Fighting council boundary changes will be a real struggle, admits Caithness civic leader
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CAITHNESS civic leader Willie Mackay has vowed to fight proposals to reduce the number of local Highland councillors from eight to seven – but admits it will be "a real struggle".
He is unhappy with the plan by the Boundary Commission which would come into effect for the elections in May 2022.
But he is delighted that under the proposed changes the landward area would be reinstated and be represented by three councillors. Wick and Thurso would have two representatives each.
At present the Wick and East Caithness ward has four councillors, as does Thurso and Northwest Caithness.
"I am happy with the proposal to bring back the landward area and feel that will get the backing of my council colleagues and the public," Councillor Mackay said.
"Caithness is a rural county and should have its own ward identity but I am unhappy about the loss of another councillor. It's a numbers game and we will have to fight very hard to prove the Boundary Commission wrong.
"They have a remit to cut councillor numbers across Scotland and to make the wards bigger. We must fight to retain eight councillors but it will be a real struggle."
Councillor Mackay explained that in 2016 there had been a concerted effort to oppose a plan to cut the number of councillors from 10 to eight and have just two wards but said the arguments "fell on deaf ears".
He said: "The Boundary Commission would not meet with us or even answer emails. They have their agenda and will stick to it."
Councillor Mackay is concerned the changes could put make people think twice about standing for election. "There is a huge workload and a diminished budget and quite a lot of pressure on councillors," he said.
However, he confirmed he intends to stand again and in the Caithness ward if the proposals go ahead.
The plan to make Sutherland "one huge ward" instead of two was described by Councillor Mackay as "unbelievable". Under the Boundary Commission proposals the county would lose two of its six councillors.
A consultation will be undertaken and run until September. The commission aims to place the plans before Scottish ministers for agreement next May in time for the council elections the following year.
The proposals have also been slammed by other local politicians. Councillor Struan Mackie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness, said they were unworkable politically and geographically and claimed they would deal "a significant blow to local democracy".
Gail Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, hopes the consultation adds up to more than a "tick-box exercise".
She said: "I am furious at these proposed boundary changes, which make a complete mockery of democracy in remote rural areas."
