Councillor John Finnie

Inverness Ness-Side

Contact Details: john.finnie.cllr@highland.gov.uk Tel: (01463) 712836 Mobile 07748 624296

John is always available to help with any issues that you would like to discuss with him. John also holds regular surgeries in the Hilton Community Centre.

YOUR CHANCE FOR A SAY IN THE FUTURE OF SCOTLAND 19/03/10

Councillor John Finnie is delighted at the SNP’s response to the Scottish Government’s public consultation on the draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill.

The response sets out the Party's view on the proposed referendum, clearly stating: Our preference for the first question to be in regard to full devolved powers for the Scottish Parliament, as opposed to the London parties' fudged proposals from the Calman Commission and our support for a 'YES' vote on the second question in regard to Scotland's Independence.

Anyone who wishes to add their own response to the consultation can do so at this link:
or by email: referendum@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to: Referendum Bill Team, National Conversation, Referendum and Elections Division, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

Councillor Finnie hopes YOU will join us in calling for the people of Scotland to have their say on our nation's future. For a copy of the full response contact john.finnie@snp.org

AVIEMORE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MUST MOVE FORWARD 19/03/10

Councillor John Finnie understands the importance of a new community school to Aviemore.
The recently announced delay has disappointed many and prompted questions from Fergus Ewing MSP. Councillor Finnie applauds the support given to this project by Fergus and local SNP Councillor Dave Fallows and backs their comments in the local press. Here..

MONOPOLY WARS’ – FINNIE SAYS ‘VOTE LOCAL!’ 19/03/10

HILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE – ‘THE MAYFAIR OF THE NORTH’ 17/03/10

Councillor John Finnie is delighted that a Highland version of the board game ‘Monopoly’ is to be brought out in October or November of this year, in time for Christmas.
The manufacturers are seeking nominations for local landmarks to feature in the game and Councillor Finnie is lending his support to those seeking to have Hilton Community Centre, situated within his Ness-side Ward, as one of the places on the Board.
Councillor Finnie said “I have told the manufacturers that ‘the Centre, which is staffed by enthusiastic and community-spirited folk, is the focal point of the community for all ages and offers a range of activities to suit all tastes’ and think it be great if Hilton Community Centre took Mayfair’s place on the Board.”
Please support this proposal by voting here: mailto:monopoly@winningmoves.co.uk
http://www.winningmoves.co.uk/newsview.asp?ID=35

FINNIE ON THE ECONOMY - ‘UK GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE’ 17/03/10

Councillor John Finnie believes jobs will be a key part of the Westminster campaign and he applauds the SNP Scottish Government protecting and creating as many jobs as possible to ensure strong growth as the economy recovers.
Many levers of power are still held at Westminster and Councillor Finnie believes the UK Government must do more and, in particular, continue with a fiscal stimulus. The UK is the only G7 country which hasn’t continued with such a move and there is no doubt that capital acceleration from the Treasury to Scotland would help stimulate the economy by creating much needed jobs in the construction industry.

FINNIE ON RACE RELATIONS/IMMIGRATION 17/03/10

Councillor John Finnie is very interested in race relations. He is a former Member of Grampian Racial Equality Council, http://www.grec.co.uk/index.html and a great admirer of the late SNP MSP Bashir Ahmed, Scotland’s first Asian MSP.
Mr Ahmed use to say that what really matters in Scotland is not where we come from, but where we are going - together.
The SNP believes Scotland should determine its own rules on immigration so that they better reflect the needs and interests of our nation. Within the UK system there should be opportunities for Scotland to attract the sort of highly skilled immigrants who will add to the strength of our economy and society.
Councillor Finnie and the SNP strongly opposed the dawn raids on asylum seekers and the detention of their children.

DANNY ALEXANDER ‘LOST’ ON A HUNG PARLIAMENT QUESTION! 17/03/10

Councillor John Finnie believes that the public have a right to know to whom the Lib Dems would lend their support in the event of a hung UK Parliament.
That simple question was posed to Danny Alexander, the present MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, on the BBC.
Listen to Mr Alexander’s torturous, evasive responses, from about 10 minutes onwards, here:

FINNIE APPLAUDS CROSS-PARTY CONSENSUS 15/03/10

Councillor John Finnie supports Inverness College moving to the new Beechwood Campus on the outskirts of the city where they can benefit from the wide range of facilities to be constructed as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
The public like politicians working for the common good and Councillor Finnie applauds the cross-party approach adopted in respect of this important issue. BBC Article...

FINNIE CALLS FOR STRAIGHT TALKING ON HOUSING CASH 15/03/10

Councillor John Finnie believes that with 10,000 folk on the housing waiting list in Highland housing is a huge priority which should not be used as a political football.

The SNP Scottish Government is committed to addressing housing and has, and will continue, to ‘put its money where its mouth is,’ sadly, our opponents, both party political and so-called ‘independent’ are not quite so ‘accurate’.

Councillor Finnie won’t flatter those who shout from the sidelines by repeating their inaccuracies, rather, here is a comment prepared by the Scottish Government press office regarding the affordable housing budget in Scotland.

The… issue is actually one for the UK Government to address in the forthcoming Budget, which is where representations need to be made.
We brought forward £120 million accelerated funding from 2010/11 into this year in order to support affordable housing in Scotland during the economic downturn, providing vital work for the construction sector and accelerating Scotland's economic recovery.

By definition, that boosted spending available to fight recession in 2009/10, and reduced it correspondingly in 2010/11. It is totally dishonest to ignore the £120 million advanced from next year’s budget and £75 million in subsidies which will give local authorities the flexibility to borrow £200 million for house building.

Obviously when you bring forward money, the year you bring it forward from is always going to show a lower figure. It was spent early because we wanted to make sure that during the recession we maximised the amount of spend.
That is precisely why we have called for a further round of accelerated spending into 2010/11 as part of a further targeted stimulus from the UK Government in the 24 March Budget, in order to allow for additional resources to be brought forward into the forthcoming year.

Over the current spending period, spending in Scotland on affordable housing has been protected in its entirely and to the penny – despite budget cuts from the UK Government. The Scottish Government will invest more than £1.65 billion over the three years in affordable homes across Scotland, we are on track to build 8,100 homes this financial year.
However, there is a significant risk that the premature withdrawal of fiscal stimulus by the UK Government could result in a ‘double-dip recession’. The head of the International Monetary Fund has already cautioned that reducing public sector support before private sector demand has recovered could result in economies falling back into recession, which is one reason why we need a further round of accelerated capital spending in 2010/11.”

BACKGROUND:

An additional £75 million is also being invested to reverse decades of decline in council house building in the largest council house building programme for 30 years, with over 1,300 new council homes planned across the country.

MUSIC: LIB DEMS OUT OF TUNE AND OUT OF TOUCH 12/03/10

Councillor John Finnie led the SNP Group on Highland Council’s opposition to the Lib Dem lead Administration’s ill-conceived and arbitrary cuts.
The SNP Group recognises that the UK Government removing £814m from the Scottish settlement means there is a need for economies, however, we will not be party to attacks on front-line services, especially when Highland Council employees nearly 900 folk who earn more than £40,000 per annum!

