Weekly Update, week ending 5th July 2019

8th May 2019

Skills Development,

You’ll have seen from previous blogs that the Newton Room is now operational in Thurso. Details of the facility can be found at: – https://newtonroom.com/sct/newton-rooms/caithness-newton-room/about-us

In support of this and other initiatives the Science Skills Academy will be hiring a team of five STEM Engagement Officers, in locations across the Highlands. The first two posts will be based in Thurso and Fort William:
• One full-time role at the Thurso Newton Room, based at North Highland College, Thurso
• One part-time role, Monday-Wednesday, at the Fort William Newton Room, based at Caol Youth Centre

The Science Skills Academy delivers hands-on practical STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and digital technology) activities to P6-S2 students in the Highlands and Islands. They run sessions in bespoke Newton Rooms to excite and inspire students and encourage them to study STEM subjects at school and beyond.

The Science Skills Academy, a project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, working in partnership. The post holders will be employed by the Highland Council and will work as part of a multi-agency team.
Full details at Science Skills Academy STEM: http://bit.ly/ssastem
Deadline for applications is Monday 15 July 2019.

Energy & Business Services:

In case you missed it: –

The Moray West offshore wind development has been granted marine consent by the Scottish government, clearing the way for the 800MW+ North Sea project to enter the UK’s upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction. https://www.rechargenews.com/wind/1808507/moray-west-cleared-for-uk-cfd-round-with-scots-marine-consent

Connectivity

Broadband rollout

Rollout of fibre broadband continues in the area with additional digital street cabinets going live in the Reay, Talmine and Lairg exchange areas. Remember that you have to order a fibre-based service by contacting your telecoms provider as it is not an automatic upgrade. Follow this link to check if you can order a fibre broadband service www.hie.co.uk/fibre

General points of interest:
As part of an ongoing process of helping communicate progress with the delivery of aspects of our economic transition programme CNSRP’s partners work together to generate news stories for local, regional and national media. I also speak on a regular basis to individuals and organisations across the area to update on progress.

This week:

Town Centre Improvements
The Highland Council has launched a consultation on the draft Caithness and Sutherland Town Centre Strategy recently. The purpose of the Strategy is to identify opportunities and potential actions for the improvement of the five town centres defined in the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan): Brora, Dornoch, Golspie, Thurso and Wick.

As Supplementary Guidance, once approved in its final form, it will form part of the Council’s Development Plan and be used as a basis for determining planning applications and guiding investment decisions.

The Council wants to hear what people think of the draft Strategy we have prepared, particularly on the suggested opportunities and potential actions for each town centre and which organisations and individuals should be involved in taking them forward. The consultation on the draft strategy runs for 10 weeks, from Friday 14th June to 23rd August. You can view and comment on the draft Strategy at the consultation portal . http://consult.highland.gov.uk/portal/dp/cas_tcs/cas_tss

Please contact devplans@highland.gov.uk if you require any further information