Agendas, reports and minutes

Mr D Bremner, Mr G Farlow, Mr B Fernie, Mrs G Coghill, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mr W MacKay, Mr J McGillivray, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Mr G Phillips, Mr M Reiss, Mr J Rosie, Mrs G Ross, Mr R Saxon

Mr D Haas, Acting Head of Community and Democratic Engagement, Chief Executive’s Service

Ms H Ross, Senior Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Service

Mr G Hamilton, Head of Environment and Development, Planning and Development Service

Ms T Luxton, Housing and Property Manager, Housing and Property Service

Mr G Nichols,  Area Education Manager, Education Culture & Sport Service

Mr D Cowie, Principal Planner, Planning and Development Service

Mr B Mackinnon, Employability Team Leader, Planning and Development Service

Mr C Thomas, Research Officer, Planning and Development Service

Ms S Tarrant, Public Relations Officer, Chief Executive’s Service

Mr E Sinclair, Programme Manager, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership

Miss J Maclennan, Principal Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Service

Ms A Macrae, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Service

Ms Tina Lear, Acting Administrative Assistant, Finance Service

Mr D Cameron, Director, Community Land Scotland (Item 3)

Mr P Peacock, Policy Director, Community Land Scotland (Item 3)

Mr I Mitchell, Scottish Natural Heritage (Item 8)

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.  All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to Committee.

The Chair advised the Committee that the meeting would be filmed and broadcast over the internet on the Highland Council website and would be archived and available for viewing for 12 months.

The Chair welcomed Mr M Reiss to the meeting, following his recent election as a Councillor for Ward 4: Landward Caithness.

Thereafter, the Chair reported on a number of preliminary matters as follows:-

•Creative Place Award – the Chair  commended the community of Helmsdale on their success in achieving a Creative Place Award and noted that discussions would be held with Bear Scotland in regard to promoting the Award on signage at the entrances to the village on the A9; 

•Flooding and Coastal Protection – the Chair  had raised issues relating to recent flooding and coastal protection along the length of the coast with the Chief Executive and Mr G Phillips; 

•BT Issues – senior officials from BT were to attend a meeting of the East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum in response to the volume complaints being received locally in regard to its services, the date to be confirmed, and that the Chair would report back to Members following this meeting; 

•Postal Charges and Post Codes -  representations would continue to be made in conjunction with Trading Standard to the industry and Royal Mail in regard to issues around excessive postal charges for deliveries and changes being sought to postal codes in the Area; 

•Rural Fuel Discount Scheme – the Chair would be contacting Highland MPs to continue to press for fairness for communities in Caithness and Sutherland through the Scheme; and 

•Universal Jobs Match Website – the Chair would raise concerns with the Department of Work and Pensions in regard to bogus information which had been posted on the Website.

The Committee NOTED the updates.

Liesgeulan

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Mr N MacDonald.

Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

The Committee NOTED the following declarations of interest:-

Item 3 - Mr J McGillivray and Mr G Farlow (non-financial)

Item 5 - Mrs G Farlow, Mrs G Ross and Mr R Saxon (non-financial)

Item 6 - Mr W Mackay and Mrs G Ross (non-financial) and Mr R Saxon (financial)

Item 7 - Mr G Farlow and Mr R Saxon (non-financial) and Mr D Bremner (financial)

Item 11 - Mr G Farlow (financial)

Ath-leasachadh Fearainn agus Co-theacsa Chataibh

Declarations of Interest: Mr J McGillivray, as Chair of Embo Trust and Mr G Farlow as Chair of Ullapool Community Trust both declared non-financial interests in this item but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No. CS-01-14 (438kb pdf) dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which summarised the Council’s recent contributions in support of land reform and provided a brief overview for Sutherland.  The paper set 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 Chair welcomed Mr D Cameron and Mr P Peacock of Community Land Scotland to the meeting.  The Chair  also welcomed the opportunity to raise awareness of the Community Right to Buy scheme and to consider the impact land reform had for local communities and the work being undertaken by the Council and other organisations to support communities in this regard. The Chair referred to the importance of understanding the regeneration opportunities publicly-owned land might offer communities and the need to encourage and assist communities who were considering this option.

