Posts Tagged ‘Inverness’

International summit in the Highlands

May 3rd, 10 / 1 Comment

“Communications experts”

International experts shaping how distance technology will deliver health services in our homes and communities in the future are converging in the Scottish Highlands this week.

Whether it’s vital monitoring equipment, improved procedures for handling patient information or new ways of encouraging people to live healthier lives, technology is a major focus for health professionals who want to improve services to the public.

Device and software developers; technology businesses like IBM and Honeywell; communications experts including O2 and Vodaphone; and health care specialists will all be represented at the Telehealthcare Summit in Inverness.

The two day event which begins on Wednesday has been organised by Scottish Government development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with input from the Scottish Scientific Advisory Council, the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and the government’s joint improvement team.

“We will be asking what our health care specialists want telehealth to be able to provide by the year 2020, and how the private and public sector can work together to achieve it,” said Dr Steven Dodsworth of HIE.

”In Scotland by 2020”

“Scotland is one of the leading nations for developing telehealth and we see a real opportunity for the Highlands and Islands to build on the strong foundations we already have here. As a development agency we are ambitious to realise the benefits our communities and economy will see from growing telehealth products and services,” he added.

Telehealth technologies, everything from electronic equipment to iPhone Apps, can be used to support prevention, promotion and curative aspects of care. It can be particularly beneficial in making life easier for those with long term conditions or where distance, either to traditional or specialist care, is an issue.

NHS 24 Medical Director, Dr George Crooks, said: “The Scottish Centre for telehealth, which became integrated with NHS 24 earlier this year, has already delivered a number of innovative pilot projects that use tele-conferencing, tele-consultation and image transfer to support remote delivery of services.

“Embracing new technology and using this to improve patient access to health care, no matter where they live, is vital. NHS 24 and SCT are committed to improving patient care and to providing a high quality service for people across Scotland. By bringing together all those involved in telehealth, both in the private and public sector, we can work together to ensure the benefits of new technology become embedded across the NHS and beyond in Scotland by 2020.”

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Local Businesses interested in reaching Nordic countries invited to meet trade experts

Mar 4th, 10 / 0 Comments

“Potentially lucrative trading links”

Highlands and Islands businesses with interests as diverse as forestry, manufacturing, marine science, fine foods and textiles are taking advantage of an opportunity to meet with trade specialists from the Nordic region.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is hosting the fact finding opportunity in an effort to develop further potentially lucrative trading links with our Scandinavian and other northerly neighbours.

In partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), the UK Trade and Investments Nordic team will be in Inverness on Wednesday 17 March.  They will give an overview of their region, with its population of 25 million people, and will then offer individual meetings to discuss each business’ specific needs.  Businesses of any size who are interested in applying should contact HIE before Wednesday 10 March.

“Excellent trading opportunity”

“There are long standing cultural and trade links with the Nordic region.   The Highlands and Islands share a number of business interests and their close proximity and good transport links make them an excellent trading opportunity,” said Norma MacDonald, HIE’s senior development officer with the international team.

One businesswoman already signed up is Helen Lockhart from Assynt, in North Sutherland.  She has been running her creative textiles company, Ripples Crafts, since 2008.  She is keen to see if there is an opportunity to supply her hand dyed yarns and knitting kits to Scandinavia, which has a strong traditional knitting culture.

“This is a fact finding trip for me.  I have had some success in exporting to America and Europe and am interested to see if there is a market for my unique yarns either to hand knitting pattern designers, wool shops or to distributors.”

Two members of the business team from the internationally renowned marine research institute, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) based in Oban, are to meet with the Nordic team.

“Identify emerging business opportunities”

“Our core business activities span several market sectors including renewable energy, biofuel R&D, mining, and marine technologies.  In these areas, SAMS provides commercial services on a global scale, however, we have had little involvement in the Nordic Region. At this event, we are keen to identify emerging business opportunities as well as build new collaborations within our existing markets,” said Dr Keri Page.

Traditional music publishing business, Taigh na Teud, based in Skye is hoping to gain advice on ways to grow opportunities for cultural exchange.  Christine Martin researches, collects and collates traditional tunes in original music books, and has been running the business for 25 years. She commented:

“There is a strong link between Scandinavian music and Scottish music, and the Nordic countries enjoy a very strong fiddling culture.  I already have some links with clubs in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and am interested in exploring whether there is a market to promote Scottish music through shops and publishers, with a reciprocal arrangement here.”

