Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Monday 11 November 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

Chief Officer – Legal and Corporate 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 12 August 2024 which were approved by the Council on 19 September 2024.

4. Police – Area Performance Summary                                              

Poileas – Geàrr-chunntas air Coileanadh Sgìreil

There is circulated Report No CC/18/24 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 1 April 2024 – 30 June 2024.

5. Flow Country World Heritage Site – Presentation 

Làrach Dualchas na Cruinne nam Flobhachan – Taisbeanadh

There will be a presentation by the World Heritage Project Co-ordinator on this item.

6. Adoption of the Modified Core Paths Plan (Caithness and Sutherland) Amended      

Gabhail ri Plana nam Prìomh Cheuman Atharraichte (Gallaibh agus Cataibh) air Atharrachadh                                                                  

There is circulated Report No CC/19/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to Adopt the:-

i candidate core paths as consulted upon, and not objected to, under the amended plan December 2017 to March 2018; 

ii candidate core paths as consulted upon under the modified amended plan April 2019 – May 2019; 

iii candidate core paths into the plan as directed by Scottish Ministers by letter on the 2 September 2024; and 

iv Altnabreac to Forsinain candidate core path CA01.05(C) with the exception of the level crossing at Altnabreac. 

7. Housing Management Performance Report – 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024 

Aithisg Dèanadais Stiùireadh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2024 gu 30 Sultain 2024                                                                                               

There is circulated Report No CC/20/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.

8. Wick Common Good Fund – Quarter 2  Monitoring                        

Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ùige – Sgrùdadh Ràith 2

There is circulated Report No CC/21/24 by the Chief Officer Community and Housing and Chief Officer Corporate Finance 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Quarter 2 monitoring statement for the Wick Common Good Fund.

9. Ward Discretionary Awards

Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird

Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2024 – 30 September 2024

The Committee is asked to note that the following Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved for the period 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024: 

Community Food Initiatives North East – Fareshare in Highland £1,690.00

Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum £500.00

Pentland Firth Yacht Club – Replacement Windows £1,450.00

Highlife Highland – Active School Coaching & Equipment £1.500.00

Sidh Chailleann Art – “Industrial Caithness” Exhibition £1,000.00

Thurso Youth Club SCIO – Holiday Activities £1,000.00

Thurso Community Council – Thurso Town Centre initiative 2024 £400.00 

Total Spend to Date £7,540.00

Current Available Balance £6,860.00

Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2024 – 30 September 2024

The Committee is asked to note that the following Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024:

Community Food Initiatives North East – Fareshare in Highland £2,763.00 

Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum £500.00

Highlife Highland – Youth Session Resources £999.00

Argyll Square Area Association – Replacement Litter Bin £561.60

Total Spend to Date £4,823.60

Current Available Balance £9,576.40