Some Highland Councillors still getting free dinners

A front page spread in the P&J by local journalist Iain Ramage states that a whistle blower has called for a root and branch overhaul of councillors' expenses and monthly publication of their spending. 

"Lochaber member Andrew Baxter made the call after revealing that only 17 of his colleagues had acted on a pledge to voluntarily pay for £4.70 canteen lunches when attending meetings at the local authority's Inverness HQ" 

Another councillor claimed: "There are excellent people out there who would love to be councillors, but they cannot afford to give up their jobs to work for £16,000 a year." More in the Press and Journal today.

UPDATE 15.04 

Cllr Michael Green tells the Gurn: "Just for the avoidance of doubt. I pay for every meal and this is deducted automatically every month."

The Gurn would be delighted to hear from Liz, Laurie and Stephen as to how their lunch arrangements are organised when at Glenurquhart Road.

UPDATE 20.14  

Liz tells us: "I sometimes use the members canteen and I often use the staff canteen which you pay for at the time of purchase. Currently I do not claim travel expenses which would cost the council far more than paying for the dinners. If I begin filling in expenses claim forms then I will happily pay for dinners.

Lot's of councillors do not use the canteen, but sometimes there are time restrictions to get between meetings and it is convenient. I thought councillors talking over an hour on lunches was rediculous, there were far more important items on the agenda yesterday.

I knew of the intention to bring in volunteering to pay for lunch, but I haven't completed an expenses form so haven't seen then new format."

Gurn Comment:

It is just not on that councillors are getting free dinners while many Highlanders 

are having to go to foodbanks for their own food. We published some details of numbers going hungry yesterday and the figures are very depressing. 

Income is all relative and many people would indeed have trouble living on £16,000 but there are others that would be happy to see their income rise to that level.

North Cup Final Nairn 2 Wick 6 Pictures from Donald Matheson

Also pictures from Kenny MacLeod here and Mashy Young here. 

Images from Saturday's disastrous trip north for the final at Dudgeon Park. On the Highland News site today an article is headlined:

"Nairn County boss Fridge hails record despite final rout."

The article goes on to say: "The manner of the defeat, along with up and down league form this season, has tested the patience of supporters of the Station Park club, with many taking to social media to call for a change of management."

The popular fans facebook page "We Believe" will be closing down in the next few days. It appears that the impact on the site of the deteriorating relationship between many of the fans and the club hierarchy is a major factor in the administrator's decision to close the pages. 

More Highlanders turning to foodbanks for help

A report going to the Highland Council Resources committee today states: 

"Local figures show that, in the first 8 months (Jan-Aug) of 2015, 3,652 people, including 1,097 children have been provided with three day’s emergency food by Trussell Trust food banks in the Highlands. The number of people referred during the 12 month period in 2013 was 4,056 (inc 1,103 children) and in 2014 was 5,254 (inc 1,340 children); an increase of 30% in demand."

The report also states:

"The Scottish Welfare Fund, administered by the Council, also provides assistance to applicants for food when awarding Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Since the implementation of the fund on 1st April 2013, £335,860 has been award specifically for food:

 • 01/04/2013 – 31/12/2013: £47,156 

 • 01/01/2014 – 31/12/2014: £174,202

 • 01/01/2015 – 30/09/2015: £114,502"

The document for councillors is entitled: "Welfare Reform Update" it is a joint report by the Director of Finance and the Director of Community Services. You can download a copy by going  to this Highland Council resources committee page and clicking on item 15.

On Saturday in Nairn there will be a food bank stall outside the Courthouse. Details in the image on the right. 

If you can afford to donate a few items suitable for the foodbank please pop down the street at 10 am on Saturday morning. 

Test pits to be dug at former Kingsteps Quarry to ensure site can be used safely by the public

A press release from Highland Council:

The Highland Council is carrying out further ground investigations at the former Kingsteps Quarry in Nairn, which will be undertaken by specialist contractors commencing at the beginning of December.

During the two week survey period public access will be maintained at all times, although localised restrictions may be necessary for short periods. The work comprises excavation, by hand and mini-digger, of trial pits across the site and is being carried out to ensure the site can be used safely by the public as an amenity area in the long term.

Findings of the ground investigations are expected to be reported around the beginning of March 2016.

Results from a radiological survey carried out earlier in the year showed that although some naturally occurring radiation was identified, there was no indication of radium recorded. The survey was a precautionary measure due to anecdotal evidence of possible buried World War 2 military aircraft at the site. If present, aircraft parts disposed of may have contained very small amounts of radioactive contamination in the form of luminised paint which was used on dials on wartime planes.

The 4.2 hectare site at Kingsteps Quarry is owned by the Council and was acquired in 2001 (at no cost) from the neighbouring Lochloy Housing developer. The site was formerly a sand and gravel quarry and then used as an unregulated local dump. There are informal paths on the site used by locals for dog walking and countryside amenity.

Staff in the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Service and the Council’s Contaminated Land Unit have been liaising with SEPA, and local Ward Members.

Speaking on behalf of the Nairn Ward, Councillor Michael Green, Member of the Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee said: “I am comfortable that the due processes are being followed and I look forward to the findings of the survey being reported in due course in March next year.”

