New Chair For Caithness Committee

17th May 2018

Councillor Matthew Reiss, who represents the Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward, has been elected as Chairman of The Highland Council's Caithness Committee. He takes over from Councillor Donnie Mackay who has held the role since June 2017.

The committee met in Wick on Wednesday 16 May 2018) and after taking the chair, Councillor Reiss thanked Members for their support before welcoming Stephen Sheridan from Skills Development Scotland who gave a presentation on progress of the Skills Investment Plan for Caithness and North Sutherland.

During the meeting members also had the chance to scrutinise the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's local performance and the area's housing performance report. They also focussed education discussions around a report on Thurso High School and its associated school group before going on to discuss and agree a prioritised programme of roads maintenance in the county over the coming year.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Reiss 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. We are all committed to working hard and delivering the priorities of this great area.

"One of these priorities is to continue with the work already underway with our community partners to reflect the aspirations of the people of Caithness as I strongly feel the people living, studying and working here are our greatest asset. It was therefore good at the start of our Committee today to have the chance to hear from Skills Development Scotland about the targeted work taking place to ensure we make the most of every economic opportunity and people have the necessary skills and are best placed to take advantage of new job opportunities. It’s a good example of how partnership working puts us in a strong position to really drive things forward and focus on what’s important to the people we represent.

"Our Committee will be working hard to make sure that as well as delivering local services effectively and efficiently, we look to exploring new opportunities that will benefit the lives of people and help our local communities prosper.There is much to do but with the ambition and vision that we all share we know much can be achieved and delivered to make sure Caithness continues to be a great place to live in, work in and visit."

Two other changes to Member appointments were made during the meeting. Cllr Karl Rosie has replaced Cllr Donnie Mackay on the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Advisory Board and Cllr Andrew Sinclair has replaced Cllr Nicola Sinclair on the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund.