Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Monday 20 May 2024 at 10.00am.

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

This meeting will be recorded and uploaded to the Council’s YouTube channel.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser

Head of Legal and Governance

1. Apologies for Absence

Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement 

Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/Aithris Fhollaiseachd

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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  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 29 January 2024 which were approved by the Council on 14 March 2024.

4. North Coast Visitor Centre Update

Cunntas mu Ionad Luchd-Tadhail a’ Costa a Tuath

There is circulated Report No CC/06/24 by the Director of Culture and Learning, High Life Highland

The Committee is invited to note the:

i. current position with regards to finance and performance;

ii. progress that has been made in terms of partnership and programming;

iii. challenges in terms of the current operating model;

iv. funding is in place as per the initial three-year agreement until November 2024; and

v. discussions are underway between partners to consider options for the future of the facility.

5. Wick Associated School Group Attainment Overview

Foir-shealladh air Buileachadh Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Inbhir Ùige

There is circulated Report No CC/07/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - People.

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

6. Community Regeneration Fund Assessment of Deferred Applications

Measadh air Iarrtasan Dàilichte airson na Maoin Ath-bheòthachaidh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No CC/08/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place. 

The Committee is invited to:

i. consider the deferred applications presented 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 or for the project to be approved subject to further funding becoming available.  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; and

ii. agree the approved CRF grant award for each application up to the value of the available area allocation.

7. Community Regeneration Fund - Assessment of Application from Ringfenced Funding

Maoin Ath-bheòthachaidh Coimhearsnachd – Measadh air Iarrtas airson Maoineachadh air Fheansadh Dheth

There will follow Report No CC/09/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

8. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 

Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2023 gu 31 Màrt 2024

There is circulated Report No CC/10/24 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 2023 to 31 March 2024.

9. Wick Common Good fund – Consultation on proposal to dispose by ribbon leases of small parcels of Common Good land at Riverside Park (south of River Wick)

Maoin Math Coiteachann Inbhir Ùige – Co-chomhairleachadh mun mholadh faighinn cuidhteas, tro mhàil ribeanan, de phìosan beaga fearainn leis a’ Mhaoin Choitchinn aig Pàirc Taobh na h-Aibhne (deas air Abhainn Inbhir Ùige)

There is circulated Report No CC/11/24 by Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place and Acting Executive Chief Officer Performance & Governance.

The Committee is invited to:

i. note the outcome of the consultation process undertaken as contained in the analysis at Appendix 1.

ii. approve the responses to the representations received within the consultation period for publication on the Council’s website as contained in the document at Appendix 2. 

iii. note the possibility that as some of the future lease arrangements may exceed 10% of the full value of Wick Common Good fund, governance provisions require it must be referred to a meeting of full Council for a decision.

iv. consider and balance the representations received together with the responsibilities for the Wick Common Good fund.

v. following consideration of the representations received and the best interests of Wick Common Good fund:

a) agree to recommendation to full Council that the proposal should go ahead (see paragraph 6.3).

b) note that, if approval is recommended, it will be necessary to seek Sheriff Court consent because the area of land is classed as inalienable.

10. Ward Discretionary Awards

Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird 

Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024

The Committee is asked to note that the following Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 1 April 2023: 

Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum £500.00

Thurso Community Benefit Society – Socially Growing Project £2,500.00

Thurso Football Academy – Professional Coaching Event £1,500.00

Sidhchailleannart – Legends of Caithness £675.00

Feis Ghallaidh/Caithness Feis – Traditional Music Workshops £1,250.00

Pennyland Primary School – Pennyland Wellbeing 60 £580.00

Association of Caithness Community Councils – Village Officer Fund £1,876.50

RBLS Thurso Branch – Poppy Wreath £70.00

Vikki Mackay School of Dance – 1st Annual Easter Festival £500

CastleTown Youth Club – Community Sharing Shed £1800

Caithness Voluntary Groups – Befriending Green Health Walks £250

Thurso Festive Lights – Christmas Tree Support Improvements £1500

Dwarwick Pier Association – Picnic Area £2000

Total £15,001.50

Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024

The Committee is asked to note that the following Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 1 April 2023: 

Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum £500.00

Dunbeath and District Centre – Back Office Support £2,500.00

Pentland Parish Church of Scotland – Flower Festival £800.00

Sidhchailleannart – Legends of Caithness £675.00

Highlife Highland – Schools Out 2023 £630.00

Feis Ghallaidh/Caithness Feis – Traditional Music Workshops £1,250.00

Association of Caithness Community Councils – Village Officer Fund £1,876.50

RBLS Wick, Canisbay and Latheron Branch – Poppy Wreath £120.00

Wick Development Trust – Campsite Toilet Block £4800.00

Highlife Highland – Where We Live Street Arts £200.00

Caithness Voluntary Groups – Befriending Green Health Walks £250.00

Dunbeath & District Centre – Emergency Status – Community Resilience £2450.00

Total £16,051.50