Agendas, reports and minutes

Present:

Mr D Bremner, Mrs G Coghill, Mr G Farlow, Mr B Fernie, Mr N MacDonald, Mrs D Mackay, Mr D Mackay, Mr W Mackay, Mr A Macleod, Mr J McGillivray, Mr H Morrison, Ms L Munro, Mr J Rosie, Ms G Ross, Mr R Saxon

Officials in attendance:

Mr W Gilfillan, Corporate Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Ms H Ross, Senior Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr R Guest, Head of Roads and Community Works, TEC Services
Mr G Hamilton, Head of Environment and Development, Planning and Development Service
Mr D Cowie, Principal Planner, Planning and Development Service
Mr B Mackinnon, Employability Team Leader, Planning and Development Service
Mr P Tomalin, Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Ms T Luxton, Housing and Property Manager, Housing and Property Service
Mr G Nichols,  Area Education Manager, Education Culture & Sport Service
Mr G Mackenzie, Roads and Community Works Manager, TEC Services
Ms S Tarrant, Public Relations Officer, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr M Dent, Access Officer, Planning and Development Service
Ms A Macrae, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Service
Mrs F Anderson, Administrative Assistant, Finance Service
Mrs J Mackay, Senior Clerical Assistant,  Finance Service

Also Attending:

Mr A Ferrier, Skills Development Scotland
Mr D MacBeath, North Highland College
Mr M Mennie, Caithness Chamber of Commerce
Mr E Sinclair, Programme Manager, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership

Mrs D Mackay in the Chair

The Chair advised the Board 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.

Preliminaries

• The Chair welcomed Mrs G Coghill to her first meeting of the Area Committee following her recent election as a Councillor for the Landward Caithness Ward; and
• The Corporate Manager advised that, under Standing Order 32.5, the current method of voting for Area Committees was by a show of hands. However, the procedure at other Committees held at Headquarters was that votes were electronically recorded so that they could be listed in the Minute thereafter and distributed on the day of the Committee. If it was the case that there was a preference for votes to be also listed in the Area Committee Minute, this would require them to be undertaken by roll call (in the absence of electronic voting equipment at Area Committee locations).

Thereafter, it was AGREED that any votes should be undertaken by roll call.

1.  Apology for Absence
Leisgeulan

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Mr G Phillips.

2.  Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Item 5:   Mr G Farlow (non-financial)
Item 6:   Mrs G Ross and Mr R Saxon (financial)
Item 9:   Mrs G Ross (non-financial)
Item 11: Mr G Farlow (financial)

3.  Skills and Workforce Development
Leasachadh Sgilean agus Luchd-obrach

The Chair confirmed that at the meeting of the Committee held on 19 November 2013, Members had asked for further information on training and workforce development in Caithness and Sutherland and how this connected with employment opportunities and growth.

In connection with this item, the Chair advised that presentations would be received from the Council’s Employability Team Leader and Mr A Ferrier, Skills Development Scotland, Mr D MacBeath, North Highland College, Mr M Mennie, Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Mr E Sinclair, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.

She welcomed all parties to the meeting and the opportunity to hear from the various agencies in regard to employment training, job opportunities and outcomes for school leavers and students in Caithness and Sutherland.

Thereafter presentations were given on the ongoing work of the various agencies and the Council to offset the results of the decommissioning of Dounreay and ensure that clear pathways were in place to prepare young people in the area for the future needs and demands of industry and business across all sectors. This included ensuring that young people reached positive destinations when leaving school, college and university.

