Is splitting up Highland Council the solution to improving public services?
The public has been having their say on whether or not they agree Highland Council has the worst public services in mainland Scotland.
Last week, an analysis published by The Sunday Times ranked the local authority at the bottom of the league table, after carrying out assessments on local services such as health and education.
Convener of Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban rebuffed the analysis, stating that he ‘does not recognise the place that the Times claims to portray.’
However, many locals seem to be in favour of the report.
Reader Ian Macdonald, said: “Bill Lobban is in cloud cuckoo land if he can't see the mess Highland Council have made of things.”
Muriel Eaton commented on social media: “It’s a well deserved title and it has been this way for a number of years.
“The people in charge are all overpaid and consistently fail to deliver for the people who live in the area. They only listen when they want to be re-elected.”
Shona Conroy said: “Just look at the state of the paths and weeds everywhere, what an eye sore and visitors coming to Inverness will not return with the mess, it’s disgusting, what is council tax for when they do nothing.”
Elly Russell added: “They are in complete denial! There’s a surprise…the people that live here could’ve told you that long time ago, in fact, I believe they have, several times, but you don’t listen.”
Other readers pointed to the local authorities in the same position, as Highland Council said it is facing an estimated budget gap of around £60m.
Readers also highlighted the fact Highland Council is the UK’s biggest local authority by square miles.
“Every council is in much the same boat. They've lost a huge amount of funding. I blame the central government,” said Robert Elsynn Wyatt.
Martin Stuart added: “The Highland region is enormous the logistics of getting round is challenging. I would give them a pass this time round.”
Readers also suggested that services would be better if Highland Council was split up - a topic that has been discussed previously.
Fae Rosalia Ducker said: “Inverness really needs a city council. The Highland Council is beyond its remit, trying to manage Inverness which is quickly growing into a city that is too big to manage with a regional council, while still prioritising the smaller areas.
“Both are mismanaged as a result. It is not a situation I see any other way out of.”
Fash Stewart added: “Time to split it up, give Inverness it's own and let the rest of the Highlands get a real council that prioritises them.”