Mr Cameron provided an overview of Community Land Scotland which represented the views of its forty-one member groups and assisted in the exchange of knowledge around community land ownership.  He also reported on the experience of the North Harris Trust, which had taken ownership of its land in 2006, and outlined the Trust’s significant achievements in terms of business and job creation, new housing, environmental projects and social and cultural activities, all of which were key elements of a thriving economy. 

Mr Peacock observed that the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill provided an opportunity to reform and simplify the Land Reform Act and to amend the current weakness in the Act whereby communities could buy land only when it was marketed for sale. He indicated that Community Land Scotland would continue to make representations to the Land Reform Group in this regard.  He also advised that community land ownership had proved immensely powerful in terms of transforming communities in the Western Isles, where it was now considered the norm, and the aspiration was to extend this to the Highland mainland by encouraging and supporting communities. 

In regard to the above, Mr Cameron confirmed that Community Land Scotland, in conjunction with Highland Council, had arranged a series of seminars across the Highlands to provide information and support to communities who might be interested in community land ownership.  

In discussion Members commented on the importance of community land ownership as a mechanism of re-invigorating communities in sparsely populated areas and reversing trends of depopulation and resources being moved out of the area.  

Further discussion followed on the range of projects being progressed by the Embo Trust and also the difficulties it had encountered in regard to securing land, buildings and forestry interests and also in securing funding from the National Forest Land Scheme and other potential funding sources.  Members also observed that some landowners used their land as a means of generating tax benefits, rather than delivering any community benefit, and that this required to be addressed through reforms to the tax system.  An additional point was raised that in taking ownership of land it was important for communities to diversify, for example through the development of light industry to retain young people in an area.

Mr Peacock responded to a number of the points raised and advised that the Scottish Affairs Committee had considered evidence in regard to the financial arrangements around land ownership, which showed that a main motivation for the private ownership of land was as a tax haven and not for the benefit of the community. He expressed the hope that the findings of the Committee would lead to a fundamental review of the tax system.

In relation to the specific funding and support available for community land ownership, he referred to the Scottish Land Fund which had been established specifically to assist communities to purchase land, and under which the sum of £10m had been made available over a period of four years up to 2015. A wide range of assistance was also available from the Highland Council, as referred to in the report, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s Community Assets Unit offered a high level of expertise to communities. 

Finally he observed that the National Forestry Land Scheme might be overtaken by the provisions of the new Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill which created a legal mechanism for the transfer of any area of public land to community ownership.  In the context of the Scottish Government’s commitment to significantly increasing community land ownership by 2020, it was anticipated that organisations such as the Forestry Commission would be seeking to transfer land to communities to meet targets.

In conclusion, the Chair welcomed the discussion and observed that there was a need to share more widely with local people the benefits and developmental opportunities associated with land ownership.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i.  NOTED the extent of Council involvement in supporting land reform in the Highlands, 

    and in the Sutherland context (Appendices 1 and 2);

ii. NOTED that the report of the Land Reform Review Group is expected in April 2014; and 

iii. AGREED to invite the Group to present findings to the Committee at an appropriate 

    time.

Atharrachadh Sluaigh ann an Gallaibh agus Cataibh 2001-11

There had been circulated Report No. CS-02-14 (716kb pdf) dated 16 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which looked at the early results from the 2011 Census, giving local information on the number and ages of people living within Highland.  It compared 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 had 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 was strongly linked to the building of new homes.

In presenting the report, the Research Officer advised that once further information was made available by National Records of Scotland, the Council’s website would be updated with profiles on Wards, Community Councils, Associated School Groups and settlement zones.  Further information would also be brought to the Committee including information on the census findings relating to “workplace population”, analysing population change based on people’s work place rather than their home address.

Members welcomed the information provided and, during a wide ranging discussion, raised a number of points, including the following:-

•it was important to understand the underlying reasons for population change in Caithness and Sutherland in order to respond to the issues; 

•in regard to the link between population growth and new housing there was a need for the Council consider its approach to assessment of demand in the development of vacant land for housing; 

•in regard to the links between economic growth and population growth Members were encouraged to attend a seminar being organised by the Planning and Development Service at which there would be a presentation on Nordic rural development policy; 

•that the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee had recently, launched its draft Green Transport Strategy for consultation.  Within the Strategy there was a focus on rural transport as a major factor in developing rural economies and supporting local communities and therefore Members were encouraged to input into that consultation; 

