Welcome
Thank you for a great result!
Sincere thanks to everyone who voted for me in the Highland Council election on 3rd May. I am delighted to be back for another term as a councillor for Inverness West. Many congratulations to newly elected colleagues Cllr Allan Duffy and Cllr Graham Ross and I look forward to working with them for the benefit of Inverness West.
Alex Graham
The Result:
| Candidate | 1st Pref votes | Status | |
| Alex Graham (Liberal Democrat Focus Team) | 610 | Elected | |
| Graham Ross (Independent) | 580 | Elected | |
| Allan Duffy (SNP) | 458 | Elected | |
| Robert Ford (Labour) | 343 | ||
| Pauline Munro (SNP) | 281 | ||
| Mary Fraser (Conservative) | 94 | ||
| Alan Pettit (Scottish Christian Party) | 56 | ||
| George MacDonald (Scottish Anti-Cuts Coalition) | 50 |
Turnout 37.7%
Quota 619 votes
Council emergency out of hours telephone numbers:
Social Work - 0845 601 4813
Roads/Flooding/Street lighting - 01349 886690
Housing - 0845 700 2005
Emergency contacts for Trunk Road Maintenance
For A96 and A95 contact:
BEAR Scotland - 0800 028 1414
For A9, A82, A86, A87, A830, A835, A887, A889, A99 contact:
Scotland TranServ - 0800 028 1414
Some other handy emergency numbers
Fire and Rescue Brigade - 01463 240999 (24 hours)
NHS 24 (out of hours medical advice/GP Service) - 08454 242424
Northern Constabulary - 0845 603 3388
Scottish Water - 0845 601 8855 (24 hours)
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency - Floodline - 0845 988 1188
Scottish and Southern Electric Freephone - 0800 300 999
Transco Gas Freephone - 0800 111 999
Leisure and learning services local facilities are as follows:
Charleston Community Complex: 01463 220128
Inverness Leisure Centre: 01463 667500
Eden Court Theatre: 01463 234234
Schools information line
This service gives callers access to the latest pre-recorded message(s) from the Headteacher.
The telephone number is 0870 054 6999, followed by the school’s PIN Number when prompted.
04 1720 Charleston Academy
04 2400 Kinmylies Primary
04 2670 Muirtown Primary
04 1090 Inverness High School
04 1710 Central Primary
04 1830 Dalneigh Primary
Your CouncillorAlex Graham is one of the three councillors representing Inverness West ward. The main areas within that ward are:
- Kinmylies
- Scorguie
- Muirtown
- Ballifeary
- The Leachkin
- Dunain
About Councillor Alex Graham
Alex Graham is a Liberal Democrat Focus Team councillor for Inverness West and a Deputy Provost of the City of Inverness.
Alex has a strong track record in local government. He is regarded as a gritty local representative, and is one of the most experienced councillors in the north with over 20 years’ service. In his first period in local government he served from 1980 to 1996 as Inverness District councillor for the Kinmylies ward, standing down due to family and work commitments when the local authorities were re-organised in 1996.
After a break from local government, Alex was elected to Highland Council in May 2007. Under the newly-introduced Single Transferrable Vote system he achieved the “quota” of 25% of the total votes and was elected on the very first count. This was the second best Liberal Democrat result in the Highland Council in the 2007 elections.
Alex was born and raised in the Isle of Lewis and is a Chartered Accountant. As well as being a councillor, he works at the language development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig. He has lived in Inverness for over 30 years, always on the west side of the River Ness.
You can read more about Alex on his profile page.
Where is Inverness West ward?
The Inverness West ward is one of 22 wards within the Highland Council area. It is small in area, covering just 5.5 square miles (14 sq km), and lies on the western side of the City of Inverness. It comprises the residential areas of Scorguie, Kinmylies, Muirtown, Clachnaharry village, the Bught/Springfield/Ballifeary area, and rural areas in Dunain and on the Leachkin.
A more in-depth profile of West Inverness, as well as some interesting facts, can be found on the Ward Profile page on this site. The Highland Council website also has a page covering the area.
