First Ward Forum for Badenoch and Strathspey

The first Ward Forum for The Highland Council electoral ward of Badenoch and Strathspey will take place at Cairngorm Hotel, Grampian Road, Aviemore at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24th July 2007. Tea /coffee will be available from 7pm.

The meeting will be held in public and there will be a 20-minute session at the close of the meeting for the public to ask questions.

The aim of the forum is to provide an effective scrutiny of the way the Council provides services in Badenoch and Strathspey. This will be achieved by:
• acting as a forum for people to raise any issue of local significance;
• scrutinising local council delivery and performance;
• engaging with communities to help make choices about local service delivery, where appropriate; and
• promoting and encouraging all aspects of community safety.

The meetings will be attended by the four councillors who serve Badenoch and Strathspey – Stuart Black, Jaci Douglas, Dave Fallows, and Gregor Rimell  - as well as representatives from community councils, police and other partner agencies.

The first meeting will include presentations by:

• William Gilfillan, The Highland Council, Corporate Manager (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) on the background and formation of the Badenoch and Strathspey Ward forum;
• Lynn Johnson, The Highland Council, Arts and Community Development Officer.on Working with Young People in the Community: “Being Young in Badenoch”; and
• John Rainy Brown, Voluntary Action Badenoch and Strathspey on Community Development Officers - their remit in supporting the local community.

Providing administrative support to the forum will be Sue Palmer, Ward Manager – Badenoch and Strathspey.

There will be at least six meetings of the Ward Forum each year and dates and venues for future meetings will be considered at the inaugural meeting.

Councillor Stuart Black, said: “I am honoured to have been asked by my colleagues to chair the first meeting of the Badenoch and Strathspey Ward Forum. Whatever political group we belong to, the first duty of the elected councillors is the advancement of our area and its needs in the council chamber and in the wider arena of the public agencies. I am convinced that a vibrant constructive forum will give considerable support to elected members in this role and a flexible and informal mechanism for the public to question, and comment on decisions that affect their lives.”

Councillor Dave Fallows said "I believe that ward fora herald a new era of openness and accountability between the Council and communities. It is up to all of us with an interest in making Badenoch and Strathspey a better place to live and work to join in with enthusiasm and commitment to help make our forum a vibrant vehicle for opinion gathering and a stimulus for action. I look forward to a full house at the Cairngorm Hotel on the 24th to get us off to a flying start."

Councillor Jaci Douglas said: “I am really looking forward to the new Ward Forum structure and believe it will help communities to be empowered and included in decisions and processes that directly affect them.  It promises to be both interesting and informative and I would encourage anyone with an issue to raise or just an interest in local affairs to come along on the night.”

Public questions can be sent to the Ward Manager in advance – please contact Sue Palmer, Ward Manager – Badenoch and Strathspey, The Highland Council, Council Offices, Ruthven Road, Kingussie PH22 1EG Tel: (01540) 664537 e-mail: sue.palmer@highland.gov.uk.

People with specific needs who wish to attend the Ward Forums should contact Sue Palmer in advance to advise her of any requirements.

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