Any local business interested should contact Norma MacDonald at HIE in Inverness 01463 244478 for an application or download an application form from http://www.hie.co.uk/Nordic-awareness-event.htm

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NHS waiting lists

Mar 4th, 10 / 0 Comments

“We welcome this review of New Ways”

Commenting on the Audit Scotland report Managing NHS waiting lists – A review of new arrangements published today, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

“We welcome this review of New Ways – the new system of managing NHS waiting lists.

“We have made significant changes to the way patient waiting lists are managed. Before New Ways tens of thousands of patients were held on ‘hidden waiting lists’ with no treatment time guarantees, now these people are treated within the Scottish Government’s waiting time targets.

“Plans are already underway”

“New Ways has also introduced more flexibility so that appointments and treatments can be made to suit patients’ individual needs and schedules. This means that appointments and are less likely to be cancelled and patients who would previously have had to wait indefinitely can get the care and treatment they need.

“Waiting times are now at an all time low. Staff across the health service have worked extremely hard to make these changes and will continue to keep this progress going.

“We are committed to supporting ways that put patients first in the health service and plans are already underway to put the recommendations made by the report in place.”

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Seeking a major reform of Crown Estate in Scotland

Mar 3rd, 10 / 0 Comments

Michael Foxley

“Marine energy development”

The Highland Council’s Leader Councillor Michael Foxley underlined the Council’s commitment to major reform of the Crown Estate in Scotland when he gave evidence to the UK Government’s Treasury Sub-Committee, which is reviewing the role of Crown Estate in Scotland
In reinforcing the Council’s written submission, Councillor Foxley told the sub-committee at Westminster that a vital concern of the Council was the need to secure major local financial community benefits (in addition to employment, training and business benefits) from marine energy development around the Highlands and Western Isles.

In supporting the renewable energy sector in the Highlands, the Council saw huge opportunities for the development of marine renewable energy in the Pentland Firth.

“Benefit from offshore renewables”

To this end, the Council was now working with the Crown Estate Commissioners and its Highland and Islands local authority partners and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to agree a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commissioners.

He said: “We need to learn from the mistakes of the past to ensure that Highland and Islands communities benefit from offshore renewables. We should seek community benefits similar to those gained by the Shetland oil fund.”

He stressed the Council also wished to see conditions conducive to sustained investment in the Highlands and Islands. The Council accepted that unnecessary delays in allocating leases combined with recent reports of three-fold increases in transmission charges may increase uncertainty, particularly at the early stages of development. Clarity and stability were important prerequisites for potential developers of marine energy.

“New Opportunities for Public Benefits”

He added: “A further concern is that marine renewable energy development takes place in a sustainable manner that is fully integrated with the marine spatial planning process at a national and local level. The importance of appropriate consultation as part of this process is obvious. Highland Council wishes to see greater efforts to fully integrate the role of the Crown Estate Commissioners with the marine planning process at national and local level in Scotland. This implies a need for greater integration with Marine Scotland, which will shortly have responsibility for marine planning and licensing, with the passage of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. ”

Councillor Foxley told the sub-committee the Council was a leading force in commissioning a report entitled “The Crown Estate in Scotland – New Opportunities for Public Benefits”, because of a longstanding dissatisfaction with the Crown Estate in Scotland in terms of dealing with fish farming and harbour and port developments. It was his view that harbour authorities and trusts, who control the waters around ports, should own and control the sea bed.

Councillor Foxley concluded: “I am pleased that we took this opportunity to present our views and we got a fair hearing from the Treasury Sub-Committee. Hopefully, something positive will come from this review.”

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‘Deer cull should continue’, says Scottish Wildlife Trust

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

The largest charity organisation dedicated to the protection of Scottish wildlife has called for starving deer to be culled across Scotland.

Calling for an extension of the stalking season of female deer which ended earlier last month (15 February) in line with current legislation (Deer (Scotland) Act 1996), the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) today claimed that culling starving animals which are battling to survive through harsh winter conditions, would prevent inhumane suffering as well as helping to halt further damage to Scotland’s environment.

