Arran's FOUR Councillors
We compare profiles of the four Arran and Ardrossan councillors.
Written by Nick Underdown
Friday, 2 November 2007
2,144 views 
0 comments
It’s been seven months since the last local elections. With over half a year for the new ward arrangements to settle, it’s the first time that Arran has had more than one councillor. Under the new ward set-up, Arran constituents technically have four councillors to approach with any concerns.
As part of the Ardrossan and Arran ward, the island makes up the vast proportion of the landmass, but with just over around 5,000 resident islanders, Arran has a much smaller proportion of the overall number of voters. It’s a potentially topsy-turvy system, which has given fresh impetus to the old complaint that we are a rural constituency run by an urban-focussed council.
With the council still adjusting to a new cabinet system, the responsibilities for Arran-related decisions are still being worked out. The first meeting of the Three Towns and Arran Committee only took place this month. In the meantime, The Arran Voice has surveyed our four new(ish) councillors to see how they involve themselves in Arran decision-making and what expertise they can offer.
It is very necessary to be full-time in this job because of a) time spent travelling and b) the need to attend a great many committees and associations on the island to keep the pulse of what’s going on in Arran. My background, for those who may not know, is 43 years of living and working on the island, mainly in the agricultural community.
2. Council Committee Memberships
Vice-Chair of the Planning Comm., Member on the Board, Economic Forum and Liaison Group of Highlands & Islands Argyll & the Islands (HI AIE) Enterprise , Chair of Arran Access Trust and Brodick Country Park Joint Comm., Representative on Clyde Ferry Users Group (and Isle of Arran Ferry Comm.), member of Three Towns and Arran Area Comm., Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Comm., Ayrshire Joint Waste Man. Project, West of Scotland Archaeology Joint Comm, and Prison Visiting Comm. (Kilmarnock Prison). Plus a number of island committees.
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
My chief interests concern the development of Arran’s economy through sensitive development respectful of environment, the resolution of the affordable housing problem, the improvement of roads and provision of more youth facilities and the enhancement of the ferry service. Personal interests are family, friends and connection with the farming community.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
Any expertise that I might claim is based on living and working in the community and appreciating the contribution of the indigenous population to this lovely island on which we are fortunate to be living.
5. How best to serve Arran?
By listening sensitively and representing wherever and whenever this is called for.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
Surgeries are held on the first Saturday of every month in Brodick Library between 1 and 2 p.m. I do, however, let it be known that I can always be contacted at home by phone and respond to messages left pretty well immediately.
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those in the Ardrossan and Arran ward generally?
Arran is as different from Ardrossan as chalk from cheese both culturally and environmentally but there are still many common issues such as in the range of social service in which there are many similar challenges. Transport naturally has a higher priority on Arran, though the development of Ardrossan Harbour can be seen as a common interest benefitting both sides of the ward. Putting difference into one word, I would say, 'culture.' Traditionally Arran has much more in common with other islands and the rural West of Scotland than with Ayrshire. Dealing with the relative remoteness of being an island breeds resilience and a sense of self-sufficiency in the peoples’ character. Ardrossan Ayrshire people have their own particular pride and values which I am actively learning to understand and appreciate. It is my job as an island councillor to liaise between community and council with all of these issues in mind.
I fit my council duties around my job as a Lecturer in Computer Science. Or perhaps I fit the lecturing around the council work; I'm never quite sure.
2. Council Committee Memberships
I'm on the Appeals Committee and share the Chair of the Three Towns and Arran Area Committee. With the re-organisation of the council structure there are far fewer committees. One of the most important is the Scrutiny Committee that looks at council decisions and can overturn them if necessary. I'm proud of the fact that of the “call-ins” to this committee, as they are called, I have been signatory to all of them. I believe that it is necessary to hold the Labour executive to account at all times and expose any ill-informed or lazy decisions.