JUST WHAT WE NEEDED –THREE MORE MANAGERS! 12/03/10

Councillor John Finnie and his SNP colleagues on the Housing and Social Work Committee were unable to stop the Lib Dem lead Administration adding three more managers to the wage bill.
Councillor Finnie believes that every single council tax payer in the Highlands could find a better use for £150,000!

Read our Media Release here:
Council Squanders Community Money
The Lib Dem led administration on Highland Council's decision to respond to the need to encourage more facilities for older people in communities by employing three senior area support officers at an annual cost of £150,000 has been described as wasteful and unjustifiable by the SNP opposition.
Speaking after the meeting of the Housing and Social Work Committee that made the decision, SNP Leader John Finnie said “This is money we could have used to provide real financial support to get new projects off the ground. There are many Highland Council staff locally who could, if so directed, assist communities with good projects to bring them to fruition without the need for yet another layer of expensive jobs”.
Dave Fallows, SNP spokesman on Health and Wellbeing said “We opposed this proposal in committee, but the administration were not in listening mode. We will be watching the progress of this approach over the next twelve months to see what, if anything, actually delivers for older people”.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) – THE FIGHT GOES ON 11/03/10

Councillor John Finnie is a Director of the MS Therapy Centre in Inverness and, recently, via Facebook, he became aware of research by Doctor Zamboni, from Italy, into possible links between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS.
Councillor Finnie wrote to the Scottish Government and today received an excellent reply from Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, indicating; the Scottish Government were aware of Doctor Zamboni’s work;

SMALL BUSINESS BONUS GETS BETTER - HAVE YOU CHECKED? 11/03/10

Councillor John Finnie is keen that businesses take full advantage of the latest stage of the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme.
Councillor Finnie is aware that 5,200 Highland businesses have benefitted from the scheme and urges all businesses to check whether or not they may now be eligible.
The changes, which will come into effect on 1st April, are:
- Rateable value of £10,000 or less - business rates abolished
- Rateable value between £10,000 and £12,000 - business rates halved
- Rateable value between £12,000 & £18,000 - business rates reduced by a quarter
- Businesses with small chains of properties with a cumulative rateable value under £25,000 - business rates reduced by a quarter

SCOTLAND FOR PEACE 11/03/10

Councillor John Finnie is delighted that the US and Russia are, once again, discussing reducing their nuclear arsenals, an initiative which starkly contrasts with the UK Government’s proposal to waste billions replacing Trident.
Councillor Finnie is happy to endorse the ‘Cut Trident’ and ‘Scotland’s for Peace’ campaigns to see the monies spend on alleviating poverty and creating jobs.
www.scotland4peace.org

FINNIE PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN 11/03/10

Action for Children Scotland, formerly called NCH, have a proud record of acting to ‘make the future better’ for children.
Councillor John Finnie is proud to endorse their work to end child depravation and recognise that targeted early intervention breaks the cycle of deprivation.
Read about all their work here: www.actionforchildren.org.uk
The Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) Project in Highland is about everyone working to ensure every child gets the help they need when they need it.
Read how Highland leads here:

FINNIE SUPPORTS ‘LOCAL NEWS’ 11/03/10

FINNIE OPPOSES REPLACEMENT OF TRIDENT 09/03/10

Councillor John Finnie is a long time supporter of the SNP’s Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and is ashamed that Scotland hosts the United Kingdom’s obscene arsenal.
Councillor Finnie will not be at the March in Edinburgh this coming Saturday, rather, as usual, he will be calling on houses in the constituency seeking folks’ views on what is important to them. So far the response has been ‘education, jobs, care of our older people, the environment, transport’ never the need to spend vast sums of money on weapons of mass destruction.
Read the First Minister’s comments on Trident here;
Cut Trident, Not Jobs

This Saturday, I will be in Edinburgh to join marchers campaigning against the replacement of the UK Trident nuclear weapons system.

From a personal point of view, I’ve always been resolutely opposed to the UK’s nuclear weapons. I’ve never believed that they acted as any kind of deterrent, or that their use could ever be justified. With the Cold War long over, it’s now even less clear what purpose these weapons could ever serve, or even at whom they might be targeted.

However, at a time when budgets are tight all across the armed forces, when our armed forces are being sent into conflict zones without the proper equipment to do the job we ask of them, and with savage Treasury cuts to other budgets on the way, it really does beggar belief that the UK government would want to sink billions of pounds into a new generation of nuclear weapons.

The people of Scotland do not want weapons of mass destruction on the Clyde. The Scottish Parliament opposes it, the Scottish Government opposes it; defence chiefs, trade unions, religious organisations, and civil society all oppose replacing Trident.

It’s inevitable that some politicians would like to pretend that the UK remains a major player in world affairs, and will argue that having nuclear weapons is key to retaining that status. However, there are many other countries around Europe which manage to use their influence more benignly, and without the need for nuclear weapons.

A £25bn ‘Son of Trident’ is an exorbitant price to pay, simply to allow a small elite in Westminster to pretend that they still matter on the global stage. With so many other competing and more worthwhile calls on our resources, membership of the nuclear club is an expense we can no longer afford.

Join the SNP’s campaign here: http://www.snp.org/node/185

LIB DEMS FLIP-FLOPPING, FOR A THIRD TIME – DOCUMENTS STILL SHOW LIB DEMS CANNOT BE TRUSTED 09/03/10

Today, the Lib Dem Leader of Highland Council, Michael Foxley, confirmed Councillor John Finnie’s assertion that the Lib Dem-lead Administration has considered privatisation and/or closure of the Councils’ Care Homes.
Councillor Foxley alleges the Lib Dems are no longer planning this, however, given his continuing change of views, the public have a right to know exactly where the Lib Dems stand.
Here’s the letter Councillor Finnie has sent to try and clarify some basic points;
9th March 2010
Councillor Michael Foxley
Leader of the Administration
Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX

Dear Michael
Highland Council Care Homes
Following coverage in today’s ‘Press and Journal’, and for the avoidance of any doubt, can you please confirm that your Administration wish to retain all the Council’s Care Homes in the ownership and managerial control of Highland Council and, with the possible exception of qualified nursing staff, that they will continue to be staffed by Highland Council employees.
Yours sincerely

Leader of the Opposition

DOCUMENTS SHOW LIB DEMS CANNOT BE TRUSTED 08/03/10

Councillor John Finnie and his colleagues in the SNP Group have long warned of the Lib Dem lead Administration’s intentions regarding the care of our older people; more privatisation, more centralisation and more uncertainty for an ever-increasing number of folk.
In contrast to the previous SNP Administration who reversed the privatisation of Council’s Care Homes and commenced a costed programme to build and run five new Council Homes, the Lib Dems have awarded contracts worth several millions to the private sector and now papers obtained by Councillor Finnie reveal that they are considering further privatisation and even care home CLOSURES.
The SNP Group will not abandon our older folk.

Press and Journal Article here..

‘NO PROBLEM WITH GRAFFITI’? 05/03/10

Councillor John Finnie has been trying to encourage Highland Council to be more responsive to the blight of graffiti and, having chased a reply for months, was astonished to be advised today that graffiti isn’t a problem in Inverness!
Perhaps you know different?