Simon Milne, SWT’s Chief Executive, explained:  “We are a wildlife protection charity calling for more deer to be culled.  I understand that this might surprise some people, but our reasoning is sound.  Red deer numbers have been steadily increasing in recent decades to the point where, in some areas, they are causing damage to the natural environment. The most obvious impact is on young trees that have little chance of growing into the forests of future when large numbers of deer are browsing for food.

“As the harsh winter weather continues, some wildlife species are struggling to cope. Red deer are facing a double whammy – they were already stressed because too many animals were competing for limited food resources and now they are being subjected to a long and cold winter. Our deer are ill-equipped to deal with prolonged winters because, by and large, they are living in conditions that do not suit them.  Red deer are really a woodland species and the now treeless environment of many parts of Scotland simply does not satisfy their basic need for shelter, particularly in bad weather.  Too many deer and not enough food is resulting in starvation.

“In parts of Scotland large numbers of deer can currently be seen gathered at roadsides pawing the snow in an attempt to uncover the frozen vegetation .  Rapidly losing condition due to exposure and lack of food many will slowly starve to death.  Extending the culling season means that stalkers can continue to shoot any deer that are suffering or too weak to survive until the spring.

“There is no quick fix to this problem, in fact it will take decades to achieve a balanced deer population.  Deer numbers must be reduced in many areas to a sustainable level which is a difficult, time consuming and expensive business.  The regeneration of our native highland woodland is a priority and requires a massive, sustained and long term effort to achieve; then we might start to see red deer living as they are meant to, as healthy forest animals.  The SWT hopes these are problems which will be addressed in the forthcoming Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.”

Deer populations in Scotland have reached an unsustainably high level due to the absence of any natural predators.  Scotland is home to two native deer species, the red deer and the roe deer.  Together it is thought there are over 350,000 deer inhabiting Scotland today, around twice the population of half a century ago.

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Western Isles MSP welcomes backing for winter weather payments

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

Alasdair Allan MSP

Western Isles  MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today welcomed the backing of Scotland’s Housing Minister, Alex Neil, for the campaign to have winter weather payments calculated by taking wind chill into account.

Mr Neil has recently been corresponding with Helen Goodman MP, Under-secretary of State in the UK Department of Work and Pensions on this issue.

Mr Neil draws Ms Goodman’s attention to a number of areas which demonstrate that the effect of extreme cold weather can often be worsened in rural parts of Scotland due to the wind chill factor.

The UK Government’s winter weather payment system does not presently recognise this, being calculated purely on the number of degrees of frost.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“As both Angus MacNeil and I have pointed out this winter, there is a compelling case for the winter weather payment system to be revised to take into account the wind chill factor.

This is especially true in the Western Isles, which suffers the highest fuel poverty in Scotland at a shocking level of 47%.

“While the cold weather payments remains the same across the UK, the cost of heating a home does not, and so this benefit is not fit for purpose. The extremes of weather that we face in Scotland, and in the islands in particular, need to be recognised by the UK Government to ensure that this benefit better meets the needs of our pensioners and families.

“This issue is one that both Angus Macneil and I have raised a number of times. I am pleased that the Scottish Government has also been getting involved, by actively lobbying the UK Government, under whose authority the benefits system still comes.”

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Scottish producers go for gold

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is ensuring Scottish companies don’t miss the opportunity to go for gold at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

QMS has registered on CompeteFor – the chosen web site for London 2012 supply chain opportunities – which will enable it to highlight any red meat procurement opportunities to the industry.

It’s been estimated that in the course of the games more than 75,000 supply chain opportunities totalling about £8 billion will be awarded and Quality Meat Scotland wants to ensure that visiting athletes get the chance to taste some of the world’s best red meat.

Laurent Vernet, Head of Marketing for QMS, said: “London 2012 and the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games are both great opportunities for Scottish products to shine at one of the world’s most prestigious events.

“With thousands of hungry athletes to feed over the three weeks of the games, what better way to highlight the quality of our nation’s food by sourcing their red meat from Scotland.

“With the internationally regarded PGI status held by Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb they would be the perfect calibre of product to serve to the thousands of top sportspeople and trainers coming to London for the games.

“We’d advise any interested companies to register on the site now to ensure they know about any opportunities as and when they appear as it’s a great chance to get your products featured on a national and international stage.”

