Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Thursday 22 April 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 21 January 2021 and 19 February 2021, which were approved by the Council on 25 March 2021.
 
4. Matters Arising – Action Tracker                                                       
Gnothaichean Ag Èirigh – Tracair Ghnìomhan

5. Caithness Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Board
Biùro Comhairleachaidh Pobaill Ghallaibh – Bòrd

The Committee is asked to appoint 1 Member to serve as a Director of Caithness Citizens’ Advice Bureau as a replacement for Councillor Donnie Mackay who was approved as a Director of Caithness Citizen’s Advice Bureau by the Caithness Committee on 16 June 2017 and has now stepped down..  
  
6. Scottish Fire and Rescue Local Performance Report                     
Aithisg Dèanadais Sgìreil Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba     

There is circulated Report No CC/08/21 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.

The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise the attached Area Performance Report.  
  
7. Joint use of Thurso and North West Caithness (Ward 2) and Wick and  East Caithness (Ward 3) Covid Response Funds
Co-chleachdadh Mhaointean Freagairt Covid Inbhir Theòrsa is Ghallaibh an Iar-Thuath (Uàrd 2) agus Inbhir Ùige is Ghallaibh an Ear (Uàrd 3)
 
There is circulated Report No CC/09/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the:-

i. proposal to allocate £6,000 (£3,000 from each Ward) to assist the 12 local Community Councils (now including Wick and Thurso) who are part of the Village Officer Scheme to apply for up to £500 to assist with their village officers’ duties for 2021/2022; and
ii. the proposal to allocate £6,000 (£3,000 from each Ward) to assist local Christmas Lights Groups with repairs to lights damaged due to prolonged exposure to the elements. A maximum of £1,500 for Wick and Thurso and £300 for other identified groups. Closing date for applications to be 30 June 2021

8. Thurso Associated School Group Overview                                                                                    
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Inbhir Theòrsa                                                                                                                                                

There will follow Report/Verbal Update by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
  
9. Additional Support Needs Provision in Caithness      
Solar Feumalachdan Taice a Bharrachd ann an Gallaibh

There will follow Report/Verbal Update by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
 
10. Road Structural Maintenance 2021/22
Càradh Structar Rathaidean 2021/22

There is circulated Report No CC/12/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed prioritised 2021/22 Roads Maintenance Programme for Caithness Area. 
  
11. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021       
Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2020 gu 31 Màrt 2021
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            There is circulated Report No CC/13/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. 
  
12. Wick Common Good Asset Register
Clàr So-mhaoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ùige

There is circulated Report No CC/14/21 by the Executive Chief Officer Community & Places and Executive Chief Officer Finance & Resources.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the contents of the Asset Register in the format for publication (Appendix 1);
ii. note the content of the document titled “Wick Common Good property consultation representations and responses” (Appendix 2);
iii. agree to the publication of the Common Good Asset register for Wick;
iv. agree to the reclassification of the property included in the Register and to the creation of a Common Good Fund for Wick;
v. note that Wick Common Good property will continue to be maintained by Highland Council until such time as an income source is identified to sustain Wick Common Good assets; and
vi. note that the creation of a Wick Common Good Fund, and it’s financial position, will be reported to the next meeting of Highland Council under the minutes of this meeting given that all Highland Councillors are custodians of Common Good Funds across Highland.
  
13. Highland Coastal Communities Fund – Assessment of Applications
Maoin Choimhearsnachdan Cladaich na Gàidhealtachd –  Measadh Iarrtasan

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree to ring-fence approximately £100k for member-led strategic investments to benefit the Caithness economy and secure match funding with local stakeholders. Further details of this investment to be brought back to Area Committee;
ii. consider all applications presented for funding and agree whether to approve, defer or reject the application.  An approval of funding should detail the amount approved and outline any conditions of funding that Members wish to attach to the approval over and above the required technical conditions.  A deferral would allow an applicant to resubmit the current application at a future date with updated information.  A rejection would mean that the application will not proceed and any future application to the fund should be brought forward initially as a new expression of interest. 
iii. agree which applications should receive a funding award from HCCF up to the value of the available area allocation