Hebridean plastic waste goes to Norway
Plastic waste from the Outer Hebrides is being sent more than 600 miles away to Norway, it has emerged.
Western Isles Council
Fury over possible cuts to island bus services
Islanders have expressed outrage as Lewis and Harris public bus services face severe cuts under council plans.
Support group’s ‘major impact’ in helping firms
Small company support organisation Outer Hebrides Business Gateway (OHBG) has hailed a “record year” and said its recent activity in the islands is expected to result in the creation and safeguarding of up to 120 jobs.
Western Isles Council refuses to fly LGBT rainbow flag at pride event
The second controversial gay pride event in the Outer Hebrides is to go ahead this weekend - but with the local council again refusing to fly the LGBT rainbow flag from its headquarters in support.
Western Isles Council spend £5m on consultants
Western Isles Council has splashed out almost £5million on consultants’ fees in the past six years – sparking concern from local politicians.
Number of schools on Western Isles has halved since 2001
One school has been shut down in a north or north-east community every two months on average during the public spending squeeze in the last decade.
Councillor faces charges of ignoring planning enforcement order
An SNP councillor is facing three different criminal charges of ignoring a planning enforcement notice which was served by the local authority on which he is a member.
Councils aim to make extra £1bn to plug funding gaps
Local authorities in the north and north-east will soon be raising more than £1 billion each year in extra revenue as they hike charges and fees to help plug funding gaps.
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.
Western Isles trading standards destroy £1,000 worth of illegal goods
More than £1,000 of dangerous goods seized from doorstep sellers visiting the Western Isles over the last year have been destroyed.
Western Isles school extension worth £1.9m opens
The official opening ceremony of a £1.9million primary school at Laxdale in the Western Isles took place yesterday.
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.
Western Isles Council looks at fertiliser plan
Western Isles Council calls for government officials to step up to improve ferry services
Members of Western Isles Council are urging the government to take action to preserve their lifeline ferries.
Campaign to open public pool on Sunday’s doesn’t go so swimmingly
A new bid has been made by families to swim on Sundays on the Sabbatarian stronghold of Lewis.
Success for Nicolson Institute pupils past and present at Gaelic film awards
A documentary produced by second-year pupils from the Nicolson Institute has scooped a top prize at the Gaelic film awards in Glasgow last weekend, after portraying the tale of Norman Mackenzie from Ness, who was aboard the Iolaire on the yacht's fateful night.
Yellow weather warning issued as snow and ice expected across north and north-east
A yellow 'be aware' weather warning has been issued by the Met Office, with snow and ice forecasted for the north and north-east today.
Funeral poverty fears as further hike planned to ‘scandalous’ charges
As part of the P&J’s week-long series on the challenges grieving families face when a loved one dies, Calum Ross today investigates the soaring cost of funerals.
Revealed: Dozens of local cemeteries on the brink of running out of graves
Graveyards are on the brink of running out of space for new burials in dozens of communities across the north and north-east, it can be revealed.
Councils insist they have ‘plans are in place’ to address cemetery capacity concerns
Local authorities have admitted they are under “pressure” to act on cemetery provision but insisted that “plans are in place” for many sites.
Councils across the north facing multi-million pound shortfalls
Councils across the north have said they are facing multi-million pound funding shortfalls as a result of the annual grants announced by the Scottish Government this week.
Scottish island secures crucial milestone for new housing development
The Western Isles is set for a mini housing boom, with over 200 new properties expected to be developed over the course of the next year.
Western Isles schools to receive copy of new Iolaire book
As part of the Dileab project, every school in the Western Isles is to receive a signed copy of a new book exploring the Iolaire tragedy.
Dog owner hits out at Western Isles Council over collapsed case
An island dog owner has lashed out at Western Isles Council’s “judge, jury and executioner” style of handling complaints over animals.
Former taxi driver and councillor acquitted of sexual offences
A former councillor and taxi driver accused of a string of sexual offences has been acquitted of all charges at Stornoway Sheriff Court.
Assurance over abattoir service given by council
Western Isles Council says it is committed to maintaining abattoir services in Lewis and Harris.
Western Isles Council looking at developing a fleet of ferries ‘more in keeping’ with the west coast
The Scottish Government is looking at developing a fleet of ferries that is “more in keeping” with the west coast, says a council after meeting ministers.
Thousands attend Pride events in Inverness and Stornoway
Supporters have hailed the success of two weekend Pride marches across Inverness and Stornoway as a watershed moment for LGBT rights in the Highlands and Islands.
Gay pride row as Western Isles Council refuses to fly LGBT flag
A row has broken out over the Outer Hebrides first gay pride march after the isles’ council refused to fly an LGBT flag in support.
Western Isles Council making more sacrifices despite cutting 230 jobs already
Having already cut over 230 jobs, Western Isles Council has warned it has to make more “significant savings.”
Concern over ‘vast disparity’ in classroom assistant numbers
Concerns have been raised after new figures exposed a “vast disparity” in the number of classroom assistants in schools across Scotland.
Aberdeenshire Council call centres leaving residents on hold for up to one hour
Frustrated residents are being left on hold for up to an hour to report urgent public health hazards, road defects and housing repairs.