Thurso common good fund assets to be agreed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The final list of assets to be included in the reactivated Thurso common good fund has been confirmed after a number of comments from the public following a 12-week consultation earlier this year.
On Monday, the Caithness committee will be asked to agree to the publication of the assets and the common good asset register for Thurso and also confirm the reclassification of the property included in the register for the fund.
A common good fund is usually property, whether land, buildings or investments, that belonged to the historic burghs of Scotland, and where revenues from these assets are supposed to be used for the common good of people who live in these areas now.
For Thurso the list of assets to become part of the common good fund are: Sir John’s Square (formerly MacDonald Square); The Mall including The Mall shelter; and The Glebe (part only) – including caravan park, Gillock Park and Victoria Walk shelter.
It also includes Sir George’s Park – including Sir George’s Park Pavilion and Sir George’s Park Old Pavilion; Thurso Burgh Chambers and car park; Amenity land at George Crescent; Thurso Town Hall and Thurso Golf Club.
The next steps will see the Thurso common good property continue to be maintained by the council until an income source is established to sustain them. Both the creation of the fund and its financial position will be reported to the next full Highland Council meeting.
Only four representations were received about the assets in question. One asked whether the Esplanade and land adjacent to it could be included but no evidence of council ownership was found.
A second asked if Lady Thurso Gardens should also form part of the common good but, despite a historic belief that this was gifted to the town in 1872 but taken back and then re-gifted in 1874, the council does not appear to have acquired formal ownership.
It was also asked if the council owned land at Riverside Road, next to Harbour Court, but it does not, and finally a suggestion to use the common good cash for The Mall and Mall Shelter – but that decision would be down to members.