During this item there was a wide ranging discussion which focused on:-

• the ‘Make the Right Connections’ project being delivered through the
  Caithness Chamber of Commerce.  It was reported that this was a £2.3m Programme funded by both public and private partners which was mapping the age ranges and transferrable skills currently at Dounreay in preparation for the final end state to ensure that local skills were transferable and to bridge any skills gap;
• Skills Development Scotland’s Employability Fund which had been introduce in April 2013 and aimed to support young people and adults not in employment or who had been unemployed for a period of months;
• the work being progressed by the agencies in schools and with young   people to ensure that there was a full understanding of the courses and employment opportunities in the area, both now and for the future, to help them reach positive destinations. It was noted that Skills Development Scotland was working in schools in conjunction with guidance teachers toprovide careers advice and coaching to assist young people to make choices;
• ongoing activities to provide young people with both the skills and experience to assist them to secure employment and to meet the future needs and demands of industry and business across all sectors, particularly the emerging sectors such as energy, oil and gas, tourism, and the supply chain businesses. Specific reference was made to North Highland College’s work experience placements which had been built into the curriculum, the College’s Apprenticeship Scheme and the fact that new energy strands had been added to its engineering courses and proposals to introduce a Masters Degree by 2014;
• proposals by the Council to introduce, in conjunction with the construction sector, a Shared Apprenticeship Scheme and to prepare apprentices to be more productive to businesses at an earlier stage;
  the barriers created by lack of transport for young people in attending
  colleges, training centres and their place of employment.  It was suggested that a report be submitted to the Area Committee in Spring 2014 on progress with the development of a partnership approach to transport provision for young people;
• the opportunities for North Highland College to become involved in a training centre for engineering in East Sutherland to meet local demand for these skills if suitable premises could be found;
• the opportunities to make representations through the Scottish Government to press oil companies to provide a minimum quota of training placements for young people;
• the need to ensure a co-ordinated approach between the agencies to offset the decommissioning of Dounreay and to meet the future needs and demands of industry and business across all sectors; and
  funding that could be accessed through the Council and European sources for specialist courses to assist retaining traditional skills in the area.

Members also commented that the boundary of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, which covered the Dounreay travel to work area, was historical and that people travelled to Dounreay from all over Sutherland. It was therefore requested that the boundaries of the Partnership be reviewed and the Programme Manager confirmed that he would refer this matter back to the Board of Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i. AGREED that a report be submitted in Spring 2014 on progress with the
  development of a partnership approach to transport provision for young
  people;
ii. AGREED that the skills of the workforce and young people and activity in
   regard to training and workforce development within Caithness and
   Sutherland be mapped, with a view to ensuring a co-ordinated approach
   between the agencies to offset the decommissioning of Dounreay and to
   meet the future needs and demands of industry and business across all
   sectors; and
iii. REQUESTED that the Board of Caithness and North Sutherland 
   Regeneration Partnership review the boundaries of the partnership.

4.  The Future of Wick and Thurso – Charrette Feedback                      
Àm ri Teachd Inbhir Ùige agus Inbhir Theòrsa – Fios air ais mun Dian-dhealbhadh

There had been circulated Report No CS-13-13 (4842kb pdf) dated 9 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development which provided feedback from the Wick and Thurso Charrettes held between 21 and 27 February 2013.

The Charrettes had given local communities the opportunity to draw up a vision for the future of their town and to influence a new Local Development Plan for the wider Caithness & Sutherland area (CaSPlan) and the outcomes had been outlined in a report prepared by a team of Consultants who had facilitated the events alongside the Council.

The communities’ vision for each town included proposals for improvement, development and regeneration and it was proposed to reflect these in the first stage of the CaSPlan, known as the Main Issues Report.  A number of other steps had also been proposed to deliver the outcomes of the Charrettes and these had been outlined in the Report.  Prior to publishing the Main Issues Report for consultation, a Call for Sites exercise also needed to be undertaken to obtain details of sites that people considered to be suitable for development. 

During discussion, Members welcomed the success of the Wick and Thurso Charrettes, noting that these had been well supported by the local communities, and the proposed next steps of the process as outlined in the report.

Reference was also made to the importance of replicating the process in other areas to ensure effective engagement with communities in taking forward the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan. 

In response to a point raised in regard to the opportunities to engage more with communities outwith the centres of Thurso and Wick through the next stage of the process, it was requested that arrangements be made to circulate the final Charrette Report and Executive Summary to Community Councils in the landward areas of Caithness.

At this point, the Principal Planner provided a summary of the lessons learned through the Charrettes process, noting that it had been resource intensive in terms of finance and staff and that while the Scottish Government had provided funding which had allowed consultants to be facilitate the events in Wick and Thurso, this would not be the case for other areas due to the costs involved. However, the process would be reviewed and the lessons learned used to inform how best to engage with communities in other parts of Caithness and Sutherland.

