Could you tell readers about yourself, and why you’ve chosen to try and represent this ward?
Many of you will already know me, not only from being a previous councillor between 2012-2017, but also from being a long-standing member of the local community and through my butcher shop in Rosneath, which I’ve had since 1960, originally in Clynder then moving to Rosneath in 1975. I am a member of the Barremman Bowling Club in Clynder, first joining in 1957. In 1968 I was elected a district councillor for the area, a position I held until 1973. Since about 1975 I have been involved with the community council, many of those years being the Chairperson. Throughout the 1960’s I competed in the Luss Highland Games, winning the local athletics cup 7 times. I started involvement with the Rosneath Highland Games in 1979, which I continued to run until the covid pandemic. As you can see I have been involved with this community for a long time, have seen many changes over that time and understand how the area has become what it is today. There are projects I began in my previous term, some which were completed and some I wish to have completed. If given the opportunity to represent the area again I would continue with the work I began for the better of everyone.
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 have previously been a councillor for Lomond North and chose to be part of the ruling administration. The reason I did this was by being part of the administration I had a voice to represent the people within Lomond North. I will there for be looking to join TALIG.
What do you think are the four key issues in the future for the ward?
Four of my main issues for improvements in the ward would be road improvements, employment opportunities, Rhu Forestry and community safety.
1) The ward has much increased housing developments and the road infrastructure hasn’t kept up with the additional demand. I also want to continue with the pavement which I began in my previous term between Rosneath Caravan Park and the village of Rosneath.
2) Argyll & Bute has had a problem with employment opportunities, particularly for young people. It is crucial that the council encourage and support business growth to allow opportunities so youth and talented individuals are attracted to stay in the area.
3) I have been looking at other alternative ways to extract the wood from the forestry in Rhu which has been causing problems on the road with residents.
4) As most residents will know there has been a big push to have community defibrillators. This is why I agreed to have one installed on my shop wall which I donate the electricity for. I would push for more lifesaving equipment to be installed throughout the ward and Argyll & Bute as a whole.
Currently the council is considering a ‘cluster’ system, which would see several schools share a headteacher and management team. Do you support this policy?
Argyll & Bute in particular has a geographical challenge in filling positions, especially in the more rural and island areas. So I feel it’s correct there is a consultation to look at options. However, I am not in favour of this policy as it stands. It is not good for teachers as it will put more stress on them, it is not good for parents and, it is especially not good for children’s education.
If elected in the by-election, would you stand for re-election in next May’s council elections?
If I was afforded the opportunity to represent Lomond North after the by-election, it would give me confidence to stand to represent the residents of Lomond North again.