Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Monday 4 August 2025 at 10.00am.

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

Recording Notice: This meeting will be recorded and uploaded to the Council’s YouTube channel.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Chief Officer – Legal and Corporate Governance
 

1.  Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus 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.  Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2025 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Caithness Committee.

4.  Scottish Fire and Rescue Local Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais Ionadail Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No CC/17/25 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.

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

5.  Winter Service Plan for 2025/26
Plana Seirbheis a’ Gheamhraidh airson 2025/26

There is circulated Report No CC/18/25 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.

The Committee is invited to to approve the Winter Service Plan for 2024/25

6.  Community Regeneration Fund Assessment of Applications
Measadh Iarrtasan Maoin Ath-nuadhachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No CC/19/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider the CRF applications presented and agree whether to approve, defer or reject each 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 or application; and
ii. agree the approved CRF grant award for each application up to the value of the available area allocation.

7.  External Funding for Energy Efficiency Projects
Maoineachadh on Taobh A-muigh airson Pròiseactan Èifeachdas Lùtha

There is circulated Report No CC/20/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the contents of this report; and
ii.  agree the development of externally funded projects and the opportunity to scale up.

8.  Wick Common Good Fund – Q4 2024/25 and Q1 2025/26 Monitoring
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ùige – Sgrùdadh Ràithe 4 2024/25 agus Ràithe 1 2025/26    

There is circulated Report No CC/21/25 by the Chief Officer Community and Housing and Chief Officer Corporate Finance 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Quarter 4 24/25 and Quarter 1 25/26 monitoring statements for the Wick Common Good Fund

9.  Thurso Common Good Fund -  Q1 2025/26 Monitoring
 Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Theòrsa – Sgrùdadh Ràithe 1 2025/26

There is circulated Report No CC/22/25 by the Chief Officer Community and Housing and Chief Officer Corporate Finance. 

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Quarter 1 25/26 monitoring statement for the Thurso Common Good Fund.

10.  Housing Repairs Performance Report – 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025
Aithisg Coileanaidh Càraidhean Taigheadais– 1 Giblean 2025 gu 30   Ògmhios 2025 

There is circulated Report No CC/23/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.

The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2025 – 30 June 2025.

11.  Ward Discretionary Awards
Duaisean fo Ùghdarras Uàird

Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved– 

The Committee is asked to note that the following Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved for the period 1st April 2025 – 15th July 2026: 

- Caithness Youth Pipe Band – Edinburgh Tartan Parade - £1000.00
- Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum - £500.00
- Home Start Caithness – Summer Day Trip for Families in Need -  £960.00
- Highlife Highland – Active Schools Coaching & Equipment - £1,500.00
- Thurso Football Academy – Professional Football Coaching Sessions - £750

Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 

The Committee is asked to note that the following Wick and East Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved for the period 1st April 2025 – 15th July 2026:

- Caithness Youth Pipe Band – Edinburgh Tartan Parade - £1000.00
- Caithness Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum - £500.00
- Newton Park Parent Council – Newton Park Breakfast Club - £242.98
- Highland Council – Step Forward Wick Youth Summer London Visit - £1,500.00
- Thrumster Parent Council – ELC Container - £1,400.00
- Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council – Town Works - £761.72

12.  Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 28 April 2025 which were approved by the Council on 15 May 2025.