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	JOHN FINNIE'S CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE		LETTERS YOUR LETTERS TO HIGHLAND SNP
SNP COUNCILLOR TURNS DOWN PUBLIC MONEY PUSHED BY LIB DEMS		POLICE NUMBERS SNP DELIVERS RECORD INCREASE IN HIGHLAND
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NEWS:

SNP WORKING GROUP REFUSAL “VINDICATED” AFTER EXPENSES SAVINGS PROPOSALS LETTER 29/12/09

The SNP Group on Highland Council have responded to a letter from Resources Committee Chair Carolyn Wilson, about proposals for cutting Councillors' expenses, by pointing out that the Lib Dem Administrations’' idea of a “Behind Closed Doors” Councillor Working Group has already failed to address the public’s concerns about Councillors' expenses and risks widening public mistrust.

 At the recent Highland Council meeting, an SNP motion forced an assurance, from Councillor Wilson, that Councillors' meals and start times for meetings would be examined in public. The Administration’s proposals, contained in a letter to all Councillors, outlined areas to “examine further” including video and tele-conferencing, items that have been already underway since 2007; ending the long-established practice of advertising of Councillors' surgeries in local newspapers and, with a spectacular insensitivity, Councillor Wilson commends “improving the quality of food” for councillors. Speaking on behalf of the SNP Group, Aird and Loch Ness Councillor, Drew Hendry said  “We feel totally vindicated for refusing to take part in this closed door process.  We have consistently argued that any expenses savings discussions need to be held in public and that there should be no areas off limits. "This Councillor working group has concentrated on getting “better quality food” for councillors at the expense of letting the public know about surgeries, of course perhaps that's not important if you never hold a public surgery.”   “The idea that we should only advertise surgeries on the internet is, frankly, nonsensical.  A number of those who visit my surgeries are older people and those who are struggling on low incomes or benefits, who are not regular internet users but they do often read or hear about surgeries through newspapers." "It is also a depressing sign that the Lib Dem led administration are “impressed” by the use of so called “telephone surgeries”, if the people who pay our wages want to phone me then they can do that anytime, not just once or twice a month by appointment and when they want to talk face to face then we should be available. 

"Tragically, given all the bad press politicians are getting, they have completely misjudged the mood of the public, if this goes ahead then it  just takes Councillors another step away from the public”

SNP CALL FOR URGENT ACTION ON GRITTING – PRAISE FOR LOCAL FARMERS 29/12/09

SNP Councillor Drew Hendry (Aird and Loch Ness) has called for urgent action to clarify the procedure and the rules over gritting landward areas around Inverness. Residents in his Aird and Loch Ness ward have been particularly badly hit with people being effectively stranded in their houses for over a week.

 Drew said “I have been reporting untreated roads on behalf of worried residents to the council since before Christmas and, in spite of a lot of pressing, I am still finding that gritters have not attended many rural locations. People have been cut off from the outside world and in more than one case I have been told about heating fuels running out with no chance of delivery vehicles for coal or oil getting through. Folk have called me to say that they have been promised attention which has not happened or they have simply been unable to get a response when calling the council directly” he added “In some areas, such as parts of Kirkhill and near Aldourie, there has been little or no attention, virtually no pavements have been cleared in my ward, people are having dice with danger and walk on the A82 in Fort Augustus. In other areas it is only down to the selfless actions of local farmers that some roads have been cleared using their own tractors. Although they never look for praise, our Farmers deserve a lot of thanks for helping out.” 

SNP Group leader, John Finnie said “Nobody can accurately predict what Winter will bring but we were promised by the Lib Dem led Administration in February 2009 that resources for Winter Maintenance would be allocated appropriately. The drivers who are working to clear the roads have been doing their level best and I know that people are very grateful to them, however, adequate preparations clearly have not been made and people have the right to know the consequences of the Administration’s plans. I have asked for a meeting with the Director of Transport Environmental and Community Services as soon as possible to find out what went wrong with the planning and what proposals there are to ensure that people are better served during the next occurrence of snow and ice on our roads. I will be seeking an assurance that political interference has not undermined operational  nor compromised public safety”

SNP Fight to Retain Care Home Programme -

Details of Documents and Telephone Calls Sought   21/12/09

Following the vote to halt progress on replacing five Council Care Homes for Older People pending the compilation of a ‘business case’,  SNP Group Leader and Westminster Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Councillor John Finnie, vowed that the fight to hold the Lib Dem lead Administration to this manifesto commitment would continue.

