Week 2

... a week of looking forward

Contact Information

I now have my own page on the Highland Council website so, if you need to get in touch and have lost my contact details, you will find them all there.

Highland Council to be lead by SNP/Independent coalition

The SNP group has reached an agreement with the vast majority of independent members to become the new joint administration, subject to formal ratification at the first full council meeting on Thursday. That means that three of the four councillors for our ward are members of the ruling group on the council, which may make it easier to get things done for the ward.

IMFLDP public meeting

As previously advertised here this meeting about the Inner Moray Firth Local Development plan took place on Tuesday evening and by my count it was attended by over 100 people. 

Many grievances were aired over issues rather more wide ranging than the development plan itself - the school redevelopment and regulation of AirBnBs for example - but it was a useful meeting and gave Highland Council officers a chance to explain where they were with the local development plan and how to comment on it.

In that regard I’ve talked about this before but if you have views on the Plan I would urge you to respond as at the previous stage many people either missed the invitation to do so or chose not to … and I’m afraid that turning up at the meeting and applauding the comments being made will not affect the final outcome.

You can find details of the Plan, and how to respond here. I have had some feedback from people who are unable to comment on the Plan via the Web for whatever reason. If you’re in that position you should contact the Development Plans Team on 01349 886608 to discuss alternative ways of accessing the Plan and making comment.

Transport minister’s visit

Jenny Gilruth MSP visited Nairn last Thursday to talk about the dualling of the A96 from Invernes to Nairn and the town bypass. You can full a report of the visit, with pictures, here. Afterwards Lucy Harding of BID said:

“Ms Gilruth reassured us that she would be taking our concerns back to the Government and she is keen to expedite the process. She reassured us that she and Transport Scotland would be back in touch once the capital spending review is completed at the end of this month and was keen to emphasise the need for pace.”

Drew Hendy, MP who attended the meeting said: 

“The Minister has been very clear that it is her ambition to see the project move forward. It does feel to me from what I have seen and heard that we are much closer than we have ever been in the past.”

Let’s hope that this proves to be the case. I’m told that I and your other highland councillors will be getting a briefing from Transport Scotland about this soon, so hopefully there may be more news from that.

Avian flu

I’ve been hearing reports of dead birds being found, especially on the beaches. The official advice is that if you find dead wild waterfowl (e.g. swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline 03459 33 55 77.  They also say not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds. Further information online here.

Dates for your diary

Jubilee Street Market - Saturday, 28th May, 10am-4pm

This is being held in the high street, which will be closed to all traffic, and is brought to you by Nairn BID in collaboration with the Inverness Farmers’ Market. Looking forward BID are planning further markets on 16th July and 27th November.

Sailing Club Right Royal Regatta - Saturday, 28th May, 10:30am-3pm

Held at the harbour and well worth a visit if past experience is anything to go by this will feature a tombola, cake stall, whisky raffle, second hand watersports clothing for sale, face painting, boat trips, bottle stall, art and crafts, music, and refreshments.