Wider use of wind farm funds could help Highland Council through its 'perilous financial situation', says Caithness councillor
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A CAITHNESS councillor claims Highland Council could be helped through its "perilous financial situation" by a wider use of wind farm community benefit funds.
The plea was made by Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland ward representative, Matthew Reiss, at the most recent meeting of the Castletown and District Community Council.
He suggested using spare money in the community benefit funds to help finance services which are under pressure because of constraints on local authority budgets.
Councillor Reiss acknowledged that such an approach may not be allowed under the rules which govern these wind farm funds but he argued that if the constitutions need to be changed so be it. At present, most funds benefit the area where the wind farm is located but there have been calls to extend that to include a much wider geographic zone.
"I think we need to be more open-minded about it, " he said.
The councillor claimed the money could be used to help fund village officer posts throughout the county and felt such a move would benefit communities in the far north.
He said these positions – funded largely by Highland Council – are "a resource for the villages" and can help keep them tidy by cutting grass, litter picking and doing other valuable tasks.
"If the funding was available from the wind farms it would be a huge help and would create jobs for local people," added councillor Reiss.
Earlier, he said an independent review of the controversial Castletown road crossing near the play park on the Main Street recommended more signage and road markings.
But councillor Reiss does not think that is the answer. "I hope that works but am not convinced," he said at last week's meeting.
Safety concerns have been raised regularly over the crossing, which was installed as a traffic-calming measure following a campaign by some local parents. It takes the form of a ‘pinch point’ to make the street narrower.
There have been several accidents and near misses and there have been calls for a rethink on the scheme.
Councillor Reiss would like to see the crossing replaced. "The safest solution is to remove the crossing and put in a crossing similar to the one at Watten."
The community council backs road safety measures in Castletown but feels the crossing is the wrong answer.
Highland Council has said its road safety team will "continue to work with local members and the community to address concerns".
The local authority previously said traffic volumes on Main Street do not meet the requirements for a formal controlled crossing.
