Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Monday 12 August 2024 at 10.00am.

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

Recording Notice: 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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 27 June 2024 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Caithness Committee.    

4. Minutes                             
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 20 May 2024 which were approved by the Council on 27 June 2024.

5. Scottish Fire and Rescue Local Performance Report      
Aithisg Dèanadais Ionadail Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No CC/12/24 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland. 

The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise the attached Area Performance Report.

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

There is circulated Report No CC/13/24 by the North Area Commander.

The Committee is invited to note progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2023-2026 Year 1, attached as Annex A to this report, for the period covering 01 April 2023 – 31 March 2024.

7. Focus North Partnership – Presentation                 
Com-pàirteachas Fòcas a’ Chinn a Tuath – Taisbeanadh 

There will be a short presentation by Peter Faccenda, Focus North Partnership Manager. A paper is circulated in connection with this item.

The Committee is asked to note the presentation

8. Winter Service Plan 2024/25                        
Plana Seirbheis Geamhraidh 2024/25

There is circulated Report No CC/14/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to approve the Winter Service Plan for 2024/25.

9. Bereavement Services – Project Updates                
Seirbheisean Bàis – Cunntas às Ùr mu Phròiseactan

There is circulated Report No CC/15/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the progress of burial ground extensions in the Caithness area; and
ii. the challenges with identifying and developing suitable land for burial ground development

10. Wick Common Good Fund - Invitation to Pay Parking Scheme 
Maoin Math Coiteachann Inbhir Ùige - Sgeama Cuireadh gus Pàigheadh airson Parcadh

There is circulated Report No CC/16/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place
The Committee is invited to agree that the £2501.00 cost incurred by the Council’s Parking Enforcement Team to operate the invitation to pay parking scheme at the Caithness Common Good sites is charged against the Caithness Common Good Fund.

11. Wick Common Good Fund - Quarter 4 Monitoring Statement 2024/25
Maoin Math Coiteachann Inbhir Ùige - Aithris Sgrùdaidh Ràith 4 2024/25
                                        
There is circulated Report No CC/17/24 by the Head of Community Support, Contact and Engagement and the Head of Corporate Finance & Commercialism

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Quarter 4 monitoring statement for the Wick Common Good Fund.

12. 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: 

Group Name                                             Project Name                  Award Amount
Community Food Initiatives North East     Fareshare in Highland      £1,690.00
Pentland Firth Yacht Club                          Replacement Windows    £1,450.00 
Highlife Highland                                       Active Schools Coaching 
                                                                  and Equipment                  £1,500.00
Sidh Chailleann Art                                   Annual art exhibition 
                                                                 and set of storytelling 
                                                                 events under the theme 
                                                                 “Industrial Caithness"          £1,000.00
Thurso Youth Club SCIO                          Holiday Activities                 £1,000.00 
Thurso Community Council                      Thurso Town Centre 
                                                                  initiative 2024                      £400.00

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: 

Group Name                                            Project Name                     Award Amount
Community Food Initiatives North East    Fareshare in Highland         £2,763.00
Highlife Highland                                      Youth Session Resources    £999.00