Please advise Councillor Finnie john.finnie@snp.org of any graffiti where you live and he will ensure action is taken.

Lib Dems about to implement school closure threat? 05/03/10

Councillor John Finnie and his colleagues in the SNP Group have repeatedly reminded the public of Lib Dem Vice Chair of Education, Councillor Drew Miller’s, threat to close and amalgamate schools.
Councillor Finnie and the SNP will continue to defend schools, the hearts of our communities.

BBC link here..

Finnie calls on the Lib Dems to accept responsibility for power- 05/03/10

Councillor John Finnie values the public’s views, indeed, he knock countless doors to chat to folk to hear what’s important to them.
Political parties incorporate such views in their programmes and, even when facing financial difficulties, the public expect their elected politicians to act, not abdicate, responsibility and engage in a costly gimmick which cannot bring about evidenced outcomes

Press and Journal article here

SCOTLAND'S FUTURE - SNP delivers on referendum promise - 27/02/10

Councillor John Finnie is a life-long believer in Scotland’s right to take its place amongst the other Nations of the world and is proud that the SNP Government has published the Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper. www.scotland.gov.uk/referendum
Councillor Finnie met with Bruce Crawford MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business, the driving force behind the Government’s exciting legislative programme, to discuss this and other matters.

Finnie Visits Staff and Inmates at Inverness Prison - 24/02/10

Councillor John Finnie and other members of Highland Homeless Trust visited Inverness Prison and witnessed the high standard of support given to the 170 inmates.

The Trust hope to contribute to the prisoner rehabilitation programme by ensuring housing support for those released.
Councillor Finnie believes that prisons should be for the ‘bad’ rather than the inadequate members of our society and is very supportive of constructive alternatives to custody.

The Scottish Prison Service can be proud of their staff in Inverness.

FINNIE AND MACDONALD ‘WIN’ NAIRN MONIES – MAYBE! - 17/02/10

Councillor John Finnie and Provost Liz MacDonald of Nairn won an assurance from the Lib Dem lead Administration that they would examine allocating some of the vast proceeds which Highland Council will get from sale of the land at the former care home site at Corsee, Nairn to upgrading McLean Court Day Centre, Nairn.

The Lib Dems are threatening McLean Court with closure and the SNP hope that using some of the receipts to upgrade bathroom facilities will improve prospects of its retention.

Councillor Finnie said ‘The SNP is fully committed to the best possible facilities for our older people. We initially supported a review of day care facilities as a sensible way of examining whether the needs of our older folk are being met have been met, however, we have since withdrawn that support having seen that the Lib Dems, lead by former Conservative Candidate, Councillor Robbie Rowantree, have pre-empted that review with cuts and now threaten lunch clubs too.’
Councillors Finnie and MacDonald will be watching this matter closely.
The Lib Dems should be aware the good folk of Nairn will be watching closely too!

WHAT CAN AN SNP MP DO FOR YOU? - 16/02/10

John Mason is a fine example of what an MP should be and Councillor John Finnie can be exactly the same for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.
Watch here;

FINNIE COMMENTS ON ‘COWARDLY BUDGET’ - 15/02/10

Interest in Highland Council’s budget extends the length of the authority.
Read Councillor John Finnie’s comments to the Oban Times here;
The £800m cuts from Westminster won’t miss the Highlands, however, the SNP is dismayed that this Lib Dem lead Administration went straight to the front-line, attacking Primary and Secondary schools and the voluntary sector, all so vital to our communities.

Following on from halting the Council's Care Home Building Programme, they now plan cuts in our older peoples' lunch clubs and day care centres.

Highland Council has almost 900 employees who receive over £40,000 per year yet they could only find one such post to delete. This was a cowardly budget.

and his comments in the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald report here:

LET’S WORK TOGETHER! 15/02/10

Councillor John Finnie was one of the 1700 invited to participate in local MP Danny Alexander’s meeting on the Inverness By-pass in Inverness Town Hall.

The modest attendance of sixty in no way reflects the widespread frustration at an apparent lack of progress with the issue.

Councillor Finnie advised the meeting that the written replies he had received from the Transport Minister, the Chief Executive, Political Leader and Chair of TECS of Highland Council all indicated a willingness to examine creative ways of moving forward.

Councillor Finnie believes Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the British Waterways Board and Historic Scotland need to be actively engaged and the public kept informed.

Press and Journal Article:

BUDGET COVERAGE – ‘TEARS’ SEEM FASHIONABLE - 12/02/10

Councillor John Finnie understands that the Lib Dem lead Administration on Highland Council think they ‘got off lightly’ by the coverage following their attacks on schools, older folk and our voluntary sector, however, time will show that the public are not easily duped.

Almost nine hundred Highland Council employees receive over £40,000 but the Lib Dem Leader, himself a veteran of budgets where the inflated salaries of an increasing number of bureaucrats grew, could only find one post not to fill.

Any tears associated with this shocking budget may legitimately be shed by parents of pupils, families of our older folk not by some highly paid politician.

Read the Press and Journal Article

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLANS MAKE IT EASIER TO ‘GO GREEN’ - 10/02/10

Councillor John Finnie believes that any obstacles to everyone being able to contribute to ‘green targets’ should be removed.

Read his press release on a Scottish Government proposal to do just that here;

Going green in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
SNP clearing the way for green energy generation

More households in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey are being given the opportunity to generate their own green energy under SNP Government proposals.
Currently many homeowners are unable to install equipment including solar panels and ground and water source heat pumps without planning permission.
But under fresh proposals set out in a consultation launched this week, people could install wind turbines or air source heat pumps without a requirement for planning consent.

Commenting, SNP Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Councillor John Finnie said: “Protecting the environment, and allowing people in the Highlands to do so, is really important. At the moment people who want to cut their energy bills and reduce emissions by installing micro generation equipment are telling me there is a real problem with red tape."

“These new SNP Government rules would make it much easier for householders to play their part in reducing emissions.
“The Scottish Government has already permitted development rights for some technologies but we want to go further.
“It will also provide a vital boost for Scotland’s growing renewables sector and help to support jobs.”

ENDS
Notes:
The consultation, which runs until April 30, 2010, can be viewed here:

FINNIE SAYS LIB DEM’S BUDGET SHOWS THEY DON’T CARE - 10/02/10

Councillor John Finnie believes that Highland Council, like all Scottish Local Authorities, will have to take its share of the obscene £800 million cuts imposed by the London Government.
However, the SNP Group also believe in protecting front-line services and this is reflected in the eve of Meeting Press Release reproduced here;
Opposition Leader says ‘Administration Doesn’t Care’
Highland Council meets tomorrow (11th February 2010) to consider the Lib Dem lead Administration’s budget proposals for 2010/11.

Budget Papers show that in addition to cuts the Administration already forced through in December, the Administration plan significant cuts in schools and the care of older people.
Commenting SNP Group Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Councillor John Finnie said;
“There are hundreds of highly paid officials behind the scenes at Highland Council yet the Lib Dem lead Administration choose to attack front-line services with cuts in primary and secondary school teachers, an end to language assistants and music staff laid off. Altogether a shocking indictment of where their priorities lie.

