WestInverness.org.uk

The programme of the Independent/SNP was finally published on 21st June. Much of it was commendable and some of it was clearly drawn from the Liberal Democrat pre-election manifesto. None of it was in the least Orwellian.

However, in keeping with the modern Govermental usage, the word “Housing” was little mentioned (only five times in fact), and it failed to make it as a title. Instead housing proposals included under the heading of “Sustainable Communities”, which has entered the vocabulary from the direction of Whitehall.

Perhaps there is a reason for this new terminological arrival. The nation is gripped by a housing crisis, little housing stock has been provided by the public sector since the 1980s, Council houses are being sold off at large discounts, and waiting lists continue to grow inexorably.

So why not stop using the words “houses” and “housing”, and refer instead to the re-assuring but utterly meaningless “Sustainable Communities” so that public attention and debate is shifted away from the problem?

George Orwell would have spotted this one right away.

INVERNESS CITY COMMITTEE POWERS DELEGATED FROM THE COUNCIL

1. General To work with partners to achieve the effective promotion and future prosperity of the City of Inverness and the delivery of efficient and effective services to its citizens.

2. Specific

2.1 To liaise between Council Services, external service providers, voluntary organisations and other partner organisations on a city-wide basis and make recommendations on the appropriate adjustment of service delivery.

2.2 To scrutinise service delivery and associated performance management information.

2.3 To work with partners to realise the “Inverness City-Vision”.

2.4 To provide governance for the ‘City Partnership’ and other partnerships as appropriate; including the power to appoint members, manage financial support, provide control, and scrutiny in line with the Council’s policies and procedures, and provide accommodation.

2.5 To co-ordinate the work of the Ward Forums in relation to city-wide issues.

2.6 To consider any proposals made by Council Services to review service delivery that would have a materially significant impact on the City.

2.7 To liaise with Community Councils and voluntary organisations to carry forward and review the scheme of de-centralisation.

2.8 To administer Local Authority Trusts, Inverness Common Good Fund and the management of property assets, including the Town House and the Victorian Market.

2.9 To recommend to the Council the introduction of Bye-laws and Management Rules etc and their amendment or review.

2.10 To develop partnerships with Community Planning partners, as appropriate, to achieve a co-ordinated approach to the provision of services.

2.11 To deal with requests for and make nominations/appointments to outside bodies.

2.12 To facilitate and, where appropriate, make arrangements in relation to ceremonial matters, civic hospitality and town twinning.

2.13 To agree resources and co-ordinate arrangements for civic events.

It could be three years before the TLR even reaches the design and consent stage, according to a reply by Highland Council Convenor Sandy Park to a question from Lib Dem Cllr David Henderson.

Mr David Henderson:
“What is the target date for the completion of the detailed design work on the Inverness Trunk Link Road?”

Convener’s Response to Mr David Henderson:
“In response to your question – the Administration will present a report to the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee on the outcome of the assessment carried out under the Scottish Transport Assessment Guidelines (STAG) in 2007 and will aim to have the detailed design and statutory consents for the first phase of the project completed by 2010.”

Mr Henderson will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Convener.

Congratulations to Liz Macdonald on being chosen as Provost of Nairn, and we wish her every success in that post.

Councillor MacDonald is the first female provost of Nairn and one of very few in the Highlands and Islands. Central Sutherland councillor Alison McGee was Convenor of Highland Council from 2003 to 2007 but that office was less historic. Mrs Anne Urquhart who was Provost of Stornoway from 1968-1971 [approximate date; we are checking it] is probably the only previous female holder of the title in the Highlands and Islands in recent times. Sheila Mackay was a fine Deputy Provost of Inverness from 1992 to 1996.

Provost Macdonald was chosen by the four Highland Council members who represent Nairn and no-one else. That’s how it should be done.

Watching the votes at the Highland Council is a slightly unsettling experience.

Almost half of those present (34 out of 80) stood either as Independent candidates or declared no affiliation of any kind, yet they vote as a bloc in favour of the Administration. Clearly they are not independent in the generally accepted sense of the word.

How many – if any – gave any indication at all before the election that they would do so? Probably not one. If anyone can produce pre-election literature from an Indpendent/no-affiliation-given candidate stating that they would even consider becoming loyal supporters of an administration in conjunction with a political party we shall be pleased to publish it.

The manner in which almost all the Independents joined a ruling group en masse has probably dealt a shattering blow to the independent local government tradition in the Highlands. It is already weakened, especially in the towns, and how they are going to satisfactorily explain the SNP tie-up in the landward areas is a mystery. The number of independents elected next time is certain to fall sharply.

It is telling that in both Inverness West and Inverness Central sitting Independent councillors could only capture the last seats in both wards, although in both cases they were well-established and local. The absence of some party-based voting support may well be a problem for the all independent candidates.

The administration proposed a motion at Highland Council on 31 May 2007 to appoint 22 Convenors and Vice-convenors, amongst these being the appointment of Cllr Robert Wynd as Provost of Inverness. This was first occasion ever on record where councillors outwith Inverness chose the Provost.

Cllr Alex Graham, seconded by Cllr Jimmy Gray (Labour) moved an amendment in the following terms:

“That the election of Provost of Inverness be delegated to the City of Inverness Committee”

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