Cromarty Firth ward’s new Highland Council representatives emerge from field of 12 hopefuls
MISSED opportunities, “dismay” over a reduction in services and crumbling infrastructure coupled with a desire to end “petty politicking and posturing” emerged as hot take themes following an Easter Ross by-election last week.
Two new councillors emerged from a field of 12 hopefuls keen to represent the Cromarty Firth ward on Highland Council amid what promises to be a period of significant change for the area.
The electorate chose John Edmondson (Scottish Liberal Democrats) and Sinclair Coghill, who is non-aligned.
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Voting was by the single transferable vote. The two successful candidates emerged as the winners at stage 11 of the electronic count.
The turnout was 24.6 per cent.
Councillor Sinclair Coghill said: “I feel truly humbled to have been elected as a new Highland Councillor for Cromarty Firth Ward to represent the interests of the communities of Alness, Ardross, Evanton, Invergordon and Saltburn and the surrounding countryside.
“I stood for election because I could see the opportunities that were being missed and I was dismayed at continued reduction in services and crumbling infrastructure.
“Our youth are our future and we need to invest in them to ensure they feel valued and prepared for life. Our communities need to feel they have a voice that is being heard and matters.
“Doorstep discussions often centred around the state of our roads and this is a big issue that clearly needs to be addressed.
“Many more issues came to light such as how we support those who have been through the courts and justice system to turn their lives around to enable them to contribute rather than detract from society.
“I stood as an independent candidate and will remain so. I understand that to make anything happen, I need to have the support of other councillors and this means joining one of the groups within the council.
“I aim to watch how each of the groups operate before I decide who to join. I will remain independent and will always vote in the interest of the Cromarty Firth ward.”
John Edmondson said after the result was announced that the “overwhelming message” he got from people was the need to stop the “petty politicking and posturing” which he said was like “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic”.
The self-employed tiler said later he believed the council should be made up of people from all walks of life.
He said: “It has always been my position that local voices should be heard and that if a decision can be made locally, that’s the best place to do it.”
Councillor Edmondson stated a belief that ward councillors need to get along with each other to work for the benefit of those they represent.
At his first full council meeting this week, he was in support of a motion backed by scores of local community councils to give people a greater voice and clearer understanding of the huge number of upcoming energy projects.
He said: “What’s not to like about it? I estimated that two-thirds of members had community councils in support of the motion. In my view, the more information a planner has to work with, the better decision they can reach.”
Strathrusdale-based Mr Edmondson has been a familiar figure on Ardross Community Council in an area which has witnessed many wind turbine developments and proposals down the years.
The Cromarty Firth ward by-election saw 12 hopefuls clambering for two seats vacated by Molly Nolan and Pauline Munro, who resigned. The remaining sitting councillors in the four member ward are Maxine Smith and Tamala Collier.