“Our older people fare no better from an Administration which has already awarded a multi-million pound contract to the private sector for home care services and halted building of the five new Council Care Homes, giving rise to fears of even further privatisation, as they now attack older peoples’ lunch clubs and day care services.

“The SNP had already agreed a review of day care services, on the understanding that the Administration withdrew its threat to close McLean Court Day Centre, Nairn, and we are dismayed to see that the outcome of that review prejudged with twenty two posts identified to go and plans to ‘deregister’ Care Centres, just a fancy word for ‘close’.

“This Administration doesn’t care about education or our older folk and know the value of nothing.”
NOTES:
The Budget can be found here:

Specific proposals referred to are on pages 10, 14, 17, 25, 27, 41 & 43

FINNIE PLEDGES TO ‘VOTE CRUELTY FREE’ - 10/02/10

Councillor John Finnie believes that how we treat animals reflects the sort of society we are and, for those reasons, he is happy to lend his support to ‘Vote Cruelty Free’.
Read Vote Cruelty Free’s press statement here;
First candidate in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey to Vote Cruelty Free

Scottish National Party Candidate, John Finnie, has pledged his support for Vote Cruelty Free, a new non-partisan coalition of animal protection organisations working to put animals on the political agenda. John is the first candidate in his constituency to support the coalition.

The alliance has sent its manifesto to all candidates announced for the next General Election and asked them to show their support for the issues raised. So far more than 190 candidates have pledged their support.

John Finnie said, “It is important we recognise the important part that animals play in our lives and the need to maintain the high standards of livestock management I know traditionally apply in the Highlands. Future generations will rightly expect that we apply ourselves to ending animal cruelty, whether in the laboratory or the countryside, and, to that end, I am happy to lend my support to this coalition of animal welfare organisations.”

A Vote Cruelty Free spokesperson said, “Animal protection is an issue close to the UK public’s heart but this is often not reflected in current political debate. It is fantastic that John Finnie has shown he believes in animal protection issues as much as his potential future constituents in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey; we are calling on all candidates to follow his lead by pledging their support for Vote Cruelty Free.”

Vote Cruelty Free comprises the BUAV, Compassion in World Farming, IFAW in Action, League Against Cruel Sports and Respect for Animals. It covers a broad range of animal welfare issues including wild and marine animals, animal experimentation, cruel sports, the fur trade and farming.

Vote Cruelty Free is urging all candidates to pledge their support for the initiative. Voters can track candidates who have signed up by visiting the website

FINNIE CONDEMNS ‘UNPROFESSIONAL’ REPLY TO CARE HOME BUILDING QUERIES   15/01/10

Councillor John Finnie leads a Group committed to the Council’s Care Home Building Programme and, when the Lib Dem lead Administration decided to halt the Programme, pending a ‘review’, he sought clarificatio9n on a few points.
Read below a Press Statement covering the response he received;
SNP Councillor John Finnie, Opposition Leader on Highland Council, has refused to be put off by an unsatisfactory reply from the Chair of Housing and Social Work, Councillor Margaret Davidson, indicating her unwillingness to clarify the terms of reference of Highland Council Administration’s review of Council Care Home Building Programme.
Councillor Finnie wrote Councillor Davidson on the 27th December asking her to explain what specifically the Administration meant by the phrase ‘taking into account: The Social and Economic impact on the locality’ used in the review’s terms of reference.
Such detail is important because the precise terms under which the Programme’s future is to be judged must be clearly understood by all interested parties. As things stand, mystery still surrounds the Administration’s sudden halt to a major Capital Programme, hugely popular with the public, which Members were told only a few weeks ago was ‘on target’.
Given the magnitude of the proposal to halt the Programme, Councillor Finnie also requested an assurance from Councillor Davidson that residents, their families and friends, Care Home staff and their trade unions, along with the Highland Senior Citizens Network and Community Councils would be consulted during the review.
The reply, received from Councillor Davidson on 12th January, ignored the first question and avoids giving any undertaking to consult beyond ‘local Members’.
Councillor Finnie said;
“Those familiar with Councillor Davidson’s ever shifting position on privatisation of the Council’s Care Homes may not be surprised by her unwillingness to answer reasonable questions from the Leader of the Opposition, however, her dismissive tone is both disappointing and unprofessional.
“I received no reply to my request for her to clarify one of the terms of reference and she makes it abundantly clear that the Administration has no intention of consulting residents, staff, communities and others on this sudden and unexplained halt to a major capital programme we were told only weeks ago was ‘on target’.
“I would ask the Administration to live up to their commitments on community engagement and have meaningful consultation with the Care Home Residents’ support groups, the Highland Senior Citizens Network and others.”

LIZ WINS REPREIVE FOR MCLEAN COURT DAY CENTRE, NAIRN  15/01/10

Councillor Liz MacDonald, Provost of Nairn, who has campaigned, along with Fergus Ewing MSP and Councillor John Finnie, Westminster Candidate, to retain the Day Care Facilities at McLean Court, Nairn, this week forced the Lib Dem lead Administration to defer any decision on the future of McLean Court pending an agreed review of all day care facilities.
SNP defending communities, protecting our older folk!
Read some background here:

SNP CHALLENGE ON HOME CARE STAFF NUMBERS  15/01/10

Councillor Finnie and his colleagues who attended this week’s Housing and Social Work Committee Meeting were involved in a number of debates with the Lib Dem lead Administration who have already spend several millions on private home care, put a halt to the Care Home Building Programme and now give cause to raise concerns over the commitment to the Council’s role in providing care for our older folk.
Read some of the reality here:
A lesson to us all, keep it simple:

FINNIE CONDEMS LABOUR JOINING LIB DEM ATTACK ON OUR OLDER PEOPLE  15/01/10

Councillor John Finnie is dismayed at the latest attack on our older folk by the unionist parties, this London Labour’s plan to scrap attendance allowance.

Read his full Press Statement here;

