Next week's meetings of the Cromarty Firth and Tain and Easter Ross Highland Council ward forums will mark a year since they were first held.

The meetings afford members of the public a 20-minute slot to ask questions of councillors and officials with each forum typically focussing on one specific issue. They were established following the latest reorganisation of local government and are intended to give members of the public more of a say in the decision-making process.

Asked for his assessment a year down the line, however, Tain and Easter Ross councillor Alasdair Rhind, told the Ross-shire Journal, "I just feel they are not achieving anything. They are supposed to bring all the various community councils together but most people are only interested in their own issues — they do not want to come under the one umbrella.

"The ward forum is merely a talking shop which does not achieve anything."

Councillor Rhind added, "I have always been against them from the start and I have not changed my mind since then."

However, councillor Mike Finlayson, for the Cromarty Firth ward, challenged that view. "I think the forum meetings have been fine, although I would like to see more members of the public coming along. But I suppose it is another night out of people's lives.

"We have being going round the ward to the different communities to discuss various topics on a rota basis — it is mainly about updating people on what is going on in the community. The meetings also give these groups and individuals an outlet to express their views. We've already had a number of good ideas put forward which we can follow up on."

Meanwhile, residents in both the Cromarty Firth and the Tain and Easter Ross wards have been invited to attend their respective forums next Thursday (August 28). The Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum is being held in the Seaboard Memorial Hall, Balintore. The main topic will be the Highland LEADER Programme funding and how it can support local projects.

On the same evening, the Cromarty Firth Ward Forum is being held in the Saltburn Community Hall. The main topics will be the benefits of renewable energy, with a look at what financial help there is to introduce renewable energy as well as tips on how to save energy, along with a run through of the recently launched Highland 2007 Legacy Fund and how it will help to promote the events, festivals and cultural programme of the Highlands. Both meetings start at 7.30pm with teas and coffees available from 7pm.

Meetings last for up to two hours, with a 20-minute slot allocated at the end of the meeting for questions from the public. Police representatives are often invited to give updates.

Members of the public are invited to submit questions in advance. For the Tain and Easter Ross ward, contact Carol Elliot at Tain Service Point or by e-mailing carol.elliot@highland.gov.uk

For the Cromarty Firth Ward, contact Helen Ross at Invergordon Service Point or by phoning 01349 855524 or by e-mailing helen.ross@highland.gov.uk

Further information can also be found on the Highland Council website under Your Ward.

Are Ward Forums a waste if time? Have your say in The Big Vote.

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