In regard to settlement development area boundaries, it was confirmed that it was appropriate for the approach to be reviewed as part of the overall Local Development Plan review process.

In taking forward the Local Development Plan process in Sutherland, briefing sessions would be held for Local Members in which they would have the opportunity to inform the process for engaging with local communities. Briefings would also be held at Ward Forums to link in with Community Councils and the wider communities in Sutherland.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i. NOTED the content of the final Charrette report and the Executive
   Summary prepared by the Consultant team;
ii.AGREED the suggested programme for progressing the outcomes of the
   Wick and Thurso Charrettes;
iii.AGREED that the outcomes of the Charrettes would be taken forward in
   preparing the new Caithness & Sutherland Local Development Plan;
iv.AGREED to a Call for Sites exercise to be undertaken for the whole
   Caithness & Sutherland area; and
v.AGREED that arrangements be made to circulate the final Charrette Report
   and Executive Summary to Community Councils in the landward areas of
   Caithness.

5. North West Highland Geopark
Geo-pàirc Iar Thuath na Gàidhealtachd

Mr G Farlow declared a non-financial interest in this item on the grounds that he was a Director of North West Highland Geopark Ltd but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude him from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No CS-14-13 (188kb pdf) dated 9 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development which considered recent developments supporting the North West Highlands Geopark. These included the Council becoming a signatory to the Scottish Geodiversity Charter, a recent joint approach (with Geopark Shetland) to the Scottish Government seeking financial support for a comprehensive programme of actions in the Geopark and subsequent correspondence between the Leader of the Council and the Finance Secretary supporting the joint approach.  A brief summary of how the Highland Council had previously supported the North West Highlands Geopark was also provided for information.

In this regard, the Head of Environment and Development confirmed that Members would be provided with a map of the Geopark and the appropriate Web link for the Scottish Geodiversity Charter and that he would arrange for a briefing paper on Geoparks to be circulated.

During discussion, Members welcomed the report and suggested that the North West Highland Geopark should be actively encouraged to apply for funding from the Ward Discretionary Budgets. Reference was also made to the importance of the Geopark in supporting sustainable development in a sparsely populated area, for example, through tourism, and encouraging people to move or return to work in the area. It was also hoped that the value of the Geopark would be recognised through formal UNESCO accreditation in November 2013. 

In response to questions, the Head of Environment and Development confirmed that should a positive response be received from the Scottish Government in regard to the request for secure funding, a more detailed report including further information on the costs associated with the proposed actions would be presented.

The Chair also advised that Members’ support was being sought for the additional short term actions as set out in Paragraph 7.3 of the report which would then be recommended to the Planning, Environment and Development Committee.

Following further discussion the Committee:-

i.  NOTED the recent developments supporting the North West Highland
   Geopark;
ii. AGREED the additional short-term actions as set out in Paragraph 7.3 of the
   report, to be recommended to the Planning, Environment and Development
   Committee in support of the Geopark; and
iii. AGREED that arrangements be made for Members to receive a briefing
    paper on Geoparks.

6. Thurso High School Associated School Group Overview
Sealladh Coitcheann air Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa

Mrs G Ross declared a financial interest in this item on the grounds that her husband was a teacher at Thurso High School and left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Mr R Saxon declared a financial interest in this item on the grounds that his wife was invigilating at Thurso High School and took no part in the discussion or determination of this item.

There had been circulated Report No CS-15-13 (732kb pdf) dated 9 May 2013 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update of key information in relation to the schools within the Thurso High School Associated School Group (ASG) and useful links to further information in relation to the schools.

