News Archive - February 2017
[ Back to Home Page ] [ January 2017 ] [ March 2017 ]
20 February 2017
Looking To The Future, Promoting Caithness As A Cruise Destination![Cruise to Scrabster](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2017/cruise_s.jpg)
New Council Tax Rates From 1st April
From 1 April 2017 the Scottish Government is changing the basis on which properties are assessed for Council Tax and this will increase the charge for Council Tax properties that are banded E to H. The Highland Council has no discretion in this matter and must apply these increases to the Council Tax charges from 1 April 2017. Households living in properties in Bands A-D are not affected by these increases. In addition to the increase in Council Tax set by the Scottish Government on properties falling within Bands E to H, The Highland Council has been given the flexibility to increase Council Tax on all properties, Bands A to H, by up to 3% from 1 April 2017. Council Tax legislation, set by the Scottish Government, determines any increase must be applied to all Bands in A to H.
MeyGen Update - AR1500 Turbine Deployed in Record Time
![Meygen AR1500](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2017/ar_1500_s.jpg)
19 February 2017
Pedestrian killed in John o' Groats road collision - STV14 February 2017
Additional £1.174m Funding To Nhs Highland For Adult Care To Be ProposedThe Highland Council's Administration will be proposing an additional £1.174m to NHS Highland for adult care, as part of the 2017/18 budget which will be considered on Thursday 16 February 2017.
Wick Councillor Bill Fernie who is chairman of the Resources committee and Budget Leader for the Independents Administration said,"This has been our most difficult year since I joined the council but I feel that we are able to make thie significant commitment to ensure in partnership wiht NHS Highland wecan deliver Adult Care service to our poele who need it."
Schools Budgets To Be Protected In Highland Budget Proposals
In another challenging financial year, the Highland Council Administration has pledged to protect education services in the 2017/18 budget. The Highland Council will consider next year's budget at its meeting on Thursday 16 February. School budgets, which fund teachers and school support services, have been protected by the Council Administration, and there are no proposals to make savings in these areas.
Improved Safety Measures For Miller Academy
Member of the Caithness Area Committee have given the go-ahead to a project to improve the safety of pupils walking and cycling to and from Miller Academy in Thurso.
Beatrice local Community Fund - Information Evenings
SSE would like to invite members of the public form the five community council areas listed inside to attend an information event in their local community where they will learn more about the Beatrice local Community Fund. They are also looking for volunteers form each community to join the decision making panel and a ballot will be held at each evet to appoint the community panel members.
12 February 2017
A Turriff-ic result for United - Wick Academy 0 Turriff United 1![Wick Academy 0 Turriff United 1 - 11 February 2017](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2017/february/academy_turriff/2_s.jpg)
6 February 2017
WASPI Continues The State Pension Fight For Women - Check This OutThe Caithness WASPI group are keen to reach out to more 1950s women who are unsure of when they will get their State Pension and how much they will receive. They also want to update people on what's happening with the WASPI campaign which is very exciting! WASPI have raised over £100K to appoint top London law firm Bindmans to help challenge the Government on this important issue. There will be a mass demonstration in London on Wednesday 8th March which is also International Women's Day and there will be representation from Caithness and Sutherland WASPIs. Local WASPI Co-ordinators Aileen and Lorna have organised meetings on Monday 13th February 2017 at 6.30 pm in the Pentland Hotel, Thurso and Thursday 16th February 2017 at 6.30 pm in the Norseman Hotel, Wick.
5 February 2017
Honours even as weather fails to rain supreme - Wick Academy 2 Forres Mechanics 2![Wick Academy 2 Forres Mechanics 2 - 4th February 2017](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2017/february/academy_forres/1_s.jpg)