Ward colleagues
Inverness West is a 3 member ward, served by Alex Graham and two other councillors — Allan Duffy (SNP) and Graham Ross (Independent).
Allan Duffy (SNP) was elected in May 2012. Further information about Allan can be found at his Highland Council page: Cllr Allan Duffy.
Graham Ross (Independent) was elected in May 2012. Further information about Graham can be found at his Highland Council page: Cllr Graham Ross.
Alex, Allan and Graham work closely together on behalf of the ward, and hold regular ward business meetings.
Drop-in Surgeries
Alex Graham holds surgeries in the ward to enable members of the public to discuss any Council matters or local issues with him. These are advertised locally and in the Inverness Courier. No appointment is needed - just come along at the times stated.
Congratulations to Pauline and AllyWarmest congratulations to ward colleague Councillor Pauline Munro and her husband Ally on the birth of their twin daughters Lois and Evie.
Congratulations Carolyn!Well done to Carolyn Caddick and the Liberal Democrat team on a great win in the Inverness South by-election. This was technically a Lib Dem gain from Labour. However after topping the poll in Inverness South in 2007 and performing strongly in 2011, the SNP might have been expected to win this time - but they lost. Local people have clearly responded to the Lib Dem commitment to local issues and their local community.
Full details are here: BBC News Highland
And here: Press & Journal
And also here: Inverness Courier
Community Council Elections 2011
Community Council Elections were held on 16 November 2011 across the whole of the Highland Council Area where there have been more candidates than the number of places on a particular Council..
The Community Councils in Inverness West ward have all had sufficient candidates to allow the Councils to be formed. However none will require an election as in each case the number of candidates was less than the total number of places on the Community Council.
This means that there will be Community Councils formed for:
- Muirtown
- Inverness West
- Ballifeary
- Dalneigh
The details for Inverness West local area Community Councils are listed on the Community Councils page
Café-eco now open
Café-eco is open at the Charleston Academy Community Complex, Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, with hot breakfasts and porridge to start each day. The menu will also include:
- pasta pronto
- a baked potato bar
- square omelettes
- fruit juices and mineral water
- and fresh haddock on fish Fridays.
In keeping with Café-eco’s sustainable ethos, disposable plates and cutlery are used. Made from 100% plant starch, all disposables arecomposted over a 6 to 10 week period in partnership with Charleston Academy.
Robbie Sheriffs, Café-eco Proprietor, is to be commended for providing a delicious food and drink selection that meets all the requirements of healthy eating.
Alex Graham - Contact Details: 9 Rangemore Road,
Inverness
IV3 5EA
Tel: (01463) 241148
Mobile: 07774 337710Email using this link:http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/yourcouncillors/councillorscontactdetails/contactcouncillor?id=ward-14a
Cairn Housing to meet Residents
Cairn Housing Association is to hold a meeting with residents of its Kinmylies estate to discuss charges it has levied on owner-occupiers for factoring repairs on the estate. Residents have been angered by bills issued without details of the work done being supplied.
The meeting will be held at 6 pm in the Graham Ross Suite, Charleston Community Complex, on Thursday 21st July
Kinmylies Primary School Fète
Kinmylies Primary will hold a School Fète on the evening of Thursday 23rd June, from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Charleston Gala Fun DayThe Gala Fun Day will be held on Saturday 4th June, from 12.00 to 4.00 pm.Attractions include Stalls, Face Painting, Bucking Bronco, Bouncy Castle, Inflatable Assault Course, Music, Barbecue, Al Fresco Bingo (in aid of Charleston Community Foundation), as well as Wildcats Cheerleaders, SK Dancers, Charleston Brownies, Le-Ellen Dance, Louise Nelson Dancers, Charleston Rainbows, Danceworkz.
Dochgarroch Primary School - Art ExhibitionTo be held in the newly renovated Dochgarroch Village Hall from 2 to 4 pm - All Welcome.Silent Auction - All Pupils’ Work for Sale - Coffees & Tea Available - Hire a Table for £5
Ward Forum - 19th May
The next Inverness West Ward Forum will be held, jointly with Central Ward, at Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Thursday 19 May at 6.30pm.