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
An accident as a child left me with an enduring love for Aberdeen Football Club, a sad affliction that will haunt me for the rest of my life. In quiet times, the few that I have with a young family to look after, I'll be lost in a book.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
My background is in business, IT and education and I have in-depth knowledge of these areas. Far more important, however, is an interest in all aspects of life that the council affects and an ability to translate that interest to action.
5. How best to serve Arran?
During the election I made no pretence about being able to speak about the specific problems facing Arran residents. As an Ardrossan resident I would be foolish to believe that I have all the answers to those problems. What I can do, and far more vociferously than anyone with a vested interest on the island, is speak for the people of Arran. By listening closely to my friends on the island and the constituents who contact me I can ensure that the interests of the island as a whole are heard at the council, something that was not always done before. In short, my detachment makes me the perfect advocate for Arran and allows me to be Arran's voice in the council rather than the council's voice on the island.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
My surgeries on Arran are the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm in the Ormidale Sports Pavilion. Of course people are more than welcome to contact me personally outwith these times. My mobile number is 07814 790083, or they can e-mail agurney@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those in the Ardrossan and Arran Ward generally?
I had always assumed that those living on an island would have unique needs that were not replicated on the mainland. Since becoming Arran's councillor, however, I have found that the same problems come across my desk for Ardrossan and Arran: housing, roads and economic development. That's not to say that the answers don't vary, as the situation faced by those living on an island presents unique difficulties and the solutions must be imaginative and fit with the very specific needs of an island community.
I suppose I must be defined as a part-time councillor as I am still a full-time employee with the University of Paisley. I have been employed as a lecturer in Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing for the past 22 years but I have applied for early retirement and if I am offered that, then I will be a full-time councillor. I have to say that I do not regard myself as part-time since I devote as much time as possible to being a councillor; it’s just a question of when and how I carry out the job, and flexibility and the use of technology enables me to give what is essentially a full-time service.
2. Council Committee Memberships
My main committee duty is Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Committee but I also hold other posts. These are: Member of the PPP Board, Director of North Ayrshire Ventures Ltd, Member of the Isle of Arran Homes Committee, Member of the Board of Brodick Country Park, Member of the Three Towns and Arran Area Committee and of course participation in the full range of council activities.
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
Naturally I have a keen interest in politics though I have to say that I was a reluctant candidate. Before the election I followed national and local issues in much the same way as most other people but it was the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and the successor policy Public Private Partnership (PPP) which really started me on the path of campaigning. It’s no secret that I am very much opposed to these policies on the grounds of poor long term value for money and a crippling legacy of debt for future generations.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
My areas of expertise and knowledge are obviously based on my qualifications and experience in industry and academia. I lecture in Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing which focuses mainly on the design and production of consumer goods from cars to milk cartons. That is environmentally quite topical since there is increasing legislation regarding the production and eventual disposal of such products. Energy consumption, recyclability and degradability are issues which industry and commerce can no longer ignore and I am very interested in the long term impact of plastics and metals with respect to sustainable economic growth.
5. How best to serve Arran?
I am still on the learning curve as far as Arran is concerned, and I hope that through my involvement with residents and representative bodies that I can contribute positively to the well-being of island as I would hope to do for all ward constituents.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
I hold surgeries in Ardrossan Library on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month for two hours per surgery. I intend to hold surgeries on Arran but I am very much aware that Mrs Currie, who is an Arran resident and councillor of long standing, does an excellent job for the ward’s island constituents.
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those in the Ardrossan and Arran Ward generally?
Transportation and affordable housing are particularly acute problems on Arran and I will do my best to ensure that specific island problems are addressed.