During discussion, Members raised a number of points as follows:

• further information was required in regard to the reference in the report to
  Activity Agreements. In response, the Area Education Manager confirmed
  that this was part of a Government initiative and that he would arrange for
  Members to be circulated with more detailed  information;
• in relation to the Head Teacher recruitment difficulties which had been
  experienced in Caithness and Sutherland, an update on progress with
  vacancies at Castletown and Halkirk Primary Schools was required;
• in regard to the value and importance of investing in staff development
  around emotional literacy, an update on progress was sought. In response,
  the Area Education Manager confirmed that the aim was to develop a holistic
  approach involving teachers and a range of other staff across the Associated
  School Group in order to achieve positive outcomes in this area and that a
  report on progress would be submitted in due course;
• more detailed information should be provided to Cllr Linda Munro on the
  attainment levels shown for both boys and girls at Thurso High School and in
  this regard it was queried as to whether reduction might be related to the
  demographic changes associated with the decommissioning of Dounreay; and
• there was concern at the capacity rates shown for some of the schools
  detailed in the report. In this regard, it was suggsted that there was a need
  to have a wider discussion in relation to population trends and impacts on
  school roll numbers, for example, as a result of the changes at Dounreay.

In regard to Head Teacher recruitment, the Area Education Manager explained that this was a Highland-wide issue and that work was on-going within the Service to identify barriers and develop solutions to this complex issue, for example, through the Council’s Headship Programme. One challenge was the reluctance of staff to apply for promoted posts and in relation to the specific cases at Castletown and Halkirk Primary Schools, he was to meet with the Director of Education, Culture and Sport and Head of Education to discuss options with a view to reporting back to the relevant Parent Councils. 

He also confirmed that the reduction in attainment levels shown for Thurso High School was marginal and related to Level 5 only and he was content with the actions which had been put in place to address the slight decline. He also acknowledged that a change in the demographic of the area may be a contributory factor.

Responding to a further point raised, he confirmed that the Service’s Estates Section was currently investigating the feasibility of extending the running track at Thurso High School and that discussions had been held between the Council, Local Athletics Clubs and Sport Scotland in this regard.

The Chair requested that Members receive an update on progress with attainment levels at Thurso High School and welcomed the range of activities being progressed within Primary Schools across the Associated School Group.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i.  NOTED the content of the report;
ii. AGREED that Members should receive an update on progress with the
   actions being taken in response to attainment levels at Thurso High School
   and that Mrs L Munro should be provided with more detailed information in
   regard to the attainment levels shown for both boys and girls;
iii. AGREED that Members be circulated with further information on Activity
   Agreements; and
iv. AGREED that a report be submitted to a future meeting outlining the
    issues with and solutions for Head Teacher recruitment difficulties in
    Caithness and Sutherland.

7.  Storm Damage 14/15 December 2012 – Update Report
Milleadh Stoirm 14/15 Dùbhlachd 2012 – Aithisg le Cunntas as Ùr

There had been circulated Report No CS-16-13 (159kb pdf) dated 2 May 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, updating Members on the progress of repairs to the damage which occurred to harbours and coastal structures during the storm surge on 14/15 December 2012.

In this regard, the Community Works Manager confirmed that he would report back directly to Mrs G Ross on the status of the North Baths Path, Wick.

The Head of Roads and Community Works confirmed that the Council had not qualified for funding under the Bellwin Scheme on the basis that the expenditure incurred as a result of the storm damage had been less than the minimum of £1.2m of additional expenditure which had to be incurred to meet the Scheme’s strict funding criteria. In this regard, it was clarified that the Council had originally estimated the cost of the works to be £2.5m.

During discussion, the Committee commended the Council’s staff for the speed of their response to the storm surge and welcomed the work done by a private contractor, at no cost to the Council, to clear the beach at Ackergill, near Wick.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i.  NOTED the progress made to repair the damage to Council harbour facilities
    and coast defence structures; 
ii. AGREED that a further report providing details of final costs should be
   submitted to a future meeting; and
iii. AGREED that the Community Works Manager should respond
    directly to Mrs G Ross on the status of the North Baths Path,
    Wick.

8. Maintenance Programme for Roads and Bridge Works 2013/14
Prògram Gleidhidh airson Obraichean Rathaid agus Drochaid 2013/14

There had been circulated Report No CS-17-13 (349kb pdf) dated 9 May 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services inviting Members to approve the Maintenance Programmes for Surface Dressing, Resurfacing and Bridge Maintenance for the Caithness and Sutherland Area for 2013/14.

