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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On Thursday 12 March 2020, The Highland Council resolved to discontinue the provision of education at Stoer Primary School, transferring its catchment to that of Lochinver Primary School. A copy of the consultation report, together with the original proposal paper and all relevant appendices can be viewed below: www.highland.gov.uk/schoolconsultations The Council is satisfied that implementation of closure is the most appropriate response to the reasons for formulating the original proposal identified by the authority.
Two ‘strong' community asset transfer requests have been given the go ahead from Councillors on The Highland Council's Communities and Place Committee. Unanimous support was given for the sale of land at South Bonar Industrial Estate at Bonar Bridge to Kyle of Sutherland Hub; and for the sale of Kinlochewe public toilets, picnic area and parking to Community Out West Trust - both at the value of £1 each.
"As we enter our fourteenth year of business, we'll be spreading the word about the benefits of saving with the credit union," said HI-Scot's General Manager, David Mackay. "HI-Scot is member led and member run and we offer a range of services." HI-Scot is well established in the Western Isles, where the credit union is based.
- vital Search and Rescue teams to receive share of £1 million to boost resources. - grants will fund lifeboats and kit for volunteer search teams - fund has awarded almost £6 million to date, saving lives on UK waterways - volunteer organisations undertaking lifesaving search and rescue work are set to benefit from a £1 million boost for vital new equipment.
The latest generation of small communications satellites could be launched into Earth orbit from the northern Highlands of Scotland within the next two years. Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has submitted a planning application for a vertical launch site, Space Hub Sutherland, that it plans to construct on the A' Mhoine peninsula, Melness, near Tongue.
In 2020, HI-Scot credit union's focus is on making saving and borrowing easier for our members, particularly through the use of payroll deduction with businesses across the Highlands and Islands. Thousands of employees already have access to payroll deduction with HI-Scot, something the credit union wants to build on in the coming year, promoting the service to employees who work with existing partners and showing other businesses the benefits of offering payroll deduction to their staff.
A hotel in a remote part of north west Sutherland has enhanced its online marketing and booking systems as part of wider efforts to move to year-round trade and employment. Kylesku Hotel was awarded up to £16,500 by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the cost of developing its digital systems.
