ELECTION: Tain and Easter Ross candidates make pitch for Highland Council votes at a time of cost of living crisis challenge for many yet great opportunity for others
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Derek Louden – Scottish National Party (SNP)
I’m seeking re-election to Highland Council to build a better and a more hopeful future for the people of Tain and Easter Ross. The Highlands is ideally suited to build a renewables power base.
If elected I will:
Help find better jobs for people in wind, solar, heat pump, hydro and hydrogen
Encourage Data Centres to locate here to make use of our clean, green power.
Deliver Tain's new 3-18 Campus at Craighill, work to start next month, opening August 2024
Keep working to bring the Picture House back to life
Finding the extra money we need for our roads every year.
Work with the Parent Councils and teachers to deliver better experiences for every pupil
Get Highland Council to deliver a new Swimming Pool for the area
Tackle fuel poverty with better insulation, more affordable heating
Deliver a major windfarm to be co-owned by Easter Ross communities
Keep looking for assets missing from the Common Good and rebuild its income.
Veronica Morrision – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
The Highland Council simply isn’t working for communities like ours in Tain and Easter Ross. For far too long we’ve been an afterthought whilst Inverness gets the lion’s share of the annual budget.
All the while roads are crumbling, major projects like the new Tain Royal Academy have still not been delivered, and services are constantly being centralised away from Easter Ross.
As an active member of my community council, I have been involved in solving many problems.
If you elect me as a Highland Councillor, I will draw on this experience to be a strong voice for Tain and Easter Ross.
In contrast, the “Independent”-Lib Dem-Labour administration have had a five year record of failed and broken promises.
Everyone I speak to on the doors wants urgent change. Elect me as part of a strong Highland Conservative team and I promise to be a champion for your local priorities.
Sarah Rawlings – Liberal Democrat
I live near Portmahomack and am an ex-Army officer, school executive, deputy chief executive Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets, volunteer youth organisations, dog and hen owner, cake maker, sailor, walker, gardener; I am considerate, receptive, open minded, and determined.
My commitment is to be a strong voice for our community, a champion for those who can’t speak for themselves, working across and for the entire community, making a difference for you; I will listen.
My approach: creative, effective, collaborative, diplomatic, proactive, listener, focused, sees and seizes opportunity, a doer, with a ‘how can I’ attitude.
My focus is on:
Community and local services;
The right through life for education for all;
Leisure and sporting facilities for the benefit of everyone;
Better access to local health and social care and expanded youth services;
Jobs and cost of living;
Support to local business;
Support to the most vulnerable;
Support to find local work;
Create work experience and apprenticeships;
Infrastructure: safer roads; pothole repairs and road maintenance;
Better public transport;
Access to fast broadband;
Countryside and support farmers, crofters and fishermen;
A green economy, protect coast and countryside and sustainable tourism.
Alasdair Rhind – Independent
(All efforts were made to reach each candidate)
Fiona Robertson – Independent
Being your councillor is the greatest privilege.
How local government is run is hugely important, and has an impact on all of our lives. Your local councillor needs to be readily available to you when you need their help; willing to fight your corner; to get alongside community campaigns; support local businesses; fight for voluntary groups; build relationships in Highland Council and our communities; and listen to you and be your voice in the council.
I believe I have proven my commitment, dedication and integrity through the work I have been championing as your representative.
We now have £47.5million for our new schools campus in Tain; we have provided more social housing; upgraded Tain town centre, with more work planned; supported local businesses during the pandemic; obtained funding to upgrade our playparks; been a strong voice to get our share of the roads budget; provided community hubs for food and services during the lockdowns; and, supported our truly amazing volunteers who work tirelessly within our communities.
But, there is still much to be done. I feel very honoured that you placed your trust in me and I hope you will continue to do so.
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