VIEW FROM THE CHAMBER

As you likely already know, councillor candidates will take to the ballot on Thursday May 5 and all successfully elected councillors for Caol and Mallaig, and Fort William and Ardnamurchan wards will be formally revealed once the votes are counted.

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce remains politically neutral, but we ensure we are fully aware of both the national and local political landscape, party agendas, councillor objectives and local authority plans to make sure we can understand impacts on the Lochaber community or see what might be coming. With local elections only weeks away, Lochaber Chamber is hosting a hustings on Thursday April 28 at 4pm. A local venue will be announced shortly on our website and all candidates will be invited from both wards.

This will be an important session to hear directly from the nominees on how their election would impact Lochaber, how the community and business voice will be listened to and what they plan to focus on in the short and long term.

Both Ward 11 (Caol and Mallaig) and Ward 21 (Fort

William and Ardnamurchan) represent a significant number of businesses and employees in Lochaber. Our area requires an engaged group of councillors who can represent all voices, make strides to develop Lochaber and undertake meaningful engagement with the business sector, which is being impacted more and more.

The community voice is extremely important and highly valued. We’ve been buoyed as an organisation over the Easter weekend to see the number of community groups that have pulled together successful events. A true testament to the spirit and resolve of Lochaber residents, who even in the face of adversity and continued financial challenge continue to pull together. Well done to all.

If you would like to attend the hustings event, please head to our website at www.lochaberchamber.co.uk/events and you can find all event information and the option to sign up. We hope to see you there.