Committees

A meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee will take place in Ben More Assynt, Council Offices, Drummuie, Golspie, KW10 6TG on Tuesday, 11 February 2014 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
Depute 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. Land Reform and the Sutherland Context
Ath-leasachadh Fearainn agus Co-theacsa Chataibh

There is circulated Report No. CS-01-14 (438kb pdf) dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which summarises the Council’s recent contributions in support of land reform and provides a brief overview for Sutherland.  The paper sets out the Government’s new target for community ownership, the work of the Government’s Land Reform Review Group, the recent UK Scottish Affairs Committee briefing paper on land reform and the Council’s links with Community Land Scotland.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the extent of Council involvement in supporting land reform in the
     Highlands, and in the Sutherland context (Appendices 1 and 2);
ii.  note that the report of the Land Reform Review Group is expected in April
    2014; and
iii. consider whether it wishes to invite the Group to present findings to the
    Committee at an appropriate time.

4. Population Change in Caithness and Sutherland 2001-2011
Atharrachadh Sluaigh ann an Gallaibh agus Cataibh 2001-11

There is circulated Report No. CS-02-14 (716kb pdf) dated 16 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which looks at the early results from the 2011 Census, giving local information on the number and ages of people living within Highland.  It compares these figures with those from 2001 to show that the Highland population has “aged”, with a large number of people close to retirement age.  The population of Caithness and Sutherland has grown by 3.3% (compared to the Highland average of 11.1%) with an increase in four out of six Wards, and at a local level in 34 out of 58 data zones.  Local population growth is strongly linked to the building of new homes.

The Committee is invited to note that the last decade has seen population growth of 3%, lower than the Highland average, and also that:-

i.   there has been significant population drift from the towns of Thurso and
    Wick into rural Caithness;
ii.  the Census results confirm that the population is ageing and that there is
    about to be a significant increase in the number of retired people; and
iii. the strong links between economic growth, new house building and
    population growth.

5. Caithness and Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update on Progress Against Jobs Target
Com-pàirteachas Ath-nuadhachaidh Ghallaibh agus Chataibh Fios as Ùr mu Thargaid Adhartais Mu Choinneamh Obraichean

There is circulated Report No. CS-03-14 (97kb pdf) dated 17 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which provides an update from the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership on the number of jobs created in each sector against the Partnership’s agreed targets.

The Committee is invited to consider and note the employment progress by sector against the targets set.

6. Dounreay Planning Framework
Frèam Dealbhaidh Dhùnrath

There is circulated Report No. CS-04-14 (2365kb pdf) dated 29 January 2014 by the   Director of Planning and Development which presents the results of public consultation on the Draft Dounreay Planning Framework 2 (DPF2).  The Council approved the existing Dounreay Planning Framework in January 2006, as a land use development brief against which to regulate and control future decommissioning and restoration works proposed at the former nuclear power research site at Dounreay.  The Council, in collaboration with Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), has reviewed the existing framework, prepared DPF2 as a draft to replace the existing framework and invited comments on it from 15 November 2013 to 16 January 2014.  The new draft framework presents an up-to-date overview of the policy context, regulatory regimes, site restoration programme and decommissioning works, providing explanation of the wider context for the component developments that are anticipated to be required.  The intention is that DPF2 will be statutorily adopted as Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider the Draft DPF2, the issues raised in consultation responses and the
   draft Council response recommended by officers including revisions to DPF2; and
ii. recommend the draft Council response and revised version of DPF2, which is
   subject to finalisation of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal by officers, to the
   Planning, Environment and Development Committee for adoption.

7. Peatlands Partnership “Flow to the Future” Project Update
Flow to the Future – Fios as ùr mu Aonta Com-pàirteachais

There is circulated Report No. CS-05-14 (494kb pdf) dated 29 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which provides an update on the Flow to the Future project bid, and presents a draft agreement between the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Highland Council and North Highland College UHI which sets out the arrangements where the lead partner (RSPB), with the support of the other partners, will deliver the project.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the progress made by the Peatlands Partnership with the funding bid
   for the Flow to the Future Project; and
ii. recommend approval in principle of the formal Partnership Agreement.

8. Deprived Area Fund 2014-17
Maoin Sgìrean Bochda 2014-17

There is circulated Report No. CS-06-14 (359kb pdf) dated 29 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which informs Members of the applications made for the Deprived Area Funds for 2014-15 and recommends continuing funding to those organisations being supported in 2013-14.  Further assessment of the other applications will be made to advise on possible alternative funding sources.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations for the Deprived Area Fund for 2014-15 of:-

i.  Ormlie Community Association - £13,000; and
ii. Pultneytown Peoples Project - £87,000

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

a. Dornoch Academy Associated School Group Overview
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Acadamaidh Dhòrnaich

There is circulated Report No. CS-07-14 (335kb pdf) dated 28 January 2014 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. Golspie High School Associated School Group Overview
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-sgoil Ghoillspidh

There is circulated Report No. CS-08-14 (546kb pdf) dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provides an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Golspie 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. Education Scotland Reports – 1 October 2013 to 21 January 2014
Sgrùdaidhean le Foghlam Alba – 1 An Damhair 2013 gu 21 Am Faoilleach 2014

There is circulated Report No. CS-09-14 (153kb pdf) dated 21 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides details of Education Scotland’s inspections of Kinlochbervie High School, Croileagan Inbhir Theorsa, and Scourie and Keiss Primary Schools during the period 1 October 2013 to 21 January 2014 for Members’ scrutiny and monitoring.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and monitor Education Scotland reports through this report.

11. Housing and Property Service Performance Report – 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2013
Aithisg Dèanadais Seirbheis an Taigheadais is na Seilbhe – 1 Giblean 2013 gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2013

There is circulated Report No. CS-10-14 (321kb pdf) dated 30 January 2014 by the Interim Director of Housing and Property which provides information on how the Housing and Property Service performed in relation to Scottish Social Housing Charter and other performance indicators during the first three quarters of 2013/2014.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2013.

12. Dornoch Common Good Fund – Quarterly Monitoring Report 2013/14 Maoin Maith Choitchinn Dhòrnaich – Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ràitheil 2013/14

There is circulated Report No. CS-11-14 (84kb pdf) dated 17 January 2014 by the Corporate Manager which requests Members to note the status of the Dornoch Common Good Fund as at 31 December 2013.

The Committee is invited to note the position of the Dornoch Common Good Fund as at 31 December 2013.

13. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of Meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee held on 18 November 2013.