Agendas, reports and minutes

A hybrid meeting of the Sutherland County Committee will take place in the Chamber, Council Offices, Drummuie, Golspie on Monday 17 February 2025 at 10.00 a.m.

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

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

There is circulated Report No SCC/01/25 by the North Area Commander.

The Committee is invited to note the progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan.
    
4.  Area Roads Capital Programme Update - 2024-25
Cunntas mu Phrògram Calpa nan Rathaidean Sgìreil – 2024-25

There is circulated Report No SCC/02/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:

i.    note the final budget allocation for Sutherland area for 2024/25;
ii.   note the works completed on the approved prioritised list to date;
iii.  note the additional works identified and prioritised throughout the year; and
iv.  approve the works still proposed for the 2024/25 financial year.
        
5.  Area Roads Capital Programme 2025-26
Prògram Calpa Rathaidean Sgìreil 2025-26

There is circulated Report No SCC/03/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed prioritised Area Roads Capital Programme for Sutherland Area.
        
6.  Housing Revenue Account: Garage Rents 2025/2026                           
Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Màil Gharaidsean 2025/26

There is circulated Report No SCC/04/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Sutherland County Garages and Garage Sites.
        
7.  Housing Repairs Performance Report
Aithisg Coileanaidh Càraidhean Taigheadais
     
There is circulated Report No SCC/05/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – Place.

The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2024 – 31 December 2024.
        
8.   Attainment Overviews – Kinlochbervie, Farr, Dornoch and Golspie Associated School Groups
Foir-sheallaidhean Buileachaidh – Buidhnean Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Cheann Loch Biorbhaidh, Farr, Dhòrnaich agus Ghoillspidh

There is circulated Report Nos SCC/06/25 to SCC/09/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - People.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the content of the reports.
        
9.  Realignment of the boundary between Creich and Ardgay and District Community Councils

There is circulated Report No SCC/10/25 by the Chief Officer Community and Housing.

The Committee is invited to approve the realignment of the boundary between Creich and Ardgay & District Community Councils.
        
10.  Dornoch Common Good - Annual Report 2023/24, Proposed Budget 2025/26 and Quarterly Monitoring Statement 2024/25
Math Coitcheann Dhòrnaich – Aithisg Bhliadhnail 2022/23, Buidseat ga Mholadh airson 2024/25 agus Aithris Sgrùdaidh Ràitheil 2023/24

There is circulated Report No SCC/11/25 by the Chief Officer Community and Housing and Chief Officer Corporate Finance.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree:-

i.    the Dornoch Common Good Fund Statement of Accounts (Appendix 1) and Quarter 4 monitoring report for 2023/24 (Appendix 2);
ii.   the position of the Dornoch Common Good Fund, as shown in the Q3 monitoring statement (Appendix 3) against budget for 2024/25;
iii.  the Dornoch Common Good Fund Annual Budget for 2025/26 (Appendix 4); and 
iv.  to delegate authority to the Community Development Manager to approve Dornoch Common Good grants up to £10,000, within the annually set budget and following consultation with Ward 4 Members. 
        
11.  Ward Discretionary Awards
Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird
    
North, West and Central Sutherland Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2024 – 3 February 2025

The Committee is asked to note that the following North, West and Central Sutherland Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved 1 April 2024 to 3 February 2025: 

Assynt Development Trust – Menopause Chats - £1,425.00
Community Food Initiatives North East – FareShare in Highland - £5,050.00
Bradbury Centre – Medical Bath Replacement - £500.00
North Sutherland Community Forestry Trust – First Aid Training - £500.00
Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust – Kyle Feeds - £500.00
Lairg & District Community Initiatives – Lairg War Memorial Upkeep - £400.00
North West Training Centre – Learning programme 24-25 - £500.00

East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1st April 2024 – 3 February 2025

The Committee is asked to note that the following East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved 1 April 2024 to 3 February 2025: 
    
Community Food Initiatives North East – FareShare in Highland - £2,179.00
Embo Trust – Old School Transition – Final Step - £780.00
The Dornoch Area CIC – Dornoch Transport Project - £999.00
Bradbury Centre – Medical bath Replacement - £500.00
Dornoch Cricket Club – Practice Nets Extension - £1,000.00
Dornoch Youth Service Summer Programme - £1,000.00
Youth Highland – Golspie RESPECT Project - £900.00
Embo Football Club – Essential Works to Changing Rooms - £1,000.00
Engaging with Activity CIC – Hub Outings - £1,000.00
Timespan – Gutting Girls - £1,000.00
Rogart Community Council – Rogart Hub - £1,866.00
Timespan Title Check - £140.00
Brora Development Trust – Christmas outing for Brora Youth Room - £1,202.00
Helmsdale Primary School – A9 Crossing Hut - £238.00
Brora Development Trust – Food Provision for Youth Room* - £96.00
        
*Please note that this is a part contribution to a total award of £1,440.00. The remainder was made up from contributions from the Cost of Living budget and Invitation to Pay budget.    
        
12.  Notices of Motion
Brathan Gluasaid 

There is circulated Notice of Motion received by the Chief Officer - Legal and Corporate Governance.

13.  Minutes 
Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of the Sutherland County Committee held on 12 November 2024, which were approved by the Council on 12 December 2024.