General Election 2019

The 2019 UK General Election is nearly upon us. Each of the major political parties in Scotland and across the UK have published their manifestos ahead of the country going to the polls.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce has summarised the key commitments that each of the major parties have made on different policy areas, including the economy, the environment and immigration amongst others.

Click here to see the policy guidelines from the Scottish Parties.

Click here to see the policy guidelines from the UK Parties.

A quick roundup of news and blog posts from around the web from members of the Chamber:

Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group – AREG event to focus on investing in renewables future

An industry event is set to explore the importance of investing in skills and resources as companies look to exploit new business opportunities in the growing renewable energy sector.

BBM Solicitors – Grampian Haulage Ltd (in liquidation) v Carnbroe Estates Ltd : Decision of UK Supreme Court

Update and analysis for insolvency practitioners from BBM Solicitors on the decision of the UK Supreme Court in this case.

Caithness Voluntary Group – Event Scotland

National Events Programme Funding of £4,000 – £25,000 is available to support sporting and cultural events which take place out with the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and drive domestic tourism within Scotland.

Caithness Voluntary Group – National Lottery 25th birthday fund

The National Lottery’s 25th birthday has a one-off fund offering grants up to £1,000, and open to anyone with a great idea to make a difference in their local community.

Caithness Voluntary Group – New volunteering opportunity

North Highland Cancer information & Support Centre are seeking new volunteers to help people with (or in remission from) cancer or family members struggling with the physical, financial or emotional aspects of this illness.

Decom North Sea – August Networking Event: Oceaneering

Green Marine (UK) Ltd – Green Marine (UK) Ltd chosen to install new anchoring system at Kishorn Dry Dock

A new anchoring system installation, designed to accommodate and secure the large concrete caisson gates of Kishorn Port’s Dry Dock facility, has been successfully deployed at the port in the West Highlands of Scotland.

Green Marine (UK) Ltd – Green Marine scoops prestigious Scottish Green Energy Award

Orkney based Green Marine (UK) Ltd were awarded the ‘Outstanding Service Award’ at the Scottish Green Energy Awards for their world-class service to Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal energy developers, held at the Edinburgh International Conference centre on 5th December 2019.

Highland Council – Councillors agree further work following survey backing introduction of tourist levy

Highland councillors today approved the findings of a public consultation supporting the introduction of a Highland Transient Visitor Levy and committed to further work to develop an optimal scheme for Highland.

Highland Council – Highland invests in combatting climate change

Councillors today approved a £145,000 investment to ensure Highland Council meets its commitment to tackle climate change.

Highland Council – It’ll be a blue blue bin Christmas without you recycling.

The Highland Council is reminding householders and businesses to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible over the festive period to prevent unnecessary waste.

Highland Council – Making headway in reducing the attainment gap for young people from deprived backgrounds

Highland Council is committed to tackling poverty and inequality and enabling all our children and young people to reach their full potential, with a focus on reducing the attainment gap for those from more disadvantaged communities across the Highlands.

Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd – Strategic Tranport Projects Review (STPR2) Survey

Transport Scotland is conducting an online survey for the Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), a Scotland-wide review of the strategic transport network across all transport modes.

Home-Start Caithness – New study shows substantial benefit of home-based family support

Ahead of the general election leading family support charity, Home-Start, has called on all political parties to commit to investing in proven methods of help for families, such as volunteer-led, peer-to-peer relationship based support.

Jacobs UK Limited – Jacobs Begins Trading Today as J; Celebrates 30th Anniversary on the NYSE

Today Jacobs (NYSE: J) began trading on the NYSE under the updated ticker symbol “J,” culminating its transition from engineering and construction to a global technology-forward solutions company, and will celebrate its 30th anniversary on the New York Stock Exchange this Sunday, Dec. 15.

Mackays Hotel – A Winter Break in the Highlands

Scotland may not be the first place you think of for a winter getaway, but we’re here to change your mind! The days may be shorter, and you’ll have to wear a couple of layers during your adventures, but there’s still so much fun to be had.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – Beatrice is judges’ pick at Scottish Green Energy Awards

Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm has come out on top at this year’s Scottish Green Energy Awards, an event held in Edinburgh last night celebrating and recognising excellence in the country’s renewable energy industry.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – Energy Minister marks completion of Caithness-Moray transmission link

The Scottish Government’s Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, marked the official completion of SSEN Transmission’s flagship Caithness-Moray HVDC link with a visit to Blackhillock substation in Moray.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – Heat Networks: A hot topic in the Scottish decarbonisation agenda

Scotland has legislated to become a net-zero carbon society by 2045, with an interim target of 75per cent reduction by 2030. This ambitious target is five years ahead of the UK-wide 2050 target, and we should not underestimate the scale of this challenge and the need to take action now.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – SSEN Transmission business plan to deliver a network for net zero

SSEN Transmission has today submitted to the GB energy regulator, Ofgem, an ambitious Business Plan for the future of the north of Scotland electricity transmission system.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – SSEN Weather Watch for December 2019

An update from SSEN on what to expect from the weather in December 2019.