•an explanation was sought on the reasons for the increase in the population of rural Caithness and the population drift from Wick and Thurso, and also the age profile of the people involved; 

•in relation to Wick it was suggested that people unable to afford a mortgage to buy or build their house be encouraged to rent a property from the available Council housing stock as an alternative option; 

•the statistics did not take account of the emerging renewables sector in and the development of Scrabster and Wick Harbours and the impact of the jobs that would be created on population of Wick and Thurso.  There was also a need to make the towns more attractive to encourage inward investment and people into the area; 

•the Scottish Government’s review of data zones might have implications in terms of tracking population change and other characteristics in future.  The Research Officer advised that the Scottish Government’s consultation on data zones effectively proposed no change to the existing zones in Caithness and Sutherland; 

•policy implications arising from the census information required to be considered;  

•in North and North West Sutherland there was a need to consider action to improve economic growth and increase housing building and also to review the way services were delivered to ensure that by 2021 the area was re-invigorated and not considered as an area of wild land. The potential link between absentee landlords and population decline also required to be addressed; 

•the term ‘ageing population’ was not helpful and the skills and expertise many older adults brought to local economies and communities should be recognised.  It was explained that only a small percentage of older adults required a high input of services. However, in rural areas, there were challenges in  delivering care services, particularly the significantly higher costs involved;

•while cluster head teacher arrangements had delivered benefits in rural areas, an unintended consequence was the potential loss of families to an area which impacted on school rolls; 

•the population increase in Embo was welcomed and discussion focused on the main reasons for the increase and the challenges that existed in terms of the roads infrastructure in the area; 

•people were attracted to many rural areas and towns in Caithness and Sutherland due to the quality of life and also the community spirit that existed; 

•underlying the statistics were concerns associated with the impact of the decommissioning of Dounreay; the numbers of properties on the market, those which had been removed from the market due to the lack of interest and trends in regard to reducing school rolls in some areas; 

•the population drift to landward Caithness could be partly explained by the fact that it was cheaper to purchase a plot of land in those areas. The Council should therefore consider policies by which families were encouraged to build their homes closer Wick or Thurso. This was particularly important given the cost of delivering services such as care services and school transport in rural areas; and 

•the Thurso data zone did not include outlying areas such as Scrabster and Mount Pleasant which had experienced significant population growth over the period since 2001. 

The Research Officer responded to some of the points raised during which he outlined the opportunities for the research to link into the policy work being undertaken by the Council and Highland and Islands Enterprise.  In regard to the population drift to landward Caithness, he advised that the research suggested this was a combination of people moving out of towns and also an element of substitution drift with people moving out of and into Caithness.

In regard to the link between economic and population growth, he pointed out that those people moving to rural areas with a reasonable level of skill had been attracted back into the area in the context of a global economic market. The research suggested it was mainly young families who had moved out of the towns into rural Caithness and that lifestyle drivers may have been a contributory factor. He also noted that secondary schools in remote rural area had a positive impact on the population in these areas.

In regard to the issues around the advantages and disadvantages of an ageing population he advised that while, for example, the population of Wick was relatively young, this was linked to poor life expectancy in its deprived areas, and therefore caution had to be exercised in regard to perceptions around the statistics. In terms of the issues around servicing the older population he advised that this was a Highland wide issue, particularly in rural areas. Finally, he indicated that there would be an opportunity to consider the issues around the servicing of rural communities as part of the draft Caithness and Sutherland Local Plan.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED that the last decade had seen population growth of 3%, lower than the Highland average, and also that:-

i. there had been significant population drift from the towns of Thurso and Wick into rural 

    Caithness;

ii. the Census results confirmed that the population was ageing and that there was 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.

Com-pàirteachas Ath-nuadhachaidh Ghallaibh agus Chataibh Fios as Ùr mu Thargaid Adhartais Mu Choinneamh Obraichean 

Declarations of Interest: Mrs G Ross and Mr R Saxon, as Board members of the Advisory Board of and Mr G Farlow, as a member of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, declared non-financial interests in this item but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

 There had been circulated Report No. CS-03-14 (97kb pdf) dated 17 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development which provided 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 over the period 2011 to 2014.

