My first week
It’s been a busy week, unsurprisingly. I’m not going to do this every week as you’ll soon get bored but here’s what I’ve been up to over the last seven days. I have:
signed the declaration of office so I am now really a councillor!
attended two days of induction at Highland Council’s HQ in Glenurquhart Road in Inverness doing lots of admin things - just like a proper job really - and getting some initial training (lots more days to go on that!).
been issued with laptop and mobile phone SIM, so you can now get me on 07901 287131 by voice, text, or WhatsApp or, if you prefer a landline number, you can phone me on 01667 313008.
been allocated a shiny new council email address, so in future please use Paul.Oldham.cllr@highland.gov.uk if you need to email me.
visited Highland Council HQ on a third day to meet with councillors and staff.
attended a briefing session at Nairn Academy about the plans for the new school. It all looks very promising although the timescales are tight as the building has to be completed by December 2025 to get the funding from the Scottish Government. They’re hoping to be in a position to admit the first cohort of pupils in October 2025 …
helped organise an initial response to a sports organisation in Nairn who had an urgent issue for which they needed the help of Highland Council.
received, and replied, to an open letter from the two Nairn community councils which I expect they will be sharing with you all soon.
attended a meeting in Nairn with community councils and Nairn BID.
responded to concerns of a resident over a service provided by Highland Council.
attended the AGM for the residents of the older parts of the Montgomerie Drive estate who get their factoring from ScreenAutumn.
met with Nairn BID and representatives of the two Nairn community councils to discuss issues relating the to Nairn bypass.
met with Drew Hendry MP for a chat about Nairn.
had an video conference discussion with ward councillors and Highland Council officers.
So a very busy first week, but allegedly things will calm down in a month or so …
Highland Green Health Small Grant Fund 2022
I’m going to try to bring you news of things like this as soon as possible as these funding opportunities tend to have tight applications windows, as this one demonstrates.
The aim of this small grant fund will be to contribute towards sustained green health action across Highland. This could be through networking, training, resource creation and other activities that help to build capacity to continue green health opportunities into the future. The fund is for projects up to £1500 that can be delivered before the end of August 2023.
Applicants must be a not-for profit community group or an organisation providing a service or benefit within the exclusive boundary of the Highland Local Authority area.
To apply please visit the Think Health Think Nature web site but don’t hang around as applications open this Monday and close at 5pm on Monday, 13th June.
Want to work for Highland Council?
If you’re looking for work or a change in career Highland Council has lots of job openings at the moment.
Dates for your diary
Public Meeting - Tuesday, 17th May, 7pm
A public meeting is being held at the Muthu Newton Hotel about the Inner Moray Firth Development plan about which I’ve written here before. More details of the meeting here.
Nairn River Community Council - Wednesday, 18th May, 7:30pm
Nairn River Community Council is meeting online via Zoom. If you want to attend you should send an email to nrcc.online@outlook.com including your name and postcode. Invitations are usually sent on the day of the meeting.