Scrabster Harbour Trust – Weekly Update 6 December 2019

All the latest from Scrabster Harbour Trust.

Wick Harbour Authority – Marsh Award Recipient: Malcolm Bremner

Congratulations to the “boss” on receiving the Marsh Award for his contribution to The Wick Society and his work with the Isabella Fortuna.

This is just a short roundup of stories we’ve spotted over the past two weeks. We are always keen to promote good news and events on our members’ behalf, so contact us today if you’ve got something to share!

Do you need to catch up with your Continuing Professional Development? Safety Zone might be able to help if you’d like to continue learning but don’t quite have the time to go on a course.

For the rest of December 2019, Safety Zone are offering Chamber members a fantastic 40% off all online courses so you can catch up with your CPD whenever you find the time, wherever you happen to be, and no matter which device you are using, be it a computer, a tablet, or mobile phone.

You’ll find the courses available on their website: www.safety-zone.scot – just use the discount code CCCDec2019 to claim this fantastic offer.

The Beatrice offshore wind farm has capped a momentous year by winning a top renewable energy industry award.

The £2.5 billion project off the east coast of Caithness took the Judges’ Award at the Scottish Green Energy Awards, held in Edinburgh on Thursday night (5th December) – recognising its excellence in engagement with local communities, innovative installation techniques and world-leading safety standards.

The 588MW development by Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (Bowl) was completed in May this year with the installation of the last of its 84 turbines. It is Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm and the fourth largest in the world, generating enough energy to power 450,000 homes. Three years after construction began, Beatrice was officially opened in July 2019 when Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, visited the operations and maintenance base in restored harbour-front buildings in Wick. About 90 staff are employed there. Beatrice, developed by SSE Renewables (40 per cent), with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (35 per cent) and Red Rock Power (25 per cent), was nominated in three categories. The first was for best engagement, for the project team’s work in keeping the community, fisheries and key stakeholders informed from the development stage and throughout construction. The second nomination was for best practice, recognising the team’s excellence in utilising the ALARP Design Procedure to apply the principles and processes of the world-leading safety standards to the life cycle of offshore renewable energy development projects. The third was in the outstanding project category, and was recognition of the economic contribution that the project delivered during construction and the benefits it will bring over its operational lifetime.

Beatrice is the largest single source of renewable energy in Scotland, expected to avoid eight million tonnes of carbon emissions during its operational lifespan and add an estimated £72m of value to the UK economy on average every year, of which £34m will be in Scotland.

Steve Wilson, former project director of Bowl and now project director of Dogger Bank Wind Farms, said: “After more than 10 years of development and construction, the fourth largest offshore wind farm in the world is an outstanding project in its own right.

“We’re incredibly proud to be taking away the prestigious Judges’ Award at this year’s Scottish Green Energy Awards. To be nominated among our peers is honour itself so we are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the grand prix. It’s recognition of the excellent work of the team to both deliver and now operate Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm.”

More than 1200 guests attended the ceremony in Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Thirteen winners received trophies recognising their work in Scotland’s renewable energy sector, which employs 17,700 people. Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, which organises the awards, said: “Once again, the Scottish Green Energy Awards showcase the truly incredible innovation, drive and passion of those working within our industry.

“The diverse range of projects shortlisted highlights the phenomenal skillset of our industry – one which continues to push the boundaries of innovation, maintaining Scotland’s place as a world leader in renewable energy.

“The commitment, knowledge and hard work of those within the industry is making a significant positive impact on Scotland’s economy as we continue to mitigate carbon emissions and work towards achieving net zero by 2045.

“The Scottish Green Energy Awards is the perfect place to come together to celebrate the achievements of our industry and the inspirational people and organisations within it. My congratulations go to all nominees, and of course the winners.”

The 2019 Scottish Green Energy Awards were headline-sponsored by EDF Renewables.

EDF Renewables’ CEO Matthieu Hue said: “This year’s awards have been the biggest and best we have seen so far and I would like to congratulate all the very worthy winners. It is clear to me that together as an industry we are a force for good, working as hard as we can to decarbonise our sector.

“We focus on building great projects as well as making the most of existing renewables and are always looking at new and better ways to make a difference.”

