The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Parties setting out their stalls for the Highlands
As voters take to the polls today, some will be undecided on who they place their faith in to represent them within the Highland Council chamber.
Weeks of campaigning has ended, with all the candidates believing they are the ideal person to represent their community.
With 142 battling it out for 71 seats across 20 multimember wards, the makeup of the next administration could change – or certainly some hope it will.
One ward is already decided as only three candidates came forward, and the rest will be declared at tomorrow’s count.
But just what are each of the main political parties promising?
The SNP served as the official opposition to the previous administration.
This time round, they are seeking to go one better.
Fielding 23 candidates across 20 wards – the only not covered being the already declared Caol and Mallaig ward – the party promises to protect the Highland economy.
It is also seeking to strengthen local infrastructure, as well as providing up to 2,000 new homes for locals.
The SNP vows to regenerate town centres while continuing “the positive impact of tourism on the Highland economy”.
Further training for additional support needs (ASN) staff has also been promised.
Breaking up the Highland Council is the main priority of the Conservative party.
They believe “radical reform” is required to ensure diverse communities with diverse needs are best represented.
With the Highland region spanning an area the size of Belgium, the group are calling for “smaller, locally accountable councils”.
The group also wants repairs to roads across the region, with a bill quoted at a whopping £195m.
It also wants greater investment to ensure
children are given the “best possible chance in life” through education.
The Lib Dems also accept that the Highland Council region is unique and differs from the rest of Scotland.
Due to this, the local party says the area requires “different solutions and services” and has called for a flexible approach.
It has put 21 candidates forward for election.
The party is seeking to end what it describes as the “longest ever waits for medical appointments”.
It is also seeking to increase the roads budget to repair potholes across the region.
Providing new education facilities, like those planned in Tain, Nairn, Broadford and Ness Castle, will be supported, alongside addressing overcrowding issues at the likes of Culloden Academy. The party also promises to improve the condition of
rural schools. Affordable accommodation and providing better public transport is also proposed.
Ending the cost of living crisis is the number one priority for the Labour party.
Its 14 candidates have also pledged to better represent Highland communities within the council chamber.
They say too many people face the “impossible choice” between heating and eating, and propose ending this through additional support and grants.
Labour promises to abolish unfair council tax, upgrade the energy efficiency of people’s homes and set up a publiclyowned energy company to bring down bills.
The party is also seeking to generate the greatest yield locally for communities who host or are located near to renewable energy schemes.
Candidates say they will do “everything in their power to tackle the cost of living crisis”.
They promise to “make politicians in Edinburgh and London wake up to the harsh reality of rising bills”.
The Greens are seeking to return their greatest ever number of Highland councillors.
Already the party has matched its total number of councillors from last term – where Pippa Hadley was their first elected member within Highland Council’s chamber.
Andrew Baldrey will take up his role as a councillor for Caol and Mallaig via the only uncontested seat across the region.
The party will push for all new publicly-owned housing to be built to Passivhaus standards to reduce fuel poverty, increase quality of life and help the Highlands meet its climate targets. The party
is keen to deliver a publiclyowned Highland bus service, providing an efficient integrated offering. Reduced speed limits in neighbourhoods are proposed, with improvements to the rail network mooted.
The party is also seeking to expand electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as encouraging the formation of EV car clubs.
The Greens are encouraging visitors to undertake “slow tourism”. They say that any improvements should not be at the detriment of local communities.
The full breakdown of allegiances to parties is as follows: Independent – 40; Other – 12; Scottish Conservative and Unionist – 21; Scottish Green Party – 11; Scottish Labour Party – 14; Scottish Liberal Democrats – 21; Scottish National Party – 23.