Caithness Committee Meeting Topics For 3 November 2025

29th October 2025

The Caithness Committee of the Highland Council met on 3 November 2025 to discuss a range of issues affecting residents across the region. From housing performance to community funding, the meeting offered insights into how local services are evolving and where public money is being invested.

Housing Management Performance: April-September 2025
The committee reviewed a report on housing services across Caithness, focusing on tenancy management, rent collection, and repairs. Highlights included:

Rent Collection
Performance remained strong, with most tenants keeping up with payments.

Void Properties
The time taken to re-let empty homes will be discussed, with efforts underway to reduce delays.

Repairs & Maintenance
Response times for urgent and routine repairs were evaluated, with targets mostly being met.

This report helps the Council identify areas for improvement and ensure tenants receive reliable service.

Short-Term Let Control Area Proposal
A significant item on the agenda was the proposal to designate Caithness as a Short-Term Let Control Area. This would give the Council more oversight of holiday rentals, which can impact housing availability and affordability.

Why It Matters
With rising demand for short-term lets, especially in scenic areas like Caithness, local residents may struggle to find long-term housing.

Next Steps
The committee considered feedback from public consultations and discussed how the policy might be implemented.

This proposal reflects growing concerns about balancing tourism with community needs.

Bereavement Services Update
The committee received an update on cemetery maintenance and bereavement services. Key points included:

Infrastructure Improvements
Ongoing upgrades to burial grounds and facilities.

Service Accessibility
Ensuring respectful and inclusive services for all residents.

Invitation to Pay Scheme
Income & Allocation
The Invitation to Pay scheme allows voluntary contributions for parking in certain areas. The committee reviewed:

Income Generated
Funds collected from Wick's scheme are outlined.

Proposed Allocations: Suggestions included using the money for public amenities and local improvements.

This scheme empowers communities to reinvest in their own spaces.

Common Good Funds
Wick & Thurso
Both Wick and Thurso Common Good Funds were reviewed, with reports covering:

Quarter 2 Monitoring
Financial performance and spending were tracked.

Wick Parking Scheme
Income from the Invitation to Pay scheme was linked to the Wick fund, supporting local projects.

These funds are crucial for maintaining community assets and supporting grassroots initiatives.

Governance
Approval of Previous Minutes
The minutes from the previous meeting (4 August 2025) were approved, confirming decisions made earlier in the year.

For more details on each topic read the papers at
https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5248/caithness_committee