The successful organisations and individuals were selected by a panel of 12 judges from a shortlist of 44.

Full list of winners:

• Young and Inspiring Award, sponsored by WSP: Ethan Glencross, Renewable Parts
• Best Practice Award, sponsored by Natural Power: Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks for biodiversity net gain approach and site optioneering toolkit
• Best Engagement Award, sponsored by Xodus Group: Fife Council for Glenrothes Energy Network
• Best Innovation Award, sponsored by Red Rock Power Ltd: Pict Offshore for the Get up Safe system
• Contribution to Skills Award, sponsored by Scottish Government (Scottish National Investment Bank): ESP for Wind and Marine Training Network
• Sustainable Development Award, sponsored by ABB: Aberdeen City Council for hydrogen strategy
• Champion of Renewables Award, sponsored by National Grid ESO: Dave Pearson, Star Renewable Energy
• Best Community Project Award, sponsored by SSE Renewables: Canna Renewable Energy and Electrification Limited for the CREE Project, Isle of Canna
• Carbon Reduction Award, sponsored by SmartestEnergy: Balfour Beatty, Dundee City Council and ESB for Caird Park Low Carbon District Energy Hub
• Outstanding Service Award, sponsored by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group: Green Marine
• Outstanding Project Award, sponsored by Innogy Renewables UK Ltd: SP Energy Networks for Green Economy Fund
• Judges’ Award: Beatrice offshore wind farm
• Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise: Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Scotland’s minister for energy, connectivity and the islands

A quick roundup of news and blog posts from around the web from members of the Chamber:

Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group – AREG Sets Up ‘Investing in the Future’ Event

The Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) is hosting its final event of the year at the Carmelite Hotel on Wednesday 11th December.

BBM Solicitors – Delighted to be back at Zimbali to speak at the SARIPA Annual Conference

Eric Baijal of BBM Solicitors shares an update on his recent visit to the SARIPA Annual Conference.

Caithness Voluntary Group – Attention all groups supporting young volunteers

CVG are appealing to young people currently registered for the Saltire Award or organisations with young volunteers to come forward and claim their volunteering hours.

Caithness Voluntary Group – Free trees for schools and community groups

To find out more about free tree packs visit the Woodland Trust website.

Caithness Voluntary Group – Volunteer opportunity with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service

An exciting opportunity for adult volunteer youth instructors based in Wick Fire Station.

Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd – The work being carried out to preserve the history of Dounreay

Information on the work being carried out to provide a lasting legacy of Dounreay’s history and how to donate items to the historic collection.

Dunnet Bay Distillers – Festive Party Evenings & Festive Tours in December

Details of festive party evenings and festive tours at the Dunnet Bay Distillery.

Highland Council – Be Scam Aware

Highland Council Trading Standards are asking members of the public to be on their guard as the latest attempt to scam people has been reported.

Highland Council – Glowing report for Council’s Apprenticeship Programme

The Highland Council Modern Apprenticeship Programme recently achieved a top grading following a three-day Quality Assurance Assessment from Skills Development Scotland.

Highland Council – Highland Council has most successful night ever at Scottish planning awards

Highland Council enjoyed its most successful night at the SAQP (Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning) held recently.

Highland Council – Introduction of Dynamic Purchasing System for future transport procurement

In Spring 2020 the Council intends to introduce a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for any new procurements of public and school transport contracts. This will be advertised for expressions of interest in January.

Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd – ATC Dispute: Ballot on HIAL’s offer

HIAL can confirm that a revised offer has been presented to Prospect to resolve the long running air traffic control industrial dispute.

Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd – New members appointed to HIAL Board

Public Appointments Scotland has today (Thursday 28 November) announced the appointment of Eric Hollanders; Christopher Holliday; Loraine Strachan and Isabel Todenhoefer as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL).

Mackays Hotel – Malt of the Month: Glenkinchie’s 10-Year-Old

For December, the Mackays Hotel team highlight the Glenkinchie 10-Year-Old malt.

MeyGen – The MeyGen Tidal Power Project: Episode 1

Morson Projects – Morson Projects Celebrates 40 Years!

On the 22nd November 2019, Morson Projects celebrated its 40th birthday with a Morson Projects & Waldeck Management Conference and a 1979 themed party.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – New study points to rapid growth of electric vehicles and low carbon technology in the north of Scotland

Northern Scotland’s roads could see 116 times the number of electric vehicles by 2032, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – ‘Ready together, whatever the weather’: SSEN encourages its customers to prepare for winter

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is encouraging its customers to prepare for the colder months ahead and the potential for extreme winter weather to cause disruption to electricity supplies.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – Resilience funding supports Scottish communities this winter

Funding from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) will help communities across the north of Scotland build their resilience, tackle issues of vulnerability and prepare for winter storms.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – SSE signs Armed Forces Covenant

Major employer SSE has demonstrated a commitment to supporting serving and ex-services personnel as it signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

SSE and Armed Service Covenant Signing from SSE Plc on Vimeo

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – SSEN secures multimillion-pound award to support low-carbon network resilience

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has secured over £9.5 million of funding from Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition (NIC), to deliver a project supporting low-carbon solutions for maintaining network resilience.

