Local press review or “Do you feel well and truly charretted?”

A chance for a leisurely look back at Iain Bain’s editorial this week and a remarkably incisive and articulate piece it is (the hand at the helm of the Leopold Street Thunderer truly at the top of his game). He begins:

“And was last week’s exercise in design engagement everything it promised to be, or do you just feel well and truly charretted after three days intensive discussion of the future of the Sandown Lands and the future of Nairn?”

Iain weaves many of the current strands of local opinion together and questions how much development might happen anyway given the current economic climate and that Lochloy isn’t even finished yet either.

There is one element to Iain’s analysis that this observer has heard reflected on the street too:

“Highland Council is desperately trying to restore the credibility of its planning process after what has been a debacle at Sandown. This exercise is spiced up by the real political needs of present councillors who intend standing in an election now only three months away. Their record is tainted with what has been a failure at Sandown and the council is leaning heavily towards its critics whose views eventually won the day. That was the nature of last week’s charrette process.”

Here at the Gurn we have thought for a long time that Sandown would go all the way to the ballot box and maybe with a strong bite too. It remains to be seen if the charrette has taken any of the toxicity out of the issue? Will the public give a favourable reaction at the public meeting in the Golf View on the 29^th (master of ceremonies, Jim McKinnon, Chief planner to the Scottish Government) or will it all go badly. This observer detects that some of the more belligerent folk upset with Sandown issues may have calmed a little but others are still deeply concerned and will probably want to air their views.

Concerned about Sandown is Heather Corran who has a letter in the Nairnshire this week. She states: “These lands should be developed, but not necessary for housing. We need sustainable income generation for Nairn, not a short term boom leading inevitably to bust.” A good point from Heather and there are still those that are opposed to any housing on Sandown and wish to see the area kept as green space. Can that voice crystallise, articulate itself and gather momentum for the meeting on the 29^th ? And what happens if no developer can be found for any of the phases at Sandown? How does the Common Good make any money out of the Sandown lands in the short term with the debt on the Community Centre gathering interest all the time.

To the Common Good then and Brian Stewart too has a letter in the Nairnshire. A correction and an apology from the former diplomat: “I was wrong to say that the Highland Council’s corporate manager William Gilfillan, has been unwilling to discuss the subject of the Common Good with the people in Nairn.” Brian is looking to a meeting soonest however with William appearing before the massed ranks of the usual suspects at a joint Community Council meeting. Sandown & the Common Good - two issues that have never gone away.

Two more letters in this week’s Nairnshire, Liz takes a pop at Oor Graham over roads cash. She gets intae our libdem mannie for claims in his letter last week. Another letter this week too from Colin Macaulay strongly refuting some of the claims about how Independence would adversely affect Scotland.

The Nairnshire Telegraph, streets ahead of the rest of the dead tree media when it comes to local information and views.

(Spurtle, stop reading this, your subscription has been cancelled)

Nairnshire Telegraph withdrawal symptons

We hear from one of our Regular readers that several agitated addicts turned up as usual at the Co-op last night but as was revealed in last week's edition, nothing will be available until late afternoon today.

Oor Sandy and Graham hit the campaign trail?

Letters in the Nairnshire this week from the Convener and Cllr Marsden. Sandy has come out fighting, stating in reply to recent material in the paper that Nairn has had a good deal out of Highland Council over the last 16 years. Oor Graham has a suggestion on how citizens can cope with icy pavements.

Could both these gentlemen be starting their re-election campaigns already? Lots more in the Nairnshire this week including a "happiness" feature plus postcode delivery rip-offs. Also an in-depth analysis of the shattering defeat suffered by the Wee County at Mosset Park. Where was Santa? And the Highland Plan, reaction and analysis. The Nairnshire Telegraph, Christmas wouldn't be complete without it!

Local Press Review

This weeks Nairnshire (Nov 29^th) makes use of the debates at the recent meeting of the new Nairn West Community Council. This observer was wondering what might be a good snappy quick nickname to use for them? Westifarians? Westenders? Westlifers? Westies? Rosemary’s People? Do Gurnites have any other suggestions?