In summary of the report, the Programme Manager advised that it was anticipated that the Partnership’s target of 420 jobs created would be achieved by the end of March 2014. He reported that 40% of the jobs created had been in the priority sectors of energy and business services and that the higher targets set for the food and drink and local services had been exceeded. The relative wage levels attached to those jobs were being monitored on the basis that one of the Partnership’s main principles was to maintain or increase the GDP of Caithness and North Sutherland. There had also been approximately 200 job losses in the area over the period but he was aware that Dounreay had recently been recruiting staff.

The Programme Manager also commented that a recent labour market study had concluded that there were 1200 commuters resident in Caithness and Sutherland employed in the oil and gas sector, the majority of which were located offshore in Aberdeen.  Members suggested that it was important to attract inward investment to the area in the oil and gas sectors to capture those commuters and noted that currently many working in these sectors in Caithness and Sutherland lived outwith the area and therefore their spend was not being invested in the local economy. 

 In discussion Members sought clarification in regard to the actual number of jobs which had been created against the projected figure set out in the report. The Programme Manager outlined the process for tracking the number of jobs created, and advised that he estimated that 75% of the projected number as detailed in the report were jobs based within businesses located in the area. 

 In response to questions the Programme Manager advised that the jobs created in the North Sutherland tended to be through business start-ups or Business Gateway applications. He confirmed that he would provide Mrs L Munro with the figures for the number of jobs created in the North Sutherland. 

In response to a specific point raised in regard to issues around medical centres and also the need to attract GPs to Caithness, the Chair advised that the role of District Partnership was to take a wide ranging view of the health in an area, including links to employment, and that she would arrange for this issue to be reported back to the Partnership. The Programme Manager advised that following a recent meeting of the Caithness Partnership, he been in discussion with the Council and NHS Highland in regard to the issues around the joint co-location of health and social care staff. 

A point was also raised on the need to offer more local apprenticeships in Caithness and Sutherland.  A number of Members observed that there had been an increasing number of adverts for apprentices over the year in addition to the Council’s Shared Apprenticeship Scheme and the requirement to employ apprentices in local schools and other public sector contracts. The Programme Manager further reported that the Partnership had been involved in the ‘Jobs and How to Get Them’ event held in Wick on 8 February 2014 and that some of the companies who had attended had offered apprenticeships on the day. In response to the Chair, he confirmed that he would arrange for his final report on the event to be circulated to Members.

The Committee:-

 i.  NOTED the employment progress by sector against the targets set; and

ii. AGREED that the Programme Manager, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration 

    Partnership  (a) circulate Members with his final report on the ‘Jobs and How to Get 

    Them’ event held in Wick on 8 February 2014; and (b) provide Mrs L Munro with 

    information on the number of jobs created in North Sutherland.

6.  Deprived Area Fund 2014-17

Maoin Sgìrean Bochda 2014-17

In accordance with Standing Order 18, with the consent of the meeting, Item 8 on the agenda was taken at this point.

 Declarations of Interest: 

 Mr W Mackay, as a Director of Caithness Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and Mrs G Ross, as a Committee Member of Wick’ed, both declared non-financial interests in this item but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

Mr R Saxon declared a financial interest in this item on the grounds that a family member was an employee of Ormlie Community Association and left the meeting for the determination of this item.

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

In discussion, Members expressed regret that due funding constraints it was not possible to grant all of the applications which had been submitted to the Area Fund.  In regard to the applications which had not been successful it was reported that each of the organisations involved made an important contribution to the community and therefore it was important they were provided with all possible assistance to source alternative funding opportunities. There was also a need to consider the capacity within communities to bring forward projects, particularly in the more deprived areas. 

The Chair also referred to the importance of working closely with the District Partnerships particularly to avoid duplication and any gaps that may exist.

Following further discussion, and on hearing from the Chair and the Acting Head of Community & Democratic Engagement, it was suggested that the Employability Team Leader and other relevant officers review the operation and capacity of candidate groups and organisations to enable them to source Council and third party funding options and maximise their potential, all in consultation with the Area Leader, and that a report be brought back to the Committee in due course.

The Committee AGREED the recommendations for the Deprived Area Fund for 2014-15 of:-

 i. Ormlie Community Association - £13,000; and

ii. Pultneytown People’s Project - £87,000 

The Committee further AGREED that the Employability Team Leader and other relevant officials review the operation and capacity of candidate groups and organisations and opportunities to enable them to source Council and third party funding options and maximise their potential, all in consultation with the Area Leader, and that a further report be submitted back to the Committee in due course.