I am a full-time councillor
2. Council Committee Memberships
I am an executive member with a portfolio which includes responsibility for the following:
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
I have an interest in supporting young people getting their rightful place in our society. We in North Ayrshire now have in place a Youth Strategy which is growing and developing year on year. We engage with our young people more that ever, with our annual Primary 7 question time attended by 300 young people, a student council in every school, and senior students meeting with senior members of the council to raise issues which affect them — e.g transport costs for young people on Arran. In March of this year at the Youthlink conference in Hampden with over 400 delegates, the Scottish Executive launched the National Youthwork Strategy for Scotland, recognising the powerful contribution youth work can make to addressing the needs of young people.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
As Chair of Education for the last 8 years I have overseen a successful HIME inspection and the building of a new primary school every year, upgrading many more, and building 3 new secondary schools, the new Arran High being one with all the new community facilities, the new Arran Outdoor Centre about to open offering the very best in outdoor education anywhere in the UK, and Cloud Base in Whiting Bay offering all our young people an experience of a lifetime.
5. How best to serve Arran?
I've supported Arran all my life having worked and played on the island and as one of the new councillors for Arran, I offer one important aspect to Arran life ,
Partnership. As an executive member I believe that it is important that Arran has more than one voice on the council and I will be working in partnership with Margie Currie to promote Arran and Arran issues such as affordable housing, better roads, tourism, and of course the environment. There will be issues where we will disagree, but the new political situation demands compromise not conflict.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
I hold a surgery in the Ardrossan Youth Association on the first Wednesday of the month and once a month on Arran but not on a set date. I've had a surgery on my own and held a joint surgery with our MP Katie Clark. So far this works best.
I can of course be contacted in several ways:
Home 01294 468904
Work 01294 324190
Mobile 07769937103
E-mail pmcnamara@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those of the Ardrossan and Arran Ward generally?
The needs of the people of Arran differ in so far as they are on an island with all the difficulties that brings, transport costs, travel time, etc. When these are taken into account the vast majority of issues are similar, planning, housing, a decent road network, good education, employment opportunities, clean environment, and safe secure communities. As a councillor I strive to ensure that the whole of our community receives the very best service whether you are in Ardrossan, Largs, Dreghorn, or Arran.
Friday, 2 November 2007
2,144 views 0 commentsIt’s been seven months since the last local elections. With over half a year for the new ward arrangements to settle, it’s the first time that Arran has had more than one councillor. Under the new ward set-up, Arran constituents technically have four councillors to approach with any concerns.
As part of the Ardrossan and Arran ward, the island makes up the vast proportion of the landmass, but with just over around 5,000 resident islanders, Arran has a much smaller proportion of the overall number of voters. It’s a potentially topsy-turvy system, which has given fresh impetus to the old complaint that we are a rural constituency run by an urban-focussed council.
With the council still adjusting to a new cabinet system, the responsibilities for Arran-related decisions are still being worked out. The first meeting of the Three Towns and Arran Committee only took place this month. In the meantime, The Arran Voice has surveyed our four new(ish) councillors to see how they involve themselves in Arran decision-making and what expertise they can offer.
Margie Currie
1. Full-time/part time councillor?It is very necessary to be full-time in this job because of a) time spent travelling and b) the need to attend a great many committees and associations on the island to keep the pulse of what’s going on in Arran. My background, for those who may not know, is 43 years of living and working on the island, mainly in the agricultural community.
2. Council Committee Memberships
Vice-Chair of the Planning Comm., Member on the Board, Economic Forum and Liaison Group of Highlands & Islands Argyll & the Islands (HI AIE) Enterprise , Chair of Arran Access Trust and Brodick Country Park Joint Comm., Representative on Clyde Ferry Users Group (and Isle of Arran Ferry Comm.), member of Three Towns and Arran Area Comm., Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Comm., Ayrshire Joint Waste Man. Project, West of Scotland Archaeology Joint Comm, and Prison Visiting Comm. (Kilmarnock Prison). Plus a number of island committees.
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
My chief interests concern the development of Arran’s economy through sensitive development respectful of environment, the resolution of the affordable housing problem, the improvement of roads and provision of more youth facilities and the enhancement of the ferry service. Personal interests are family, friends and connection with the farming community.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
Any expertise that I might claim is based on living and working in the community and appreciating the contribution of the indigenous population to this lovely island on which we are fortunate to be living.
