progress on improving digital connectivity in the Highlands.
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh on 7 October 2020 Presiding Officer, I will update the chamber today on the current position in relation to Covid. I will give an assessment of the current course of the pandemic; propose difficult but important temporary measures to stem the increase in cases; set out how we will support businesses affected by them; and update the chamber on the longer term work we are doing to further improve our ability to live with Covid.
The Leader and Depute Leader of The Highland Council have welcomed the targeted approach being taken by the Scottish Government to the COVID-19 response over the next 2 weeks/3 weekends - from 6pm on Friday 9 October to Sunday 25 October 2020. Highland Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: "We share the concerns of the rising number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country and although they are fewer in The Highland Council area we are not complacent as they are increasing in most Health Board Areas including NHS Highland.
Scottish numbers: 7 October 2020 Summary 1,054 new cases of COVID-19 reported; this is 13.0% of newly tested individuals. 1 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive.
Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson has welcomed Police Scotland's announcement that it has created 25 new jobs in Inverness with the creation of a specialist call handling service team. Cllr Davidson said: "The creation of 25 new jobs in the city is good news for Inverness and Highland region especially during the ongoing economic decline caused by coronavirus.
Plans have been announced for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to go ahead in 2021, while National 5 exams will be replaced by a system where grades are awarded based on coursework and teacher judgement. It means the volume of exams that will take place will be reduced by half, lowering public health risks and allowing plans for Higher and Advanced Highers to proceed.
As unemployment rates continue to rise, many tradespeople may consider turning to entrepreneurship for the benefits of being their own boss at an uncertain time. Although this means more flexibility and independence, it also comes with risks, as new business owners need to spend £33,975.34, on average, when embarking on a new venture.
Councillors have agreed a cautious and prudent approach to the Highland Council's Revenue Budget for 2020/21. Depute Leader Cllr Alasdair Christie said: "We know how hard these past 6 months have been for individuals, groups, schools, care providers and businesses.
4TH GENERATION TERM CONTRACT FOR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SCOTTISH TRUNK ROAD NETWORK - NORTH WEST UNIT A9 NAVIDALE ROUNDABOUT AND A9 HELMSDALE CARRIAGEWAY RESURFACING INFORMATION. BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, will be undertaking essential carriageway resurfacing works on two sections of the A9 Trunk Road, at Navidale Roundabout and through Helmsdale.
As part of the Scottish Timber Transport Project structural road improvements are currently underway in Sutherland along the A839 between Rosehall and Lairg. To allow for a safe working environment to carry out additional strengthening works to the Altass Bridge (also known as Minister's Bridge), the single-track section of the A839 that crosses the bridge will be temporarily closed to traffic for 3 days next week.
Introduction Security company Carbon Black released a report showing that 88% of UK businesses suffered from a data breach during a 12-month period. It also revealed the average number of breaches per organization: 3.67.
Rishi Sunak unveils government's plan to protect jobs and support businesses over the coming months. central to plan is a new Job Support Scheme and extension of Self Employment Income Support Scheme.
Rhoda Grant and David Stewart, Scottish Labour's MSPs for the Highlands and Islands region have pledged to constituents that they are still here to help and those who wish do to so are able to contact them by mail or over the phone, despite regional offices remaining closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The MSPs were contacted by the consumer campaign, Keep Me Posted, which aims to ensure that consumers who do not have access to the internet or who just prefer to receive bills or mail by post are able to do so, for an assurance that constituents can still contact their MSPs by post.
The Chief Executive of High Life Highland has spoken following the First Minister's statements to remind customers that the Charity's locations should not be affected by the restrictions coming into place later in the week. Steve Walsh said, "High Life Highland has worked extremely hard to ensure that our locations are operating strictly in line with the Scottish Government's guidelines.
Virtual education in Highland - Supportive, Interactive, Engaging. The Highland Council can support and deliver education to any pupils who are asked to self-isolate by the Health Protection Team, in all of our 203 schools across the region.
