We produce regular updates on the work of our SNP Highland Councillors and issues affecting the people of the Highlands.
Welcome-
Fàilte
The Scottish National Party group of the Highland Council is the third largest in the Council Area, with seventeen members. We are always looking at how to protect jobs and to work towards a Fairer, Healthier, Greener, Safer, Stronger and Wealthier Highlands
It
was with great sorrow that the SNP Highland Council
Group heard of the death, in Raigmore Hospital,
Inverness of George MacDonald.
Councillor
John Finnie said:
"George was my friend and near neighbour, he
was born long before the Scottish National Party
was formed but lived to see it govern Scotland,
right to the end maintaining a keen interest in
politics.
George was a gentle and intelligent man who will
be fondly remembered and sadly missed."
Councillor John Finnie
understands that the Lib Dem lead Administration
on Highland Council think they ‘got off lightly’
by the coverage following their attacks on schools,
older folk and our voluntary sector, however, time
will show that the public are not easily duped.
Almost nine hundred Highland Council employees receive
over £40,000 but the Lib Dem Leader, himself
a veteran of budgets where the inflated salaries
of an increasing number of bureaucrats grew, could
only find one post not to fill.
Any tears associated with this shocking budget may
legitimately be shed by parents of pupils, families
of our older folk not by some highly paid politician.
The SNP group on Highland Council have brought forward an initiative to encourage safe, healthy outdoor play in suitable residential areas of Highland. The proposal would see traffic removed from some streets with the purpose of allowing children to play outdoors. Speaking after the launch of the initiative, SNP Group Leader John Finnie said "The SNP supports safe play opportunities for all our children which will lead to healthier and safer lifestyles."
COUNCIL HOME CARE PROGRAMME – ‘A CRUEL DECEPTION’ 30/12/09
The SNP stood at the election in 2007 committed to reversing the privatisation of the Council’s Care Homes.
When the SNP formed Highland’s first political administration with the so-called ‘Independents’, we secured agreement to retain the five Care Homes in Council ownership, build five new Homes and target additional monies and resources at older people to ensure as many as possible could stay safely for as long as possible in their own houses.
The Lib Dem lead Administration’s decision to halt the Care Home Programme, coming only weeks after they had announced the replacement programme was ‘on target’, is a cruel deception which the SNP is committed to fully exposing and reversing.
Councillor John Finnie, SNP Group Leader has written to the Chair of Housing and Social Work asking for details of their so-called ‘review’, requesting that residents their families and friends; care home staff and their trade unions plus Highland Senior Citizens Network and Community Councils are not only consulted but listened to.
This is a significant lurch towards total privatisation of care and the SNP are committed to ensuring that does not take place.
Inverness Courier articles here and another here plus Oban Times here:
Lib Dems Plan a 20% PLUS Council Tax Increase - They must be stopped! -17/12/09
The SNP group are proud that the Scottish Government has given all of Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities the money required to freeze the much disliked Council Tax.
Highland Lib Dems, who say they want a fair system of local taxation, refuse to back the SNP Government’s local income tax proposal and instead wish to increase Highland council tax by at least 20%!
They privatise older people’s care, they threaten to close schools and care homes and now this vicious assault on folk’s money at a time when less people than ever can afford it.
They must be stopped.
Councillor Finnie, the SNP Candidate at the forthcoming Westminster election is the man to do it!
Read about Danny Alexander's callous Lib Dem proposal here:
WANT A 20% COUNCIL TAX INCREASE? - THESE LIB DEMS DO! - 29/10/09
Those Lib Dem fiscal wizards are at it again with another daft proposal.
People - and the economy - in Highland have been benefiting from the Council Tax Freeze but the Lib Dems are trying to paint keeping your living costs down as a bad thing. No doubt they are taking a leaf from Leader Nick Clegg's frighteningly enthusiastic "Savage" cuts speech. They are suggesting that a rise of around 3% will be all that is required. What they don't tell you is that the removal of the package of support from the Scottish Government would mean a TWENTY PERCENT increase in Council Tax just to match current funding. Of course, it is all just posturing. Read the Press and Journal Article
Councillor John Finnie pointed out that the Scottish Government's funding of the Council Tax freeze has been warmly welcomed by everyone - except Lib Doom councillors! whilst Cllr Drew Hendry dismissed the Lib Dems reckless positioning as potentially ruinous to the Highland economy during this recession. Thankfully this logic has prevented their daft ideas going any further than the press - but we will fight to make sure this kind of daftness does not affect jobs or your services in the future.
Public must be satisfied about Councillors Expenses- 24/10/09
Commenting on the recent publication of costs for Councillors meals during council business amounting to £89,000, John Finnie, SNP Group Leader has spelt out the SNP Council Group’s position on the matter.
“I have written to the Chair of Resources to ask that all areas of Councillor’s expenses be thoroughly reviewed. We, as a group, do not accept that there should be “no go” areas for review. The public must be satisfied that any expenses are fair and legitimate.” He added “As a group, the SNP do not have lunches at our Group meetings, everyone just buys what they need themselves.”Press and Journal Report
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
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."
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
LABOUR RUNNING SCARED AS POLL SHOWS COMMANDING LEAD FOR SNP
SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP has welcomed the results of an Ipsos-MORI in Holyrood Magazine which gives the party a commanding lead over Labour in both Holyrood and Westminster elections.
The survey of voting intentions published in this week’s Holyrood Magazine puts the SNP 7 points ahead of Labour for Holyrood and two points ahead for Westminster. However when the certainty to vote is taken into account the SNP’s lead increases further to 13 points for Holyrood and six points for Westminster.
If this result was to be replicated across the country a number of senior Labour MPs would face electoral defeat, including Chancellor Alistair Darling and ex-Defence Secretary Des Browne. Both Scotland Office Ministers - Jim Murphy and Ann McKechin – would also lose their seats.
If the results were replicated at a Westminster election the SNP would gain 19 seats to secure the biggest share of Scottish seats in the Commons, with a swing of nearly 14% from Labour.
The poll comes as a Sunday newspaper reports senior Scottish Labour figures – including Des Browne - are seeking Scottish Parliament seats.
It also comes as leading Scots novelist Iain Banks is reported as saying he is in favour of independence, following a week in which Scots motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart backed the SNP Government’s proposals for an independence referendum.
Commenting, Mr Robertson said:
“This is a great result for the SNP. Not only does it demonstrate that the SNP Government is winning the debate in Holyrood but also building support for sending SNP MPs to fight Scotland's corner in Westminster. It also shows our vote is far more motivated than Labour's.
“Scottish Labour MPs will be looking at these results fearfully as it confirms what many have clearly been thinking for some time – there is no such thing as a safe Labour seat anymore.
“But to assume they will be returned to Holyrood as a matter of course is a major mistake. This poll also shows that voters across Scotland believe the SNP is the best party to stand up for their interests in the Scottish Parliament.
“Labour already lost the right to govern Scotland when the SNP won the 2007 Holyrood election. A result like this at Westminster would merely underline that collapse in support for Labour, and would help advance the case for independence.”
SNP PUSH FOR BUS AID FOR TEENS AND FAMILIES14-09-09
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 BEAT02-09-09
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."
GEOPARK AWAITS ACCOLADES02-09-09
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 :
SNP ELECTION BROADCAST BY FIRST MINISTER ALEX SALMOND MSP April 09
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:
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.
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 YEARABOUT 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.
RECORD POLICE COVER FOR HIGHLAND 
