Caithness Committee Chair And Civic Leaders Appointed

3rd July 2022

Photograph of Caithness Committee Chair And Civic Leaders Appointed

Councillor Ron Gunn, who represents the Thurso and Northwest Sutherland Ward of The Highland Council, has been appointed as Chair of the new Caithness Committee which met for the first time (Friday 1 July 2022).

After taking the Chair, Cllr Gunn thanked Members for their support and then called for nominations to the roles of Vice Chairs and Civic Leaders for Thurso and Wick.

Councillor Struan Mackie has been elected to the role of Provost of Thurso and Councillor Jan McEwan, the Provost of Wick. Both will also share the role of being Vice Chairs of the Caithness Committee

The other member appointments made during the meeting are as follows:

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Advisory Board
Cllrs Raymond Bremner and Matthew Reiss

Dounreay Stakeholders Group
Cllrs Willie Mackay, Karl Rosie and Andrew Jarvie

Caithness and North Sutherland Fund
Cllrs Willie Mackay and Matthew Reiss

Caithness Citizen's Advice Bureau - Board
Cllr Jan McEwen

Caithness Local Access Forum
Cllrs Karl Rosie and Andrew Jarvie

Chair of Caithness Poverty Action Group
Cllr Andrew Jarvie

Your Police, You Decide Steering Group (Caithness)
Cllr Willie Mackay

Speaking after the committee, the new Chair, Cllr Gunn said: "I would like to thank my colleagues for their support and it’s going to be a privilege to serve the people of Caithness.

“It is important that communities across the whole county have a voice, so regardless of our individual politics, I look forward to us working together and with our community partners and the people of Caithness, to ensure we drive priorities forward and focus on what’s important to our area.

“This includes making sure local services are delivered effectively and efficiently, making the most of the resources we have and exploring new opportunities, especially those that boost our local economy. It is also vital that we priorities career prospects for young people by making sure they have the necessary skills and are best placed to take advantage of new job opportunities.

He added: “Caithness Committee in one way leads the way with its unique association of Caithness Community Councils meetings and monthly meetings with Housing, Roads departments and NHS Highland. These types of meetings will continue as they are so beneficial to everyone."

“There is a lot to do but I am sure that with the ambition and vision that we all share, a lot of positive work can be achieved to make sure Caithness continues to be a great place to live, work, invest in and visit.”

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Are Chromebooks Taking Over Our Classrooms? Highland Schools Face Questions About Digital Learning

The use of Chromebooks, laptops and other digital devices in schools was once widely regarded as an important step towards modernising education.  Giving every pupil access to technology promised to improve learning, widen access to information and prepare young people for a world increasingly dependent on digital skills.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.