Nwicker60
04-Jan-13, 10:01
John O’ Groat Journal hedlines January 4, 2013
A DOUNREAY contractor is bidding to build up its order books off-site in the wake of servicing a contract in eastern Europe which has brought £8.5 million of work to the far north. Staff at Nuvia have been supporting the decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania, with 40 people employed in developing a mock-up rig at the test plant at Janetstown, on the outskirts of Thurso. The company – part of the giant French-owned Vinci group – is looking to win further such orders, as well as diversifying into the oil and gas industry.
SCOTTISH WATER has applied for planning permission to build 10 turbines at its water treatment site three miles south of Wick. The firm is asking Highland Council to give the green light to its plans to erect the turbines at Toftcarl on the northern outskirts of Thrumster. It wants to build the development to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy cost of the public water supply at its treatment plant. The turbines would be 21 metres high, and, if approved, would be placed near cliffs which are classed an international conservation site.
AREAS of Wick are amongst the most deprived in the Highlands in terms of overall health, crime, education, employment and income. Pulteneytown South and Hillhead feature in the top 10 most deprived areas in the region according to the latest Scottish Government statistics. Caithness civic leader, Gail Ross said Pulteneytown South’s ranking as the third most deprived in the Highlands is “disappointing” but that the local authority would be looking to improve its standing.
PLANNING for this year’s Castle of Mey 10k road race and Mey Mile fun run, due to take place on May 12, is well underway. Race organisers North Highland Harriers continue to build on the success of previous years which have seen the race become well established. With New Year’s resolutions made, NHH is expecting a flurry of entries when the online entry system opens on Monday.
THE depute leader of Highland Council has claimed opponents of a £10,000 grant to a national bird charity were motivated by their dislike of the organisation. David Alston criticised a group of independent councillors, who unsuccessfully tried to scrap the payment to the RSPB Scotland so it could block up peat drains in the Flow Country and described it as an “extraordinary” move.
A HIGHLAND business leader has hit out as a raft of major construction contracts in the region, totalling millions of pounds,
have been awarded to Irish companies. Local firm’s have been continually snubbed as a host of key tenders issued by Highland Council to build new roads, schools, a ferry terminal and a flood of schemes have been snapped up by firms based in Ireland and Northern Ireland.. The Irish invasion has angered the chief executive of the largest independent business organisation in the Highlands, who has warned the local authority is fuelling their countries’ economies, at the expense of its own
CAITHNESS Chamber of commerce is putting the Scottish Government under pressure to sort out the notorious stretch of road at the Berriedale Braes after taking over Caithness Transport forum. Under the auspices of the forum, the chamber has written to Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney, to emphasise the importance of realigning the braes to support business in the emerging renewable industry. The chamber stepped in, to take over the running of the forum from Caithness Partnership which is being wound up.
RESIDENTS in Caithness are being asked to help shape the future of their communities and influence future development in the area. Highland Council will be holding public consultation events, known as “charrettes” in Thurso and Wick to enable people to put forward their ideas and help design the future development of their towns.
A DOUNREAY contractor is bidding to build up its order books off-site in the wake of servicing a contract in eastern Europe which has brought £8.5 million of work to the far north. Staff at Nuvia have been supporting the decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania, with 40 people employed in developing a mock-up rig at the test plant at Janetstown, on the outskirts of Thurso. The company – part of the giant French-owned Vinci group – is looking to win further such orders, as well as diversifying into the oil and gas industry.
SCOTTISH WATER has applied for planning permission to build 10 turbines at its water treatment site three miles south of Wick. The firm is asking Highland Council to give the green light to its plans to erect the turbines at Toftcarl on the northern outskirts of Thrumster. It wants to build the development to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy cost of the public water supply at its treatment plant. The turbines would be 21 metres high, and, if approved, would be placed near cliffs which are classed an international conservation site.
AREAS of Wick are amongst the most deprived in the Highlands in terms of overall health, crime, education, employment and income. Pulteneytown South and Hillhead feature in the top 10 most deprived areas in the region according to the latest Scottish Government statistics. Caithness civic leader, Gail Ross said Pulteneytown South’s ranking as the third most deprived in the Highlands is “disappointing” but that the local authority would be looking to improve its standing.
PLANNING for this year’s Castle of Mey 10k road race and Mey Mile fun run, due to take place on May 12, is well underway. Race organisers North Highland Harriers continue to build on the success of previous years which have seen the race become well established. With New Year’s resolutions made, NHH is expecting a flurry of entries when the online entry system opens on Monday.
THE depute leader of Highland Council has claimed opponents of a £10,000 grant to a national bird charity were motivated by their dislike of the organisation. David Alston criticised a group of independent councillors, who unsuccessfully tried to scrap the payment to the RSPB Scotland so it could block up peat drains in the Flow Country and described it as an “extraordinary” move.
A HIGHLAND business leader has hit out as a raft of major construction contracts in the region, totalling millions of pounds,
have been awarded to Irish companies. Local firm’s have been continually snubbed as a host of key tenders issued by Highland Council to build new roads, schools, a ferry terminal and a flood of schemes have been snapped up by firms based in Ireland and Northern Ireland.. The Irish invasion has angered the chief executive of the largest independent business organisation in the Highlands, who has warned the local authority is fuelling their countries’ economies, at the expense of its own
CAITHNESS Chamber of commerce is putting the Scottish Government under pressure to sort out the notorious stretch of road at the Berriedale Braes after taking over Caithness Transport forum. Under the auspices of the forum, the chamber has written to Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney, to emphasise the importance of realigning the braes to support business in the emerging renewable industry. The chamber stepped in, to take over the running of the forum from Caithness Partnership which is being wound up.
RESIDENTS in Caithness are being asked to help shape the future of their communities and influence future development in the area. Highland Council will be holding public consultation events, known as “charrettes” in Thurso and Wick to enable people to put forward their ideas and help design the future development of their towns.