Economist warns of ‘worrying’ future for council finances
A leading economist has warned that the future of local government finance is “worrying” and that many councils do not have the skills and support to cope.
Plea to help councils cope with multi-billion pound debt burden
Councils in the north and north-east are now in billions of pounds of debt – with the amount owed to the Treasury soaring by almost 50% in less than a decade.
Leaders join forces in fight to survive ‘perfect storm’ facing council finances
Local authority leaders in the north and north-east have joined forces to demand urgent action to survive the “perfect storm” facing council finances.
North councils have axed almost 5,000 full-time jobs during spending squeeze
In the first part of this week’s P&J series on local government finance, Calum Ross today finds out how council workforces have shrunk in recent years.
Aberdeen City Council hikes funeral fees despite £6.4million profit
Aberdeen City Council has been accused of cashing-in on tragedy after it increased burial fees despite being the only authority to make £1million a year in profit from funerals.
How a billionaire landowner could decide the fate of Britain’s first spaceport
A Danish billionaire could have the power to block plans to build the UK’s first spaceport in the Highlands.
Rural GPs quit Holyrood task-force over ‘damaging effects’ of contract
A leading doctor has quit a Scottish Government task-force amid claims rural GPs are “increasingly despondent” about the “damaging effects” of a new contract.
UK Government warned against “procrastination” on space launch regulations
UK authorities have been warned that any “procrastination” on regulating the space sector could result in the Highlands and islands missing out on an economic windfall.
Viability of multiple Highland spaceports described as “questionable”
In the final part of the P&J’s series on the “space race”, Calum Ross finds out if more than one spaceport can be cleared for take-off.
MSPs say spaceport plans offer ‘giant leap’ for Highland economy
MSPs have hailed plans to build the UK’s first spaceport in the Highlands as a “giant leap” for the local economy – and an “absolute lifeline” for the remote north coast.
Scottish Government wants ‘at least one’ spaceport developed
A Scottish Government minister has said its ambition is to have “at least one” spaceport in Scotland – but he warned that Brexit could create “challenges” for the sector.
Western Isles spaceport backers are developing ‘detailed proposals’
Plans to build a spaceport on the Western Isles are still on track and continue to be drawn up behind the scenes, it has been confirmed.
Shetland Space Centre believe it is ‘winning’ race to host UK’s first spaceport
A former RAF officer leading Shetland’s bid to host the UK’s first satellite-launching base has revealed why he is convinced his team is “winning” the space race.
Senior officials discussed moving the proposed site of the UK’s first spaceport
Top officials have discussed moving the proposed site of the UK’s first spaceport, it can be revealed.
Police were called as spaceport row boiled over in north community
Police have been called and one couple have emigrated amid simmering tensions in the remote Highland community earmarked for Britain’s first spaceport.
Expert claims building a spaceport would send a message to the world that Scotland is now ‘leading the space sector globally’
A top expert has outlined how building a spaceport would send a message to the world that Scotland is now “leading the space sector globally”.
Plans to build a spaceport in Sutherland could help create ‘significantly more’ than 400 jobs
Plans to build a spaceport in Sutherland could help create “significantly more” than 400 jobs - and the sector could become as important to the economy as renewable energy.
Space wars erupt in the Highlands amid race to build UK’s first satellite-launching station
Space wars have erupted in the Highlands amid explosive claims that the region’s development body has been “working against” rocket-launching projects on the islands.
Spaceport safety measures required to reduce risk to North Sea platforms and Faroe Islands
Rocket launches from Sutherland could require safety measures to reduce risks to workers on North Sea oil and gas platforms - and residents of the Faroe Islands.
Fresh changes to leadership team at Robert Gordon University
Fresh changes have been made to the top team at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in the wake of a series of high-profile departures last year.
Traffic over the Skye Bridge drops amid reports the island has become overcrowded
Traffic over the Skye bridge dropped last year amid reports that tourists had been put-off by claims that the island was full-up.
Investment demand as traffic doubles on NC500 roads
Transport chiefs are facing fresh demands for investment after figures showed that traffic has soared by up to 140% on some of the roads that now form the North Coast 500.
Injured baby and toddler both ‘failed’ by protection professionals
Child protection chiefs in the Highlands have been accused of acting with “irresponsibility” when they “failed” a baby and a toddler who both suffered violent head injuries.
Shetland and Cornwall join forces to boost space centre plans
Shetland’s bid to send rockets into space has been boosted by the signing of a new deal with a similar project at the opposite end of Britain.
Scottish universities spend £50 million to pay off 1,550 staff
Universities in Scotland have racked up a bill of almost £50million by paying off more than 1,550 staff in the last few years, it can be revealed.
Nato’s growing use of island missile-testing range revealed
A missile testing range on the Western Isles has recorded one of its busiest years as Nato allies take advantage of the unique facility.
Forgotten Highland wartime camp dubbed ‘most complete surviving coast battery in Scotland’ to be saved
A forgotten Highland military base used during both world wars could finally be declared a “nationally important monument” and opened up to the public.
History of the ‘most complete’ wartime coastal battery left in Scotland
Clifftop coastal defences were being discussed in parliament as early as 1900 for the two headlands which mark the narrow entrance to the Cromarty Firth.
Aberdeen bank branch among 140 sites facing the axe by Santander
A bank branch in Aberdeen city centre is facing the axe as part of a fresh wave of closures announced yesterday by Santander.
Defence chiefs intend to hand control of Fort George to Historic Environment Scotland
Defence chiefs are poised to hand control of Fort George to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) after the Army is withdrawn from the barracks.
Revealed: Fort George could become quango’s new national HQ
Bosses at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have discussed shock plans to move the quango’s national headquarters from Edinburgh to the Highlands.
Revealed: Tory MSP privately raised fears that Fort George would close early
A Tory MSP privately raised fears that military chiefs would break their promise to the Highlands by shutting down the historic Fort George barracks several years early.