5. How best to serve Arran?
By listening sensitively and representing wherever and whenever this is called for.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
Surgeries are held on the first Saturday of every month in Brodick Library between 1 and 2 p.m. I do, however, let it be known that I can always be contacted at home by phone and respond to messages left pretty well immediately.
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those in the Ardrossan and Arran ward generally?
Arran is as different from Ardrossan as chalk from cheese both culturally and environmentally but there are still many common issues such as in the range of social service in which there are many similar challenges. Transport naturally has a higher priority on Arran, though the development of Ardrossan Harbour can be seen as a common interest benefitting both sides of the ward. Putting difference into one word, I would say, 'culture.' Traditionally Arran has much more in common with other islands and the rural West of Scotland than with Ayrshire. Dealing with the relative remoteness of being an island breeds resilience and a sense of self-sufficiency in the peoples’ character. Ardrossan Ayrshire people have their own particular pride and values which I am actively learning to understand and appreciate. It is my job as an island councillor to liaise between community and council with all of these issues in mind.
Tony Gurney
1. Full-time/part time councillor (if part-time what is your job?)I fit my council duties around my job as a Lecturer in Computer Science. Or perhaps I fit the lecturing around the council work; I'm never quite sure.
2. Council Committee Memberships
I'm on the Appeals Committee and share the Chair of the Three Towns and Arran Area Committee. With the re-organisation of the council structure there are far fewer committees. One of the most important is the Scrutiny Committee that looks at council decisions and can overturn them if necessary. I'm proud of the fact that of the “call-ins” to this committee, as they are called, I have been signatory to all of them. I believe that it is necessary to hold the Labour executive to account at all times and expose any ill-informed or lazy decisions.
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
An accident as a child left me with an enduring love for Aberdeen Football Club, a sad affliction that will haunt me for the rest of my life. In quiet times, the few that I have with a young family to look after, I'll be lost in a book.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
My background is in business, IT and education and I have in-depth knowledge of these areas. Far more important, however, is an interest in all aspects of life that the council affects and an ability to translate that interest to action.
5. How best to serve Arran?
During the election I made no pretence about being able to speak about the specific problems facing Arran residents. As an Ardrossan resident I would be foolish to believe that I have all the answers to those problems. What I can do, and far more vociferously than anyone with a vested interest on the island, is speak for the people of Arran. By listening closely to my friends on the island and the constituents who contact me I can ensure that the interests of the island as a whole are heard at the council, something that was not always done before. In short, my detachment makes me the perfect advocate for Arran and allows me to be Arran's voice in the council rather than the council's voice on the island.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
My surgeries on Arran are the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm in the Ormidale Sports Pavilion. Of course people are more than welcome to contact me personally outwith these times. My mobile number is 07814 790083, or they can e-mail agurney@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those in the Ardrossan and Arran Ward generally?
I had always assumed that those living on an island would have unique needs that were not replicated on the mainland. Since becoming Arran's councillor, however, I have found that the same problems come across my desk for Ardrossan and Arran: housing, roads and economic development. That's not to say that the answers don't vary, as the situation faced by those living on an island presents unique difficulties and the solutions must be imaginative and fit with the very specific needs of an island community.
John Hunter
1. Full-time/part time councillor?I suppose I must be defined as a part-time councillor as I am still a full-time employee with the University of Paisley. I have been employed as a lecturer in Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing for the past 22 years but I have applied for early retirement and if I am offered that, then I will be a full-time councillor. I have to say that I do not regard myself as part-time since I devote as much time as possible to being a councillor; it’s just a question of when and how I carry out the job, and flexibility and the use of technology enables me to give what is essentially a full-time service.
2. Council Committee Memberships
My main committee duty is Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Committee but I also hold other posts. These are: Member of the PPP Board, Director of North Ayrshire Ventures Ltd, Member of the Isle of Arran Homes Committee, Member of the Board of Brodick Country Park, Member of the Three Towns and Arran Area Committee and of course participation in the full range of council activities.