7.  Dounreay Planning Framework

Frèam Dealbhaidh Dhùnrath

Declarations of Interest:

Mr G Farlow and Mr R Saxon, as Members of the Dounreay Stakeholders Group, both declared non-financial interests in this item but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

Mr D Bremner declared a financial interest in this item as an employee of Dounreay Restoration Site Ltd and left the meeting for this item and the remaining items of business.

There had been circulated Report No. CS-04-14 (2365kb pdf) dated 29 January 2014 by the   Director of Planning and Development which presented the results of public consultation on the Draft Dounreay Planning Framework 2 (DPF2).  The Council had 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), had reviewed the existing framework, prepared DPF2 as a draft to replace the existing framework and had invited comments on it from 15 November 2013 to 16 January 2014.  The intention was that DPF2 would be statutorily adopted as Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

An update was provided on a number of matters during which it was confirmed that, in discussions with DRSL, it had been confirmed that the recent announcement that the site decommissioning programme was to be re-profiled would not entail moving elements between Phase 2 and 3 and therefore DPF2 could proceed to adoption. It was also reported that further clarity would be provided on the maps contained within DPF2 to reflect the agreed variation to the size and alignment of the low level waste vaults and the location of the low level waste retrieval plant. Further, it was indicated that the text would be amended to explain that the flask handling facility would be subject to an options study and therefore the location of that facility on the site had yet to be determined.  

It was noted that Members' comments on the report would be reported to the Planning Environment and Development Committee on 12 February 2014.  However, an additional recommendation was suggested that officers be authorised to make any further non material amendments to the Draft DPF2 before submission to Scottish Ministers, for example to make the text clearer or more succinct.

In response to questions, the Principal Planner explained that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) was currently reviewing all its sites in the UK, including the options for potential future uses, both commercial and non-commercial.  Discussions would be ongoing with the NDA over coming months in this regard, and consideration would be given to the extent this issue would be reflected in main issues report of the draft Caithness and Sutherland Local Plan. In regard to the treatment of intermediate level waste on the site, the Principal Planner advised that there would be a continuing need for the development of facilities to store this type of waste and account of this would be taken in any discussions on the future of the site and in any review of the Framework document. 

The Committee:-

i. NOTED the Draft DPF2, the issues raised in consultation responses and the draft Council 

    response recommended by officers including revisions to DPF2; 

ii. AGREED to recommend the draft Council response and revised version of DPF2, which 

    was subject to finalisation of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal by officers, to the 

    Planning, Environment and Development Committee for adoption; and

iii. AGREED to recommend to the Planning, Environment and Development Committee that 

    officers be authorised to make any further non material amendments to the Draft DPF2 

    before submission to Scottish Ministers. 

8. Peatlands Partnership “Flow to the Future” Project Update

Flow to the Future – Fios as ùr mu Aonta Com-pàirteachais

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

Mr I Mitchell, Scottish Natural Heritage, provided an update on the Project and advised that in terms of funding the Partnership had submitted its stage two application to the Heritage Lottery Fund with a view to securing a grant of £4.3m towards a £9.5m project.  If successful the project would commence in July 2014 and run until October 2019.  Planning permission had been granted in January 2014 for the Flows observatory and the new field station at Forsinard. The Partnership had also agreed on five trail sites at Moine House, Tongue, Loch Craggie, Crask, Forsinain and Loch Rangag. Finally, a Partnership Agreement had been developed with legal and technical input from all the partner agencies.

The Head of Environment and Development indicated that the draft Partnership Agreement was appended to the report for Members consideration and approval. While the Council’s funding contribution to the project was relatively low in the context of the overall costs, there would be significant contributions in terms of staff time from the Countryside Rangers, Access Officer, Biodiversity Officer and TEC Services staff.

In discussion, Members welcomed the Project and requested that further updates be brought to the Committee in due course and when there were significant matters to report. 

The Committee:-

i. NOTED the progress made by the Peatlands Partnership with the funding bid for the Flow to the Future Project; 

ii. AGREED to recommend approval in principle of the formal Partnership Agreement; and

iii. AGREED that the Area Committee receive further updates on progress with the Project when there are significant matters to report.

