Archive for the ‘In Highland’ Category
Drew welcomes new Highland and Islands Enterprise approach over 4G
July 19th, 2010 | 
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With the pace of broadband and internet technology often overtaking current needs, the SNP group on Highland Council have welcomed a commitment gained from HIE Chairman, Willie Roe, to attempt to “Leapfrog” broadband technology for the Highlands.
Following questions regarding securing the advantage of cutting edge mobile broadband technology for the Highlands, a letter sent by Willie Roe, in response to SNP Councillor Drew Hendry, has confirmed a commitment to work with mobile operators to gain access to the developing 4G mobile broadband. 4G is cutting edge technology which aims to offer landline type connection speeds over the mobile phone network. This means that there is a potential to connect people in more remote areas, ensure that those on the move in Highland can do business anywhere and that, potentially, employers can set up businesses or employ more people to work from any location covered by 4G without losing out in terms of remaining competitive.
Drew said:
“We have been pushing for HIE to make a pitch for the development of this amazing technology for quite a while now and we are delighted that the issue is going to be taken up seriously. Mobile operators will need to make a real commitment to improved mobile phone coverage for mobile broadband to be a meaningful alternative in Highland, but, if done properly, development of this system will mean better broadband access and better mobile phone reception at the same time.
Highland businesses and consumers have been crying out for better service across our region and whilst improvements to existing technologies should still be pursued vigorously, we also need to look to the future. There is little point in upgrading networks only to find that when they are completed everything is on its way to being obsolete. Many people remember buying ISDN equipment as recently as 5 or 6 years ago only to rip it out months later. Any 4G development has the potential to catapult the Highlands to the very front of the modern communications world and has the potential to give business here a serious advantage as well as opening up a massive range of opportunities for Highlands people wherever the internet or communications are a factor.”
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When is something unfair suddenly ok? Answer – When Danny is asked to deliver
I brought a motion to Highland Council asking for the Council to reaffirm it’s position that the Housing debt should be written off. This grossly unfair piece of financial blackmail has been roundly condemned by members of all parties and Independents since it was first employed to try to force Highland’s tenant to accept a transfer of council housing to housing societies. The carrot was – transfer and we will write this off, don’t and you will have to live with the debt (around £146 million pounds)
Just servicing the interest paid to Westminster costs Highland council around £15 million pounds per year, put into context, that roughly equates to the amount being advertised as needed in “cuts” to Highland council’s budget for the next three years by the Lib Dem led administration.
My motion was simple and simply called for the council to restate it’s position. Although everyone agreed it had to be countered by an Administration motion, for political reasons, saying much the same but using around 3 times as many words (wriggle room? I will leave you to decide)
I was not unduly concerned by this “reverse” as the principle had been accepted and the council was still committed to calling for the “write off”
The path ahead should have been easy. As recently as December, during a period when everybody was aware of the financial situation caused by the mishandling of the UK economy, the newly appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, MP Danny Alexander had described the debt as “unfair” and urged action to write it off. Indeed, this was one of a few bullet points for the Lib Dem’s demands for “A fairer funding deal for the HIghlands” Full details can be seen here
The issue was clear, this was a “fairness” issue – everyone was agreed, surely at last the issue would be dealt with as promised?
It seems not. In yet another reversal, yet another commitment has been blown away and suddenly MP Danny Alexander says “”the UK’s “overall financial situation” must be resolved first.”
That is one mighty kick into the long grass.
Highland must wait until all other UK issues are resolved may be a convenient way out, but remember, in his own words, this was an issue of “fairness” not simple economics. Surely the benefit of being able to deliver is to be able to deliver what is fair?
So, in other words Danny will do nothing about the “Fairness” of the situation, it simply is no longer a priority.
Future for NIGG must be agreed soon
Council and Holyrood should now work together to deliver jobs boost
Following the decision of KBR last week not to pursue new work for the former fabrication yard at Nigg the SNP group on Highland Council and SNP MSP Rob Gibson have called for urgent action to get Nigg back in to productive use and to open up many new jobs to the Highlands.
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has written to Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather MSP to meet with interested parties to liberate the Nigg fabrication yard.
Last week KBR, the Nigg yard owners, announced their disinterest in promoting offshore wind tower fabrication projects. This is despite the inclusion of the Nigg yard as a vital base for wind tower jacket construction in the Scottish Government's National Renewables Infrastructure Plan.