Councillor Finnie said;

“We are told that this delay is to ‘allow time for a business case’ yet that same meeting approved Minutes from the Social Work Committee meeting of 11th November which noted that the Capital Programme ‘remained on target’.

“Those present were left in no doubt about Lib Dem Councillors’ hostility to Council Care Home Programme, perhaps unsurprising given that, in recent months, they awarded a multi-million pound care at home contract to the private sector.

“The SNP Group opposed that deal and remains opposed to any further privatisation of the care of our older folk.

“I have written to the Chief Executive of Highland Council requesting copies of all correspondence, and details of all telephone calls, to and from officials about the Care Home Programme in the last 3 months and hopefully that will shed some light on this sudden lurch towards total privatisation of care.”

“Earlier this year, following NHS Highland announcing they were not proceeding with replacing the Ian Charles Hospital, I sought, and received, a personal assurance from Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chair of Housing and Social Work, that the replacement for Grant House Care Home was not dependant on NHS involvement.  Councillor Davidson assured me the new Grant House would go ahead.

“Sadly, our NHS partners have never embraced the Council’s Care Home Programme and, in any case, favour any replacement hospital being built in Aviemore.

“The SNP remained committed to the Care Home Programme and will fight this Lib Dem lead betrayal”

JOHN FINNIE CONDEMNS COWARDLY ATTACK -  20/10/09

Councillor John Finnie condemns the cowardly attack on an 82 year old woman at Hilton Village, yesterday morning.

Anyone with any information should contact the Police on 715555, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or Councillor John Finnie in confidence, and he will liaise with the police. Police Link

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Highland MSP Delighted Council Tax Freeze To Continue

21.09.09

Highlands and islands SNP MSP Dave Thompson has welcomed confirmation from Finance Secretary John Swinney, that the Council Tax will stay frozen.

 
Commenting after last week’s debate on the Scottish Government's Draft Budget Dave Thompson said: "I particularly welcome the Cabinet secretary's confirmation that measures which are helping families and businesses get through the recession such as small business bonus and the council tax freeze will be continued in this budget.”
 
During the debate Mr Swinney stated: "The point I would make is that without the Council Tax freeze, at a time when many families and individuals are reducing their working hours, facing freezes in salary or even salary cuts, families and individuals would be struggling even more than they are.

"This is not the time to be increasing the Council Tax and there would have to be a significant increase to fill for Council resources not available for support from Government. I think to protect household income, at a time when we all recognise household income is fragile, is what would be expected of this Government."

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Winter Festival To Be 'Better than ever this year' 18.09.09

SNP Councillor Roy Pedersen is delighted to report that Inverness Winter Festival will be 'better than ever this year' for Inverness and the Highlands.

Read more on Councillor Pedersen's work with the Winter Festival here

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Poll Highlights Continuing Support for SNP

SNP PUSH FOR BUS AID FOR TEENS AND FAMILIES 14-09-09

Highland SNP Group have called for more help for Families and Young people to access Bus Services.

Drew Hendry, SNP Councillor for Aird and Loch Ness, met with Stagecoach managing director Bryony Chamberlain and Scott Pearson, Highland divisional transport manager.

The meeting focused on how to get cheaper fares for 16 to 18-year-olds and how to get easier access on to buses for people with pushchairs.

Drew said young people often missed out on work opportunities, leisure facilities and sports groups through cost of travel, while families find public transport “challenging”.

He said: “The SNP sought the meeting to seek help for those who find accessing buses most challenging. When young people turn 16 they lose their cheaper fares, but often they are still at school, looking for or just starting a first job. They often don't have the extra money they suddenly need when they turn 17"

“We have asked Stagecoach and Citylink to look at ways to help 17 to 18-year-olds to use the buses more.

“We feel that this will encourage a healthier approach over transport for young people."

“The meeting with Stagecoach was very positive and they have promised to look at ways of introducing cheaper fares for 16 and 17-year-olds.

“We were also pleased to get a commitment on more pushchair-friendly buses throughout their Highland operational area.”

