With vision and commitment we can recover and create a stronger local economy

As we approach the end of summer I have been reflecting on what a year it has been so far and as I think that we would all agree it has been a year like no other. It has been difficult with so many challenges and barriers to daily life that are too numerous to mention. We have gone from lockdown with streets and roads that were deserted to the position where it is almost impossible to cross the road due to the volume of traffic as visitors head north to take advantage of our beautiful landscapes and coastline, from one extreme to the other.

We have had business come to a grinding halt with only essential services being provided and now with a drastically shortened tourist season so many businesses are playing catch up and I take my hat off to all of the local businesses, hotels, shops, restaurants and takeaways who did all that they could to support the community during lockdown and are now doing their best to get back to the “new” normal.

Across the board all members of the community have done not just what was needed, but in so many ways people have gone that extra mile to take extra care of friends and neighbours. Never before has volunteering been so important and it must have been a bit of a surprise to say the least for our new community councillors to find themselves suddenly in the role of community resilience champions and I have to say that all of them have stepped up and put community first and foremost and I thank them all for their efforts and of course we cannot forget the Anchor organisations and so many others who have done so much for their communities.

I am also delighted to see that works that should have been completed months ago but delayed due to the pandemic are now getting back on track. While I recognise that some of the work is causing disruption because of the delay and the fact that we are now in the middle of a very busy time the improvements that are being put in place will prove beneficial to the area.

Looking forward I am keen to see what we can put in place for next year. We have been caught on the hop with the huge influx of tourists and the problems that have resulted. But we must recognise this as an opportunity with so many chances for communities to benefit with the provision of local services. But lets be clear if we want to take advantage of this possible tourist bonanza everyone needs to get involved, that being primarily businesses who have the vision and finance to seize the opportunities, but also local development trusts who know their areas and very importantly HIE who have the expertise to lead and advise and of course the Highland Council who has a responsibility to look at the infrastructure that is in place and to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

So, we have and indeed still are going through some very difficult times but with vision and commitment we can recover and create a stronger local economy which will benefit all corners of the community.

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