Could you tell readers about yourself, and why you’ve chosen to try and represent this ward?
Local. That’s what these elections are for me. I stay locally with my wife Janet and work locally too. It’s not about Boris, or Sturgeon’s separatists and her Green’s claiming victory for another divisive referendum, this election is about the next five years and the things that matter to you, here in Helensburgh. I have been a councillor for a number of years, representing the central ward and would like to think that over this time, our town has got better. In my time, we have seen a brand-new secondary school; a new civic building and marriage suite; the CHORD works that have brought about improved pavements, space for markets, a café culture and attracted new restaurants to the town. Hermitage Park is looking great and busier that ever; and of course, the new pool and waterfront is coming towards completion. Granted, not everything is perfect, but I would like to think that things are better.
What do you think are the three key issues in the future for the ward, and how close is your relationship with it?
Having emerged from Covid, we need to prioritise our children’s education and ensure they all get the best start. That means investing more money in early years and nurseries and getting all our agencies working together. We also need to get the new pool and waterfront development completed. The new leisure centre is great, and the rest of the development needs to raise the bar again in terms of how it looks and what it offers. For me, that means it’s not a carpark or supermarket and we need to listen to our community and get it right. Fixing and regenerating the old wooden pier is a key focus too. Progress is being made, and as Depute Leader I have spoken with UK ministers on this and am determined that we get UK Levelling-Up cash to transform the pier. Let’s not forget the basics too, like our roads, pavements and streets signs – we have managed to do some of them, but there still a lot to be done and I aim to get them done. I do hope you vote next week, and that you share my passion for local issues. Think Local; Act Local; Mulvaney 1.
Currently Argyll and Bute Council is run by TALIG – the Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Group, a coalition of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and some independent councillors. If elected, would you join this group?
I am currently a member of TALIG and the council’s Depute Leader. The group has provided stability to the council after some SNP chaos in the 2012-2017 term and has focussed on local issues and priorities. I can’t recall us initiating a discussion on political grounds – we set that aside and work as local councillors together for those we serve. That’s what folk expect and deserve.
Currently the council is considering a ‘collectives’ system, which would see several schools share a headteacher and management team. Do you support this policy?
With a mixture of very small schools in remote areas with less than a handful of pupils, to those with several hundred in Helensburgh & Lomond, I struggle to see that a one-size-fits-all approach can work. To me it is not about regimented uniformity and structures but what works for each individual school. Continuous improvement in attainment and outcomes for every child is my focus. If we’re doing that, great. If not we need to make whatever changes necessary.