Scrabster Harbour Trust – Weekly Update 22 November 2019 & 29 November 2019

All the latest from Scrabster Harbour Trust.

Strathnaver Museum – Museum Designer Wanted

Strathnaver Museum is seeking an exhibition designer to produce design proposals for the museum as part of our wider refurbishment project.

Wick Harbour Authority – Harbour News November 2019

All the latest from Wick Harbour Authority, with news of developments including new energy-efficient lighting, harbour improvements, Beatrice Offshore Windfarm and the High Water Protection Gate.

This is just a short roundup of stories we’ve spotted over the past two weeks. We are always keen to promote good news and events on our members’ behalf, so contact us today if you’ve got something to share!

A quick roundup of news and blog posts from around the web from members of the Chamber:

Caithness Broch Project – Caithness broch conservation boost after funding put in place

A charity promoting the archaeological landscape of Caithness has been awarded £180,000 towards the conservation of an important Iron Age broch.

Caithness Voluntary Group – Wick Regeneration: Super Saturday Session

Is your business or community group interested in premises within Wick town centre? Pop along to an open day at the old Woolworth’s building (84-86 High Street Wick) on Saturday 23rd November between 11am & 2pm to see inside the space and to express your initial interest.

Caithness Voluntary Group – Win A Website Competition

SPP media Group is giving away a website worth £2,000 to a registered charity or a community organisation to help them on their digital journey.

Care & Learning Alliance – New Highland Council safety bulletin

Highland Council has released a safety bulletin on the use of socket covers which replaces the use of socket covers originally issued in 2016.

Highland Council – Can You Help Develop a Highland-wide Food Growing Strategy?

The Highland Council is currently in the process of developing a Food Growing Strategy for the Highlands, and is making a call to green-fingered Highland residents with an interest in “growing your own food.”

Highland Council – Your vote’s journey in Highland: General Election 2019

Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd – ATC INDUSTRIAL ACTION UPDATE: Work to rule suspended

HIAL are pleased to advise that our talks to resolve the current Air Traffic Control dispute have progressed and Prospect will put a revised offer to their membership.

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust – Local school pupils relish in opportunity to contribute to new Kyle of Sutherland magazine

Local youngsters in the north have been offered an exciting insight into the world of journalism through the launch of a new community magazine.

Macleod & MacCallum – Trainee Solicitor in Zambia on African Impact Project

Trainee Solicitor Gemma J shares her African Impact Project in Zambia

Mackays Hotel – St Andrew’s Day Celebrations

The Mackays Hotel team share some history and traditions around St. Andrew’s Day

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority – Integrated Innovation in Nuclear Decommissioning competition: showcase event

Scrabster Harbour Trust – Weekly Update 15 November 2019

All the latest from Scrabster Harbour Trust.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – Hydro Trust offers financial support for new electricity connections

The Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust is inviting applications for financial support to connect to the electricity network in the north of Scotland.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – Offshore wind stands ready to deliver

An update from SSE on offshore wind week and their projects across the UK.

Strathnaver Museum – Clan Mackay Society: Historian (Seanachaidh) required

The Clan Mackay Society is looking to recruit an Historian (or Seanachaidh) to its Council.

This is just a short roundup of stories we’ve spotted over the past week. We are always keen to promote good news and events on our members’ behalf, so contact us today if you’ve got something to share!

See an online copy of the latest Executive Magazine which is published monthly. The November edition includes our quarterly newsletter which is bursting at the seems with information from our members.

We submit information from members for inclusion within the magazine on a first come, first served basis. Members can submit to us, a short editorial piece and one print quality image for free of charge inclusion on a quarterly basis. This opportunity is usually very popular so if you’ve got something you’d like to circulate, please just get in touch.

A quick roundup of news and blog posts from around the web from members of the Chamber:

Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group – From Granite City to a global hub for hydrogen

With the largest fleet of hydrogen buses in Europe and the UK’s first integrated hydrogen generation and bus refuelling station, Aberdeen is at the forefront of several exciting hydrogen projects.