So the front page of the Nairnshire contains comments from Graham Kerr and this new community council is straight into some of the major issues that affect motorists and pedestrians in the town centre and particularly along the A96. Nice work Graham, keep going and let’s get a few issues resolved here. This observer looks forward to more campaigns à la Regal. Thanks expressed too to Graham Vine, who is widely credited with restarting the moribund council but when it came to the crunch he was rejected at the ballot box in his bid for a second term of office. Will the West’s Churchillian figure resign himself to the wilderness or will he still play a role in local politics? It seems he may still linger around as he had strong words for River CC on their objection to the extension of a covered area at the Braeval. The Nairnshire reports that West are also, unlike River, still opposed to the bus station plan. Is it time for a United Nations peace keeping team to mediate between the two councils before these border incidents get out of hand? The last thing we need in Nairn would be a planning Class War on the traditional them and us demarcation lines.

Good too to see the Westifarians demanding action on doggie jobbies. Brian Stewart is subscribing to the school of thought, also supported by the Gurn, that the canine turds become more evident as the dark nights draw in. The cover of darkness hiding some individuals' lack of social responsibility.

Yes lots of good stuff in this week’s Nairnshire and the special pre-Christmas treat of a biting editorial attacking the Nairnshire Partnership “reinvention”. Iain Bain puts the boot in one more time. “We need something in Nairn to replace the structures of local government lost in “reform” but it isn’t the present Nairn Partnership.” What could we have instead Gurnites? How about a single Royal Burgh of Nairn Community Council? That would be NICE for Christmas wouldn’t it?

19p and no news on the front page

Bratach made an exciting discovery!

Nairnshire Telegraph in Inflation Shock!

The price of Nairnshire's living national treasure rises to 45p this week, a staggering price rise of 12.5%! Despite that it is, as usual, compulsive reading.

There's news on the front page of a letter that Dr Joan Noble has written to the main mannie at Highland Council. She's setting aboot them again on the issue of Sandown-Delnies and the potential impact on the Common Good Fund. Issues that never went away Gurnites. Joan Noble has not held back and tells it like many others think it is - just add all that to the continuing down-trodden look of the town centre along the A96 and you have a powerful political cocktail that will still be there (like the drink in last night's glass) for everyone to savour at the May elections to the Highland Council.

Get informed, read the articles and Iain Bain's editorial and if you feel motivated enough why not get yourself up to Nairn Academy tomorrow night at 7.30 p.m. (Tuesday) where the Suburban Community Council has the Sandown Lands on the agenda and is asking "Development - what does the Community want?" We already know Highland Council have their ideas - can there be a compromise between the local authority and the community or will there be another winter of extreme discontent in Nairn?

Today’s Nairnshire (23/08/11)

Dominating the front page is a report on how the issue of asbestos is continuing to affect the lives of folk in 26 houses up at Queenspark and specifically those who brought their houses from the Council. An awful situation for those concerned and reports of a drop in property value for one unfortunate householder. All the usual pics and information from the Games too and much more in this week’s 16 pager.

On page 4 there is news of Nairn managing to keep it’s ward manager in the Courthouse although Louise will now have to spend some of her time working on neighbouring ward 18 issues and there are worries of how sustainable the new Courthouse situation is after job cuts, with Liz quoted voicing concerns: “The service point is is like a ghost ship just now.”

There is mention of more responsibility coming back to Nairn in a small way with quotes from a mannie David Haas who will be the new senior ward manager but what will that mean in practice? Read the article in the paper and see for yourself, will anything good come out of all this background chatter? This observer feels that that is highly unlikely given the previous track record. Nairn has lost jobs out of the cuts that will never come back and Glenurquhart Road is once again making soothing noises to try and calm us all down.

Again Iain Bain is on the ball with his editorial which looks at the issues raised in the article in depth. Here’s just a snippet of Iain, once again detailing the case against the Invercentrics that have steadily stripped power from Nairn:

“Over the years Nairn has lost not only its burghal stature but its council meetings and its courts. In more recent years it has seen its planning department go and there is no longer any input into licensing.” He continues in the same vein and asks “We wonder where it will all end."

A lot of folk feel it’s certainly time to get some power back in Nairn and not just a few crumbs from the Inverness table either. Time for real decision making to come back to Nairn. Read an analysis about what has been done to Nairnshire by Highland Council – see Iain Bain’s editorial this week!

Local Press Review

"Nairn United" is the Nairnshire's front page banner headline this week. The town's three community councils have agreed to, well, er, not much really/or something that might lead somewhere, perhaps, maybe? Decide for yourself and have a good read of the article and Iain Bain's hard-hitting editorial on this topic. The people that matter most, the public of Nairn, were excluded from the meeting between the CC's and some of the community councillors too. Incidentally if you look at the latest figures on the Gurn poll you will see that the majority still want a single council for the town. 264 votes and 71% want a single CC. Those for the status quo 12% are now outnumbered by the the "don't cares" on 14%.