HIGHLAND HAS MORE BOBBIES ON THE BEAT 02-09-09

Commenting on record police numbers delivered by the Scottish Government, Cllr John Finnie, himself a former serving officer said "Every Councillor knows that their constituents draw great reassurance from the 'bobby on the beat'.

 "1,000 additional officers was a key commitment of the SNP prior to the last election and, like tolls on the bridges, prescription charges, hospital closures, hospital car park charges and many other pledges, it's a commitment that has been honoured. "What does it mean on the ground in Highland?

Well, Northern Constabulary's strength has almost doubled in a generation to 800 officers. "That means, not only more uniformed officers patrolling the our towns and villages on foot, on bicycles and in cars, but also more community beat officers and greater opportunities for 'plain-clothed' patrols to deal will the scourge of drugs. 

"This is a huge achievement by the Scottish Government which cares about YOU and YOUR community."

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GEOPARK AWAITS ACCOLADES 02-09-09

This weekend people in the communities of Assynt, Coigach, Durness, Kinlochbervie and Scourie welcome members of the European Geopark Network (EGN) to the North West Highland Geopark. read more

SNP GROUP SUBMIT CROFTING BILL CONSULTATION RESPONSE 12-8-09

The SNP Highland Council Group has submitted it's response to the consultation calling for the bill to tackle neglect and absenteeism - read more :

LIB DEM SELF CONGRATULATIONS LEAVE BAD TASTE FOR HIGHLAND 2-8-09

Councillor John Finnie has responded to the Lib Dem tactless Press Release 'Highland Lib Dems celebrate success of first year in administration' as staff and constituents lose out:

Charade

 "The phrase 'self praise is faint praise' springs to mind.  Only the Lib

Dems would be misguided enough to imagine their hapless administration is

other than a charade.

Cuts in services, funding to voluntary sector, threats to Education

"One year on the reality is that the Lib Dems have axed vital front-line

community posts; cut vital monies to charities working on the Council's

behalf; threatened schools closures and amalgamations in the Inner Moray

Firth area; failed to address our staffs' deep seated concerns about job

evaluation and squandered the additional money the SNP Administration put to

the home care of our older people, alienating home care staff and their

clients compounding it all by privatising large swathes of the home care

work.

Business Failure

"They have failed to build on the Scottish Government's positive response to

small businesses, the small business bonus, and continually talked down the

Highland economy which is no way to deal with the £1 billion pound cuts we

can expect from their London Labour colleagues.

"Simply, they are an uncoordinated rabble whose in-fighting and petty

posturing has created a vacuum within which Council Officers have resumed

previously held control.

Undemocratic

"If Mr Alston genuinely wants 'real engagement in local politics', and I

remain to be convinced, then maybe in future he will debate all those

important issues in the Council Chamber rather than waiting till the

following day to hold a press conference.

Illusion

 "It may of course be that it's Danny Alexander and Charlie Kennedy's very

large paid staff who are the real 'administration' on Highland Council.

"My summary, 'the Lid Dems' paid employees do a reasonable job creating the

illusion that elected Lib Dem Councillors are actually doing anything, let

alone running a Council, all whilst senior Lib Dem Councillors enjoy the

enhanced salaries that you and I pay for.  An

alarming democratic deficit!"

SNP CANDIDATE SAYS MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE SHOULD BE IMPROVED OR BILLS CUT

SNP Councillor John Finnie, who is Westminster Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, has called for Mobile Phone companies to provide a much better service if the area is to benefit from advances in technology or to return some of the charges billed to customers.

Referring to a recent OfCom report which shows that whilst most mobile companies have reasonable coverage in built up areas they perform poorly for overall coverage in the constituency and struggle to provide coverage for the new 3G technology that supports mobile broadband.

Councillor Finnie said “Whilst some people get a good service where they live, you don’t have to travel far around the area to see for yourself what the problems are. The coverage maps, whilst highlighting the gaps don’t even tell the whole story, I know of quite a few folk who have to go outside their homes to use their mobile phones as the signal is not strong enough to work indoors. I have seen people stand in the rain to make a call and I have heard of others driving around to get a better signal, it’s really not like any of the adverts that the Networks use to sell their services. Quite clearly it is unfair for those who don’t get a good a service to pay the same as those who do, so what I am proposing is that the Network providers, who tend to operate very profitably indeed, to give a rebate to those who suffer from inadequate service.”

he added that Business in the Constituency was also being disadvantaged;

 “This is not only inconvenient for social users but poses a real problem when it comes to some of the business benefits that we could lose out on.  The mobile technology market is developing fast and is one sector that will certainly grow in the current recession with many people worldwide using their handsets to get information and buy goods. Many companies now use hand held computers and new generation mobile phone devices that rely on mobile broadband to operate. Having the speed to react is often the edge that gets results, if you can’t get a signal then you simply can’t compete with those that do.”

