COLUMN: 'It was a privilege to have served as your councillor'
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COLUMN: The Way I See It by Councillor Deirdre Mackay
In a few days there will be a new Highland Council, a mix of returning and new members eagerly, and in all likelihood nervously anticipating the term ahead.
The role of a councillor is not an experience for the faint-hearted. Make no mistake – this is a full time job and more; the pace is frenetic. It is, however, incredibly rewarding and provides the opportunity to make a difference to the quality of the lives of the people we serve.
Sutherland has a strong tradition of partnership working and I have been very fortunate to enjoy a close, collaborative and cooperative working relationship with my communities and colleagues.
Working in a solution focused way and avoiding negativity makes such a difference, and has allowed us to concentrate on the challenge and opportunities and work towards common goals.
The Sutherland Partnership, which I was privileged to help shape, has been particularly important to me, and it has been a joy to see it mature into a highly respected multi-agency organisation leading the way in Highland, addressing key priorities including fuel poverty, tourism, emotional health and wellbeing, food security, transport and employment.
Over the past 20 years, at a local level, progress has been made. We have stronger communities making more decisions locally and the sterling work of the local development groups requires particular mention in this respect.
But at a national level, we have been hit with 15 years of austerity. I never thought I would live to see 27 per cent of our children in Sutherland living in poverty, hard-working people unable to afford the most basic of living costs, the need for food banks, indeed people experiencing poverty in the round.
The governments in Edinburgh and London have let us down, and have so much to answer for. They need to get real and support, protect and empower our communities.
I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to the many individuals, groups and organisations, the volunteers and the professionals, who I have had the privilege to work with over the years. It has been an honour and I wish you all success, good health and happiness.
Finally, I would like to reflect on the awful situation in Ukraine. Like most people, it has caused me to reflect on how on earth this could happen in 2022.
Witnessing communities so similar to our own being ripped apart is devastating. Inhumanity would appear to have no history.
Across the world, we’ve witnessed technical progress, scientific progress and cultural progress but this has not saved us from the current evil playing out in front of our eyes, atrocities of the past repeating.
In the same way as our communities come together in times of trial, we can only hope that when the world comes out of this hell, it will emerge with a politics which is more mature, more insightful and more responsible.
I wish the new councillors every success and I hope they will find working with you all, the privilege that I have.
Cllr Deirdre Mackay, who represents the East Sutherland and Edderton ward, announced in March that she is retiring and would not be standing in next Thursday’s local government elections.
