Heavy agenda for Ross-shire's new councillors as Highland Council starts to take shape for a fresh five-year term
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
In Brief
- Tourism recovery and green port aspirations for Cromarty Firth
- Crumbling roads an issue raised on the doorsteps across the county
- Inner Moray Firth Development Plan will affect everyone's lives
- Is the centralising pull of Inverness still unfairly strong in council decisions?
Ross-shire has elected its 28 councillors to represent the area that spans the breadth of Scotland – including more than one-third who will be new to the Highland Council.
The representatives will have an enormous job on their hands as the region looks to battle its way out of the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic while dealing with a looming recession and cost of living crisis.
On top of that there is the major issue of visitors – both for good and ill – as tourist bosses hope cruises can start docking in Invergordon again while others look to manage how some approach the NC500.
But there are also major opportunities in the pipeline that could help to deliver economic stability potentially for decades to come as Highland Council is involved in the bid to bring a Green Freeport to the Cromarty Firth.
RELATED: SNP and Independents confirm deal to run new Highland Council
The move has the potential to generate what one insider said was tens of billions of revenue for decades while at the same time providing thousands of jobs as the UK and Scottish Governments look to ramp-up their zero-carbon efforts.
Elsewhere the Federation of Small Businesses has called on the council to become more business savvy and be aware that more than 40,000 people across the region are employed in small and medium enterprises.
Definitive big decisions are looming as well with the so-called Inner Moray Firth Development Plan likely to be decided in the coming months – it will effectively determine where people can build homes and businesses for the next decade.
Another key factor is the huge presence of Inverness on Ross-shire’s doorstep, a presence that, it is often felt, draws investment and effort away from other areas as soon as you cross the Kessock Bridge.
But local towns like Dingwall, Tain, Alness, Invergordon and others are losing patience and are demanding their fair share in council investment – an issue that was raised repeatedly during the campaign.
No other area has endured less investment than the biggest ward in the UK – Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, however the situation improved when local councillors set up their own local area committee.
That is something those who were elected will want to continue with incumbent Biz Campbell (Independent) joined by Patrick Logue (Conservative) along with what was a double win for the SNP in Chris Birt and Liz Kraft.
A major focus of public disquiet is the lack of housing for locals, particularly those entering the housing market for the first time which has seen communities decimated, the knock on effect is a declining economy.
The neighbouring ward of Dingwall and Seaforth saw one new councillor Sean Kennedy (Independent) elected alongside incumbents Graham MacKenzie (SNP), Angela MacLean (Liberal Democrats) and Margaret Paterson (Independent).
Key issues there include persuading local statutory bodies to allow businesses to set-up shop in Dingwall business park – so far they have been prevented from doing so because of flood risk objections despite SEPA being located there.
Cllr Kennedy said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been elected, of course I am keen to get to work but I would remind the people of Dingwall and Seaforth I am here to represent them.
"The most important things I can do now is learn the ropes at the council, like I said during the campaign, and keep my ear close to the ground. The people here want someone who listens and responds and truly is their voice in the council.
“I feel we don't have a moment to lose because if we don't start working to move the area forward, to look after its people then all we are doing is treading water and I feel we have been doing that for too long as it is."
When it comes to major industry the key wards are Cromarty Firth and Tain and Easter Ross which takes in the Ports of Nigg and Invergordon and could become the centre of a renewables boom.
In Tain both Derek Louden (SNP) and Alasdair Rhind (Independent) were voted in there and they were joined by newcomer Sarah Rawlings (Liberal Democrats) who managed an upset in replacing Fiona Robertson.
The Cromarty Firth saw Tamala Collier (SNP), Maxine Morley-Smith (Independent), Pauline Munro (Independent) and rising star of the Liberal Democrats Molly Nolan elected.
Cllr Nolan said: “For me, party politics has taken a back seat this week. Councillors of all stripes have major statutory and safeguarding responsibilities for the most vulnerable people in Highland, and it has been truly humbling to be entrusted with this.
“As the new administration takes shape, my priority is getting the basics right and making sure that people who rely on council services are well cared for.”
Across the water from the two ports is the Black Isle ward, which elected Sarah Atkin (Independent), Lyndsey Johnston (SNP) and Morven-May MacCallum (Liberal Democrats) as councillors.
They are all new to the council after the incumbents stepped down but they will have to reckon with local opposition to noise that comes from Nigg and Invergordon while recognising how much the sites spur on the economy.
YOUR top priorities? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
