Lib Dems central to new Highland Council rainbow administration
There have been some big changes in the running of The Highland Council over the summer. In June the SNP walked out of their ruling coalition with the Independent group; a new ‘rainbow administration’ of Lib Dems, Independents and Labour took over on 1st August; and the SNP are now in opposition along with the recently formed IMG (that’s Independent Members Group – a break away faction of dissatisfied councillors from the SNP, Independents and Lib Dems).
Confused?
These intrigues, negotiations and shifting alliances have been a godsend to the Highland press over the summer, who would otherwise have had to scrabble for local news during the ‘silly season’ when local and national governments go into recess. But, even if Glenurquhart Road has over the last two months sometimes felt more like the West Wing, does it really matter?
That is an important question, deserving a serious response. I think the answer is that, as councillors, we have two quite different jobs. Most obviously, we are there to represent all of the people in our ward – not just those who voted for us – and to get the best deal for our communities when it comes to the delivery of services. But, just as important, we are also there to run The Highland Council and, through the Council, to lead the Highlands. The Council as a whole has the potential to bring huge benefits to our region and we can, if we use the opportunities given us, punch well above our weight at Scottish, UK and European levels.
There can be a real tension in these roles – between representing the ward and leading the Highlands.
If we don’t ground policies in what matters to communities – if we don’t scrutinise what is happening, put things right and prevent them going wrong in the future – then we miss the point of local government, which is to deliver effective and efficient services to the electorate and to their families.
But if we all concentrate only on the interests of our ward, we leave a gaping black hole in the centre, a lack of vision and policy at the Highland level – and inevitably leave the business of running the Council to officials. Eighty councillors, all arguing for their own communities, doesn’t add up to a Local Government worthy of the name.
We are members of groups and political parties because we have genuinely different views about how to achieve what is best for the Highlands – although there is much that we agree on, which is what makes coalitions possible. If, at times, it can all seem confusing, please consider this: If we didn’t have our different visions for the future, and if we were not prepared to debate our differences, then we would be incapable of serving effectively in Scotland’s second largest democratic assembly – The Highland Council.
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