OfCom coverage maps for Highland can be seen here:

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LIB DEM BUDGET LEADER - "DISRESPECTFUL" TO HIGHLAND COUNCIL

Councillor John Finnie was asked to respond to alarmist and misguided comments made by Lib Dem Budget Leader regarding his Administration's thoughts on jobs and services in Highland Council. Councillor David Alston's comments came the very day after the Full Council had debated 'Council's Response to the Economic Downturn'

Read his robust response as reported in the Press and Journal here

 STUNNING RESULT FOR SNP IN HIGHLAND

Dave Thompson MSP has hailed the fantastic Highland result which gave the SNP an 8.4% increase in their vote and a 1.3% swing to the SNP from the LibDems which puts the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Westminster seat firmly in the sights of the SNP. Read More....

 RECORD POLICE COVER FOR HIGHLAND

Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, has welcomed the publication of statistics today which show that there are now a record 17,038 police officers in Scotland, including an additional 65 in the Northern Constabulary area since the SNP Government came to power in 2007.

Read More...

 SNP PROTECTING HIGHLAND EDUCATION

What the Lib Dems say: "Education committee vice-chairman Drew Millar (LIB DEM), a Skye and Raasay councillor and budget group member, suggested Inverness and the surrounding areas took the brunt of any service cuts.

“If we’re looking at a reduction in facilities then, in my opinion, it would make sense to look at the Inner Moray Firth area where facilities are in abundance and within a reasonable travelling distance,” he said

“I would be looking at swimming pools and libraries, and there may be an opportunity for amalgamating urban schools.” - Press and Journal 26/11/08

The SNP's Dave Thompson gave this reaction - click here

It's this kind of thinking that has chilled the public and the SNP are determined to face up to this cavalier approach to Education. When challenged to list the Schools affected by the recent budget cuts in teacher numbers at the budget meeting the Administration Chair replied "I didn't bring the list with me" the SNP forced the Administration to come up with the list, but it took several weeks for them to get it together, the results are staggering.

 WHAT THE SNP IN HIGHLAND WERE SAYING LAST YEAR ABOUT PUBLIC MONEY

Reproduced from the Press and Journal - http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/766846?UserKey=0

SNP top man to decline £3,500 rise

finnie due increase in council salary in new role as leader of the opposition

Published: 01/08/2008

SNP members who walked out on power on Highland Council will today officially decline the offer of a £3,500 salary top-up for their leader in his new role as “leader of the opposition”.

The proposal to increase the basic councillor salary of £15,492 to £19,000 for that job features as part of a reshaping of the £460,000 committee budget by the new Independent, Liberal Democrat and Labour coalition.

Ironically, the initial benefactor would be the SNP group leader John Finnie who led the walkout following infamous differences in opinion between the nationalists and the Independents.

However, the Inverness Ness-side councillor told the Press and Journal yesterday the money could be better spent.

The proposal, which would bring Highland into line with many other Scottish councils, was expected to be ratified at today’s emergency full council meeting called for the authority’s Glenurquhart Road headquarters in Inverness in the wake of the nationalist group’s decision in June to quit its power-sharing coalition with the Independents.

Mr Finnie said: “We’re simply not taking the money. It’s never been a priority for the SNP on Highland Council to take public money to pay for political positions, and we’re certainly not into bickering over cash.

“The reality of the situation is that political posts are being proposed to be remunerated at the expense of two posts, namely the vice-chairmanship of housing and social work and vice-chairmanship of resources.

“Our post holders in the last administration were envisaging being kept extremely busy with issues falling within their respective remits – such as the older people’s strategy, our care home construction, young people and the issue of out of authority placements, liaison with the NHS on a variety of issues, ICT procurement for resources and the huge issue of job evaluation for our valued staff.”

He added: “I would reassure the public that they remain the SNP group’s priority rather than the remuneration of political posts.”

