Consultation to be undertaken on Thurso properties on Common Good Fund list
A NUMBER of properties have been identified in Thurso which could become part of a Common Good Fund for the town.
Highland Council has undertaken a detailed investigation and has come up with a list which includes Sir John's Square, Sir George's Park, The Mall, Thurso Burgh chambers and car park as well as Thurso Town Hall and Thurso Golf Club.
The council now wants to carry out a public consultation on the proposed list. It got underway on Wednesday and will run until May 12.
A Common Good Fund is a fund held by a local authority and consists of property that previously belonged to a burgh. The fund may include both movable property (money or objects) and heritable property (land and buildings), and is legally distinct from other assets owned by the local authority.
Rental payments collected from businesses on Common Good land can be used for projects that benefit communities.
The consultation will give people an opportunity to comment on the proposed contents of the Common Good Fund Asset Register for Thurso.
Section 102 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 states that before establishing a Common Good Asset Register the council must first conduct a public consultation on a list of property (buildings, land, artwork, regalia and funds) it is proposing to include. The statutory consultation will run for a period of 12 weeks.
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: "We are keen to involve the community in this process to ensure that all Thurso Common Good property is identified and included. The Community Council and community bodies will be notified and invited to make representations. However, the list will be widely publicised and available for public representations to be made. The council must investigate and respond to any representations received. Representations, responses and any final decision will be published on the council website. Local authorities must also have in place a process for regular review of the Asset Register once published."
The list of property proposed to be included in the Common Good Asset Register for Thurso is:
*Sir John’s Square (formerly MacDonald Square)
*The Mall including The Mall shelter.
*The Glebe (part only) – including caravan park, Gillock Park and Victoria Walk shelter
*Sir George’s Park – including Sir George’s Park Pavilion & Sir George’s Park Old Pavilion
*Thurso Burgh Chambers and car park
*Amenity land at George Crescent
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*Thurso Town Hall
*Thurso Golf Club
Full details including site descriptions are available from: https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/download/2208/thurso_common_good_fund