Dores and Essich Community

News

Snow Pushers

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At our latest community council meeting Gavin asked that I put out a reminder that he has 3 snow pushers to aid clearing paths in front of your house should we get any heavy snow. The salt bins will be filled soon if not already, hopefully we get a mild winter and they are not needed !

Fair Delivery Charges Campaign Survey

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Dear Community Councils,

Citizens Advice Scotland is currently running a Fair Delivery Charges campaign with the support of the Scottish Government.

Consumers in the Highlands continue to face unfair parcel surcharging. We have found that consumers living in affected areas pay on average 30-50% more for receiving items bought online than in the rest of mainland UK. The Highlands and Islands are particularly affected.

To the end of March 2021, Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau will support this campaign, raising awareness of the detriment caused to local people by delivery surcharging and lack of transparency around the use of surcharges.  

We also want to promote engagement with the Scottish Government’s ‘Fairer Deliveries for All’ map tool: https://fairdeliveries.scot/explore-your-postcode. Towards the end of January, we will survey local people’s experiences of delivery charges.

We would appreciate it if you could support this Campaign, highlighting our concerns and by following, liking and re-tweeting our campaign messages on our Facebook and twitter accounts.

We would also be pleased for you to direct any residents who are experiencing surcharging problems to our services.

Kind Regards

Mike Youatt

Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau 

29 Union Street

Inverness

IV1 1QA

Latest Update from Highland Council

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  1. How to get support from The Highland Council

The Highland Council is reminding the public there is still a full range of support and information available. 

Access into all service point buildings continues to be currently restricted for people to complete birth registrations and other high priority registrations by appointment only, and following all current social distancing and hygiene guidance.

Contact can be made on the following numbers Monday to Friday 0800 to 1700 unless otherwise stated:

  • COVID-19 Freephone Helpline – 0300 303 1362
  • Council house repairs, pest control, housing applications and rent enquiries – 01349 886602
  • Planning and Building Standards – 9am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday – 01349 886608 – Monday emaileplanning@highland.gov.uk
  • Roads, flooding and street lighting – Emergency reports only – 01349 886601
  • Domestic and commercial waste issues – 01349 886603
  • Garden waste – 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday – 01349 886660
  • Make a payment by debit or credit card – 01349 886605
  • Elections helpline – 01349 886657
  • Entitlement (Blue Badge, travel and National Entitlement Cards) – 9am and 3pm Tuesday to Thursday – 01349 886604
  • Social Work Childrens Services – 01463 644460
  • Social Work Out of Hours Team – 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday – 08457 697284. Open all day on weekends and public holidays.
  • Help with claiming benefits, keeping up with bills and council tax – 0800 090 1004
  • Help available to reduce business rates – 01463 702894
  • Advice for Business – 01463 713889

Or by email for:

  1. Covid-19 Self-Isolation Support Grants

The Highland Council has published new information on the Coronavirus Covid-19 button on the front page of its website on how people can access the new Covid-19 Self-Isolation Support Grant – https://www.highland.gov.uk/coronavirus.

If you have been asked by NHS Test and Protect Service to self-isolate on or after 28th September 2020, you may be entitled to a £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant. Full eligibility details are outlined on the Highland Council website. Anyone wishing to apply should contact the Council’s Welfare Support Team on 0800 090 1004. 

Welcoming this funding aimed at supporting the most vulnerable, the Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: “We are all aware of the many challenges people are facing so I am sure knowing this new and non-repayable self-isolation support grant is available, will give some reassurance and help relieve some of the stress and financial concerns people asked to isolate will have.”

  1. Public Health Scotland COVID Dashboard

Public Health Scotland now publishes a daily dashboard of information associated with the virus.  This databoard contains information about the virus within each local area including by NHS Board and Local Authority area.  There is also 7 day average information by neighbourhood and trend and demographic data.  This information can be accessed at the following link and a guide to using this resource is attached. www.publichealthscotland.scot/our-areas-of-work/sharing-our-data-and-intelligence/coronavirus-covid-19-data-and-guidance/

Halloween Night Treasure Hunt

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Aldourie PS is organising a Halloween night Treasure Hunt for children up to the age of 16 around the village. This would take place on Saturday 31st Oct between 6.00pm and 8.30pm.

The plan is that children would hunt for Halloween pictures and letters around the village anywhere between LochNess View and Strath Gardens, Dores. They will look for the letters in any order and then rearrange them to make a Halloween related word or phrase. Younger children will hunt for pictures and tick them off on a sheet. The letters/pictures will be hunted for in any order. The idea is that if residents, wish they can watch out for the children passing by all dressed up without having children come into their homes. Thus keeping everyone safe during these strange times. Yet everyone enjoys the fun of Halloween.

At the end of the hunt, all children will gather at the fenced play park up at Torr Gardens to receive a Halloween bag of treats which has been kindly funded by the Dores Community Development Trust.

To help this event run, we are asking if residents would be able to display a picture/ letter in their front windows/door or gate for the children to find. If you would be happy to display one of these pictures for us could you please phone Aldourie PS on 01463 751272 or email louise.robertson@highland.gov.uk or Jennifer.Fraser4@highland.gov.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you and appreciate you support with this fun activity which will break up the start of the long, dark winter nights.

Keep safe

Kind regards

Louise

Mrs Louise Robertson

Cluster Headteacher Aldourie and Foyers PS

Aldourie PS                                       Foyers PS                                        

Aldourie                                            Foyers

IV2 6DP                                             IV2 6XU

Tel: 01463 751272                         Tel: 01456 486612

Mob: 07734469367                       Mob: 07734469367