Convener Sandy Park accepted that it was a personal choice, but said the option would be available to the council’s next opposition leader.

Some eyebrows have been raised within the council that Mr Park’s £36,055 salary will not change, despite the new administration’s declared intention to make his role more of a civic figurehead, while the new “leader of council administration” Lib Dem group leader Michael Foxley, will have more of a political role, including that of coalition whip.

In response to Mr Finnie’s stance, he said: “The leader of the opposition is a responsible position that merits a responsibility payment, but it’s entirely his choice”

SNP Council Group Crofting Consultation Response – Call for Land Release and Reduction in Absentee Landlords and neglect 12/08/09

SNP Highland Council Group has submitted their response to the Scottish Government's Draft Crofting Reform Bill Consultation. Highlights include the need for a renewed democratic relationship to encourage responsible land use and an effort to tackle absenteeism and neglect as the theme for the submission. The SNP Group with the SNP Highlands and Islands MSPs had urged as many crofters as possible to make their own voices heard so that the Scottish Government could prepare a bill which as far as possible could be a practical formula to ensure the future of crofting for the benefit of the Highlands for some time to come.  

SNP Highland Council Group Environment Spokesperson, Councillor George Farlow (North West and Central Sutherland) said:

"That is the first part of a contribution by the SNP Council Group to economic sustainability in the fragile areas of the Highlands. Cllr Jean Urquhart and I would like to thank everyone who contributed across Highland, particularly those crofters in North and West Sutherland, members and non-members, for the frank and responsible discussions which we have had. 

"Crofting makes a huge contribution to retaining folk in remote-rural Highland so addressing absenteeism and land neglect in the Crofting Counties is paramount.

"But there is also absenteeism by Landlords and land neglect by the Estates.  We hope that there will be some dialogue now with Landowners so that land can be released to support sustainable economic development by the all-inclusive crofting communities we would wish to support.  A dog-in-the-manger approach is no longer unacceptable.”

"The SNP Highland Group fully supports a renewed democratic relationship between the new Crofting Commission and the Grazing Committees.  The powers of the Crofting Commissions require re-invigorating and full resourcing so that not just Highland but Scotland will benefit from the contribution which crofting can make.

"The Scottish Government has been hugely supportive with the increased support for the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme, the review of the Single Farm Payment and voicing of Scottish interests in Westminster and Brussels.  We now need to move forward with further support for Crofting.

LETTERS

4 December 2009

"LETTERS"

Dear Sir,

SCANLON'S ATTACK ON HEALTH BOSS

Tory MSP Mary Scanlon's attack on Chairman of the Highland Health Board Gary Coutts (Highland News Group 28 November 2009) was simply outrageous.   As Chairman, Mr Coutts carries out his duties in a totally impartial way and to claim that he was campaigning for the SNP defies belief.

Surely Ms Scanlon was aware that all the Medical Profession as well as the Police supported the SNP's proposals to introduce measures to help combat Scotland's appalling health record due to alcohol, yet what happened at Holyrood was Labour and the Tories uniting to throw the plans out, claiming that they were flawed.   The public aren't stupid and know that the real reason for this is to thwart everything beneficial the SNP Government proposes to do for Scotland between now and the elections for the Westminster Parliament next May, negative politics at its worst.

If Mary Scan's outburst is an echo of what we might expect from a future Tory Government in London – Heaven Help Us!

Yours,

John S. Jappy

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9 January 2010

"LETTERS"

Dear Editor

NO END TO YAHBOO POLITICS

When the Holyrood Parliament was created many of us hoped that this would see the end to Westminster style politics and that the Parties would all work together for the common good of Scotland.  Sadly, this has not happened.

The latest example of yahboo politics has been the opposition Parties in Scotland uniting to thwart the SNP's bill on the Minimum Pricing of Alcohol, despite repeated pleas by the Medical Profession and the Police Federation for them to join together and support the Bill.

The real reason for Labour and the Conservatives uniting to scupper the bill has nothing to do with the contents of the Bill, but to prevent the SNP from doing anything beneficial for the people of Scotland between now and the forthcoming election for the Westminster Parliament in May. As for the Liberal/Democrats, they seem to form policies according to the way the wind blows.   The Westminster Lib/Dem. MPs are at present calling for the introduction of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol, whilst their Scottish counterparts are opposing the SNP's Bill.

Yours

John S. Jappy