Tain and Easter Ross elects new councillor

THE Highland Council ward of Tain and Easter Ross has a new councillor.

Fiona Robertson topped a field of five candidates in the by-election, which was called after the death earlier this year of former SNP councillor, Alan Torrance.

Ms Robertson, an independent candidate, grew up in Inver and raised her own family in the area. She has been involved in public service for a number of years, serving on her local community council and as a member of a number of voluntary and school groups.

During the past 11 years she has worked as a member of a team with local Highland Councillors as a project consultant. She has worked on a number of local projects including the Tain Rose Garden refurbishment; skateboard park; wildlife pond; Tain Youth Café; town centre CCTV and community polytunnel project.

Those standing in the by-election were: Antony Gardner (Scottish Liberal Democrats), Michael Herd (Independent), Derek Louden (SNP), Ruairidh Mackenzie (Independent) and Fiona Robertson (Independent).

Mr Herd was eliminated after the first round of voting under the single transferable vote system with Mr Gardner next to leave the process. Mr Mackenzie was eliminated after the third round. Ms Robertson was declared the winner over Mr Louden in the final round.

Some 2,536 people cast a vote out of a total electorate of 6,962.

Speaking ahead of the election, Ms Robertson spelled out her intentions if successful. She told the Journal, “Being local to the area I fully understand, and share, the concern over issues facing everyone in our villages and the town of Tain. If I am elected I will work tirelessly to represent the views of people in Tain and Easter Ross, to get them the services they need.

"I would ensure that I would always do what is best for our families and our communities."

She joins sitting councillors Alasdair Rhind and Richard Durham.

More on this story in next week's Ross-shire Journal.

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