Proposed boundary changes 'show complete disregard for far north communities'
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Plans to shake up the number of councillors and wards have been slammed as out of touch amid concern that it could mean the “death knell” of proper representation for the far north.
The Boundary Commission has to carry out reviews every eight to 12 years and now wants to ditch three far north councillors altogether, one in Caithness and two in Sutherland – a move that critics say would lead to the Highlands being run by Inverness councillors through sheer weight of numbers.
The plans envisage a new Caithness ward with three members, while new Wick and Thurso wards would get two councillors each – in total the county would lose one councillor.
The changes in neighbouring Sutherland would be more drastic with the creation of one ward where previously there were two and the loss of two of its current six councillors.
The plans are in a consultation period that runs until September and have yet to be approved, but the Boundary Commission aims to place them before Scottish ministers for agreement next May in time for the May 2022 council elections.
Councillor Struan Mackie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness, slammed the plans as unworkable politically and geographically and said they would deal a significant blow to local democracy.
“The Boundary Commission’s proposals will sound the death knell for Highland Council as we know it and stop just short of formally creating a City of Inverness council for the region," said Councillor Mackie, who was recently appointed to the role of provost of Thurso and joint vice-chairman of the Caithness Committee.
“For decades, across the north of Scotland there has been sustained centralisation, which has taken jobs and eroded local decision-making. We are left with a regional council that is consolidated in staff, services and spending in the Highlands’ regional capital.
“In 2017 Caithness lost two of its councillors in the previous boundary review and this plan would see another councillor being lost forever. Given the major challenges facing the far north, our constituents need more strong local representation in the coming years, not less.
“In Sutherland, the plans are as shocking, halving the number of council of wards and slashing the number of councillors by a third.
“The suggestion that the vast county of Sutherland can be represented by just four councillors shows that the proposals are out of touch. The reality of representing remote and rural communities is clearly not taken into account.
“As we enter the consultation period, our remote and rural communities need to stand together as one against a further reduction in representation. If not, elected members from across the Highland region will have no other option than to seriously consider that Highland Council is not fit for purpose.”
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.
“Once again it demonstrates complete disregard from the Boundary Commission towards the communities of the far north. At a time when people are turning more and more to their elected representatives for advice and help, this is a slap in the face to everyone that will lose out.
“Making Sutherland one ward is absolutely ludicrous and quite obviously done by someone that has never visited the county. Rural-proofing now needs to be front and centre of every single decision that affects our area if we are to thrive and grow.
“The changes made to the boundaries in Caithness a few years ago were vociferously argued against and these will be as well. Hopefully, we will be heard this time and not dismissed once again. Consultation has to mean just that and not a tick-box exercise where decisions have already been made.”
