Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place in Wick Town Hall, Bridge Street, Wick, KW1 4AJ on Monday 25 April 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. Appointment of Chair of Caithness Committee
Suidheachadh de Chathraiche de Chomataidh Ghallaibh

Nominations are invited for the post of Chair of the Caithness Committee.

4. Fire and Rescue Service – Area Performance Summary                   
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn - Geàrr-chunntas Dèanadais Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No CC/07/16 dated 15 April 2016 by the Local Senior Officer which provides an update to the Caithness Committee Members on progress against the priorities outlined in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Committee Plan for Caithness and Sutherland 2015-2016. The report also contains previously agreed information and performance as requested by Area Committees.
The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise the attached Area Performance Report.

5. Deprived Area Funds 2016-17                                                             
Maoin Sgìre Bhochd

There is circulated Report No CC/08/16 dated 15 April 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which sets out proposals for allocation of the Deprived Area Funds for 2016-17. It sets out the background to the Fund, together with a summary of proposals, the assessments and recommendations. A statement is also included summarising the outturn of the 2015-16 funding.
The Committee is invited to:

i. approve funding from DAF 2016-17 to:

• Pulteneytown People’s Project - £48,840
• Ormlie Community Association - £13,000

ii. invite applications for the balance of the fund (£38,160) by 31 May   2016; and
iii. delegate authority to the Director of Development and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Chair of the Caithness Committee, to make decisions, if required, on the allocation of the remaining Deprived Area Fund 2016/17 ahead of the August 2016 Caithness Committee.

6. Maintenance Programme for Roads and Bridges                             
Prògram Càradh Rathaidean Ionadail Ghallaibh

There is circulated Report No CC/09/16 dated 13 April 2016 by the Director of Community Services in connection with the Maintenance Programmes for Roads and Bridges for the Caithness Area for 2016/17.
The Committee is invited to approve the Maintenance Programmes for Roads and Bridges for the Caithness Area for 2016/17.

7. Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund                                          
Sgeama Thabhartasan Coimhearsnachd Càrboin CIALLAICH

There is circulated Report No CC/10/16 dated 22 March 2016 by the Head of Policy and Reform which sets out an application received for the Carbon CLEVER community grant fund in Caithness for 2015-16  which has been approved by Local Members and is presented for homologation.
The Committee is invited to homolgate the decision to fund the application as follows:-

Ref. No:12149

Applicant Organisation:  Harbour Mission Baptist Church 

Recommended Award:£13,494.65

8. Housing Performance Report - 1 April 2015 to 31 December 2015  
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2015 gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2015                                                                                    

There is circulated Report No CC/11/16 by the Director of Community Services which provides information on how the Housing Section performed in relation to Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators up to 31 December 2015.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2015 to 31 December 2015.

9. Minutes                                                                                                  
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 13 January 2016, which were approved by the Council on 10 March 2016.