Committees

A meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee will take place in Ben More Assynt, Council Offices, Drummuie, Golspie, KW10 6TG on Monday, 19 August 2013 at 10.30 am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

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

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive

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. Recess Powers
    Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 27 June 2013 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee.

4. RSPB Presentation on the Peatlands Partnership - Flows to the
    Future Project
    Taisbeanadh RSPB mun Peatlands Partnership – Pròiseact Flows to 
    the Future

A presentation will be given by Mrs Caroline Eccles of the RSPB providing an update on the Peatlands Partnership - Flows to the Future project which aims to restore over seven square miles of blanket bog. The presentation will focus on the economic impact of the project and the contribution to tourism and learning. 

5. Lairg and Kyle of Sutherland – Visitor Facilities
    Luirg agus Caolas Chataibh – Goireasan Luchd-tadhail

There is circulated Report No. CS-24-13 (23kb pdf) dated 8 August 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development and Corporate Manager which describes the response made through the Partnership for Continuing Employment (PACE) for staff affected by the closure of the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre and wider action underway to promote the area to visitors following the closure of the Visitor Centre and Carbisdale Castle.

The Committee is invited to note the PACE response and comment on the further actions to date to support the local economy.

6. Community Planning and Partnership Working in Caithness and Sutherland
    Dealbhadh Coimhearsnachd agus Obair Chom-pàirteach ann an
    Gallaibh agus Cataibh

There is circulated Report No. CS-25-13 (172kb pdf) dated 8 August 2013 by the Corporate Manager which summaries the work of three key partnerships in Caithness and Sutherland and asks Members to consider their work in light of the current review of community planning arrangements taking place in Highland.

The Committee is invited to:

i.  note the achievements of the three key partnership groups, as outlined in
   the report; and,
ii. consider the work of the three partnerships in light of the current review of
   community planning arrangements taking place in Highland.

7. Housing Performance Report
    Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No. CS-26-13 (160kb pdf) dated 8 August 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property which advises Members of the new Housing Performance Reporting Framework in place from 1 April 2013.  Members are also asked to note that information on performance against the new indicators will be presented to Committee at its next meeting.

The Committee is asked to:-

i.  note the new reporting framework for housing performance as set out in
   Appendix 1; and,
ii. agree that information on performance against the new indicators will be
   presented to Committee at its next meeting.

8. Housing and Property Service Junior Warden Scheme
    Sgeama Uàrdan Òigridh

There is a circulated Report No. CS-27-13 (146kb pdf) dated 2 August 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing & Property informing Members of the success of the recent Junior Warden Scheme which was run as a pilot in Thurso working with other Community Safety partners and Ormlie Community Association.  Members are asked to consider proposals to extend the model across other parts of Caithness and Sutherland.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the success of this new Junior Warden Scheme model; and,
ii. agree that the model is extended across the remaining five secondary
   schools in Caithness and Sutherland over the coming 24 month period,
   subject to securing funding.

9. Associated School Group Overviews
    Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidhnean Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte

a. Dornoch Academy Associated School Group Overview

There is circulated Report No. CS-28-13 (622kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Dornoch Academy Associated School Group (ASG), and provides useful links to further information in relation to these schools.

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

b. Farr High School Associated School Group Overview

There is circulated Report No. CS-29-13 (748kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Farr High School Associated School Group (ASG), and provides useful links to further information in relation to these schools.

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

c. Kinlochbervie High School Associated School Group Overview

There is circulated Report No. CS-30-13 (732kb pdf) dated 30 July 2013 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Kinlochbervie High School Associated School Group (ASG), and provides useful links to further information in relation to these schools.

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

10. Overnight Parking Restrictions at Dornoch Beach Car Park
      Pàirc Chàraichean Tràigh Dhòrnaich – Parcadh Fad Oidhche

There is circulated Report No. CS-31-13 (81kb pdf) dated 8 August 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which invites Members to approve the raising of a Road Traffic Order to prohibit overnight parking at Dornoch Beach Car Park.

The Committee is invited to approve the raising of a Road Traffic Order to prevent overnight parking in Dornoch Beach Car Park.

11. Investing in Caithness and Sutherland – Capital Projects
      A’ Tasgadh ann an Gallaibh agus Cataibh – Pròiseactan Calpa

There is circulated Report No. CS-32-13 (148kb pdf) dated 2 August 2013 by the Director of Finance, which shows the annual budget, expenditure to end of June 2013 and projected year end position for 2013/14 for Caithness and Sutherland area projects included in the Council’s capital programme.

The Committee is invited to consider the report.

12. Sale of Land at Meadows Recreation Ground to Dornoch and
      District Community Association
      Reic Fearainn aig Talamh Cur-seachad Meadows gu Comann
      Coimhearsnachd Dhòrnaich agus an Sgìre

There is circulated Report No. CS-33-13 (137kb pdf) dated 2 August 2013 by the Corporate Manager which informs Members of the proposed sale of ground at Meadows Recreation Ground, Dornoch by the Trustees of Recreation Ground in the Royal Burgh of Dornoch to Dornoch and District Community Association and to seek any comments.

The Committee is invited to make comment and to note the intention of the two Council appointed Trustees of Recreation Ground in the Royal Burgh of Dornoch to support the sale of the ground at Meadows Park to Dornoch and District Community Association for £1.

13. Dornoch Common Good Fund – 2012/13 and 2013/14
      Maoin Math Coitcheann Dhornaich – 2012/13 and 2013/14

There is circulated Report No. CS-34-13 (178kb pdf) dated 2 August 2013 by the Corporate Manager which highlights the Dornoch Common Good Fund Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for financial year 2012/13 and the 2013/14 First Quarter Monitoring Report and invites Members to note both.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. Dornoch Common Good Fund – Annual Report for 2012/13: and,
ii. Dornoch Common Good Fund – First Quarter, 2013/14 Monitoring Report

14. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

There is circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee held on 20 May 2013.