Highland Council SNP Group reveals manifesto
Jobs, infrastructure and sound management are the leading commitments at the heart of the 2012 local election manifesto announced by the SNP in the Highlands.
The SNP have said they will focus on working to create more jobs; give priority to transport, broadband and mobile telephony infrastructure; and ensure sound management of the council’s business whilst giving communities more opportunity to shape council decisions.
The party have already announced a plan for more local decision-making by creating new local area committees across the Highlands whilst combining overly expensive central committees and making them work harder.
Other key manifesto announcements include:
· maintenance of the Scottish Government freeze on Council Tax.
· improvements that will enable local businesses to tender more easily for council business.
· A business agenda that will see the SNP work with companies from inside and outside the region to create more quality jobs in the Highlands.
· A strong emphasis on preventative works for road maintenance with priority given to improving the transport infrastructure of the region.
· A commitment to work with the Scottish Government, HIE and telecoms providers to ensure that the Highlands reap the benefits of modern broadband and mobile telephony facilities
· And dedication to ensuring that the £670 million budget of the Highland Council is soundly managed and used as a driver for the region’s economy
The manifesto also details how the party will bring "positive impact to bear on Highland life" by ensuring a fuller voice for community councils so that local people influence local decisions; attention to care provision; and a clear focus on education, training, young people, housing, and emergency services.
SNP Group Leader, Councillor Drew Hendry (Aird and Loch Ness) said: “We are asking the people of the Highlands to vote SNP in the upcoming local election, and we promise to earn their votes by focusing on the things that matter to them – such as jobs, roads, infrastructure, and sound management of the council’s business, services and budget.
“We must deliver on better conditions for business so that jobs can be created. We want to hear more from community councils and have their input into making decisions.
"And ultimately, we want to provide a council that works for all the people in the region. We will be relentless in working for the people’s votes and we’re determined to focus on presenting a positive agenda.”
