SNP Councillor Drew Hendry

Another Aird and Loch Ness school, Dochgarroch Primary school, has come in for praise after a Quality Improvement officer visit. Focussing on Learning and Teaching the report points out the some key areas where the school has done very well.  I am a firm believer that relationships are at the centre of success for schools and at Dochgarroch there is a strong bond between the Parents, the pupils and the staff. The school really is the centre of the community.

Highlights from the report state that Dochgarroch pupils are generally "well motivated and treat each other with respect" it says that "Standards of attainment in general are impressive" and "Learners are proud of their school, work very well cooperatively and and support each other effectively"

I would like to congratulate Mrs Donald, her staff and the pupils at the school, for the recognition in the report and it serves to underline what I have always found when I visit.

The quality of education in the schools in our ward, Aird and Loch Ness, is very good and has been, in most cases, for years. I look forward to taking the opportunity to highlight further successes for Dochgarroch and the other schools as reports come in.

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Work to begin on Wellington lay by “within the next two months” Aird and Loch Ness SNP Councillor welcomes outcome of meeting with Transport Scotland.

A meeting requested by Aird and Loch Ness SNP Councillor, Drew Hendry between Transport Scotland and Aird and Loch Ness Councillors has been described as “helpful” after commitments to begin work on repairing the Lay By were given by Transport Scotland officials “within the next two months”. The Lay By, an important tourist stop has been closed to traffic following a collapse of the retaining wall. The wall, built long ago, is a mixture of Mortar and Drystane construction and has been under more pressure than would have been intended when it was built. This has led to the collapse of parts and concerns about safety. Any new work on the retaining wall will be carried out in sympathy for the location and will be designed to fit with the lochside.

Aird and Loch Ness SNP Councillor, Drew Hendry said “I am delighted that we will finally get some action as a result of the meeting and we have been given a commitment that work will begin soon to reinforce the collapsed area with rock to build it back up again. Depending on how this work goes we have been advised that the Lay By, or a good part of it may be open during the remainder of the tourist season.

My ward colleagues and I have also asked for work to be done to make the Lay By better for the future. We have suggested that there is a new pathway down to the beach, better signage and that to prevent future damage that an order to prevent Heavy goods vehicles parking there is put in place. After hearing from Transport Scotland I am hopeful that these measures will be taken forward. They have promised in future to make their plans and work for the site visible on their website.”

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It may be a long time ago, but I remember well taking my first school report home. It was in a sealed envelope and, at my school, none of us had been given a clue as to what was in it and what it said. It led to a nervous couple of miles walk home and I am sure it took twice as long as usual.

Whatever it did say is long forgotten and nowadays it is reports on Schools themselves that I am handed to take home and read.

I have, since becoming a Councillor in 2007, been an admirer of the way things are done in many of my ward's schools. There are are a number in Aird and Loch Ness that manage to create a great environment for learning and a sense of community. One of these is Kirkhill Primary.

Along with other visits, I often hold my surgeries there and talk with the headteacher and staff, see happy, involved children and the results of their work and projects.

I think it is important, amongst the bad news that we hear so much of, that we pause to celebrate those things that are a source of strength in our communities.

The children and teachers at Kirkhill school have just received a great report from the School inspectors and I would urge anyone interested to read a copy of the report. Reports these days don’t always mark things as A, B or C but if they did then I think that the work being done in Kirkhill school by both the staff and pupils would get an A plus.

Christine, the School’s Head teacher deserves a lot of praise for her work, but when congratulated she immediately points out the work of all involved, including those who help to maintain the school right through to the parents both in the parent council and out with.

There are tough times ahead for education and other services, as budgets get stretched, and schools such as Kirkhill  will also face challenges as a result. I hope that the right decisions are taken when it comes to supporting our schools in Highland.

In hard times we need strong education and we must all work to ensure that the jewels in the crown of our communities are protected from expediency and short term decisions that could lead to problems over time.

I am always happy to discuss any issues, including education, and would be delighted to hear your views if you would like to get in touch.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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Brilliant news for this really worthwhile project. The Scottish Government's "Climate challenge fund" has awarded £60,000 to the scheme. The Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust have worked really hard on this and I hope that the route can take a step closer following this announcement

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