The shock move was revealed by Wick ward manager David Sutherland at a meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council on Monday night.

He said that the authority was owed around £19,000 for lighting work at the fountain and riverside since 2005 and would be taking the matter to court.

The revelation represents a second blow for the organisers of the gala which was under threat this year after the loss of a substantial amount of cash.

That matter is currently the subject of a police investigation Businesses and the public rallied round, enabling the festival to go ahead as planned, and the organisers re-formed under a new name, Wick Gala Committee.

The outstanding debt claim was made by Wick Highland councillor Katrina MacNab, who also maintained that the authority was not fully recognised for its annual contributions to the gala.

She said that the town improvements association had disbanded but according to legal advice from the council the new committee was liable for the previous body's debts.

That was also community councillor Alex Henderson's understanding of the situation and he said he had told gala committee members so at a meeting.

He said: "If the town improvements association owes this cash the gala committee members are liable. I think the matter is due to come up at the next meeting."

Mr Sutherland said that one of the outstanding bills was for the floodlighting at the restored fountain and amounted to £8705.21; the other invoice for lighting at the riverside was for £10,305.05. The Highland Council will be pursuing payment through debt recovery.

Community councillor Geraldine Durrand was concerned at the time lapse and said that the situation should have been looked into "long before now".

Highland councillor Graeme Smith advocated caution and questioned whether it was the time and place to be discussing the issue which, he advised, should be left until the matter had been examined in depth.

Disassociating himself from some of the statements made, Mr Smith, who also serves as a community councillor, said: "I would be very cautious. What might appear one way might prove to be another. I think the examination should be allowed to take place before we become judgemental."

Community councillor David Morrison said: "I agree with Graeme, the police investigation hasn't been finalised and I think it would appropriate we don't say anything.

Fellow member Jenny Bruce agreed saying it was "a very sensitive issue" and added: "I do think that what has been discussed should not go out of this room. It is in the hands of the police. I think there is a great danger we could inflame the situation."

Mrs MacNab maintained however: "The public should know the facts. It is public money."

Mr Sutherland said that the outstanding bills were a separate issue from the police investigation.

He said: "There are two projects the council helped the gala organisers with and we will be pursing the debtor for recovery of the money."

Mrs Durrand added: "I can't credit how long this has gone on."

Chairman Tommy Bean is away on holiday and his vice-chairwoman, Lorna Ross, could not be contacted for comment yesterday as the Caithness Courier went to press.

n.donaldson@nosn.co.uk

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