The CompeteFor site not only identifies opportunities in the London 2012 supply chain, it also enables related businesses to identify potential partners for the formation of consortia and onward supply chains.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “It’s great to see QMS rising to the challenge and offering Scottish red meat companies expert advice on how to strike gold and benefit from such high-profile events. We are also working with partner agencies including Scottish Enterprise and Scotland Food & Drink to help Scottish businesses win as many contracts as possible.

“Sporting events – including the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – present an ideal opportunity to enhance our credentials as a land of food and drink. Working together we are spreading the word that Scotland is the destination for high quality produce. The prize is a great one – a healthier, wealthier, more environmentally sustainable nation/country.”

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NHS Western Isles see rise in anti-obesity drug

Feb 25th, 10 / 0 Comments

MSP Rhoda Grant

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has highlighted the rising physical and financial costs of obesity across the region.

The party’s Highlands and Islands health spokesperson has released Scottish Government statistics which show a dramatic increase in the amount of anti-obesity drugs being prescribed over the past decade.

The cost of anti-obesity drugs prescribed in NHS Highland rose from £9,000 in 1998-99 to £307,000 in 2007-08, during which time there have also been big increases in.NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland.

The drugs being prescribed are Orlistat, which helps people to lose weight, appetite suppressant Sibutramine, and Rimonabant, a drug with the role of keeping off weight once it has been lost.

Obesity also sharply increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, colon cancer and angina.

Mrs Grant told Hebrides today: “These stark figures are just one illustration of the escalation of obesity in the North in the past decade.

“The rising rate of obesity threatens to wipe out the health gains made by many years of work aimed at reducing heart disease and smoking.”

She added: “There are many worthwhile initiatives seeking to influence people to change to a healthier lifestyle through greater physical activity, and dietary changes away from high calorie, high carbohydrate consumption.

“However they all recognize that there are no quick simple solutions to obesity.

“It remains a major long-term public health problem which poses the threat of chronic illness and a shortened life expectancy for the individual and higher costs to the NHS and the economy.”

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Parking charges unfair to air travellers in Western Isles

Feb 25th, 10 / 0 Comments

By Gregg Adams

Rural island communities face new charges when using air transport links to mainland airports.

Highlands and Islands Airports is considering introducing car parking charges at its airports in Stornoway, Orkney and Shetland.

Highlands and Islands Airport say it had its budget cut by a million pounds by the Scottish Government and the charges are needed make up the shortfall.
Charges were due to be introduced this year but following a public outcry and now HIAL will consult over the issue.
Mairi McDonald from Stornoway told Hebrides Today: “They are just trying to make as much money as they can out of the travelling public.  The government already subsidise fares between Stornoway and the mainland and HIAL are forever announcing how busy the airport is here – do they think it would be this busy without that subsidy?

“HIAL should find other ways of raising funds rather than hitting communities who depend on a lifeline air service.”

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Keep Hebrides wildlife in mind

Feb 23rd, 10 / 0 Comments

The return of sustained freezing temperatures across the Western Isles has prompted Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to ask visitors to the outdoors to be sensitive to the plight of wildlife and birds.

The present frozen conditions means wild birds, particularly those species which rely on wet habitats such as ducks, geese and shore waders, will likely be struggling to find sufficient food to survive.

Dr Andy Douse, SNH senior ornithological adviser told Hebrides news Today:
“The return of the severe cold weather has brought back freezing conditions to many areas of Scotland sustaining significant populations of waterfowl. These scenic locations also naturally attract many people out into the countryside for recreation. We would therefore ask people to be conscious of the birds’ ongoing survival struggle and avoid stressing them further.

“It might be tempting to try and get closer to the birds for a better look but scaring birds during severe weather conditions can mean the difference between life and death as they need all their energy just to keep warm.”

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International Women’s Day Western Isles

Feb 22nd, 10 / 0 Comments

To promote International Women’s Day (Western Isles) being held on March 8, a multi-partnership group, led by NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion Department, has organised a wide variety of events in the run up to the day.

The theme for 2010 is focusing upon the achievements of women past, present and future.

To commemorate this special day for women everywhere in the Western Isles, a wide range of fun and enjoyable tasters, sporting sessions and events have been organised.

Events planned from Monday 1st until Saturday 6th March include gym induction, climbing wall and Midnight 3 legged walk to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

A series of free workshops have also been organised to take place at Lews Castle College on Saturday March 6.

