Agenda
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A meeting of the Caithness Committee will take place remotely on Monday 3 August 2026 at 10.00am.
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 25 June 2026 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/16/26 by the Local Senior Officer for Highland.
The Committee is invited to comment on, scrutinise and note the Area Performance Report.
5. Community Regeneration Fund Assessment of Applications
Measadh Iarrtasan airson na Maoin Ath-bheothachadh Coimhearsnachd
There is circulated Report No CC/17/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the Community Regeneration Funding currently available in
Caithness;
ii. consider the applications presented and agree whether to approve, defer or reject those applications. 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 the 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; and
iii. agree the approved CRF grant awards, subject to any conditions, up to the value of the available area allocation.
6. Housing Repairs and Capital Report
Aithisg Coileanaidh Càraidhean Taigheadais
There is circulated Report No CC/18/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2026 – 30 June 2026;
ii. note the progress of the Void-Plus policy which has been implemented on a trial basis in Caithness since July 2024; and
iii. approve the continuation of the Void-Plus policy in Caithness as part of mainstream efforts to re-let low demand houses and support new tenants to sustain their tenancies
7. Wick Common Good Fund Q4 2025/2026 and Q1 2026/27 Monitoring
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Ùige Ràithe 4 2025/2026 agus Ràithe 1 2026/27
There is circulated Report No CC/19/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.
The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Quarter 4 2025/202626 and Quarter 1 2026/2027 monitoring statements for the Wick Common Good Fund.
8. Thurso Common Good Fund Q4 2025/2026 Q1 2026/27 Monitoring
Maoin Math Coitcheann Inbhir Theòrsa Ràithe 1 2025/2026 Sgrùdadh Ràithe 1 2026/2027
There is circulated Report No CC/20/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.
The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Quarter 4 2025/2026 and Quarter 1 2026/2027 monitoring statement for the Thurso Common Good Fund.
9. Environmental Health - Annual Report & Activity 2025/26
Slàinte Àrainneachdail – Aithisg Bhliadhnail & Gnìomhachd 2025/26
There is circulated Report No CC/21/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.
The Committee is invited to note and provide any feedback on:-
i. the scope and volume of work currently being delivered in the local area;
ii. local issues and current operational priorities;
iii. Highland wide issues impacting Environmental Health services; and
iv. the format and content of the report.
10. Winter Service Plan for 2026/27
Plana Seirbheis Geamhraidh airson 2026/27
There is circulated Report No CC/22/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive - Place.
The Committee is invited to approve the Winter Service Plan for 2026/27.
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 2026 –
Scottish Surfing – Scottish National Championships - £4,000.00
Highlife Highland Active Schools & Coaching Equipment - £2,250.00
Thurso Football Academy – Professional Football Training Camp - £950.00
North Highland Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum - £500.00
Vivis Roots Collection - £1,924.50
Thurso Beach & Town initiative – Thurso Tennis Court Flower Beds - £460.00
Join in More (Caithness)- £500.00
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 2026 – :
North Highland Chamber of Commerce – Caithness Transport Forum - £500.00
Vivid Roots Collection - £1,924.50
12. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas
There are circulated for noting Minutes of the Caithness Committee held on 27 April 2026 which were approved by the Council on 14 May 2026.