Nigg woman sets out priorities as Scottish Conservative candidate for Tain and Easter Ross Highland Council ward by-election
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AN Easter Ross woman is making her pitch to represent the area on Highland Council ahead of a by-election next month.
Veronica Morrison, who lives in Nigg, has put "local economy, education and affordable childcare" at the centre of her campaign to land the Tain and Easter Ross seat vacated by Sarah Rawlings back in June.
The Scottish Conservative candidate believes the freeport "is going to have a huge impact" and says she is keen "to ensure we get our infrastructure and facilities – surgeries, schools, transport, housing – ready for its arrival".
She said: "I love Tain and Easter Ross and I want to work hard on behalf of its people. It is important we get all the attention we deserve and need from Highland Council."
She said: "I will work with local people and Nigg Energy Park to make sure that the new development (if approved) will benefit the community as a whole, providing sustainable jobs to retain our young people in the area."
The by-election set for September 28 was triggered when Liberal Democrat Sarah Rawlings stood down.
The other ward members are councillors Derek Louden (Scottish National Party) and Alasdair Rhind (Highland Independent).
Outlining the issues she anticipates being at the top of her agenda, she went on: “Everyone is delighted that finally the Tain Campus is being rebuilt but there are still many issues that need to be resolved and I will work with parents and the community to make sure their voices are heard.
“I will also be continuing my campaign work with Councillor Helen Crawford on the Conservative campaign to achieve fair funding for childcare. Last year we reversed a proposed rates freeze on the amount payable to private nurseries and childminders across Highland.
"This meant that many nurseries were able to keep their lights on over the winter months. If elected, I will work with Helen and do everything I can to ensure our children get the best education possible from nursery through to secondary school. And that our two nurseries in Tain and the others across the Ward get a fair rate for the work they do so they can continue operating.”
Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Douglas Ross MP MSP has added his endorsement for what he described as a committed and hard-working local person saying he is looking forward to campaigning with her along with his fellow Highland Conservative MSPs Edward Mountain and Jamie Halcro Johnston.
Councillor Crawford, leader of the Conservative Group on the Highland Council said: “Veronica Morrison is just the candidate Tain and Easter needs in the upcoming by-election. She is hardworking, down to earth and intends to work full time as a councillor.
“That level of commitment will be vital given the massive changes we expect to see in our area with the proposed Cromarty Firth freeport.
“If elected, Veronica will take a place on the Council’s Freeport Governance and Steering Group, which means she can make the case for Tain and Easter Ross at the highest level. It is crucial that a Councillor from the Tain Ward sits on that Group and ensures that our needs are fully considered.”
Ms Morrison has lived in Nigg for over 30 years and is currently chairman of Nigg & Shandwick Community Council.
As chairman of Nigg Hall she led the fundraising drive to pay for the renovations to make it suitable for year-round use. She helped raise the £50,000 needed to repair the Nigg slipway so the Cromarty ferry could continue operating.
During the Covid epidemic, she organised a Nigg and Shandwick group that delivered meals, shopping and prescriptions for the elderly and those who had to isolate.
If the seat is contested, voting will take place on Thursday, September 28 with the count taking place within the ward on the following day.
Highland Council said earlier that the notice of election and nomination forms will be available from the its website on Thursday, August 10.