These include jewellery making, Thai massage, car maintenance, Yoga and cheerleading. Crèche availability has also been provided, but places are limited and must be booked in advance.

A website and promotional materials have been designed to provide useful information relating to the event and can be accessed via the Health Promotion website - www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/IWD

International Women’s Day (Western Isles) has been organised by NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion Department and Women’s Aid, in conjunction with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Lews Castle College, An Lanntair, Lewis & Harris Youth Clubs and Early Year Partnership.

This year’s event has been funded by the Scottish Women’s Fund.

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Northern Constabulary Day of Action

Feb 22nd, 10 / 0 Comments

This week marks the third anniversary of the day when using a mobile whilst driving became an endorsable offence and motorists saw the fine rise from 130 to 160.

The mobile phone law changed on 27 February 2007 and on Thursday (25 February 2010) Scotland’s Police forces will highlight the change through a national Day of Action - targeting those who break the mobile phone law, as well as those who fail to wear a seat belt.

The ACPOS-led campaign will take place over a 24 hour period from Thursday morning and Police will increase patrols to detect those who fail to comply with legislation.

Northern Constabulary say the Day of Action against drivers who break these laws is geared towards the safety of road users and to highlight the dangers to those who commit these offences.

Road Policing Inspector John Smith, said: “Failure to wear a seatbelt is amajor contributory factor in many road traffic collisions. The wearing of a seatbelt can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.”

In relation to mobile phone offences Inspector Smith told Hebrides news Today: “Not only does breaking the law in relation to the use of mobile phone whilst drivingresult in fines and penalty points and presents a threat to other road users.

“We continue to see this type of offence across the Force area and there will be no let up in our efforts to detect and penalise those taking part in this dangerous and illegal practice.”

Whilst this is a one day enforcement campaign, Police say their efforts to help improve safety on the roads of the Highlands and Islands will continue.

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Multi venue book launch for lewis writer

Feb 22nd, 10 / 0 Comments

Donald S Murray

Friday 26th February will see the launch of “Small Expectations” the latest book by Donald S Murray, published by Two Ravens Press.

This unique event will be held simultaneously in Lerwick, Stornoway, Kirkwall, Skye and Inverness via the video network of the University of the Highlands and Islands and will begin at 4.15pm.

The art work for “Small Expectations” was created by Douglas Robertson who will also launch the book at the Bedales Gallery in Hampshire where he is holding a private viewing of “The Net Mender” his latest exhibition of box constructions and drawings, which includes the original art work for the book.

Douglas is himself no stranger to Shetland having exhibited and run workshops here in the past. Nor is he a stranger to collaborating with poets, having worked with, amongst others, Jen Hadfield, Christine de Luca, Andrew Phillip and Kevin MacNeil. Speaking about the launch he said,

“I thought Donald’s idea of the simultaneous event and readings was an excellent way to launch the book, particularly as it will include superb readers and singers from several islands. I am very pleased and privileged to be able to play a part in the launch by exhibiting the original cover artwork as part of my exhibition”

As well as the launch of “Small Expectations”, the event will also be a celebration of the languages of the Islands of Scotland’s edge and will feature readings in Gaelic, Shetland Dialect and Orkney Dialect, by writers such as Myles Campbell from Skye, Morag MacInnes from Orkney, John Murray from Lewis and James Sinclair from Lerwick.

The launch will also include a performance by Donald Anderson of two songs co-written with Donald S Murray. There will also be Gaelic songs contributed by Ryno Morrison and the renowned traditional Gaelic singer, Mairi Smith.

Murray will read a selection of poems and stories from “Small Expectations”, his fourth book, which has already garnered some excellent reviews and has been hailed by no less a commentator than James Robertson (author of “The Testament of Gideon Mack” and “The Fanatic”), as “…fine, assured writing, full of contradictions, dichotomies and ironies.”

Speaking about the launch, Mr Murray from the Port of Ness in the Butt of Lewis, now a resident of Shetland said,

“ I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to launch this book in so many places at once, and I would especially like to thank the UHI and especially the technical staff of Shetland College, The Millennium Institute in Inverness, Lewis Castle College in Stornoway, Orkney College in Kirkwall and Sabhal Mor Ostaig in Skye for their support. I think that it is great that people from different areas around the edges of Scotland, who nevertheless have so much in common in terms of their experiences and culture should be enabled in coming together to celebrate both their commonality and their diversity.”

