Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place in Wick Town Hall, Bridge Street, Wick, KW1 4AJ on Wednesday 19 February 2019 at 10.00am.

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

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

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. Minutes                                                                                                        
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 19 November 2019, which were approved by the Council on 9 December 2019.

4. Matters Arising
Gnothaichean Ag Èirigh

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

There is circulated Report No CC/01/20 dated 10 February 2020 by the North Area Commander.

The Committee is invited to note progress made against the objectives set within the Highland and Islands Local Policing Plan 2017-2020 Year 3, attached as Annex A to this report, for the period covering 1 April 2019 - 31 December 2019.

6. Wick Associated School Group Overview                                                        
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Inbhir Ùige
 
There is circulated Report No CC/02/20 dated 7 February 2020 by the Interim Chief Executive Officer Education and Learning.

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

7. Caithness Educational Trusts                                                             
Urrasan Foghlaim Ghallaibh

There is circulated Report No CC/03/20 dated 7 February 2020 by the Interim Chief Executive Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i. the funds that are noted in Appendix 1, schedule 3,4 and 5 are allocated to the school and that the head teacher uses this for the benefit of any/all pupils;
ii. that a process is set up to automatically issue these funds in April of each financial year which will provide clarity around the remaining budget for the coming year;
iii. that an application window be applied and that based on available funds and received applications the amount set aside for the year be allocated on that basis. This will require some advertising on the Council website and by other means to encourage applications at a certain time;
iv. the amount set aside for bursary payments is agreed by the Committee at the beginning of the financial year with data available to inform decision making; and
v. the sum allocated in each year provides opportunity and fairness with new applicants receiving priority over returning applicants, with a new maximum being set per person.

8. Caithness and Sutherland Town Centre Strategy                             
Ro-innleachd Meadhan Baile Ghallaibh agus Chataibh

There is circulated Report No CC/04/20 dated 4 February 2020 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure and Environment.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider the issues raised in consultation responses to the Draft Caithness and Sutherland Town Centre Strategy (Section 5 and Appendix 1) and revisions to the Strategy (Appendix 2);
ii. agree that the Strategy, finalised in line with the decisions of the two Area Committees, be submitted to Scottish Ministers for consideration as per the statutory process for adoption of Supplementary Guidance;
iii. note that the Strategy will be a material consideration for development management purposes with immediate effect;
iv. agree to the adoption and issuing of the submitted version of the Strategy as statutory Supplementary Guidance to the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan upon completion of the requisite 28 day period for consideration by Scottish Ministers, subject to any directions from Ministers indicating otherwise; and
v. note that the associated Action Programme will be drawn together by officers in consultation with Ward Members and the parties mentioned in it and subsequently will be published and promoted to those parties and the wider communities.

9. Housing Revenue Account: Garage Rents 2020/21                        
Cunntas Teachd A-steach Taigheadais: Màil Gharaidsean 2020/21

There is circulated Report No CC/05/20 dated 5 February 2020 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to agree a level of rent increase to apply to Caithness garages and garage sites.

10. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2019 to 31 December 2019     
Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2019 to 31 Dùbhlachd 2019  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
There is circulated Report No CC/06/20 dated 4 February 2020 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2019 to 31 December 2019.