Rob said,
"Jim Mather has an opportunity to end the uncertainty caused by the unhelpful stalling by KBR which failed to make their intensions clear year after year. I am working closely with my SNP councillor colleagues in Highland Council to chart a speedy path to liberate the Nigg yard or offshore renewables work after its long enforced slumber."
Meanwhile SNP council group finance spokesperson, Cllr Drew Hendry has also written to the Convener of Highland Council to urge the council to press ahead with plans to compulsory purchase the site at Nigg and to allow new owners to breathe life into the yard.
Drew Hendry said “Everyone is aware of the potential of Nigg, but I think we are all fed up with the fact that whilst the clock ticks away so do the opportunities. All parties are agreed that Nigg is a unique asset and that it should be put into full use, so now is the time for us all to get together and show that we mean business for Nigg and the Highlands. We hope that the council’s previously agreed position will be confirmed and that collectively, we will remain strong in order to finally see some real action on Nigg and the potential for our local economy
Lib Dem leadership “obsessed” with raising Council tax by over 20%
The SNP group on Highland Council have objected to comments in a response to the Scottish Government's Independent Budget review by the Lib Dem/Labour/Independent administration on Highland council. The administration had brought the paper, which had not been made public until the last moment prior to the meeting, which contained the phrase "Consideration of removal of the Council tax freeze. The freeze on council tax reduces the discretion and control local authorities have over their budgets and funding.." This follows previous calls by Lib Dem councillors and their MPs, including Danny Alexander, to abandon the Local Authorities Concordat agreement and push council tax up by at least 20% for a "standstill" position.
SNP group finance spokesperson, Councillor Drew Hendry said "We cannot understand why they want to heap more pressure on hard pressed Highland families. It has been proved time and time again that going back on the agreement would mean an increase of 20% for absolutely no additional revenue. There aren't many folk who would thank you for an average rise of £232 in their household expense at this time. It would disproportionately punish those struggling at the moment." he added " The Lib Dem leadership really have to ditch this obsession with being macho about finance and in particular these daft proposals that bring only pain and absolutely no gain to our people. The Scottish Government replace the money that would have been raised by the council tax and in fact the council's budgets have been increased above inflation this year. The Lib Dems actually want to refuse the extra money they get in compensation for operating the freeze. The Highland economy needs measured and considered attention, not the "savage" approach they seem to prefer which never looks to the consequences of their proposals."
See this Press and Journal article highlighting the last attempt to impose an increase: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1525993?UserKey=#ixzz0ZkZtmWPT
Nigg – Clarity needed now.
The former fabrication yard at Nigg has been back in the spotlight this week with comments that current owners KBR may be about to make an announcement on building structures for the reneweables industry there. When Chair of Planning, Environment and Development on Highland council I worked hard, along with some colleagues, to get the Nigg yard out of mothballs and back in to productive use. Our work at that time led directly to the development of a Nigg master plan and a decision to move to compulsory purchase to end the deadlock.
Highland council now have the power to purchase the yard and can move ahead with this route at any time. People want clarity and, if KBR are willing to invest again in the yard then I believe that they should make their position clear, now. Otherwise the council must act - we cannot wait until the opportunities move abroad and the chance of large scale employment is lost to Highland.
A simple statement of commitment, specifically to reinvesting in Nigg rather than a general statement, followed quickly by outline proposals would be the minimum that the people of Easter Ross deserve. Without this then it is very hard to see how the council could fail to act to make sure that the people share in the unique opportunities that Nigg present in the current economic climate.
Highland Folk Museum – a “real” theme park experience
Council work keeps me pretty busy and there is often a pile of tasks waiting each morning, however, this Easter, I was eventually tied down by my family and, rightly, told that I was spending some time with them .
As a result we found ourselves on our way to the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. What a gem of a place this is, spread out over a mile this is huge fun for the wee ones (as we have a 2 and 7 year old this is always a factor) hosting a couple of play areas amongst the many buildings packed with genuinely interesting things to look at, touch and try. In other countries some theme parks try to recreate this kind of thing and can be be pretty slick in the way they put it together, however, the difference at the Highland Folk Museum is that everything is real or recreated from the remains of real buildings that have been found nearby. In my view this is the best day out (and I mean a whole day) for families on offer. The welcome from the car park, the helpful explanation at the entrance, the knowledgeable folk who were on hand to explain and serve before finally ending with the timeless treats of the 1930's sweetshop was consistent, helpful and friendly. A credit to all.