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Action needed to save Highland Airways

Feb 19th, 10 / 0 Comments

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil has called on the Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy MP to intervene to help save Highland Airways.

The airline which provides vital links across the Highlands and Islands is currently in discussions with a potential investor.

Commenting Angus MacNeil said:

“Highland Airways provides an essential service and supports jobs and local businesses in communities across the Western Isles and beyond.

“Time is of the essence for ensuring the long term future of this vital service provider and the Secretary of State must step up and do all he can across the UK Government.

“The Scottish Government are taking steps to safeguard the airline’s survival and I have written to Jim Murphy to ensure these efforts are replicated in London.

“The support of other creditors will be to no avail if HMRC and doesn’t take a realistic view.”

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Cancer treatment targets surpassed

Feb 17th, 10 / 0 Comments

Nicola Sturgeon

Waiting times for people urgently referred and diagnosed with cancer have now surpassed their target for a year.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has welcomed the ISD Scotland figures, showing 96 per cent of patients who were urgently referred and subsequently diagnosed with cancer in June-September 2009 were treated within 62 days.

The national target is 95 per cent – and this has now been met each quarter since October- December 2008.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the figures indicated significant, sustained improvement within the NHS, with the comparable figure a year ago standing at 94.6 per cent and 84.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2007.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“These figures show that 96 per cent of people who are urgently referred and go on to be diagnosed with cancer are receiving treatment within two months – against a target of 95 per cent.

“This progress has now been sustained for a whole year and today’s figures show the average wait is 35 days, meaning the majority of patients urgently referred are actually treated within six weeks.

“Staff across the health service worked extremely hard to achieve this milestone for the first time at the end of 2008, and they have continued to work very hard indeed to keep this progress going.

“But we know there’s more to do and are working towards new targets by the end of 2011, including the ambitious goal to start treatment for all cancer patients within 31 days of their decision to treat.”

The Scottish Government’s cancer strategy, Better Cancer Care, introduces two new tougher targets by December 2011:

  • 62 days from referral to treatment for any patient urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer or through a national screening programme
  • 31 days from decision to treat to treatment for all cancer patients, whatever their route of referral
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Private Sector Housing

Feb 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

New legislation is being introduced by the Scottish Government on 1 April 2010 which changes the way private home owners will receive assistance from Local Authorities.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 replaces the old grant scheme with a Scheme of Assistance, a major part of which re-emphasises that the responsibility to maintain, repair or improve a house lies with the owner.

The Act also changes a local authority’s role to ensure that more advice and practical assistance will be available to help home owners to carry out the necessary works.

The new Scheme will require people to demonstrate that they cannot afford to carry out some or all of the works themselves before any financial assistance will be considered.

Whilst a number of mainland authorities have decided not to offer any financial assistance towards such works Western Isles Council has identified that a strong need remains in the islands, due to the condition of the housing stock, relatively low equity in house values and lower incomes all of which reduce an owner’s ability to borrow to fund the repairs.

Some people will however, find that because the cost of works is low, or their income allows them to borrow sufficient funding to pay for the works, that there will be no financial assistance available.

In these circumstances, advice and practical assistance will be offered by the Comhairle to help people get the works carried out.

Councillor Norman A Macdonald, Chair of Environment and Protective Services Committee said

The Comhairle has always understood the strong need to improve the condition of its private sector housing stock and it wishes to continue to provide support wherever this is possible.  It has therefore been a difficult task to create a Scheme of Assistance which meets the needs of the house owners in the islands whilst still complying with the new legislation.  I believe that we have come up with a Scheme which should still allow necessary works to be carried out and target the available resources where they are needed the most.

The introduction of the Scheme of Assistance does not however change the eligibility for grant where works are required to adapt a disabled person’s home to meet their particular needs.

In these cases Adaptation Grants are still available to enable these works to be carried out.

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Sign up to save a life

Feb 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

campaign aiming to increase the number of organ donors in Scotland launched today.

Nicola Sturgeon said that three people needlessly die each day waiting for a transplant – and ‘all Scots have the power to make a difference’.

Backed by TV adverts with the message Spare Clare, as well as radio promotions, billboards and direct marketing, the £500,000 campaign aims to increase the number of potential lifesavers on the NHS organ donor register.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“Organ transplants transform lives and mean that something positive can come out of a loved one’s death.

