County committee welcomes ambitious vision for north west Sutherland
Sutherland councillors have welcomed an ambitious, community driven initiative which aims to secure the future of one of the county’s most fragile areas.
The NorthWest2045 Vision was officially launched at a meeting of Sutherland County Committee last week when councillors gave it their support but expressed concerns over its joint approach to leadership.
They also underlined the need for political support to achieve success and said this was lacking in Sutherland, a situation which would worsen if the number of councillors n the north, west and central Sutherland ward was reduced from three to two, as proposed in a Boundary Commission review.
The 25-year blueprint covers an area suffering from depopulation and stretching from Coigach to the east to Durness in the north and Bettyhill in the east.
At its launch, Assynt Foundation vice-chairman and director Lewis MacAskill revealed how a coalition of community, private and public organisations had come together to identify priorities for the area.
Following an extensive consultation with local people, six main priorities have been identified - affordable housing; high-speed broadband; business support hubs; a food scheme; a new land use partnership and new forms of local democracy to give communities a greater role in decision making.
Scottish Government Ministers will be asked to support NorthWest2045 Vision - the date reflects the Scottish Government’s net zero emissions target and captures a desire for north west Sutherland to be sustainable.
Following the presentation county committee chairman Richard Gale said: “I totally see the need for such a report and such an initiative. We are all aware of the issues in the north west Sutherland area and beyond. It is a very welcome report and I think what you are doing so far is great.”
But he added: “What concerns me is that we are facing a reduction in the number of councillors from three to two in the north west ward which is going to affect democracy and representation in the area. I hope the Scottish Government do a U-turn on that and support us having two wards and three councillors per ward.”
Cllr Linda Munro said: “We need a vision and sometimes it is at a national policy level that our problems begin - we are not going to solve them locally. We need a driving force and a powerful driving force.
“Here is my problem with what you are proposing. There has to be a leader. A disparate group has different agendas. That is either what will make it or break it.It will not stop me supporting it today, but I am mindful of it."
Cllr Deirdre Mackay, East Sutherland and Edderton, said: "You have to have political support and we have not had political support whereas the islands have their own Minister. We do not have that level of representation.
“There needs to be serious political lobbying in terms of the injustice of the Islands Bill. Highland Council have been doing that, but it has been falling on deaf ears.”
Cllr Jim McGillivray, East Sutherland and Edderton, said: “Sutherland is not just Highland Council’s unwanted child, it is Scotland’s unwanted child. We are not important in the scheme of things. I totally support what you are doing and I will back you all the way. I hope you get a positive outcome.”
Commenting on the blueprint, SNP MSP Maree Todd said: "The NorthWest2045 Vision represents a remarkable coming together of local people, community groups, local development trusts, landowners and statutory bodies to define and push for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
NorthWest2045 Vision will be presented to Sutherland Community Partnership on September 17.
For more information, visit www.northwest2045.scot
