Change on the cards for Black Isle in upcoming Highland Council election
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None of the Black Isle's three incumbent councillors are seeking election this time round.
Gordon Adam, Craig Fraser and Jennifer Barclay have all decided to call it a day.
But it seems local democracy is alive and well, with eight new candidates vying for three seats.
Outgoing area chairman Gordon Adam believes the time is right to seize more local power.
“The Black Isle has a real sense of identity,” he says. “For the past two years, the local community has embraced the opportunities provided by the new Black Isle area committee with its additional funding and the promise of more local decision making to come.”
SNP candidate Lyndsey Johnston wants to ensure that all the communities within the Black Isle are represented at council.
“The more connected the population is to the decision makers, the more likely they are to get involved and have their say,” she says.
She wants more housing, jobs and public transport to avoid what she calls the “brain drain” away from rural areas.
Conservative candidate Theo Stratton also wants a higher profile for the Black Isle. “Highland Council has not given the Black Isle the attention it deserves,” he states on his website.
He wants improvements to roads – the A9/Munlochy junction in particular. His election priorities also include support for local businesses, improved community facilities and greener heating systems.
A self-styled “Greeny Granny”, Anne Thomas is promising to deliver an improved active travel network and community growing facilities.
The speech and language therapist also highlights the challenges for children with additional support needs, and says she wants to “leave a world worth living in for my two granddaughters.”
Independent candidate Sarah Atkin also has a background in education, and served on her local parent council and community council.
Ms Atkin says school attainment is a big issue on the doorsteps and wants the council to go “back to basics” with primary school literacy and says she will work closely with local schools if elected. At the same time, she wants to see more facilities in the community, especially for young people.
“We can’t keep using Covid as an excuse,” she says.
The full list of Black Isle candidates is as follows: Sarah Atkin, Independent; Margaret Bryant, Labour; Lyndsey Johnston, SNP; Morven-May MacCallum, Liberal Democrat; Okain John McLennan, Independent; Bev Smith, Independent; Theo Stratton, Conservative; Anne Thomas, Green.
