29 May 2023: Caithness Committee

Agenda

Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Monday 29 May 2023 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 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. Minutes                                                                                                       
Geàrr-chunntas
 
There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 6 February 2023 which were approved by the Council on 9 March 2022.
 
4. Thurso High School - Update
Àrd-Sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa – Cunntas às Ùr
 
Members will be provided with a briefing on this item.
 
5. Caithness Area Housing Allocations
Riarachaidhean Thaighean Sgìre Ghallaibh
 
There is circulated Report No CC/08/23 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.
The Committee is invited to:-
 
i. note the unique housing allocation system used within Caithness and the challenges that exist in allocating properties within the area; and
ii. approve the amendment to the suspension rule for housing applicants within Caithness. Applicants who refuse one reasonable offer of housing will have their housing application suspended for 6 months. Currently, this suspension only takes place after an applicant refuses two reasonable offers of housing. PP.9-12
 
6. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 
Aithisg Dèanadais a thaobh Taigheadais – 1 Giblean 2022 gu 31 Màrt 2023
 
There is circulated Report No CC/09/23 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 2022 to 31 March 2023. PP.13-17
 
7.Focus North Partnership - Update
Com-pàirteachas Fòcas a’ Chinn a Tuath – Cunntas às Ùr
 
There will be a short presentation by Peter Faccenda, Focus North Partnership Manager. A briefing paper is circulated in connection with this item. 
 
8. Education HMI Update - Caithness 
Cunntas às Ùr mu Fhoghlam Luchd-sgrùdaidh an Rìgh – Gallaibh 
 
There is circulated Report No. CC/10/23 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
 
The Committee is invited to note the key strengths and next steps for Wick High School as reported by Education Scotland on 21 March 2023 PP.38-76
 
9. My Future, My Success
M’ Àm ri Teachd, Mo Shoirbheachas
 
There is circulated Report No. CC/11/23 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
There will be a short presentation from a mentee and mentor on this item.
 
The Committee is invited to:-
 
i. congratulate the progress made on My Future, My Success on the difference they have made;
ii. thank the MFMS Mentors from the local community; and
iii. acknowledge and celebrate the young people on future destinations.
 
10. Community Asset Transfers 
Gluasadan So-mhaoin Coimhearsnachd
 
There will follow Report No. CC/12/23 by the Head of Community Support and Engagement.
 
11. Ward Discretionary Awards
Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird
 
There will follow information on Ward Discretionary Awards.
 

Read the Supplementary Agenda

CAITHNESS COMMITTEE: MONDAY 29 MAY 2023

In relation to the agenda circulated for the above Meeting of the Caithness Committee, please find attached the following reports:-

4. Thurso High School Update
Àrd-Sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Report No. CC/13/23 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and agree Option 1 as the recommended and preferred option for Thurso High School.     
        
10.Community Asset Transfers 
Gluasadan So-mhaoin Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No. CC/12/23 by the Head of Community Support and Engagement.

The Committee is invited to approve the:-

i.  sale of the Garages and Land at Loch Street, Wick for £1 To St Fergus Bowling Club on the terms set out in the report; and
ii. sale of Land/park located opposite Thrumster Primary School for £1, to Thrumster Community Development Company on the terms set out in the report.    
        
11. Ward Discretionary Awards
Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird

The Committee is asked to note that the following Ward Discretionary Budget applications were approved in the 2022/23 Financial Year: 

Ward 2: Thurso and Northwest Caithness

Organisation                                                                                       Grant            Date
Chamber of commerce                                                                       £500.00     07/04/2022
Thurso in colour                                                                                  £500.00     10/06/2022
Castletown CC flower baskets                                                            £200.00     10/06/2022
Budding Engineers - replacement parts for re worked computers      £375.00     10/06/2022
1x Poppy Wreath Lord Lieutenant -1x PW Wreath HC                       £70.00       15/11/2022
Surf competition - mark boyd                                                              £1,500.00     
Thurso Hockey Club - £4000.00 for goals and equipment                  £1,000.00     30/03/2023
ACCC Village officer funding                                                               £1,750.00     30/03/2023
Ormile association - kitchen instal                                                       £315.00        27/03/2023
Thurso Youth club - improvements to building and staffing costs
 to assist during holidays for providing  childcare opportunities 
- big Thurso employability issue!                                                        £4,000.00     29/03/2023
RBWCC New flag pole                                                                       £1,000.00     30/03/2023
Thurso Community benefit - Socially Growing – Growing Young
 People’s Employability and Skills Confidence                                   £4,000.00     29/03/2023
Thurso Community Development Trust - Thurso Harbour Toilets 
– Youth Volunteer Engagement/Socially Growing                              £1,500.00     30/03/2023

Ward 3: Wick and East Caithness

RBWCC - Wick Community Market
 - Funding towards Wick Community Market                                      £1,500.00     04/04/2022
Chamber of Commerce - Funding towards Caithness
Transport Forum                                                                                 £500.00     07/04/2022
Wick Paths group - Materials
 - Path clearing at South Head Quarries, Wick                                   £1,500.00     01/07/2022
Budding Engineers - Funding towards recycling of IT equipment
 - with Ward 2                                                                                      £375.00     10/06/2022
1 Lord Leiutentant Wreath + 1 HC Crest Wreath                                £120.00     22/11/2022
HLH - Wick High School Youth Hub Christmas Lunch                        £100.00     23/12/2022
RBWCC New flag pole                                                                       £1,000.00     30/03/2023
Thurso Hockey Club - £4000.00 for goals and equipment                 £1,000.00     30/03/2023
Scottish Surfing Federation:- 
Scottish National Surfing Championships 2023 - Mark Boyd             £1,500.00     13/02/2023
Wick CDT – replace the fence around the wooded area                   £4,600.00     28/03/2023
ACCC Village Officer funding                                                            £1,750.00     30/03/2023
Caithness KLICS SCIO - Gardening Project                                     £2,000.00     30/03/2023
RBWCC Wick town centre revival                                                     £2,500.00     30/03/2023

Yours faithfully
Stewart Fraser
Head of Legal and Governance 

Report

3. Minutes 4. Thurso High School Update 5. Caithness Area Housing Allocations 6. Housing Performance Report – 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 8. Education HMI Update - Caithness 9. My Future, My Success 10. Community Asset Transfers