During discussion, Members expressed their concern at the lack of prior consultation on the Programme at a Ward level. In response, the Head of Roads and Community Works explained that the late finalisation of the budget, which had been approved by the TEC Services Committee on 16 May 2013, had created timing issues in regard to the ability of the Service to attend each Ward Business Meeting before the Programme was presented to the Committee. However, he advised that there was flexibility within the Programme to take account of Members’ comments in regard to individual projects and Officials would attend each of the Ward Business Meetings during the following year before finalisation of the Programme as had been the case in the previous year.

The Head of Roads and Community Works then responded to a number of questions during which he:-

• provided an update on the remedial action and approach being taken in
  response to surface dressing failures in 2011 and 2012;
• clarified that the proposed spend of £250,000 on surface dressing would be allocated to new schemes and not for any remedial works;
• in regard to the proposal to allocate the remainder of budget for surface dressing (£390,639) on drainage works, referred to the importance of ensuring that roads were properly drained prior to surface dressing works being carried out;
• confirmed the intention to provide more training for local staff to repair and maintain crash barriers;
• explained that the Council’s Insurance Officer could provide information in regard to claims submitted for damaged windscreens due to issues with road chippings in the North, West and Central Sutherland Ward;
• confirmed that the Naver Bridge was included in the draft Capital Programme to be submitted to the Council for approval;
• noted that the Council would continue to press the Timber Transport Group for additional investment in the roads infrastructure; and
• advised of problems in regard to the availability of the contractor engaged to undertake white lining in the area and opportunities to progress a joint approach with the trunk roads contractor.

Following further discussion, the Chair, seconded by Mr G Farlow, MOVED approval of the recommendations as set out in the report.

Mr B Fernie, seconded by Mr W Mackay, moved as an AMENDMENT approval of the Roads Structural Maintenance and Bridge Maintenance Programmes for the Caithness and Sutherland Area for 2013/14 and that £195,319 be spent in the current year on surface dressing in addition to the £250k already proposed.

On a vote being taken, the MOTION received 8 votes and the AMENDMENT received 7 votes and the MOTION was therefore CARRIED, the votes having been cast as follows:-

For the Motion:

Mrs D Mackay, Mr G Farlow, Mr N Macdonald, Mr A Macleod, Mrs L Munro, Mr J Rosie, Mrs G Ross and Mr R Saxon.

For the Amendment:

Mr D Bremner, Mrs G Coghill, Mr B Fernie, Mr D Mackay, Mr W Mackay, Mr J McGillivray and Mr H Morrison.

The Committee therefore APPROVED the Maintenance Programme for Surface Dressing, Road Structural Maintenance and Bridge Maintenance for the Caithness and Sutherland Area for 2013/14.

9.  Community Works Officer Duties
Dleastanasan Oifigearan nan Obraichean Coimhearsnachd  

Mrs G Ross declared a non-financial interest in this item on the grounds that her cousin was employed by TEC Services but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that this interest did not preclude her from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No CS-18-13 (200kb pdf) dated 9 May 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services which provided details of the roles and responsibilities of the staff within Roads and Community Works who were responsible for delivering front line services, including Community Works Officers.

During discussion, and with regard to the Service arrangements for litter collection within the North, West and Central Sutherland Ward, it was suggested that this information should be provided directly to Mr H Morrison outwith the meeting.

In this regard, it was confirmed that currently only the Community Works Assistants and Education Enforcement Officers had the power to issue Enforcement Notices for littering offences and that the deployment of staff at a Ward level was devolved to the Community Works Officers in conjunction with the relevant foreman. An update was also provided on progress with the development of the CRM system for Community Works. 

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the roles and responsibilities of the staff within Roads and Community Works who were responsible for delivering front-line services, including Community Works Officers.

The Committee also AGREED that Mr H Morrison should be provided with further information on the Service arrangements for litter collection within his Ward.   

10.  Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Programme
Prògram Rothaireachd, Coiseachd agus Sràidean nas Sàbhailte

There had been circulated Report No CS-19-13 (101kb pdf) dated 22 April 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, which invited Members to approve the projects delivered through the Scottish Government funding for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets for the Caithness and Sutherland area as set out in Appendix 1.