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 had been circulated Report No. CS-07-14 (335kb pdf) dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Dornoch Academy Associated School Group (ASG), and provided useful links to further information in relation to these schools.

It was reported that all the information for the ASG was positive.  However, the presentation policy would be carefully monitored to ensure no pupils were put forward for examinations for which they were not yet ready.

In discussion, the considerable investment which had been made to Dornoch Academy and the 3-18 campus was highlighted and appreciation was expressed to the former Chair of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee for what represented a significant Council spend in the area.

The Committee NOTED the content of the report.

b. Golspie High School Associated School Group Overview

Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-sgoil Ghoillspidh

There had been circulated Report No. CS-08-14 (546kb pdf) dated 28 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Golspie High School Associated School Group (ASG), and provided useful links to further information in relation to these schools.

In discussion, reference was made to a recent Workers Educational Association (WEA) Seminar which had taken place in Caithness on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) which aimed to encourage more participation in these subjects by girls.  It was noted that Golspie was part of the STEM project. It was hoped that if this seminar was repeated that it could take place in Sutherland to encourage more Sutherland Schools to take part. 

 The Committee NOTED 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 had been circulated Report No. CS-09-14 (153kb pdf) dated 21 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided 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.

 In response to a question, it was explained that the use of the wording “Croileagan Inbhir Theorsa” was because this was the specific name of the organisation.

 The Committee NOTED the content of the report and AGREED that the potential for secondary schools in Sutherland to be involved in future Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) events be investigated.

11. Housing and Property Service Performance Report – 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2013

Aithisg Dèanadais Seirbheis an Taigheadais is na Seilbhe –  1 Giblean

 Declaration of Interest: Mr G Farlow declared a financial interest in this item as a Council house tenant but, in terms of the dispensation granted by the Standards Commission for Scotland, remained to participate in the discussion. 

There had been circulated Report No. CS-10-14 (321kb pdf) dated 30 January 2014 by the Interim Director of Housing and Property which provided 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.

In discussion, concern was expressed at the increase in homeless presentation in Caithness for the quarter ending 31 December 2013 which had risen from 5 to 16.  The work undertaken to prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place was detailed but where someone presented themselves as homeless Members were assured that every effort was made, in conjunction with other appropriate agencies, to determine what best met the applicant’s  needs, both in terms of housing and services.

Concern too was expressed at the high level of refusal rates for Wick and Landward Caithness.  It was confirmed that other housing agencies in the area experienced similar refusal rates.  A Working Group had been set up to explore if there were any modifications needed to the lettings policy which would lead to a reduction in refusals.  In addition, retrospective questionnaires were issued to see what would incentivise tenants to accept offers of let and to build up a better picture and understanding of the issues involved.  Making areas more attractive, for example in terms of street furniture and lighting, merited further investigation and caution was expressed that, if the trend continued, the situation could be reached where properties became derelict.  However, it was pointed out that, as the numbers involved in some areas were low, as little as one or two refusals could have a significant impact on the reported percentages.  Accordingly, where there were issues surrounding specific properties or locations specific details in terms of numbers and issues would be provided to Members.

Continuing, it was confirmed that the Service would offer advice on housing options to young people who needed to travel significant distances to find employment.  Also, in relation to older people who wanted to downsize, the Service worked closely with Health and Social Care partners.  However, often individuals wanted to remain in the same area and there then needed to be a degree of compromise involved.  As an interim measure the Service could also adapt properties and provide equipment, as appropriate, to help people remain in their present home.

The Committee:- 

i. NOTED the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2013 to 

    31 December 2013; and

ii. AGREED that Members be circulated with further information in regard to refusals of 

    offers of let, specifically the numbers, types and location of the properties involved.

12.  Dornoch Common Good Fund – Quarterly Monitoring Report 2013/14

Maoin Maith Choitchinn Dhòrnaich – Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Ràitheil 2013/14

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

The Committee NOTED the position of the Dornoch Common Good Fund as at 31 December 2013.

13.  Minutes

Geàrr-chunntas

There were circulated and NOTED the Minutes of Meeting of the Caithness

and Sutherland Area Committee held on 18 November 2013, which had been

approved by the Council on 19 December 2013.