Read the following, it could be straight from the manifesto of the usual suspects, if they had one:
"There is a strong and urgent case to be made for more community-control in the Highlands. The Highland Council in its current form is damaging local democracy and holding back local growth. Reform is needed, and it is needed now.
"I was elected with nearly 50% of the vote, on a very clear platform for local government reform. This is my personal priority in this parliament, and I can confirm I will be seeking to work with the Government to legislate on this issue during this term.
"The idea of smaller, more effective local government is gaining real momentum. Building on the vast support we enjoy in the north, we are now winning support in Holyrood."
That's Rob Gibson MSP quoted in the Northern Times. Plenty more where that came from here. Sounds like what a lot of folk in Nairnshire have been asking for for some time. This is the way the debate about local government in the Highlands needs to be going. Too much power has been centralised in Inverness over recent years. It is time to get some back in the Courthouse here in Nairn. There might not be any more money around for a long time but with a bit of imagination we could do things differently, utilising the talents in the community, the great majority of folk who are willing to work for the common good of us all. The interests of Highland Council do not always dovetail with the interests of Nairn - we must have more control here in Nairnshire!
Hat-tip to Colin MacAulay for spotting that article in the Northern Times.
