Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee will take place in Wick Town Hall, Bridge Street, Wick KW1 4AJ, on Tuesday, 9 December 2014, at 10.30 a.m.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Depute Chief Executive/
Director of Corporate Development

1.Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. North West Highlands Geopark
Geo-phàirc na Gàidhealtachd an Iar-Thuath 

There is circulated Report No. CS/43/14 dated 24 November 2014 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which considers recent progress made in the North West Highlands Geopark, including the award of Scottish Government funding to assist the Geopark attain financial sustainability. The report also summarises progress made since the funding was awarded.

The Committee is invited to agree continued Member support for the promotion and understanding of the North West Highlands Geopark.

4. Countryside Ranger Role
Dreuchd agus Taisbeanadh nam Maor-dùthcha 

There is circulated Report No. CS/44/14 dated 25 November 2014 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which summarises the events programme delivered by the Council’s Countryside Rangers during 2014/15 and the resources allocated to the activities. The report also presents the activities proposed within Caithness and Sutherland for the financial year 2015/16.
The Committee is invited to consider and approve the proposed priorities and activities programme for the 2015-16 financial year.

5. Landfill Communities Fund 
Maoin Choimhearsnachdan Tiodhlacaidh Sgudail
 
There is circulated Report No. CS/45/14 dated 21 November 2014 by the Director of Community Services on an application to the Highland Council Landfill Communities Fund.

The Committee is invited to approve the application as detailed in the Appendix to the report.

6. Housing Performance Report 
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No. CS/46/14 dated 13 November 2014 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to the Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during the period 1 April to 30 September 2014.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April to 30 September 2014.

7.Wick High School Associated School Group Overview 
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidhnean Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Inbhir Ùige

There is circulated Report No. CS/47/14 dated 26 November 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Wick High School Associated School Group (ASG) and provides useful links to further information in relation to this school.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

8.Education Scotland Reports 
Aithisgean Foghlam Alba

There is circulated Report No. CS/48/14 dated 26 November 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides details of Education Scotland’s inspections in the area during the period 22 August 2014 to 30 November 2014, for Members’ scrutiny and monitoring.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and monitor the Education Scotland reports through this report.

9.Naming of New Council Offices, Wick 
Ainmeachadh Oifisean Ùra Comhairle, Inbhir Ùige

There is circulated Report No. CS/49/14 dated 20 November 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform which asks the Committee to homologate the naming of the new Council Offices in Market Place, Wick.

The Committee is asked to homologate the naming of the new offices in Wick as “Caithness House”.

10. Dornoch Common Good – Audited Accounts (2013/14) and Quarterly Monitoring Report, 30 September 2014 
Maoin Math Choitcheann Dhòrnaich – Cunntasan Sgrùdaichte (2013/14)
agus Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ràitheil, 30 Sultain 2014

There is circulated Report No. CS/50/14 dated 24 November 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform which requests Members to note the adjusted Audited Accounts for Dornoch Common Good for the Financial Year 2013/14 and to note the status of the Dornoch Common Good Fund at 30 September 2014.

The Committee is invited to note the Audited Dornoch Common Good accounts for Financial Year 2013/14 and to note the position of the Dornoch Common Good Fund at 30 September 2014.

11.Dornoch Common Good– Application for Funding – ‘Discover Dornoch’
Maoin Maith Choitchinn Dhòrnaich – Iarrtas airson Maoineachadh
– ‘Discover Dornoch’ 

There is circulated Report No. CS/51/14 dated 25 November 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform which outlines an application to Dornoch Common Good Fund by Dornoch Area Community Interest Company for £15,000 for the Discover Dornoch project.
The Committee is invited to grant £15,000 from Dornoch Common Good Fund to Dornoch Area Community Interest Company as a contribution towards the costs of the Discover Dornoch project.

12. Minutes  
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee held on 23 September 2014, which were approved by the Council on 30 October 2014.