Councillor Maxine Smith Cromarty Firth Contact Details: maxine.smith.cllr@highland.gov.uk Tel: (01349) 854335  Mobile 07751 227367 Maxine is always willing to assist with any issues that you may need help with. Maxine also holds regular surgeries - please see the "Surgeries" box on the left for more details.

About SNP Councillor Maxine Smith

Maxine grew up and was educated in Nottinghamshire, moving to Inverness at the age of 20, later transferring to the Easter Ross town of Invergordon with her husband in 1987. She is a mother of two - David, now an engineer for Npower and Hayley, who works in Maxine's beauty business.  Maxine's qualifications include a Diploma in Business Studies with Languages, a BA Degree in Social Science/Politics gained from the UHI in 2003 and a Certificate in Counselling from Moray College. 

As a former employee of Highland Regional Council's Education Department in the early 80's and an evening class lecturer at Inverness College, Maxine has always shown an interest in local government issues and education. She first became active in politics in 1992 in the campaign to save her local primary school, Newmore from closure and again in 1997 to save other Ross-shire schools.  Maxine was an active community councillor and volunteer for many years before becoming an SNP councillor.  She is chair of the Invergordon Business Association as well as the Invergordon Environment Group and keeps her feet firmly on the ground by doing voluntary work and by playing an active role in the Invergordon Initiative.  She shows dedication as a councillor, where she tries to make a difference to her constituents in the Cromarty Firth ward every day. 

Snow Trouble 09/01/10

Maxine is happy to work with anyone in order to assist residents in the icy conditions and will be looking for answers and assurances for the future.  Here Maxine Smith and Alasdair Rhind criticise the Administration's lack of attention to the plight of elderly residents stuck indoors in the arctic weather conditions. Read the North Star Atricle Here..

Tomich Concerns 09/12/09

Highland Councillor Maxine Smith from the Cromarty Firth ward has called for the meeting with Transport Scotland to voice serious safety concerns about the Tomich junction on the A9 near Invergordon. On the back of a refusal for several developments in Invergordon local Members are concerned at the state of Tomich junction. Councillors from both the Cromarty Firth ward and the Easter Ross ward in Tain will meet to discuss problems with Transport Scotland and Transerve.

Read the North Star Article here..

Positive Options for Waste Needed 09/12/09

Councillor Maxine Smith adds her support to Tina's efforts to engage the public in Invergordon in a Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle, adventure.  A shop has been set up in Invergordon High Street to forward the campaign AGAINST an incinerator for Invergordon which Highland Council are now having to appeal since the applicant, Glenn Jones took it to the Scottish Government Reporter.

Read the Press and Journal Report here..

Discretionary Spend Helping Children 09/12/09

Councillors' Discretionary Budget is used to put funds towards a new inflatable activity for Alness swimming pool.  The Cromarty Firth ward councillor joins with her colleagues in Highland Council in supporting this for children to get more physically fit at a time when many prefer indoor pursuits such as computers and the internet.  Maxine Smith thinks this will be a well used attraction. More details here

Maxine Welcomes Justice Minister 30/11/09

Maxine was delighted to welcome the Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill to Alness during a visit to the Alness Heritate Centre.   In picture  Cllr. Maxine Smith, Joan Ross, MBE, Kenny MacAskill Justice Minister and Rob Gibson MSP.

Well thought out plans needed for bridge work 28/11/09

SNP Councillor Maxine Smith, whose ward takes in the Cromarty Firth Bridge, voices concerns about traffic delays during roadworks for people travelling from Easter Ross - areas of Invergordon, Evanton, Alness, Tain etc. to Inverness for work and shopping.  The Highland Council are going to have to come up with sound plans along with Transport Scotland/Transerve to find a suitable solution and perhaps car sharing will be on the cards with the possibilities of cycling, buses or trains being an option. Read More Here..

Incinerator a "Looming Threat" to Invergordon 28/11/09

Combined Heat and Power Director Glenn Jones is challenged by local SNP Councillor Maxine Smith with regard to his incinerator application in the Easter Ross town of Invergordon.  Maxine says she will fight to the bitter end to refuse the Appeal lodged with Scottish Government this week by the applicants.  Protestors and Invergordon Community Council will work together with Maxine to rid the town of this looming threat.  The town is working towards Zero Recycling along with the Scottish Government's plans for a zero waste policy. Read the Ross-Shire Article Here

Cllr. Smith stands her ground and will not be swayed by developer over his planning application 05/11/09

A HIGHLAND councillor claims an Easter Ross businessman tried to intimidate her over his planning application for a waste transfer station - because of a wrangle when his cows wrecked her garden.

Read more in the North Star Article here:

Maxine speaks out on Murder Case

Invergordon councillor speaks out about the cruel and sadistic murder of Ian MacBeath, as community is shocked to learn of latest twist. Read the Press and Journal Story

Maxine is furious over local democracy being refused

Cromarty Firth Highland councillors Maxine Smith and Martin Rattray say they are "furious" over a bid by fellow Councillor Carolyn Wilson to reverse an earlier planning decision refusing consent for an extension to the council's current waste transfer station in the town. Read North Star Article Here...

Maxine and SNP colleagues champion ferry building at Nigg

PLANS to rejuvenate the Nigg fabrication yard as a place to build the ferries of the future are being championed by a local Highland councillor...read more in this press article...