LABOUR PLANS PUSH INVERNESS, NAIRN, BADENOCH AND STRATHSPEY PEOPLE INTO POVERTY
SNP candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Councillor John Finnie, has hit out against Labour plans to scrap attendance allowance for nearly 170,000 elderly and disabled Scots.
The plans, announced by Gordon Brown, will see attendance allowance scrapped to fund a National Care Service in England with no consideration of Scottish pensioners.
Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Institute for Social and Economic Research show that 167,940 people in Scotland receive attendance allowance. Independent research by ISER shows that removing attendance allowance would push 40% of those people into poverty, or 67,000 Scots, that’s 1,060 in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.
In addition to removing attendance allowance Scotland’s carers could also be affected. Receipt of AA by the disabled person is one of the grounds for receipt of Carer’s Allowance by the carer and its removal could affect 46,300 carers in Scotland.
The proposals have been opposed by Age Concern, Help the Aged, Royal National Institute for the Blind, MacMillan Cancer Support and Leonard Cheshire Disability and a petition on the Downing Street website has attracted 23,705 signatures.
Commenting, Councillor Finnie said:
“This will be terrible news for some of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey's most vulnerable people. It is inconceivable that instead of tackling poverty, Labour is planning to push 67,000 Scots – some of our most vulnerable residents – into poverty and remove funding from a further 100,000.
“2,650 of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey's people will really suffer under these plans. This is a clear sign of how little the UK Government considers its impact on Scotland and in particular on vulnerable Scots.
“Attendance Allowance offers essential support to many of Scotland’s elderly and disabled residents and helps Scotland’s carers. To get rid of this valuable benefit would be a hammer blow to elderly and disabled Scots.
“Without Attendance Allowance more elderly people would be forced out of their homes into the care system instead of living independently in their homes.
“This proposal is entirely focussed on England with no attention paid to the consequences in Scotland. Labour’s plans ignore Scotland completely.”
ENDS
1. Attached are details of the number of attendance allowance recipients (according to the Department for Work and Pensions) in each Westminster constituency.
2. Charities who deal with elderly and disabled people have united in opposition to Labour’s plans:
Age Concern and Help the Aged are opposed to the move, pointing out that ‘That extra bit of help may help prevent, or delay the need for more formal care.’
The Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) is actively campaigning against the proposals as some 53,000 blind and partially sighted people across the UK receive AA.
Macmillan Cancer Support has also expressed concern, fearing that removing AA ‘would leave many cancer patients over 65 unable to pay for the extra costs of disability, such as a special diet, higher fuel bills or travel to hospital.’
Leonard Cheshire Disability stated in their response to the Green Paper they would be ‘strongly opposed’ to integrating AA into the social care system – adding: ‘…it simply does not make sense to look to remove elements that are actually working successfully at present.’
3. Attendance Allowance (AA) is a non means tested tax free benefit paid to people over the age of 65 requiring help from another person due to severe mental or physical disability. It is paid directly into an account of the recipient’s choice. It is paid at two different rates:
o Higher rate: £70.35 per week
o Lower rate: £47.10 per week
The Higher rate applies to those needing help both day and night. The Lower rate applies to those needing help either day or night.
4. Motions for Thursday 14 January 2010
Government Motion:
S3M-5515 Alex Neil: Attendance Allowance for People with Disabilities—That the Parliament notes that the UK Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together, published in June 2009, may have long-term implications for vulnerable older and disabled people in Scotland who are eligible for attendance allowance and disability living allowance as it proposes to remove the universal benefits of attendance allowance and disability living allowance and instead redesign the benefit system to meet English social policy objectives and redirect funding to pay for the provision of a National Care Service in England, while failing to give adequate consideration to the position in Scotland, and calls on HM Government to consult fully with the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, local authorities, NHS boards and other interested parties before proceeding any further.
SNP CONDEMNS THE SECOND ‘CALLOUS’ LIB DEM LEAD HIKE IN SHELTERED WARDEN CHARGES IN TWO MONTHS! - 14/1/10
The SNP Group on Highland Council considers protection of our vulnerable citizens as one of our primary duties as elected representatives.
Councillor John Finnie, Group Leader, has issued the following press statement;
Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee, meeting in Inverness today, voted 15-5 to increase charges for Sheltered Housing Wardens Charges, for the second time in two months.
The SNP Group opposed the measure as it follows an increase, agreed by the same committee on 11th November, as it would affect the most vulnerable members of our community, older people and the disabled.
Speaking afterwards, SNP Group Leader John Finnie said;
“The Lib Dems say they understand the economic crisis faced by our communities yet choose to punish our sheltered housing tenants, treating this increase as another opportunity to increase the coffers.
“Lib Dems Leader, Nick Clegg, has announced the Party is dropping its support for Free Personal Care for our Older Folk, and already we that mind set at work in the Highlands with them halting the Care Home Building Programme, privatizing even more home care and now our sheltered housing tenants facing another hike in charges for their much needed wardens.
“We are disgusted that our proposal to protect vulnerable members of our communities form this second callous charges hike fell on deaf ears but will continue to fight to protect the old and vulnerable.”
NOTES:
The first rise can be found at item ‘6’ here;
http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/committees/strategiccommittees/housingandsocialwork/2009-11-11-hsw-min.htm
The second rise can be found here;
http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EC8AF894-5548-4966-A113-BEB0272F807B/0/Item4HSW0810.pdf
Over a quarter of our tenants affected first faced up to £20.78 per week increase, now will have that raised, for the second time, by 1.3%.

WARNING ‘IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO TRUE IT PROBABLY IS!’  09/01/10

Councillor John Finnie is keen to raise awareness of various fraudulent schemes which criminals use to steal from persons they contact by telephone or mail.

If you have any suspicions about any approach you may receive please do not hesitate to contact Northern Constabulary on 01463 715555.

Please find advice from the Financial Service Authority here:

NEEDLE EXCHANGE SCHEMES – VITAL PART OF HARM REDUCTION 6/1/10

Today, Councillor John Finnie visited the staff of the Needle Exchange Scheme in Waterloo Place, Inverness.

The Scheme is part of the Harm Reduction Scheme and supported by all public agencies.

Work in this complex field is often undervalued and frequently misunderstood and Councillor Finnie will continue to support any effort to reduce drug dependencies and the community damage it causes.

Read about the Scheme here: and the Press and Journal story here:

COUNCIL HOME CARE PROGRAMME - A CRUEL DECEPTION’ 30/12/09

The SNP stood at the election in 2007 committed to reversing the privatisation of the Council's Care Homes.

When the SNP formed Highlands first political administration with the so-called Independents, we secured agreement to retain the five Care Homes in Council ownership, build five new Homes and target additional monies and resources at older people to ensure as many as possible could stay safely for as long as possible in their own houses.

The Lib Dem lead Administration's decision to halt the Care Home Programme, coming only weeks after they had announced the replacement programme was on target, is a cruel deception which the SNP is committed to fully exposing and reversing.

Councillor John Finnie, SNP Group Leader has written to the Chair of Housing and Social Work asking for details of their so-called ‘review’, requesting that residents their families and friends; care home staff and their trade unions plus Highland Senior Citizens Network and Community Councils are not only consulted but listened to.

This is a significant lurch towards total privatisation of care and the SNP are committed to ensuring that does not take place.

Inverness Courier articles here and another here plus Oban Times here:

COUNCILLOR FINNIE ISSUES DRUG WARNING 29/12/09

Councillor John Finnie is aware of the damage that illegal drugs can cause to lives and highlights a recent phenomenon of very low priced and legally available drugs. John is concerned that supplies flooding in will lead to deaths. Read the Press and Journal story here

Care of Our Older People Crucial 24/11/09

Councillor John Finnie was delighted to visit the Mackenzie Day Centre for the City’s Older People, in Culduthel Road, Inverness.

The Centre is an important t lifeline to not only the clients who attend but also their carers.

The smiling and attentive staff, and the warmth of Centre Manager, Fran MacLeod, highlights all that is good about the Council’s care of older people.

Councillor Finnie is known for his keen interest in older peoples’ services and will not allow facilities such as the Mackenzie Centre to be sacrificed by a short-sighted Lid Dem lead administration.

TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENT FUNDS FOR NAIRN WARMLY WELCOMED - 13/11/09

The award of £800,000 to improve Nairn's town centre has been welcomed by the SNP's Westminster Candidate for the town, Councillor John Finnie.