A picture of David Hind lifting the Morganti cup on page 1 too and an extensive two-page spread on the sports pages detailing the Wee County's excellent victory. A close encounter of the dangerous kind on the Altonburn Road rat run on page 2 and news of how mobility scooters can't get up/down the cemetery path to Boath Park because of pedestrian barriers on the road. That will have to be sorted before Sainsbury's opens.

River CC are refuting claims that they are to blame for traffic lights - details on page 5. And the recent spate of bevvying on the beaches has led to calls for a by-law to ban drinking on the East Beach - all the nitty-gritty on page 7. All this and more in a bumper 16 page edition.
Nairn - the town where the dead-tree press still make waves!

Local press review

Quadruple Easter lambs make the front page along with a “splash” concerning the planning debacle at Cawdor Road. Fingers are pointing in a certain direction. Read the Nairnshire for more or the stop orders from the Highland Council and information from the resident posted on the gate to the property on Cawdor Road.
Inside on page 3 pictures as Davie Stewart pops up to Queens Park in search of votes and Mary Scanlon tries to get Geoff Skeet’s vote. Move along Mary, you’ve absolutely no chance there lol.
The blue bins are coming This might be a problem in some of the more narrow closes in town that are already full of big green, and brown, wheelie bin obstructions but it will be good to see more recycling in Nairn.
Children from the Chernobyl area will be coming to Nairn once again this year and the Nairnshire has been talking to Tom Heggie about the work the Nairn Link have been doing for a number of years now. The Nairn West AGM is reported and there is a letter from John Hart supporting a single CC for Nairn All this and more in the Highland’s best weekly bargain media marvel.

Nairnshire Telegraph review - The Single Council for Nairn edition - Iain Bain makes comparison between Highland Council and Gadaffi.

A front page spread, two lengthy letters and an editorial on the issue of the Single Council for Nairn, this week's Nairnshire is a must. The Gurn is obviously not alone in thinking that the machinery of Highland Council is out to deny the residents of Nairn the chance of having a Royal Burgh of Nairn Community Council to fight for us instead of three community councils covering very odd and inconsistent parts of the town and thus preventing Nairn from having a united voice. The Highland Council contend that there is "no evidence of strong community support for change" in Nairn for a single council, a position that goes against any past soundings of public opinion.

Iain Bain in this week's edition compares the attitude of Highland Council with that of the Libyan Dictator:

"This is political practice more like Col Gaddafi's than anything we are used to in the Highlands and it really is quite unworthy."

Why won't our councillors let the people decide - does divide and rule suit them? Read all about it in the Nairnshire. If you care about the future of Nairn then this week's local paper is essential reading. Find out about what is going down on this issue.

After Inverness, Nairn is the second biggest built up area in the Highlands and it needs more say in its own affairs. Time for a revolution against Inverness rule?

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Local press review

The plight of the Classroom assistants hits the front page of the Nairnshire this week. Liz is quoted:
"They've just kicked this into touch until after the elections in May, It is postponing the inevitable."
More comment from Liz on the front page.
Lots inside the 16 page issue too, with another former Provost also making the headlines. Nigel Graham is concerned about the loss of local democracy in Nairn and wants to see decision making coming back to the town. Views there from Nigel that will be endorsed by many in the town.
Another common Good stushie between Graham Vine and the other Graham plus Laurie at the West CC meeting is to be found as well. The Common Good issues just won't go away will they? See the latest on page 5 of the Nairnshire.
Loreine Thomson of NRCG was in the thick of it at the River CC meeting last week too with tough questions for the planning consultant Robert Evans when he gave a presentation on his firms ideas for land at "Nairn South". There's a quote from Gordon's sawmill on how they see things developing around them in this area - see more on page 6.
Graham (Marsden) attacks Liz's thesis that the proposed Swimming Pool Closure was a 'red herring'. Oor LibDem (Condem?) mannie has a massive three column letter published this week outlining why he thinks Liz is wrong.
Ian Bain's editorial, like many other leaders and articles across the Highlands this week, zeros in on the Classroom Assistants and is entitled " Assault on Education 11"
"It seems to us almost unbelievable that a local authority could pull this radical idea out of a the hat only days before it sat down to make a lasting decision." Says Iain
Part two of Iain's editorial focuses on the Common Good issue. Not only the present poor state of the town's Common Good comes in for Iain's attention this week but he asks whether this is a problem that should also be looked at in a Scottish context.