Maxine highlights delays with the Nigg yard

Nigg yard could be £30m loser - Councillor highlights issues of past delays with Nigg. Read Press and Journal Article...

Maxine welcomes Council's roundabout sponsorship scheme to raise funds

A PLAN to drum up some revenue for Highland Council by inviting businesses to sponsor roundabouts on the region’s roads has been wholeheartedly welcomed by a Ross-shire councillor.

Read Press and Journal Article Here..

Distillery Jobs Under Threat

Jobs under threat at local distilleries - 30 jobs at risk - Maxine and Rob Gibson meet with bosses in an attempt to slow down pay offs...and ask for a re-think. Read More

Waste Transfer and Incinerator Issue

Invergordon Community Council thanks their local Members for saving them from incinerator.

Town euphoric over incinerator plans are thrown out. 

Letter to Editor in Ross-shire Journal, see here:

Cromarty Firth Councillor Maxine Smith moved a motion to refuse the incinerator application on the grounds of road safety issues at the Tomich junction, unsuitable location near to houses and schools, and that it could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the plant would not impact adversely on health.  Read More

Maxine rejoices as Rubbish store bid for Invergordon is thrown in trash. 

Waste Transfer Station amendment is thrown out 10-9. Councils Planning Department hears the debate again and agrees to stand by original decision. Local democracy is restored. Read More

Maxine and ward colleagues win motion to refuse a waste transfer station in Invergordon

HIGHLAND Council suffered a defeat at the hands of its own councillors this week after they knocked back a plan for an extension to a waste facility in Invergordon. Read North Star Article Here...

Maxine is on call for constituents' concerns

WITH regard to a letter in last week's edition from J Hart, Ness Gardens, Invergordon, concerning his frustrations over the remarks of Joan Ross and Cllr Carolyn Wilson about there being no registrar in Alness, I would wish to respond his challenges aimed at the "Invergordon councillors". Read North Star Article Here...

Maxine voices disgust at the actions of minority in trying to harm a cyclist

IN a measured and dignified response to what must have been a very distressing incident, the father of a disabled woman "stoned" by youths while she passed through Invergordon voices the hope that, on reflection, they will regret their actions and make amends. Read Ross-shire Journal Article Here..

Maxine praises Invergordon Community Councillors

I have been involved in community work in the Invergordon area for longer than I care to remember and in all that time I have come across many pillars of the community, stalwarts, activists for a good cause and volunteers who give up their time for the good of others. Read Ross-shire Journal Article Here..

Maxine supports the Invergordon post office move

AN Easter Ross post office is to flit from its current location to "better, brighter premises" a few yards away.

Read Ross-shire Journal Article Here..

Maxine fights for Invergordon's future

COMMUNITY leaders in Invergordon this week stood firm over plans they believe would have seen the town labelled "a dumping ground". Read Ross-shire Journal Article Here..

Maxine shows concern re 70 pay-offs at the service base in Invergordon

A FIRM which a matter of months ago revealed plans for a £5million Easter Ross expansion is consulting staff over plans which could see up to 70 jobs axed.Read Ross-shire Journal Article Here..

Maxine takes up issues of public nuisance with pub landlords

CONCERNS from Invergordon householders alarmed by the rowdy behaviour of pub customers at closing time will come under the spotlight at a licensing board meeting next week. Read Ross-shire Journal Article Here..

Maxine fights for new toilet and town square at Invergordon

Cromarty Firth Highland councillor Maxine Smith is trying to push ahead with plans for new toilet facilities at Invergordon. This is to be applauded. Read North Star Article Here...

Fly tipping has now become a huge issue since the Council's Administration put a charge on home bulky uplifts.

Two of my ward community councils expressed concern as have many individuals in the street.  Recently a neighbour reported some doors dumped on farmland, but I could not report it as fly tipping, because the Council only removes fly tipping if it is tipped on Local Authority land.  I had to ask the community service department in Alness to collect it thinking they might be able to use it for making things, as that is what they do and beg, steal and borrow wood from all over.  Unfortunately, it was no use for them but they did remove it anyway and took it to the Recycle Point in Alness.

Someone was seen in Alness walking their wheely bin twice up to a rock near an un-used track - they tipped it out onto the ground.  It was garden waste.  This was reported but there was no police report as nobody knew the identity of the individual.  I have seen microwaves dumped in layby's, washing machines and old baths and toilets left in peoples' gardens because they cant afford to have them removed.  This is an ongoing problem and the Administration are not listening, as they didn't listen when we warned them in TEC's Committee that this would happen.  We put forward an Amendment which was defeated and they won their £15 charge.

Maxine congratulates port company

HOPES are high that a multi-million pound contract won by an Invergordon firm may be the start of a recession-bucking revival which helps turn around the fortunes of the town. Read Ross-shire Journal Article Here..

Maxine voices environmental concerns alongwith SEPA

PLANS for a £43 million waste incinerator in Easter Ross have hit a hurdle with the lodging of an objection by the environment agency. Read North Star Article Here...

Maxine wins her car parking fight with CFPA - port users given a dispensation

Stiletto plea was woman's humourous way to raise an issue - Councillor head over heels with delight after parking victory. Read Press and Journal Article Here..

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