Nairn's award came as part of part of the second wave from the Scottish Government's £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund, which assisted 41 towns.

Commenting on the award, Councillor Finnie said;  "This significant sum of money will make a huge difference to the centre of Nairn and shows the Scottish Government not only recognises the long-term decline and neglect of small town centres but also sees the value of town-centre regeneration."

"I am particularly pleased at the lift this money will give to the local construction industry and, like everyone, I look forward to seeing a vibrant and attractive Nairn town centre." 

The Scottish Government release detailing today’s announcement is here:

GAELIC EDUCATION EXPANDING - 12/11/09

Councillor John Finnie is a keen supporter of the Gaelic language and proud to have the first purpose built Gaelic Primary School in his Ward.

Councillor Finnie is delighted at the rapid growth of Gaelic education in Inverness, and hopes to see Gaelic Medium education at Drumnadrochit very soon.

Read about the expansion here:

MOBILE PHONE - CAMPAIGN LATEST - 11/11/09

Councillor John Finnie's mobile phone campaign to have providers improve coverage or cut bills continues.

Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for Western Isles, suggests an improvement to mobile phone coverage in his Ten Minute Rule Bill, introduced  today at Westminster - his excellent speech is here:

Commenting on the Bill, Councillor Finnie said:  "I am grateful for the help of the public in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey with my campaign and only wish the telephone companies were all as co-operative.

"Angus MacNeil's suggested obligation for automatic roaming capabilities between networks has the potential to remove blackspots, not only from rural areas, but also parts of urban Inverness where coverage is poor or non-existent."

"I am continuing my campaign and hope to publish the results in the New Year."

SOCIAL WORK BUDGET - PUBLIC MUST BE ASSURED ABOUT LEVELS OF CARE - 11/11/09

Despite representation, in the strongest terms, at today's Housing and Social Work Meeting, Councillor John Finnie was initially unable to secure any assurance from the Chair, Councillor Margaret Davidson, that her Lib Dem lead Administration would meet the Free Personal and Nursing Care of any assessed as requiring it.

Fortunately, that assurance was eventually dragged out from the Lib Dems - read their press release here: 

The public can be assured that Councillor Finnie and his SNP colleagues are presently involved in detailed checks to ensure that this promise is being honoured.

If you know of anyone having difficulty with their care package please contact Councillor Finnie at john.finnie@snp.org or telephone him on (01463) 712836 or 077 486 24 296.   

HOUSING - WE MUST BUILD THOUSANDS MORE HOMES - 10/11/09

Councillor John Finnie believes that a home is a fundamental right and, with ten thousand on the Highland Housing Register, every new house built is vital.

Councillor Finnie was delighted to lend his support, at today's Planning Committee Meeting, to the construction of 14 affordable houses by Cairn Housing Association, at Slacknamarnock, the old sand and gravel pit off Essich Road near the Southern Distributor Road.

At the Meeting, Councillor Finnie secured an assurance that Ward Councillors would be consulted on the provision of play equipment on the site and received confirmation that the developer's failure to protect the trees on site was being addressed by officials.

Read the full planning application here:

COUNCILLOR FINNIE - LET'S GET POLICE ENGAGING WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE - 7/11/09

Thanks to the record number of Northern Constabulary officers funded by the SNP Scottish Government Councillor Finnie suggests it is time to go back to police being involved in cycling training.  Read about it here: 

ECONOMIC RECESSION - SNP GOVERNMENT HAS HELP TO GIVE 6/11/09

Councillor John Finnie is keen to ensure everyone has all the help they need at these difficult times. 

Read what the SNP Scottish Government can do here:

FUEL PRICES - THE LONDON 'RIP-OFF' CONTINUES - 06/11/09

Councillor John Finnie and his SNP colleagues have long campaigned for fairer fuel prices for the Highlands and support a 'fuel-regulator', a system which would stabilise prices at the pumps during periods when oil prices fluctuate.  London doesn't listen!

Councillor Finnie is also keen that the UK Government pursues 'derogation' with the European Union - a discount scheme which has been applied to rural areas of France. 

The Highland depends heavily on the haulage industry and Councillor Finnie and the SNP will do everything they can to support this key sector with the consequential benefits this will bring for ordinary folk.

Read about it here:

EU diesel prices can be found here:  

Prices without taxes can be found here:  

DIGITAL SWITCHOVER - CONFUSED?  HELP IS AT HAND - 05/11/09

Councillor Finnie is keen that older and disabled people confused about the switch-over to digital get all the help they can.

Here's some helpful information from John MacNeil, Assistant National Manager - STV North, Digital UK;

More than 190,000 older and disabled people in the STV North region will be entitled to practical help to switch over to digital. The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC through an agreement with the Government to help eligible older and disabled people to make the switch to digital on one of their TV sets.

The Help Scheme has launched a television and print advertising campaign to raise awareness of the help available to older and disabled people so they can continue to watch their favourite television programmes after switchover. The Help Scheme will also be running local activity and poster advertising campaigns and Help Scheme events in the lead up to switchover. The Help Scheme is also working alongside Digital UK and with local charities and organisations to spread the word. More information can be found with the recent press release.

Eligible people in the STV North TV region will be offered a Freeview set top box for £40, or free if they also get income benefits. The help also includes installation if requested, a demonstration of how to use the equipment, an aerial check and upgrade if necessary for those that own their own aerials and a free help line to ring for advice while they get used to it.

There are many ways to go digital and additional Help Scheme options are available at extra cost – these are set out in the options guide sent to eligible people. The Help Scheme will write to all those who re eligible, starting with the islands as a distinct mailing burst to allow installers to complete installations within a fixed window of time.

The Switchover Help Scheme has appointed Luke McCullough as its National Manager, Scotland. If you would like more information about the Switchover Help Scheme in the STV North TV region, please do not hesitate to contact Luke on 07590 306972 or luke.mccullough@bbc.co.uk 

Auditor General Calls For Urgent Action Across The Public Sector - John Finnie Agrees! - 05/11/09

Councillor Finnie notes with interest the Audit General's Call for action across the public sector and the 'need to make informed decisions about competing priorities'.

As Leader of the Opposition on Highland Council, Councillor Finnie and his 16 SNP colleagues take that message, and the scrutiny role they are charged with, very seriously.

Commenting on this hugely important report Councillor Finnie said;

"The Audit Scotland report is extremely welcome, because it confirms everything that the SNP Government have been saying about the spending squeeze being imposed by the UK Government at Westminster - not just £500 million next year, but up to £3 billion by 2013/14.  

"Given that the latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) analysis shows Scotland in budget surplus - with a surplus of some 2.3 billion pounds in the past three years - the Audit Scotland report reinforces the need for Scotland to be responsible for our own tax and spending decisions with independence.

"I am delighted that the Scottish Government have already risen to the challenge, not just in an ambitious efficiency programme which will deliver £3.2 billion in savings by 2011 while delivering the same level of services, but also in taking tough decisions such as cancelling the unaffordable rail link to Glasgow Airport - where the cost of work at the airport alone had spiraled from £8 million to £70 million without a single yard of track being laid.

