Notes from 8th May Highland Council
The longest and most turbulent meeting of the Council since the elections in May 2007 was marked by the first major setbacks for the Independent/SNP administration.
- The Administration was defeated on two votes relating to the composition of the Political Arrangements Working Group, eventually resulting in a victory for Caithness councillors who wanted one of their number (Cllr Coghill) added to the Group following the removal of (expelled SNP) Cllr David Bremner
- A request received from the Scottish Independence Convention for the Council to consider a motion “to support a referendum on the political future of Scotland” was defeated. After lengthy debate the Council voted to move on to next business.
- By the narrowest of margins (37 votes to 36) it was resolved to keep Discretionary Ward Budgets at the same figure of £59,659 for all wards, a 5% increase on the previous year.
- The Council unanimously agreed to keep Roy Bridge School open, overturning a decision taken in December 2006 to close it. Financial projections used at that time have since been found to be flawed.
The consequences for the Administration remain unclear, but having broken ranks with impunity some Independents will be more likely do so again. The SNP seriously mis-judged the mood of their colleagues.
The Freedom of Ross & Cromarty was awarded to Hamish Menzies conductor of Dingwall Gaelic Choir for almost 35 years.
HRH The Prince Charles was awarded the Freedom of Caithness in recognition of his strong involvement with Caithness and the North Highlands.
In other business, the Council agreed to keep Roy Bridge Primary School open after figures used in the 1996 closure consultation were found to be wrong; £200,000 was put towards the final settlement of the capital costs of the Eden Court Theatre in what was held to be the last such request; and support an extension of the term of office of local councillors in order to de-couple Council and Scottish Parliament elections.