Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place in Wick Town Hall, Bridge Street, Wick, KW1 4AJ on Wednesday 31 August 2016 at 10.30am.

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. Caithness Civic Leader                                                                             
Cur Ceannard Catharra an Dreuchd

There is circulated Report No CC/12/16 by the Ward Manager which advises that Councillor Gail Ross, the current Civic Leader for Caithness, has tendered her resignation. 
The Committee is invited to appoint a Civic Leader for Caithness.

4. Caithness and North Sutherland Fund  
Maoin Ghallaibh agus Chataibh a Tuath

The Committee is advised that three Members were appointed to the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund by the Council on 28 June 2012 (two Members from the Caithness Wards and one Member from the North, West & Central Sutherland Ward). The Caithness Members appointed at that time were Councillor Gail Ross and Councillor John Rosie.  
Councillor Gail Ross has submitted her resignation from this appointment and therefore the Committee is invited to consider and recommend who her replacement should be on the basis this will then be reported to the full Council meeting on 8 September 2016 for agreement.

5. Developing Local Priorities for Caithness (Caithness Vision)
Prìomhachasan Sgìreil                                                                              
 
There is circulated Report No CC/13/16 dated 28 July 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the
local strategic priorities for Caithness.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree these as the priorities for Caithness.
 
The Leader of the Council will be in attendance at the meeting to discuss with the Committee their key issues and whether the Administration could help 
progress these issues.
 
The Leader would also like to hear from the Committee on their strategic priorities for the Caithness Area in order to allow these to sit alongside the
priorities as listed in Highland First.

6. Taking Forward Community Partnerships                                              
Com-pàirteachasan Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No CC/14/16 dated 19 August 2016 by the Acting Head of Policy which provides Members with an update on the next steps for establishing a community partnership within Caithness.  

The Committee is invited to note the next steps to taking forward local community partnerships within the Caithness Committee area.

7. Presentation - Digital Inclusion                                                                                                                                        
Taisbeanadh mu Chom-pàirteachadh Didseatach

A presentation will be undertaken at the meeting by the Business Change Manager on Digital Inclusion.

8. Police – Area Performance Summary                                                  
Poileas – Geàrr-chunntas air Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No CC/15/16 dated 12 August 2016 by the North Area Commander which provides a local summary update to Committee Members on progress with reference to the local priorities within the Highland 2014-2017 Policing Plan.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and discuss the progress report and updates in relation to the 4 Priorities; Road Safety, Substance Abuse/Misuse, Antisocial Behaviour and Public Protection.

9. Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan                         
Plana Leasachaidh Ionadail Ghallaibh agus Chataibh

There is circulated Report No CC/16/16 dated 22 August 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which presents a summary of issues raised in comments received on the Proposed Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) and seeks approval for the Council’s response to these issues and next steps. In accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, the Committee is asked to consider the report and decide on these matters.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the comments received on the Proposed Plan;
ii.    agree to take the comments of Hitrans into consideration and to ask the Reporter(s) holding the subsequent Examination to likewise consider them;
iii.    consider the issues raised through representations on the Plan and agree the Council position as set out in Appendix A (the ‘Schedule 4s’) and highlighted in Section 3 of the report;
iv.    authorise officers to proceed with the statutory procedures required to progress the Proposed Plan to Examination, including the submission of all Schedule 4s for ‘unresolved issues’ to Scottish Ministers; and
v.    authorise the Director of Development and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Local Committees, to make non-material changes to the Schedule 4s prior to their submission to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals.

10. Associated School Group Overviews                                              
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte
 
There is circulated Report No CC/17/16 dated 19 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Wick Associated School Group (ASG), and provides useful updated links to further information in relation to these schools.
 
The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report.

11. Housing Performance Report - 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016                                                                                                              Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais
 
There is circulated Report No CC/18/16 dated 31 August 2016 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 up to 30 June 2016.
The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.

12. Minutes                                                                                                  
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 25 April 2016, which were approved by the Council on 29 June 2016.