Plenty more in the Nairnshire, we've just highlighted the articles that provoke the most interest here at Gurn HQ. 40p will still secure you a copy of the hallowed analogue device - why delay any longer if you haven't obtained one yet this week?

Late night local press review

It's all about the cuts on the front page of the Nairnshire, read all the latest in the weekly paper about how parents have been responding to threats to cut the teaching assistants and First Step Nursery. Liz has been assisting the parents in their fight and there is comment from her. Iain Bain's also attacks the nature and raison d'être of the cuts too.

There's a picture of Labour MSP David Stewart this week, he wants councillors to think again about the cuts - well Mr Stewart, those cuts have your party's name on them just as much as the LibDems and Independents on the council. You want to make a change? Well instruct your Labour colleagues on the council to vote against the administration and find other ways of balancing the books that don't affect primary education so badly. You got your picture in the paper now go and do something for Nairn. Try putting real pressure on through the Labour Party apparatus. Voters will remember who proposed the cuts and who passed them when it comes to the parties looking for votes in May.

More NICE stuff in the Nairnshire, River Community Council's plans for the town centre and lots more this week.

Analysing the Editorial – Licensing Control

As we wait with growing excitement for the next issue of the Nairnshire. (just after 8 p.m. in the Co-op for the hardcore), let’s look back at last week’s editorial.

Iain Bain doesn’t hold back when it comes to criticising Inverncentric policies and once again he was alerting readers to this process and the problems it brings us here in Nairn. Gurnites will of course know that Liz was recently refused permission to speak to the Licensing Board. There is now no Nairn representative on the Board. Further information on Liz being refused permission to speak available in analogue: “Councillor MacDonald hits out at being ‘humiliated by Licensing chairman.” Nairnshire 18/01/11.

Ian Bain begins his editorial: “The control of licensed premises is an important aspect of local authority and it is one which is slipping from view below the Nairnshire horizon.”

It is quite incredible really that this important function has disappeared from the second biggest town in the Highlands. Why didn’t our three administration councillors (Sandy, Laurie, and Graham) stop it. Are they content to see important parts of Nairn’s identity as a civic unit slip away?

Further into his editorial Iain states:

Cllr Park has suggested that the local licensing court meetings of yore were short but even if they were apparently perfunctory in their brevity there is potential for local implication. These are matters which deserve to be overviewed at the local level, at the moment for instance there are arguments over curfews in Nairn which appear to have been misunderstood by those who administer the Inverness based board. This is the nightmare of civic ignorance that Nairn people fear from over-zealous council centralisation.”

An editorial well worth a read if you haven’t done so already. This observer believes the majority will agree with Iain Bain's analysis. The question is what can we do to get some power back in Nairn? One major move forward would be to get a Town Council (possible in a flash by combining the three community councils), to counter the centralising pull of Inverness. The only trouble is it is our Highland Councillors that will decide on Community Council review, will they let Nairn have that or will they prefer Nairn's potential strong civic voice and identity divided into three separate parts?

in the Co-op for the hardcore), let

Nice Nairnshire

This week's edition contains a special cut-out NICE membership form plus an article about how the NICE plan for the town centre is going. NICE are still looking for your views too. More details in the Nairnshire Telegraph.

“Disappointing Sandown”

Sandown obviously makes the front page of the Nairnshire and Iain Bain has comment from some of the main players: it is interesting to see that Sandy Park seems to be upset with comments from the recent press release by Nairn Residents’ Concern Group. He is quoted by the Nairnshire:

“A multi-million pound development is lost to Nairn. You can’t call that a Christmas present!”

It certainly has been a roller-coaster ride for Sandy – from the heady days of 2007 when a smiling Convener was pictured with Deveron MD Gordon Ramsay at Sandown having just completed the deal (image reproduced in the Nairnshire too), to last year when he fronted the public inquiry ‘home’ team against the Council’s very own preferred bidder, and now fast-forward to today, as the fall out from Sandown comes to rest alongside that of the town centre debacle – Sandown and the town centre have been inextricably linked in Highland Council’s failed policy.

Iain Bain goes further into the Sandown issue with another excellent perceptive editorial (worth the 40p investment for this alone) in which he looks back on the whole sorry affair and finishes with a practical solution for the Council – they will, after all, surely have to do something to get a bit of cash into the Common Good Fund which has fallen into debt on their watch?