“In Scotland, as well as getting more people on the register, we’re working to increase the number of transplants carried out by investing in more donor transplant co-ordinators and raising awareness. And our efforts are paying off – last year we had 72 donors, which is a 10-year high.

“But we can do more and we want to build on our achievement, particularly as international comparisons show we should be able to more than double this number.

“I’ve seen the difference a transplant can make and, by signing up to the organ donor register, we can all become potential lifesavers and give the gift of life.”

To sign up to the Organ Donor Register, go to: www.infoscotland.com/organdonor or text LIFE to 61611

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St Kilda job advertised

Feb 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

The National Trust for Scotland is recruiting for an archaeologist to monitor and update sites on the remote archipelago of St Kilda.

The Trust, which owns the islands, said it was a rare opportunity to work at a Unesco Dual World Heritage site.

Based in Inverness and on St Kilda the post holder will be able to investigate and research the islands’ rich historic environment which is dominated by remains from the 19th and 20th century.

The last St Kildans requested the government to aid their evacuation from the islands because life had become too difficult – they left their remote homeland for mainland Harris on the 29th August 1930.

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Funding for Scotland’s fire and rescue service

Feb 14th, 10 / 0 Comments

Scotland’s fire and rescue services will receive £24.6 million to assist with their capital investment programmes in the next financial year.

Community safety Minister Fergus Ewing said the investment will be used for the purchase of specialist equipment, the development of training facilities and the building and modernisation of fire stations across Scotland.

Mr Ewing said:

“Investment in Scotland’s public service infrastructure provides both modern public services and jobs for the construction industry – vital in the current economic climate.

“It is vital that the Scottish Government can help ensure our eight fire and rescue services have the right equipment, infrastructure and training to deliver their increasingly diverse role.

“This investment of £24.6 million is in addition to some £330 million of revenue funding received by the services through the local government settlement.

“The funding will be used to purchase specialist equipment, the development of training facilities and the building and modernisation of fire stations across Scotland.”

Mike Bridgman, Chair of the Scottish Fire Conveners Forum said:

“Fire Conveners are delighted that their recommendations on capital projects have been accepted by the Minister. The process has been thorough, demonstrating good partnership working. We are particularly pleased that decisions have been taken in good time to aid FRS financial planning for 2010-11.”

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HIE Chief Executive to take on green energy role

Feb 12th, 10 / 0 Comments

Sandy Cumming CBE, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the past nine and a half years, plans to leave the organisation next month and take on a new, national role.

Mr Cumming (57), is the Scottish Government’s choice to help spearhead the development of renewable offshore energy across the public sector in Scotland.

The new post will involve working closely with Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, and liaising between the Government and relevant public sector bodies – including local authorities, enterprise agencies and the Crown Estate – to ensure effective collaboration on a range of offshore green energy projects.

It is a one-year secondment, lasting until spring 2011. Following this, Mr Cumming plans to pursue other opportunities in the public and voluntary sectors.

The process of recruiting a new Chief Executive for Highlands and Islands Enterprise will begin immediately.

Born in Dingwall, Ross-shire, raised on a farm in Strathconon and schooled at Dingwall Academy, Sandy Cumming has worked for HIE and its predecessor body for almost all of his career to date.

He joined the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) in 1973, after graduating from Edinburgh University with a BSc Honours degree in Agricultural Economics.

During his time with HIE and the HIDB, Mr Cumming has held a variety of key posts, including Head of Natural Resources, Director of Growing Businesses, and five years in charge of the local enterprise company serving Ross and Cromarty in the 1990s.

Taking on the new Government role will resolve a potential conflict of interest for the Chief Executive, whose home neighbours Beechwood Farm, Inverness, a 215-acre site which HIE owns and plans to develop over several years as an education and business park.

Mr Cumming himself declared his interest as soon as HIE began exploring the development of the Inverness Campus project in 2008. Because of this, he has played no part in any discussion or decision regarding the project to date.

However, that could not be a permanent solution, because, as HIE’s statutory accountable officer, the Chief Executive is required to take a comprehensive overview of all of HIE’s operations.

Both HIE and the Scottish Government made strenuous attempts to identify a suitable governance solution, before concluding that Mr Cumming could not continue in his present post while the risk of a conflict of interest remained.

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