Corriemoillie wind farm update from E.ON

The Highland Council has extended the period of determination for Corriemoillie wind farm until 1st October 2010, giving more time for statutory consultees like Scottish Natural Heritage to consider our plans.

In addition, as a result of feedback about the proposed access route for the project, we’re currently looking at possible changes to the access route to further reduce the impact on the local community and the environment.

If granted planning permission, the local community would benefit from a community fund worth over £100,000 a year for the life of the wind farm. (See editor's note below)

For more information about E.ON’s proposed wind farm, email matilda.urie@eon.com or visit http://www.eon-uk.com/generation/corriemoillie.aspx

Letters of support or comments can also be sent to:
Matilda Urie
Freepost RRSE-KZCU-AZJL
E.ON
Westwood Way
Westwood Business Park
Coventry CV4 8LG
=====================

Editor's note:
At the present time community benefit in respect of wind farms is under review by the Highland Council. This was reported as below and details of the HC meeting can be found at:
http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/committees/thehighlandcouncil/2010-06-24-hc-ag.htm
If this is approved, this means all figures quoted by E.On in respect of community benefit will be reduced, it is proposed, to 60%.

Communities in the west Highlands have not benefited in the same way from wind projects as those in the east, according to a council report.

Highland Council officers have suggested setting up a new community fund to spread more widely money contributed by wind scheme operators.

Officers said in terms of planning policy and access to the National Grid, the west had fewer farms. The report will be considered by the full council on Thursday.

Officers have recommended setting up a new system to handle funds from wind farms and eventually marine and tidal energy projects.

At the moment 12 of the 21 wards, or areas, that make up the Highland Council region have no large-scale wind farms.

Under the new system, communities where schemes were located would get 60% of the money provided from operators, with the rest put in a pot for the benefit of the wider region.
Based on today's number of wind farms, £860,000 would be generated for those wards with projects and £575,000 for the benefit of the rest of the council area.

After a delay to allow proposed marine and tidal projects to become established, officers have suggested even more money could be generated for the proposed Pan-Highland Community Fund.

See this story reported on the BBC News website at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/10351180.stm

Press Release: Charging for Council Services

Wednesday 16 June 2010

In week six of its Budget Blog, The Highland Council is asking if users of services are prepared to pay more for the services they receive from the Council to ease the impact of public spending cutbacks.

The Council already charges for a range of services, including school meals, hire of rooms and facilities, commercial refuse collection, leisure centre use, car parking, and burials. It receives income of approximately £68 million from these charges.

By increasing charges over and above inflation, the Council estimates it could inject £3.7 million into the budget over the next two years and ease the need for savings.

Budget Leader Councillor David Alston said on the blog that some charges are set externally, for example planning fees.  If the Council increased other charges, or introduced new charges, that would reduce some of the cuts in service the Council was having to consider. The Council would continue to offer concessionary arrangements and discounts to avoid charging certain service users.

He said: “It is really important that people tell us what they think as this proposal could impact upon everyone.”

The blog is one of a number of ways the Council is consulting over options that have been proposed by Services to identify budget savings of £36 million over the next three years. 

These options are set out in two budget documents which can be accessed via the home page of our web site: www.highland.gov.uk The blog closes at the end of this month.

At the same time, the Council is holding a series of public meetings to highlight the financial challenges facing the Council.

Other ward forums to discuss the budget are scheduled as follows:
*    17 June: Cromarty Firth Ward Forum – Ardross Hall
*    18 June: Highland Youth Voice  - Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Sleat, Skye
*    21 June:  Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Ward Forum - Lochcarron
*    22 June: Inverness City Ward Forum – Town House, Inverness
*    23 June:  Badenoch and Strathspey Ward Forum – Boat of Garten Hall
*    30 June:  Nairn Ward Forum – Rosebank Primary, Nairn

-ends-

Lynda Duncan
Public Relations Assistant
Chief Executive's Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road  Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: 01463 702022  Fax: 01463 702025
Email: lynda.duncan@highland.gov.uk
www: highland.gov.uk

Press Release: Summer Activities Programme 2010

Help is at hand for parents and families staying at home this summer in a wide range of events available through The Highland Council’s Summer Activities Programme.