"In demanding MORE spending virtually every day in the Scottish Parliament - including reinstating GARL, and more money for local government - while Scotland's budget is being CUT by the UK London Labour Government, Labour and the Lib Dems are living in a fiscal fantasy land.

"The Audit Scotland report sets out the reality of Scotland's budget cuts within the UK.  London Labour and the rest of the opposition have to get real over their ridiculous spending demands.  And Scotland needs to acquire the real financial and economic powers that come with independence."

Read the Auditor General's report here: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/media/article.php?id=119

Read the Finance Secretary John Swinney MSP's response here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/04153502

Read the Lib Dems 'wish list' here: http://www.highlandsnp.org/JohnFinnieSNP.html#LibDemCall

MPS' EXPENSES AND ALLOWANCES - THE KELLY REPORT - CANDIDATE FINNIE'S RESPONSE- 04/11/09

Councillor Finnie recognises the damage done to public service by the greed and apparent dishonesty of some Members of the UK Parliament.

As the SNP's Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey for the forthcoming Westminster election, Councillor Finnie welcomes the Kelly Report as bringing the UK Parliament more in line with Holyrood.

Councillor Finnie said;

"I don't think anyone should be out of pocket as a result of their work, and that includes elected Members.

"Regrettably, the greed of some has tarnished the entire political process and it's time to remove the trough.

"If elected at the forthcoming election, my needs will be modest.  I will continue to live in Inverness and will have no difficulty feeding and cleaning myself."

Have views on the expenses scandal?  Please share them with Councillor Finnie at john.finnie@snp.org

INVERNESS CLACHNACUDDIN FC - FINNIE: 'HIGHLAND COUNCIL HAS ACTED APPROPRIATELY- 3/11/09

Councillor John Finnie is an avid football fan keen to ensure maximum public support for Inverness Clachnacuddin Football Club.

Read the Council's Press Statement here: http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2009/October/2009-10-27-07.htm

Town Twinning - Spain - Badenoch and Strathspey- 25/10/09

Councillor John Finnie recently held wide-ranging discussions with the Consul General of Spain, Federico Palomera Güez.

 Here's the press release to the Strathspey an Badenoch Herald on the subject; Following a meeting, at the SNP's Annual Conference in Inverness on Saturday 17th October, between the Party's Westminster Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Councillor John Finnie, and the Consul General of Spain, Federico Palomera , it is hoped that a town-twinning arrangement, between respective mountain areas in Span and Scotland, can be arranged and directly benefit Badenoch and Strathspey.

Councillor Finnie stated;

"In a meeting with the Consul General, covering a range of topics, I asked what steps he thought we could take to boost the number of Spanish tourists visiting the Highlands. I discovered that the Consul General was presently examining town twinning options for Huelua. Although the town of Huelua itself is on the coast, there are striking similarities with our mountainous area including farming, recreation activities such as walking, golf and other outdoor pursuits as well as unique wildlife.  Huelua is also a birdlife  conservation area"

As Badenoch and Strathspey had not been included in the list of those areas under consideration for this town-twinning, John moved quickly to ensure that the area was not only included in the Consul General's options, but should be considered as a main contender for the tourism partnership opportunity.

Councillor Finnie added;  

"I am delighted that the Consul General has agreed that I could pursue options of twinning with a town or village in Badenoch and Strathspey.  I have already spoken with the Highland Council Chief Executive, Mr Alistair Dodds, and know he has progressed the matter. It is important to move fast when an opportunity to protect jobs and boost the area's income presents itself"

"The Highlands is a welcoming area and there is no doubt that town-twinning benefits go beyond simple economics with shared cultures and experiences, especially for our young folk, enriching both communities."

NOTES:
 
Huelua (AKA Huelva) is on the coast and is flat and industrial until you move out of town.
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SitHTMDetails.asp&sid=1962&m=0

Also of interest is that "the Man who never was" is buried in a cemetery there. The operation "Mincemeat" started in the Holy Loch.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mincemeat

What's Happening with the "Saved" House?- 3/11/09

Councillor Finnie prevented the former janitor's house at Cauldeen Primary School, Hilton, Inverness being sold on the open market.

John is now wondering when the Lib Dem lead Administration is going to make it available to one of the 10,000 folk on the waiting list?    

Councillor Finnie won't wait too much longer for action!

Press and Journal Report   

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Freedom of Speech and the Independent Councillor   - 2/11/09

Councillor Finnie supports freedom of speech. 

The question is does your so-called non-political Independent Councillor?

Read about the future here:  

Councillor Bill Clark, like Councillor Finnie's Ward Colleague Councillor Norrie Donald, is an honourable man.   

Maybe there is a 'Independent Party' operating alongside the Lib Dems and Labour?  

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WANT A 20% COUNCIL TAX INCREASE? - THESE LIB DEMS DO! - 29/10/09

Those Lib Dem fiscal wizards are at it again with another daft proposal. What they don't tell you is that the removal of the package of support from the Scottish Government would mean a TWENTY PERCENT increase in Council Tax to match. Of course, it is all just posturing Press and Journal Article

Councillor Finnie knows that the Scottish Government's funding of the Council Tax freeze has been warmly welcomed by everyone - except Lib Doom councillors!

Read the official - non-political - response here:

Make you own mind up and feel to share your views with Councillor Finnie john.finnie@snp.org

£66 Million Contract - John unimpressed by "Gross Inneficiency"  - 28/10/09

Read about Highland Council's awarding of a £66 million contract below.

Councillor Finnie would be surprised to hear of any 10 year public sector contracts still operating in their 13th year!

For the record, both Councillor Finnie, and his SNP colleague Councillor Wynd, declined to take part in any vote. Read The Press and Journal Article Here

WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE - HILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE - 26/10/09

Councillor John Finnie is on the Management Committee of the Hilton Community Centre but takes no credit for the outstanding work of local Committee Members who provide a safe and caring environment for Hilton's young people.

Councillor Finnie enjoyed participating in the Management Committee's training course, 'Working Effectively with Young People', and views the subject as key to good relations in the Hilton area.

MS CENTRE MUST CONTINUE - 22/10/09

Councillor John Finnie is a keen supporter of the MS Centre in Inverness.

At the Annual General Meeting he expressed concerns about financial projections and rejected any suggestion of staff redundancies.

The Centre has been a life-line to countless MS sufferers and their families and Councillor Finnie is keen that efforts are redoubled to ensure its long-term viability. 

HIGHLAND HOMECOMING - UR BEATH DHAN DUTHAIC- 22/10/09

Councillor John Finnie was delighted to attend Eden Court Theatre, Inverness for the opening of the Highland The Year of Homecoming.

Read more here:

HIGHLAND POPPY APPEAL - LEAST WE FORGET - 21/10/09

Councillor John Finnie was delighted to attend the launch of the Poppy Scotland Highland Appeal at Inverness Town House.

Councillor Finnie is keen to raise awareness of the work the Appeal does on behalf of those who fought in Korea, the Falkland Islands, the North of Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Scottish National Party Government is a strong ally of our armed services and introduced arrangements to ensure that they were not disadvantaged on NHS lists by virtue of having to transfer across Health Boards.

