Thursday, January 15, 2009

One small step for a Community Council but a giant leap for democracy in Nairn?

The thirteenth of February 2009, may turn out to be an eventful date in the history of local government in Nairn. Last night in the Laing Hall (13/01) members of Nairn’s River Community Council decided to make the first overtures towards their sister group the Nairn Suburban Council with a view to calling a meeting to gauge the public feeling in the town for a single Community Council to cover the town area. Present were Provost Liz and her fellow Highland Councillor Graham Marsden, they both supported the council’s decision. Members spoke generally of their dismay of the loss local democracy and their fear of more of their same, the view that Highland Council sees Nairn as simply a suburb of Inverness. There was a feeling that there was a need for a single body to stick up for Nairn and protect the community’s identity, to fight the many battles that will be coming the town’s way in the future, some of them sooner rather than later if what the Provost told the meeting proves to be correct. Members of the public too spoke out in favour or such a project.
The River ComC will contact the Suburban to gauge their feeling (supportive the Gurn imagines from witnessing past debate of that organisation) and then if agreement can be reached they aim to move forward with their colleagues from the suburban area of the town and see what the public think, both those citizens who are represented by a community council and the many Nairn citizens who live in the area represented by the old Western ComC and at the moment have no representation at this level.
Is the dream on? In a couple of years time could we see the birth of the Royal Burgh of Nairn Community Council? It would be an organisation that would perhaps not enjoy the actual power of the old Nairn District Council but in terms of reputation and moral authority it would be the equal of the former authority and would be capable of punching well above its weight in terms of fighting the community’s corner? It can’t come soon enough Gurnites. Let’s support them!
NB fresher stuff below, this important story pushed higher
Update: Coming soon over on the Gurn on Sunday an opinion poll on this subject: Should the Royal Burgh of Nairn be represented by a single Community Council?
We had a suggestion that that might be a better subject for a poll than the existing 'Carry oot' survey but we will keep that one running too.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why not run a poll then?. One conjoined Community Council,or leave as is at the moment.Yes or no.Better than fish & chips eh?

Graisg said...

Can do that. What question would you suggest and the options?

Yes, no, don't care,
or just
Yes, no,

Anonymous said...

Just as the post,with the addition of yes no and don't care.Would be interesting,don't you think.

Anonymous said...

Just yes

Graisg said...

Ok then coming soon :-)

Anonymous said...

Think it's a great idea, but what would be even more of a great idea to better publicise when these meetings take place in the first place. Where do I look to find out when these are timetabled?

- Brian

Graisg said...

Hi Brian,
Both Community Councils have regular meetings advertised in the Nairnshire. If this comes off they will no doubt arrange something at a bigger venue. How long that would take will be down to the speed and the result of the discussions between the two bodies.
Let's keep our fingers crossed and wait for the next move.