Mackie vows to fight on after Council break-up motions falls

Caithness councillors who backed a motion that would see Highland Council broken up shared their thoughts after the plan was narrowly defeated on Thursday (December 12).

As previously reported, a group of councillors had put forward a motion for a review of the local authority’s governance after widespread dissatisfaction was noted, which could have seen Highland Council broken up into smaller areas. The “bold move” was defeated by just five votes and met with disappointment by those backing the motion.

Before the vote, Thurso provost and councillor for Thurso and Northwest Caithness, Struan Mackie had asked on his Facebook page for the opinions of residents on the governance of Highland Council. He stated: “I want to hear your views, so I can represent our community in the council chamber and be your voice on this incredibly important debate.”

After the motion was defeated, he said in an update on Thursday: “The local democracy motion ‘breaking up the Highland Council’ has been defeated in the Highland Council Chamber by five votes.

“It appears that the SNP and Greens voted en-bloc to block the proposal, instead looking to ‘reform’ the Highland Council from within.

“I am very disappointed to not have been called to speak. The debate was restricted to 30 minutes and there was no support for suspending standing orders – which would have allowed the debate to continue.

“I voted for the motion and will continue to fight for a local authority that can properly represent the far north of Scotland.”