Once all survey results have been analysed - and if required - appropriate actions will be taken to remediate the area for continued public access. If required, the Council will apply to the Scottish Government for Vacant and Derelict Land Funding to improve the site.

Nairn County operating loss - first time since season 2010/11 - Wednesday night fixtures blamed

Chairman Peter Mackintosh is adamant he knows why too:

"Observing on the outturn, I am disappointed to report an operating loss of some £6,100 which is the first loss we have experienced since 2010/11. Analysing the reason for the loss, it can be attributed to the imposition by the SHFL of introducing a series of midweek fixtures during the opening months of the playing season. Each of the selected home midweek fixtures were, by record, high revenue earners. Consequently, financial recovery over the remaining Saturday fixtures of the season proved impossible."

More on the Nairn County website where the chairman's statement for December has been published. 

The Big Christmas Lunch and Nairn 101

Morag and Helena told the Gurn:

"Nairn 101 is a community enhancement initiative, with a view to “Gathering together curious people of Nairn and local area, to think, be and do something more - exploring what is possible, exchanging stimulating ideas, challenging pre-conceptions, creating new awareness.  How much fun can we have being ourselves and changing the world? Let’s see!”

Nairn101 launched on 18 September with an event at The Little Theatre in Fishertown, where we enjoyed some amazing speakers, and also heard from other fabulous speakers from TED talks (online) - inspiring ideas, experiences, thoughts, insights.    One of the ideas hatched  was to hold a Big Lunch in the community, to get people together round a table to talk and know each other more  and thereby contribute to a happy, healthy, connected community.

At our in-between get-together on Friday 13 November, ideas gelled for a Big Christmas Lunch, for anyone who wanted to come - for whatever reason.   We had heard that the United Reformed Church was already hosting coffees, lunches and community activities, including a Christmas Lunch, so it seemed perfect in that there is already a precedent, plus the space is fabulous - light, bright and open.   We are delighted that it fits for everyone!

So we are excited about offering a lunch open to all - free, sit down and tasty - donated by our generous community - for anyone who would enjoy a ‘true spirit of Christmas’, being present together - whether people are alone, wondering about cost of feeding themselves or their family, or simply wanting to do a different or ‘something more’  Christmas!  All welcome, and anything is possible! Including take-away for neighbors, family members or anyone who would enjoy or be grateful for nourishment on Christmas Day.  If you’d like to bring contribution to the meal, please do!  And who knows what is possible?"

More on the Nairn 101 site here and also the facebook page here. 

"Highland motor neurone disease sufferer’s emotional plea to safeguard his care"

Nairn pensioner Michael Laycock is among 18 people in the Highlands whose lives are slowly succumbing to the incurable condition of motor neurone disease - he speaks to the P&J's Iain Ramage  the video is on P&J site here.

Police appeal for information following death of red kite

Police are appealing for information following the death of a red kite in the Nairn area.

The kite was discovered by a member of the public on farmland in the Glenferness area at the end of October. Police were contacted with immediate action being taken to establish the cause of death. Subsequently, test results returned this week have confirmed the bird had ingested an illegal pesticide.

Commenting on the investigation, Area Commander Chief Inspector Colin Gough said:

"Sadly it has been confirmed the red kite had died as a result of consuming a poisonous substance and an investigation is now taking place into the circumstances. It appears to be an isolated incident involving a single bird of prey. Police Scotland and partners are committed to tackling wildlife crime and will utilise all available resources to bring those responsible to justice."

"Investigations into wildlife crime can be very complex and challenging, with a major part of our enquiries involving liaising with members of the local community who may hold essential information.

"We would appeal to anyone who has any information to make contact as a matter of urgency via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111"

Ian Thomson, Head of Investigations for RSPB Scotland said:

"It is very disappointing to hear of yet another incident of raptor persecution in this area. It is thoroughly depressing that in 21st century Scotland, there are still those who have a Victorian attitude towards birds of prey, as well as a criminal disregard of the law.

"The continued targeting of our raptors is a stain on our country’s reputation and has no place in modern Scotland. I urge anyone who has information about this incident to contact the police as soon as possible."

"Red kite found dead near Nairn had eaten illegal pesticide"

"A red kite found dead in the Highlands last month had eaten an illegal pesticide, it has emerged.

Police Scotland said the bird of prey was found near Nairn at the end of October."  More on the BBC site. 

Christmas Lights switch-on entertainment Friday 27th November from 6 pm

A comprehensive programme of festivities planned for Friday November 27th in Nairn. Details in the poster below. Michael Green told the Gurn:

"As per the attached programme , there will be a Santa’s Grotto distributing free gifts, pantomime characters ( Calamity Jane @ The Little Theatre ), elves and musical entertainment

There will be a professional fireworks display from Scotland’s premier fireworks exponent. Hot food and drinks will be available outside the Classroom and the roads will be shut off from 5.00pm onwards.

All in all, it’s going to be a another great night of Nairn festive entertainment and cheer."

Here's how it looked last year. The Gurn understands however that there will be no Christmas Tree Festival in Saint Ninian's Kirk  as permission was refused for this year.