The Committee APPROVED the Safer Routes to School Projects as listed in Appendix 1.

11.  Housing and Property Services Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais Sheirbheisean an Taigheadais agus na Seilbhe

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, remained to participate in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No CS-20-13 (172kb pdf) dated 3 May 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property, providing information on how the Housing and Property Service performed in relation to Housing Performance Indicators during the final quarter for 2012/2013.

In response to questions, the Housing and Property Manager confirmed that the local impacts associated with Welfare Reform changes were being monitored and that further information would be brought back to the Committee in this regard, including specific information on rent arrears and the supply and demand for one bedroom properties in the area.

In response to further questions, it was confirmed that 425 properties had been re-let in Caithness and Sutherland in 2012; in respect of which there had been 599 refusals. These figures were disproportionately high compared to other areas of Highland and the reasons for refusal captured by the Service were wide-ranging and included change in circumstances, lack of garden, no reason being given or the property was located in an unsuitable area.

It was also clarified that, in regard to voids, targets were being met, with the exception of the percentage of properties let within 5/8 weeks in Caithness as set out in Table 2 of the report. The reasons for the figures being above target were varied and included the desirability of an area in terms its location, type of property, transport links and amenities or other property management issues.

Discussion then focused on any incentives that could be offered in regard to properties which were difficult to let or areas where there was a high turnover of properties and the Housing and Property Manager advised that she would be content to investigate opportunities to develop an alternative approach in regard to difficult to let properties and report back to Members.

In connection with a specific case relating to the period of time taken to re-let a property in Thurso, the Housing and Property Manager advised that she would investigate and respond directly to Mr D Mackay on this matter. 

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the information provided on performance in the fourth quarter of 2012/13 ending 31 March 2013.

The Committee also AGREED:-

i.  that further information would be brought back on the local impacts of
    Welfare Reform;
ii.  that the Housing and Property Manager should investigate opportunities to
    develop an alternative approach in regard to difficult to let properties; and
iii. that the Housing and Property Manager should investigate and
    respond to Mr D Mackay in regard to a specific case regarding the re-
    letting of a property in Thurso.

12.  Investing in Caithness and Sutherland – Capital Projects
A’ Tasgadh ann an Gallaibh agus Cataibh – Pròiseactan Calpa

There had been circulated Report No CS-21-13 (193kb pdf) dated 18 May 2013 by the Director of Finance which showed the annual budget, expenditure to end of April 2013 and projected year end position for 2013/14 for Caithness and Sutherland projects included in the Council’s Capital Programme. 

Arising from the report, clarification was sought on the funding arrangements for the works to the Coghill Bridge, Wick with a view to the works being progressed at the earliest opportunity.

The Committee NOTED the report and AGREED that the funding arrangements for the works to the Coghill Bridge, Wick be clarified.

13.  Lease of Dornoch Common Good Land
Gabhail Fearann air Mhàl bho Mhaoin Maith Choitchinn Dhòrnaich

There had been circulated Joint Report No CS-22-13 (373kb pdf) dated 24 April 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Housing and Property and the Corporate Manager proposing that the Council leased 0.44ha of Dornoch Common Good land to Royal Dornoch Golf Club in exchange for a lease of the Glebe Field. The Glebe Field would be subsequently let for community use.

The Committee APPROVED the exchange of leases between Royal Dornoch Golf Club, the Council and the community of Dornoch as outlined in the report.

14.  Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There had been circulated Minutes of Meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee held on 18 February 2013, which were NOTED.

15. Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Committee AGREED to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13a of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

16.  Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 – Proposed Action Under the Act
Achd Ath-leasachadh an Fhearainn (Alba) 2003 – Gnìomh a Thathar a’ Moladh fon Achd

There had been circulated Report No CS/23/13 dated 9 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development seeking approval to take action to address restrictions on access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

Following discussion, the Committee AGREED to institute legal proceedings under Section 13(3) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 with the aim of asserting, protecting and keeping open and free from obstruction a route in Forss, Caithness as detailed in the report.

The meeting ended at 4.35pm.