Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Monday 29 January 2024 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 Legal and Governance

1. Apologies for Absence

Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement 

Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/Aithris Fhollaiseachd

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 13 November 2023 which were approved by the Council on 14 December 2023.

4. Scottish Fire and Rescue Local Performance Report                         

Aithisg Dèanadais Ionadail Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No CC/01/24 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland. 

The Committee is invited to comment on and scrutinise the attached Area Performance Report.

5. Community Regeneration Fund Assessment of Applications

Measadh Iarrtasan Maoin Ath-bheòthachaidh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No CC/02/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

The Committee is invited to:

i. consider the applications presented and agree whether to approve, defer or reject the application.  An approval of funding should detail the amount approved and outline any conditions of funding that Members wish to attach to the approval over and above the required technical conditions.  A deferral would allow an applicant to resubmit the current application at a future date with updated information or for the project to be approved subject to further funding becoming available.  A rejection would mean that the application will not proceed and any future application to the fund should be brought forward initially as a new expression of interest;

ii. agree the approved CRF grant award for each application up to the value of the available area allocation; and

iii. If there is a balance of funding remaining, agree to ringfence remaining grant within the 2023/24 allocation to deliver area priorities identified through work to develop an area-based plan, subject to full applications being brought to a future committee meeting for consideration.  PP. 17-254

6. Thurso Associated School Group Attainment Overview

Tar-shealladh Buileachaidh Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Inbhir Theòrsa

There is circulated Report No CC/03/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Education & Learning.

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

7.Area Roads Programme 2024/25

Prògram Rathaidean Sgìreil 2024/25

There is circulated Report No CC/04/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed prioritised Area Roads Capital Programme for the Caithness Area.

8. Annual Roads Capital Programme 2023/24 Update

Cunntas Bliadhnail Prògram Calpa Rathaidean 2023/24

There is circulated Report No CC/05/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Infrastructure, Environment and Economy. 

The Committee is invited to note the:

i. final budget allocation for Caithness area for 2023/24;

ii. works completed on the approved prioritised list to date; and

iii. additional works identified and prioritised throughout the year.

9. Housing Revenue Account: Garage Rents 2024/2025                           

Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais: Màil Gharaidsean 2024/25

There is circulated Report No CC/06/24 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. Wick Common Good – Draft Accounts 2022/23, Proposed Budget 2024/25 and Quarterly Monitoring Statement 2023/24

Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ùige – Dreachd Chunntasan 2022/23, Buidseat ga Mholadh airson 2024/25 agus Aithris Sgrùdaidh Ràitheil 2023/24

There is circulated Report No CC/07/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place and Head of Corporate Finance.

The Committee is invited to:

i. consider and agree the Wick Common Good Fund Statement of Accounts (Appendix 1) and Quarter 4 monitoring report for 2022/23 (Appendix 2);

ii. consider the position of the Wick Common Good Fund, as shown in the Q3 monitoring statement (Appendix 3) against budget for 2023/24; and

iii. agree the Wick Common Good Fund Annual Budget for 2024/25 (Appendix 4).

11. Ward Discretionary Awards

Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird

Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024

The Committee is asked to note that the following Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 1 April 2023: 

Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum £500.00

Thurso Comm Devt Trust – Thurso Toilets/Youth Volunteer Engagement (2/2) £2,500.00

Thurso Football Academy – Professional Coaching Event £1,500.00

Sidhchailleannart – Legends of Caithness £675.00

Feis Ghallaidh/Caithness Feis – Traditional Music Workshops £1,250.00

Pennyland Primary School – Pennyland Wellbeing 60 £580.00

Association of Caithness Community Councils – Village Officer Fund £1,876.50

RBLS Thurso Branch – Poppy Wreath £70.00

Total £8,951.50

Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024

The Committee is asked to note that the following Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved since 1 April 2023: 

Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum £500.00

Dunbeath and District Centre – Back Office Support £2,500.00

Pentland Parish Church of Scotland – Flower Festival £800.00

Sidhchailleannart – Legends of Caithness £675.00

Highlife Highland – Schools Out 2023 £630.00

Feis Ghallaidh/Caithness Feis – Traditional Music Workshops £1,250.00

Association of Caithness Community Councils – Village Officer Fund £1,876.50

RBLS Wick, Canisbay and Latheron Branch – Poppy Wreath £120.00

Total £8,351.50