Priorities

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Stand up for local residents concerned about mega pylons, battery storage, mega substations, multiple hydro, new phase mega wind turbines, lorry parks and workers camps and continue to champion the Highland Convention’s call to PAUSE for a proper national strategy.  Helen organised and chaired two Conventions on the Impact of Energy Infrastructure on communities and, at the last Convention in Inverness in August she secured signatures from 11 MPs and MSPs to commit to obtaining urgent debates in Westminster and Holyrood to discuss these impacts. Helen is calling for applications to be paused until a clear national policy on energy infrastructure and the cumulative impacts is published by Government. 

Support our excellent teachers to raise attainment and continue to lobby for much needed new schools, with an honest debate about the unacceptable pressure that our teachers and support staff are under. Helen campaigned for Highland Council to declare a School Estate Emergency, shining a spotlight on the urgent need to improve school conditions across the region. In her first year as a Councillor, she successfully led the fight to reverse the prevailing partner rate payable to Early Learning and Childcare - ensuring that vital local services remain sustainable.

Consult meaningfully and widely to identify how our loved ones, who need care, can continue to live with DIGNITY at home for as long as possible, with local care home places available for those in need. 

 SPECIALIST NHS SERVICES - Lobby hard to bring back essential specialist NHS services to our Highlands. 

Helen is a vocal Champion for  thriving high streets, advocating for local, sustainable economic growth, and speaking at events such as Scotland's Trade Fair.  Helen is calling for the flawed VISITOR LEVY legislation to be sent back to the Scottish Parliament for fulsome amendment on the basis that we need to protect our homegrown hospitality sector, not regulate them out of existence. The levy is unfairly based on turnover and will have significant adminstration costs.

We need to have an EVIDENCE based review of why affordable homes are so hard to come by because this is undoubtedly one contributing factor to depopulation. A start would be to review the Scottish Short Assured Tenancy Agreement so that good landlords are encouraged back into the market, to provide good homes at good rates, on a long term basis. 

Our main arterial routes need major upgrades with the A9, A82 and A96 well known for being dangerous. Over the last 10 years we have seen three new motorways being constructed in the Central Belt so we know that investment is being targetted elsewhere. We need to reverse that and ensure that our roads are fit for purpose and that a fair share of investment, which is YOUR taxed income, makes its way to The Highlands.