BAM Nuttall – I am a BAM apprentice

Caithness Voluntary Group – The Turtleton Charitable Trust

The Turtleton Charitable Trust makes grants to charities which work in advancement of arts, culture and heritage and support the disadvantaged and the advancement of education.

Dunnet Bay Distillers – #RockRoseFriday 2019

Dunnet Bay Distillers are offering at least 20 customers a chance to get a range of bonuses, from additional gifts to free orders on the third #RockRoseFriday, 29 November 2019.

Highland Council – Game on! Competition for pupils across Northern Alliance launches

Primary school pupils from across the Northern Alliance – from Shetland, Aberdeen and Highland, right across to Argyll and Bute – are to benefit from the opportunity to take part in a competition to create a game using coding software, SCRATCH.

Highland Council – Highland town centres given a welcome boost

Over £2.3 million pounds of investment is set to benefit town centres across the Highlands with 30 transformational projects about to get underway to stimulate economic investment and to help towns diversify and flourish.

Highland Council – Highland Visitor Levy Consultation generates huge response

The Convener of The Highland Council has expressed his thanks to everyone who contributed to the Council’s recent visitor levy consultation which attracted more than 6,500 responses.

North Lands Creative – Job Opportunity: Community Design House Project Coordinator

North Lands Creative (NLC) with support from European Social Fund ‘Aspiring Communities Fund’ Stage 2 is looking for a Project Coordinator to support their ‘Community Design House’ project which is designed to engage with the community in Caithness.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority – Celebrating World Digital Preservation Day

An update from the NDA and the Digital Preservation Coalition on the work they’ve been doing to preserve digital records.

Restore Document Management – Restore RootsTech Exhibition

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SSE) – SSEN Pentland Firth cable replacement on track

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) continues to make good progress with its project to replace of one of the two subsea electricity distribution cables that connect Orkney to mainland Scotland, with the completion of a marine survey of the proposed route.

SNC-Lavalin (Atkins) – UK Government and industry champion new compact nuclear power station

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has confirmed it has provided initial match funding to the consortium of companies, including Atkins, designing a new type of nuclear power station in the UK.

Wick Harbour Authority – November 12 2019

A roundup of photos from around Wick Harbour.

This is just a short roundup of stories we’ve spotted over the past week. We are always keen to promote good news and events on our members’ behalf, so contact us today if you’ve got something to share!

A sympathetic redevelopment at Thurso harbour and a town community hub are two of the projects being explored as part of plans to drive Thurso forward. The initiatives are contained in Thurso Community Development Trust’s newly launched five-year strategic plan and the much-anticipated Tourism Development Plan for Thurso.

Both documents are the result of the community-led development and consultation the trust has been carrying out in Thurso over the 20 months since its formation. Board members are confident that while the plans are ambitious they are not “impossible to deliver” if the community gets on board. Trust chairperson Helen Allan said that “a significant body of work has been achieved here in Thurso”. She explained: “We started last year with widespread consultation which gained close to 1200 responses and have continued throughout the past year having a deeper look at issues in tourism and finding the quieter voices in the community to give us their views. “The result is a setting of the direction for the trust for the next five years and onwards.”

Tourism has been the focus of Thurso tourism development officer Scott Mclean. The development plan is the result of his year-long contract with the trust and identifies wellness and slow tourism as key areas to develop in the town, along with identifying key sites such as Thurso harbour that are seen as assets for the town as a destination.

Carol Paterson, the trust’s treasurer and a board member, added: “We are very thankful to the members of the community and local tourism industry who have attended consultations and workshops and given their views to shape the plan, and even more thankful to Scott for pulling that altogether. “The project has given us the bones to work from and it is up to us now as a community to flesh out the plan.”

The strategic plan sets the direction of the schemes the trust aims to concentrate on for the next five years and contains priority projects such as continuing to develop the successful Climate Challenge Fund project Thurso Grows, investigating the feasibility for a community hub and, under tourism, exploring options for sympathetic redevelopment at Thurso harbour, as well as working in partnership to regenerate Thurso town centre and create events and activities that celebrate the area’s culture and identity.

Ms Allan explained: “Both the strategic plan and tourism development plan are ambitious for the future of Thurso but not impossible to deliver with dedication, skills and hard work for the Thurso community. “In the 20 months since forming we have already achieved a huge amount of work for the town and that work is beginning to pay dividends. We are determined to remain this ambitious for Thurso and do the work needed to see it thrive.” “If we can do this much in just over one year, what can we achieve in five years? The future for Thurso as determined and developed for the people of Thurso is within reach.”

Copies of both plans can be viewed on Thurso Community Development Trust website – and members of the public are welcome to submit comments directly to the trust which will be incorporated into future versions.

Source: John O Groat Journal