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
Naturally I have a keen interest in politics though I have to say that I was a reluctant candidate. Before the election I followed national and local issues in much the same way as most other people but it was the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and the successor policy Public Private Partnership (PPP) which really started me on the path of campaigning. It’s no secret that I am very much opposed to these policies on the grounds of poor long term value for money and a crippling legacy of debt for future generations.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
My areas of expertise and knowledge are obviously based on my qualifications and experience in industry and academia. I lecture in Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing which focuses mainly on the design and production of consumer goods from cars to milk cartons. That is environmentally quite topical since there is increasing legislation regarding the production and eventual disposal of such products. Energy consumption, recyclability and degradability are issues which industry and commerce can no longer ignore and I am very interested in the long term impact of plastics and metals with respect to sustainable economic growth.
5. How best to serve Arran?
I am still on the learning curve as far as Arran is concerned, and I hope that through my involvement with residents and representative bodies that I can contribute positively to the well-being of island as I would hope to do for all ward constituents.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
I hold surgeries in Ardrossan Library on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month for two hours per surgery. I intend to hold surgeries on Arran but I am very much aware that Mrs Currie, who is an Arran resident and councillor of long standing, does an excellent job for the ward’s island constituents.
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those in the Ardrossan and Arran Ward generally?
Transportation and affordable housing are particularly acute problems on Arran and I will do my best to ensure that specific island problems are addressed.
Peter McNamara
1. Full-time/part time councillorI am a full-time councillor
2. Council Committee Memberships
I am an executive member with a portfolio which includes responsibility for the following:
- Community Learning and Development
- Adult Learning
- Elderly Care
- Sports and Leisure
- Arts and Culture
- Youth Justice
3. Interests (both professional and personal)
I have an interest in supporting young people getting their rightful place in our society. We in North Ayrshire now have in place a Youth Strategy which is growing and developing year on year. We engage with our young people more that ever, with our annual Primary 7 question time attended by 300 young people, a student council in every school, and senior students meeting with senior members of the council to raise issues which affect them — e.g transport costs for young people on Arran. In March of this year at the Youthlink conference in Hampden with over 400 delegates, the Scottish Executive launched the National Youthwork Strategy for Scotland, recognising the powerful contribution youth work can make to addressing the needs of young people.
4. Areas of knowledge/expertise
As Chair of Education for the last 8 years I have overseen a successful HIME inspection and the building of a new primary school every year, upgrading many more, and building 3 new secondary schools, the new Arran High being one with all the new community facilities, the new Arran Outdoor Centre about to open offering the very best in outdoor education anywhere in the UK, and Cloud Base in Whiting Bay offering all our young people an experience of a lifetime.
5. How best to serve Arran?
I've supported Arran all my life having worked and played on the island and as one of the new councillors for Arran, I offer one important aspect to Arran life ,
Partnership. As an executive member I believe that it is important that Arran has more than one voice on the council and I will be working in partnership with Margie Currie to promote Arran and Arran issues such as affordable housing, better roads, tourism, and of course the environment. There will be issues where we will disagree, but the new political situation demands compromise not conflict.
6. How regular are your surgeries and where are they held?
I hold a surgery in the Ardrossan Youth Association on the first Wednesday of the month and once a month on Arran but not on a set date. I've had a surgery on my own and held a joint surgery with our MP Katie Clark. So far this works best.
I can of course be contacted in several ways:
Home 01294 468904
Work 01294 324190
Mobile 07769937103
E-mail pmcnamara@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
7. How do the people of Arran's needs differ from those of the Ardrossan and Arran Ward generally?
The needs of the people of Arran differ in so far as they are on an island with all the difficulties that brings, transport costs, travel time, etc. When these are taken into account the vast majority of issues are similar, planning, housing, a decent road network, good education, employment opportunities, clean environment, and safe secure communities. As a councillor I strive to ensure that the whole of our community receives the very best service whether you are in Ardrossan, Largs, Dreghorn, or Arran.
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