Housing high on agenda at Easter Ross Ward Forums
Next week (9 and 10 December 2009) households from the Cromarty Firth to the Dornoch Firth are being invited to have a say on how The Council and its partners can meet people’s housing needs and deal with housing issues over the next 5 years.
Residents are invited to attend the Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum on Wednesday 9 December in Milton or the Cromarty Firth Ward Forum in Evanton on 10 December to take part in the consultation.
The Highland Council is currently developing the Highland’s third Housing Strategy. It will set out the main housing issues and its strategic direction - what it aims to do; what are the priorities and how Highland’s resources will be used including those used to provide new houses.
David Goldie, Highland Council’s Head of Housing, said the aim of the Council is to ensure everyone in Highland has a good quality, warm, affordable, secure home which meets their needs in a pleasant and thriving community.
“We are consulting with people across Highland to help us decide what action to take. This will help us understand what their priorities are, and what changes are needed, so that we can take these on board,” he said.
“We are also consulting with our partners who help us deliver our Housing Strategy. They include housing associations, the Scottish Government, NHS Highland and Highlands’ many voluntary organisations,” he added.
The Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum is being held in the Milton Bowling Club and the Cromarty Firth Ward Forum is being held in the Kiltearn Parish Church Hall, Evanton. Both Forums start at 7.30pm with time also out aside for questions from the public. Teas and coffees will be available from 7pm.
The Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum will also have representatives from the Highland Council Housing Service and Albyn Housing Society on hand to answer any local housing issues. Matthew Reiss, the new Chief Inspector for the Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross Northern Constabulary command area will also be at the Forum to introduce himself.
The Cromarty Firth Ward Forum will also hear from Alan Grant of the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre about what they can offer, ranging from information on energy efficiency to advice on sustainable transport and renewables, to outreach visits where needed.
Every Community Council is a member of its area Ward Forum. They have the opportunity to feed the views of their community into the subjects being discussed.
If you have an enquiry about your Forum; would like to submit questions in advance of the meeting; or have any special requirements/needs to help you take part, please contact Carol Elliot, Tain and Easter Ross Ward Manager at Tain Service Point or by phoning 01349 886643 or by e-mailing Helen Ross. Cromarty Firth Ward Manager, Invergordon Service Point or by phoning 01349 855524 or by e-mailing helen.ross@highland.gov.uk
Further information and past Ward Forum notes can also be found on the Highland Council website http://www.www.highland.gov.uk/ under “Your Ward”.
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