Call for ‘simple’ voting in local authority elections
LOCAL politics needs to be simplified to help more people understand it according to retiring Highland Council convener Sandy Park.
The 67-year-old, who has been Highland Council’s convener for the last five of his 17 years as a councillor, believes the current set-up is confusing.
Mr Park, a former Nairn provost, thinks it was a mistake to change the system in 2007, to bring in larger, multi-member wards.
It saw him voted in as one of four councillors representing Nairn for the last five years, rather than the previous set-up where individual councillors were responsible for smaller areas.
He believes the multi-member wards have been less successful and is not a fan of the voting system which sees voters numbering candidates in order of preference.
And he thinks some people might not have voted in yesterday’s elections because they do not understand the system.
“My biggest regret as a councillor was going into multi-member wards,” Mr Park said.
“People knew who their councillor was previously but this system confuses a lot of people.
“Older people and younger people were still asking me how to vote this week because they were completely and utterly confused.”
The retired butcher had a dozen happy years representing Nairn Auldearn as an independent councillor prior to the changes.
“I think councillors should have their own wards and when it comes to election time they shouldn’t have to prove themselves a couple of weeks before,” commented Mr Park, of Lethen Road, Auldearn.
“They should look after their own people and I don’t think the multi-member set-up is as successful at that as the single member system was, but that will never change now.
“Before, the local councillor could be identified in their area.
“People knew who you were and you would rise or fall by your work and commitment but now it’s different and I hope it is looked at to make it easier for people to understand.”
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He is among 13 ex-councillors who did not stand for re-election yesterday. They included other high-profile figures such as regional MSPs John Finnie and Jean Urquhart, Independent
“There comes a time where you say enough is enough and I’m happy to give way to new blood,” Mr Park said.
Counting his input in the development of Nairn’s new community centre, police station and hospital, as well as boosting businesses in the area and schools across the region, among his proudest achievements in office, he was also at the forefront of an administration wrestling with £60 million of cuts over the last three years.
“It’s been very enjoyable but also very trying at times,” added the keen golfer, who aims to improve on his 14 handicap.
As for the future, he predicts the council will have to make more cuts in challenging economic times.