Running throughout July and August the programme is organised by the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service and offers a diverse range of summer holiday leisure opportunities across the Highlands.

From Farr to Kingussie and Portree to Nairn there is something for everyone, from leisure or art to sports on the playing field or in the great outdoors there is an activity to suit every interest. Pupils attending Gaelic medium education can also attend events that will be delivered by Gaelic-speaking group leaders.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service said: “Holidays should be full of fun, enjoyment and relaxation, not just for children but for parents too. Our summer activities programme is a great way to get the kids active and away from the telly and the range of options also give parents a chance to have some free time as well while their children attend activities.”

To get an information pack and book places on a summer activity customers can visit their local leisure facility or visit www.highlandactivities.org.uk and complete the Activity Booking Form.

Information is also going out through Highland schools. Once a choice has been made the booking forms can be returned by hand or by post to one of the booking venues, these are detailed in the handouts and on the website.

Advance bookings are recommended as some activities are expected to fill up fast.

-ends-

Lynda Duncan
Public Relations Assistant
Chief Executive's Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: 01463 702022 Fax: 01463 702025
Email: lynda.duncan@highland.gov.uk
www: highland.gov.uk

Announcement: Garve and District Community Council Election Results

Robbie Bain, Returning Officer for the Garve & District Community Council Election, will be in Garve Hall on Friday 25 June at 7.30pm to formally declare the election result.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

The newly elected Community Council will then hold its first meeting.
The election of office bearers will take place during this meeting.

Again, members of the public are welcome to attend.

Press Release: Making it easier to pay Council bills

The Highland Council is to consult with the public over plans to extend the number of ways the public can pay Council bills, such as Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and rent.

A bonus for the Council is that it can save at least £400,000 per year through changing the way it collects payments.

The aim is to move away from cash or cheque payments for routine transactions at Service Points or the Cash Office at Council HQ in Inverness and increase the scope for customers to pay over the telephone and at Pay Points and Post Offices.

A report to the Resources Committee highlighted that customer trends indicate that attitudes towards how individuals wish to pay Council bills are changing. Eager to grasp the opportunities of technology, the Council wishes to not only achieve efficiency savings but shape services that are more convenient and flexible for customers. Staff time could be freed from handling cash transactions to focus on dealing most effectively with complex people-centred issues.

It is proposed to:
• Upgrade current telephone systems;
• Provide an automated telephone system;
• Procure pay point facilities;
• Issue “pay point” cards to existing and new customers; and
• Introduce new bar coding of invoices.

The aim is to move from the current arrangements for payment of Council Tax, rents and debtors invoices as soon as practicable, once a consultation has taken place and all necessary systems are in place to facilitate the changes. Alternative arrangements for other payments will be introduced incrementally thereafter.

It is estimated that up to 390,000 transactions could be made through Pay Point facilities if counter cash and cheque payments are withdrawn and there is no change in take up of direct debit. Direct debit is still encouraged because it remains the lowest cost payment method. A future report will set out the implications for staff, and a more detailed financial assessment.

The Council is to hold meetings with trade unions and staff and consult with Community Councils and council house tenants to discuss the proposed changes.

Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of the Resources Committee, said: “This is good for the council. We are trying to make changes to our payment systems which will not only make it easier for the public to pay the council but will make the council more efficient. We will be consulting widely before taking our plans forward.”

-Ends-

Lynda Duncan
Public Relations Assistant
Chief Executive's Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: 01463 702022 Fax: 01463 702025
Email: lynda.duncan@highland.gov.uk
www.highland.gov.uk

Emergency First Aid at Work

One day courses at Ledgowan Hotel, Achnasheen

A new “Statutory Qualification” filling the gap between “Appointed Person” (minimum requirement for all UK business to meet)  and full “First Aider at Work”. Training will also cover duty of care for clients/visitors to premises & carrying out first out by choice outside of a work setting.

