Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Thursday 21 January 2021 at 10.00am.

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

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

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. Minutes                                                                 
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 22 October 2020 and 11 December 2020, which were approved by the Council on 29 October 2020 and 7 January 2021 respectively.
  
4. Matters Arising – Action Tracker                                                       
Gnothaichean Ag Èirigh 
  
5. Police – Area Performance Summary                                                
Poileas – Geàrr-chunntas air Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No CC/01/20 dated 30 December 2020 by the North Area Commander.

The Committee is invited to note progress made against the objectives set within the Highland and Islands Local Policing Plan 2020 – 23 Year 1, attached as Annex A to this report, for the period covering 1 April 2020 – 30 November 2020. 
  
6. Wick Area School Group Overview
Foir-shealladh Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Sgìre Inbhir Ùige

There is circulated Report No CC/02/21 dated 22 December 2020 by the Executive Chief Officer Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the report. 
  
7. Town Centre Fund
Maoin Meadhan a’ Bhaile

There will follow Report No CC/03/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment. 
  
8. Covid-19 Response Update: Caithness Voluntary Group / Caithness Community Partnership
Fios às Ùr mu Fhreagairt Covid-19: Buidheann Saor-thoileach Ghallaibh

There will be a verbal update by Mr Allan Tait, Senior Development Officer and Mr Eann Sinclair, Chair of Caithness Community Partnership. 
  
9. Wick: Pulteneytown Conservation Area: Appraisal and Management Plan
Inbhir Ùige: Sgìre Glèidhteachais Pulteneytown: Measadh is Plana Stiùiridh

There is circulated separately in Booklet A Report No CC/04/21 dated 7 December 2020 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. Consider the content and findings of the Wick: Pulteneytown Conservation Area Appraisal (CAA);
ii. Consider the content, findings and recommendations of the Wick: Pulteneytown Conservation Area Management Plan (CAMP); and
iii. Approve both the CAA and CAMP for a minimum six-week public consultation. 
  
10. Wick and Thurso Active Travel Plans
Planaichean Siubhal Gnìomhach Inbhir Ùige is Inbhir Theòrsa

There is circulated Report No CC/05/21 dated 15 December 2020 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the contents of the report, in particular the recent policies that identify walking, wheeling and cycling at the top of the sustainable transport hierarchy;
ii. approve the use of the Wick and Thurso Active Travel Masterplans as material consideration when dealing with development proposals and as supporting documents for funding bids; and
iii. agree to delegate authority to the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment to liaise with other bodies, including Transport Scotland, with a view to identifying funding opportunities and a delivery programme to target early improvements across the Wick and Thurso active travel network. 
  
11. Caithness Horizons Update
Fios às Ùr mu Horizons Ghallaibh

There is circulated Report No CC/06/21 dated 11 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note the:-

i. positive progress made regarding building and other preparatory works to support the re-opening of Caithness Horizons, Thurso; and
ii. ongoing support from Highland Council, High Life Highland and Dounreay Site Restoration Limited, on a partnership basis, with the intent to re-open the facility as soon as circumstances under the current Covid 19 pandemic and lockdown allow.