Monday night press review

The Nairnshire splashes with 'Nairn will share in Moray's misery'. The local paper presents an in depth look at the what the closure of Kinloss will mean to Nairn's economy with comments from some local leading figures. It doesn't look good, in fact very, very bad. Iain Bain also has a hard hitting editorial on the matter too.
Lots more in this week's paper including Sandy insisting that the Common Good Fund is still under the control of the local members plus a report on the town centre consultation. There's a few traders gurning about loss of income from the streetscape and Fergus Ewing wants clarification of the future of the Fort. Is it really possible that there will soon be no military presence in the area at all?

On the subject of Kinloss there is now a rather large Facebook group, Save RAF Kinloss, campaigning for its retention. Browsing the site there are suggestions of demonstrations, petitions etc but it is really hard to see how anybody could get this ConDem government to go back on this decision.

UPDATE: there is also a Facebook page campaigning to keep Lossie open.

'The whole area holds its collective breath to hear the fate of the Moray air bases'

In this week's paper, the Nairnshire's Editor, Iain Bain, welcomes that the Highland Council no longer seems intent on rushing straight into an alternative plan for the town centre. He speculates too on how the economic landscape could change dramatically if the bases close. Iain also comments on the issue of Policing.

Lots of local news too, all yours for 40p, available now in one of Nairn's newsagents or one of the many Co-ops in town.

7967 - Groundhog Day lucky number?

Thanks to a regular Gurnite for this one.

Nearly midnight local press review

Bus woes again on Page 1 of the Nairnshire. On page 2 a mention of the sudden death of Bruce Barron (a full obituary to follow), what the Suburban CC want to do about part of Sandown and news of two Culloden and Ardersier councillors and a complaint of bullying. Next on page 3 the question is asked ‘Will Sainsbury’s open for business in Easter?’ Further into the paper to find out more about the 200 homes proposal for Croy and the campaign against the plans. Another page is dedicated to the cuts meeting held last Wednesday evening.

The editorial this week is a treat with a analysis of the cuts meeting and a wry observation at the end. There’s another complaint about the seagull s**** in a letter to the editor and a picture of Micheal Maclellan’s recent charity marathon. All this and more including the usual sports pages.

It’s all so political…

With only a couple of hours before the latest edition of the Nairnshire appears on the shelves of the Co-op it is perhaps worth reflecting on part of last week’s editorial:

‘No-one can deny that the puncturing of an economic bubble and the subsequent rescuing of a banking system has created huge debt. But it should not be forgotten that this is also a political matter. When Alston, Park et al come to Nairn tomorrow, wringing their municipal hands and asking for our help and forbearance in axing items that we thought were at the core of local life, then Nairnites should remember that they elect them and the certainties of gloom and doom that they will relate are also a matter of choice. This is politics.’

Iain Bain was of course referring to the Ward Forum Cuts meeting held in Rosebank last Wednesday night. The cuts that Highland Council are going to make are a political process, the Ward Forum road shows were part of that process and it was bizarre to see Councillor Alston accuse Liz MacDonald of trying to score political points. Maybe he just doesn’t understand Nairn, Liz is an SNP councillor yes but her personal politics are closer to the sentiments of the community then any political party, this was reflected in her coming top of the poll at the last election. In attacking Liz, Cllr Alston was in fact taking a swipe at the Community as the angry reaction he provoked from those present demonstrated. Is there anyone that believes that Liz is political and the Highland Council Administration is not? Here’s something that was sent in by one of the Gurnites, it’s an Audit Scotland Document entitled Best Value 2 pathfinder Audit, Highland Council

'103. There is strong political leadership in the council, with an administration that works consistently and effectively and an effective opposition. This contributes to a clear and consistent strategic direction. Elected members demonstrate good leadership, and working relationships between party groups, among members and between members and officers are generally good. Members have a positive approach and work well together in the interest of the whole of the Highland area.'

So Audit Scotland think Highland Council is a political council, somebody had better tell Mr Alston.

It'll be interesting indeed to see what the Nairnshire made of the proceedings last week especially as Sandy Park began with a quick barb intended for Iain Bain. He said, ' I think we did get a wee mention from Mr Bain that maybe we wouldn't take the consultation seriously but I think in all fairness we will, this will be fair, Councillor David Alston will explain that when he does his introduction.'

More later on the Co-op shelves - have 40p ready.