Councillor Finnie also applauds the work of Erskine, the charity which cares for ex service men and women. http://www.erskine.org.uk/

Councillor John Finnie is delighted that the Winter Payments Scheme, which the Liberal Democrats shamelessly tried to restrict, is to be retained.

Details as follows; City of Inverness - Scheme of Winter Payments to the Elderly and to Persons with a Disability.

Elderly persons or persons with a disability who are resident within the City of Inverness Wards (Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South) who wish to receive a donation under the above scheme should make application as soon as possible and not later than Friday 20 November, 2009. Application forms are available from the Town House, Service Points, Social Work Area Offices, and Local Libraries.

The applicant must be aged 60 or over or be a person with a disability:- (a) who is in receipt of Pension Credit or Disability Living/Attendance Allowance; (b) does not have a wage earner residing with them and (c) is the sole claimant in the household. All donations are sent by cheque.

For further information please contact: Mr David Haas, Inverness City Manager, Town House, Inverness IV1 1JJ Telephone: 01463 724368

Councillor Finnie can provide you with an application form and, if you do not meet the criteria for this scheme, and are having difficulties with meeting fuel payments, he will see if any other assistance is available.

STUDENT FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT - SNP GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DELIVER - 7/10/09

Councillor John Finnie is delighted that the SNP Government continues to prioritise education by funding additional Childcare, Student Income and Grants with more to follow.

Figures from Student Award Agency for Scotland suggest that around three thousand four hundred and ten students from Highland will be supported.

Read the full announcement here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/10/07102114

Councillor John Finnie was honoured to have been invited to a private lunch with Her Excellency Ms Barbara Tuge-Erecinska, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the UK, Provost Jimmy Gray, David Stewart MSP and City Manager, David Haas.

The Ambassador was accompanied by a long-standing friend of the Highlands, Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Dietkow, from the Polish Consulate in Edinburgh and was due to attend the Polish school, run by volunteers in Inverness on a Saturday, after lunch.

Councillor John Finnie believes that climate change is the major issue facing humanity.

The Scottish Government leads the world on this matter and Councillor Finnie believes that London Labour Prime Minister Brown should recognise this fact and send a Scottish Minister to the Climate Talks, in Copenhagen, in December 2009.

Councillor Finnie encourages you to sign a petition supporting this:

Councillor John Finnie and his colleagues warned about the consequences of the Lib Dem lead Administration charging for bulky uplifts.

We said there would be increased fly-tipping and there has been, albeit Councillor Angela MacLean (Lib Dem) assured yesterday's Resources Committee that wasn't the case.

Well, certainly that isn't the experience in Ness-Side Ward where fly-tipping is a problem in residential areas and at every lay-by and forest track end. 

Councillor Finnie was at the recent Ward Forum when Chief Inspector MacLean confirmed there was an increase in fly-tipping, albeit it wasn't being formally reported to the police.

The irony is that by charging the cost to the Council has gone up as special trips have to be made by Council workers to uplift the abandoned items.

Will the Lib Dems remain in denial or will they be big enough to admit they are wrong and stop a flawed charging policy which takes no regard of ability to pay?  Watch this space!

If you wish to report any instances of fly-tipping please contact Councillor Finnie or telephone the Council on (01463) 230634. 

Councillor John Finnie believes that every effort should be made to make communities safer and for that reason he has lent his support to moves by MSP Stewart Maxwell toclose a loophole in the DNA legislation. Read the statement given to the Press and Journal below:

Amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill will seek to end a loophole that currently prevents police retaining DNA and fingerprint evidence where an alleged offender accepts a prosecution offer of a direct measure (e.g., a fiscal fine, compensation order, or work order).

Councillor John Finnie, SNP Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, was delighted that the Highlands economy received a boost after it was revealed that Inverness has been chosen for an innovative life science project, safeguarding 223 jobs and creating a further nine.

Finance Secretary John Swinney announced that two million pounds from the Scottish Government's Regional Selective Assistance programme would support the manufacturing of LifeScan's new testing strip system - a product for monitoring blood glucose.

The project is part of an 11.1 million pounds investment programme at LifeScan, Scotland's largest life sciences company which will see this new product manufactured for use worldwide.

In a further boost for the company, an R&D grant of 313,000 pounds from Highlands and Islands Enterprise will safeguard a further 12 jobs in 2009 and ensure that LifeScan's base in Inverness continues to be a centre for cutting edge life sciences research.

Mr Swinney said:

"LifeScan's decision to manufacture this new product in Inverness is a major vote of confidence in Scotland's world-renowned life science industry.

"It safeguards more than 200 vital jobs for the Highlands economy, creates new posts and gives staff the opportunity to showcase the excellence of Scottish life sciences on a global stage.

"Scottish Development International (SDI) has played a significant role in securing this major investment for Scotland. And as the Government works to position our economy for recovery, we will continue to use tools at our disposal - like the Regional Selective Assistance scheme - building on our economic recovery plan to create new jobs and attract fresh investment of this kind."Mr Finnie said:  

"This is great news for Inverness and the Highlands.  Contrast the UK Government unleashing £1billion pounds of cuts on Scotland's budget with our Scottish Government supporting this vital employer expansion.  I wish Lifescan continuing success." 

Mobile Phone Reception? - Why Pay Same for Reduced Service? 14/09/09

John Finnie has written to mobile phone providers asking them to improve their coverage throughout the constituency OR reduce their bills for their reduced service.

SNP Values Council Workers and Condemns Lib Dem-lead 'Bullying' Tactics 10/09/09

Councillor John Finnie recognises the limited role for elected Members in negotiations between a Council and its staff.However, when Highland Council's Lib Dem/Labour/Independent Administration pushed through a plan to demand the workforce, 2,000 of whom are engaged in an agreed appeals process, accept the terms and conditions offered or be SACKED and offered their jobs back under the new terms, Councillor Finnie lead the fight, with his SNP colleagues, to stop this happening - see item '30' here:

DID TESCO OFFER '£17 MILLION'? 10/09/09 

Councillor John Finnie believes that multi-national supermarkets should contribute to infrastructure costs in the same way as other developers are expected to and that Highland Council must be seen to be even-handed in its dealings with every supermarket chain. 

At the recent Full Council Meeting (3rd inst), Councillor Finnie sought to establish if the Lib Dem lead Administration's pursuit of ASDA for money for roads was a 'change of policy' following the reported loss of '£17million' from Tecso.

YOUTH CLUB 'HIT' - 'Sound of Music' 'miss' 27/08/09  

Councillor John Finnie is a member of the Hilton Community Centre Management Committee but takes no credit for the excellent work that the Committee do in running youth clubs.  The clubs are so popular that creative ways have been required to get the young folk to leave the premises.  Read all about it here; http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1370253 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8223956.stm http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Youth-club-deploys-a-bit.5596763.jp http://blogannath.blogspot.com/2009/08/roundup-of-weird-news-for-28-august.html

SNP CANDIDATE SAYS MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE SHOULD BE IMPROVED OR BILLS CUT 31/07/09 

SNP Councillor John Finnie, who is Westminster Candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, has called for Mobile Phone companies to provide a much better service if the area is to benefit from advances in technology or to return some of the charges billed to customers.

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