What you will get:
* Course manual
* Relevant Handouts
* Certificate valid for 3 years (From HSE Licensed Awarding Body) and Vocational qualification for life (from SQA accredited Awarding Body)

Open course dates:
EFAW (Level 2 Qualification)
Fri 25th June & Fri 24th Sept 2010

Times:
09.15am to 5.15pm - PLUS extra 30 mins for those who wish to practise resuscitation for infants and children
                         
Cost:
£55.00

•    Block bookings available on this course or at your venue, please call for quote.
•    Free First Aid Needs assessment available, no obligation, with latest HSE documents supplied.

Course tutor is a qualified  first aid instructor trained & regulated by a UK National Awarding Body for First Aid, (ITC) who are accredited by the SQA and licensed by the HSE.  See www.itcfirstaid.org.uk.

Contact: 
Course tutor - Mark Harris
Mobile 07824 449011 or Invergordon 01862 842 684

Email: mark.harris@rubiconfirstaid.com          
www.rubiconfirstaid.com

                                                         
What else can we offer, how else can we help?

*Talks, demonstrations, and taster sessions to clubs and groups, on first aid, free of charge or contribution to travel if more than 50 miles return trip from Invergordon.

*Specialist talks:  What to do at road traffic collisions, for motorcycle clubs and driver groups such as RoSpa and IAM. Also special considerations for Wilderness/outdoor first aid, aimed at hill walking and mountaineering clubs.

*Consultations free of charge:  If you are not sure what your first aid risk assessment should cover, whether you need training, and if so at what level?     (We will not try to sell you anything that you do not need!!)

*First aid equipment sales: see some of our range on our on-line shop

*Group bookings:  We can travel to you to provide training, if you have somewhere we can carry it out, from as few as 4 people.

*Specialist areas covered include:  first aid for carers, first aid for the elderly, general first aid for use in the home, Emergency first aid for Road users, First motorcyclist on scene first aid, Outdoor/Wilderness first aid and Paediatric first aid.

*Event cover for local small scale events where first aider cover may be required or may just provide you with peace of mind, just in case.

*Train the trainer: If you are interested in being able to run first aid courses in your company, organisation or community we are able to help you get underway with ITC, check their website for this at www.firstaidtrainer.co.uk

Press Release: Beauly-Mossford Electricity Transmission Reinforcement

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited (SHETL), a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), has published a Consultation Document on the possible reinforcement of the existing 132,000 volt electricity transmission infrastructure between Beauly (west of Inverness) and Mossford (by Loch Luichart) extending through parts of Strathconon and Strath Bran.

This reinforcement is required to accommodate output from renewable energy generation in Strathconon and Strath Bran and will involve replacing the existing line, which has reached its capacity limits, with a new line built to accommodate a higher capacity. The works will also include building a new electricity substation close to the the existing substation at Mossford.

Members of the public are invited to study the proposals by visiting the company’s website www.sse.com where they can download the Consultation Document which includes maps showing the preferred route and substation site.

Copies of the consultation document will also be available for viewing at the Council Offices in Inverness and Dingwall between 30 May and 30 July 2010, and at a series of public exhibitions where members of the public are invited to meet representatives from SHETL to discuss the proposals.

These public exhibitions will be held at:

Garve Village Hall    
Tuesday 22 June 2010    
3pm to 7pm

Marybank, Fairburn Village Hall    
Wednesday 23 June 2010    
3pm to 7pm

Beauly, Lovat Arms Hotel    
Thursday 24 June 2010    
3pm to 7pm

SHETL Project Manager, Andrew Robertson, said: “We are very keen for members of the public to make their views known, either by writing to us, or by coming along to one of the exhibitions.

“These views, together with the findings of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, will be used to develop and refine the preferred route in order to minimise the effects of the proposed upgrade on the environment and people in the area.

“The next step following this round of consultation, would be to apply to Scottish Ministers for permission to build the transmission line.

“A separate application will be necessary for the proposed new substation, which will be considered by The Highland Council under the Town and Country Planning Regulations. Both processes give members of the public the opportunity to make representations to the authorities regarding the proposals.”