Voluntary parking income boost for Caithness
At today’s Caithness Committee, (Monday 3 November 2025) members discussed the latest monitoring report detailing income generated through the voluntary “Invitation to Pay” scheme running in car parks across the area.
In November 2021 the Committee agreed to introduce Invitation to Pay at Dunnet Head Car Park, Dunnet Seadrift Car Park, Noss Head Car Park and Reiss Beach Car Park. Two locations in Wick, Camps and Riverside, were also agreed but are accounted for separately because they form part of Wick Common Good Fund.
The update report presented to members shows that in 2024/25, £10,876.19 has been raised from the participating council run car parks in Caithness. This amount is now earmarked for spend during 2025/26.
Net income by location:
- Dunnet Head Car Park: £4,315.34
- Dunnet Seadrift Car Park: £1,998.79
- Noss Head Car Park: £4,657.63
- Reiss Beach Car Park: -£95.58 (net loss)
In addition to this, the Common Good Car Parks in Wick, are set to receive £9,466.80 which will be credited directly to the Wick Common Good Fund:
- Riverside Car Park: £8,396.05
- Camps Car Park: £1,070.71
This is in line with Council policy that the net income, after costs, is passed to the relevant Area Committee as earmarked funds.
Joint Chair of the Committee, Councillor Andrew Jarvie said: “The Invitation to Pay Scheme voluntary contributions for parking are a much-welcomed income stream. This is money raised locally and kept locally. We look forward to local communities being able to see the benefits of keeping Caithness income within the County”
During discussions the Committee agreed to defer allocating Invitation to Pay funding to allow the establishment of a strategic pot to be used for future projects and at a future Committee meeting, to explore better signage to promote the schemes, to show that funds are kept locally.