The main topic for this Forum will be “Transport and Traffic Management”. The Forum is to be chaired by Councillor Alex Graham. The discussion will focus on the route of the A82 from the Ness River-side to the Canal, and on the (adjoining) roads network in the Ballifeary, Dalneigh and Columba residential areas.
Forum participants include Bob Mitchell, Area Manager North for the national transport agency Transport Scotland, which is responsible for Scotland’s trunk roads including the A82. Also taking part is Richard Evans, Area Manager for the Council’s TEC Services, which looks after the network of local roads, and Steve Walker, Managing Director of bus operator Stagecoach in the Highlands.
The Forum will commence at 6.30 pm. Refreshments will be available from 6.00pm onwards.
AGENDA
► Focus on the A82 in the City (Ness River to Caledonian Canal)
► Glenurquhart Road & Tomnahurich St
► Transport Scotland commitments from meeting with Community Councils, 15th December 2009.
► Future Traffic Projections - A82
► Local roads network; Ballifeary, Dalneigh and Columba
► Traffic Calming
► Other Transport/Traffic issues common to Inverness Central & Inverness West Wards.
Trunk Link Road - West Link consultation (No 1)
UPDATE: This consultation closed on 11 February 2011. Highland Council is currently analysing the 600 responses received.
The Council wants to hear the views of the public on the proposals for the Inverness City West Link. Comments should be submitted no later than 28 January 2011 and all comments received will be considered by the Council’s Project team as part of the Options Appraisal.
Comments can be sent to:
Mr J A Smith
Project Design Unit
Osprey House
Alness Point Business Park
Alness
IV17 0UP
or you can submit your comments using the online form at the website.
http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/roadsandtransport/newroadschemes/icwl/
Highland Council held two City Forums and day time exhibitions on 14th - 16th December 2010 to show proposals for the West Link of the Trunk Link Road. The meetings let the public closely affected on both sides of the river to have their say and air their views. Approximately 80 people attended the Charleston Academy meeting
The venues and times were as follows:-
Tuesday 14th December at 7.30pm - Evening Forum in Charleston Academy Assembly Hall
Wednesday 15th December from 11am to 7pm - Day time exhibition in Kinmylies Church Hall
Wednesday 15th December at 7.30pm - Evening Forum in Inverness Royal Academy Hall
Thursday 16th December from 11am to 7pm - Day time exhibition in Culduthel Hall, Green Drive
School closures
For an updated message about school closures please phone 0870 054 6999. You will need to provide the 6-digit PIN for your school.
The telephone number is 0870 054 6999 followed by your school’s unique 6 figure PIN number
041720 Charleston_Academy
042400 Kinmylies_Primary
042670 Muirtown_Primary
041090 Inverness_High_School
041710 Central_Primary
041830 Dalneigh_Primary
043020 St_Joseph’s_RC_Primary
041540 Bishop_Eden_Primary
If you have difficulty in finding out about your school call the Council’s Service Centre on 01349 886606.
New Council Helpline
The Highland Council has introduced a new roads and street lighting helpline as it gears up for coping with winter. The new number is 01349 886601. Staff at the Council’s Service Centre will be on hand to respond to calls between 8 am - 6 pm - Monday - Friday and 9 am - noon on a Saturday.The helpline, which also deals with enquiries about street lighting, is a bid to make it easier for the public to contact the Council and relieve pressure on area offices, where staff are directly involved in dealing with flooding, gritting and snow clearing.
Council emergency out of hours telephone numbers:
* Social Work / Roads, Flooding, Lighting - 0845 769 7284
* Housing - 0845 700 2005
Some other handy emergency numbers
* Fire and Rescue Brigade - 01463 240999 (24 hours)
* NHS 24 (out of hours medical advice/GP Service) - 08454 242424
* Northern Constabulary - 0845 603 3388
* Scottish Water - 0845 601 8855 (24 hours)
* Scottish Environmental Protection Agency -Floodline - 0845 988 1188
* Scottish and Southern Electric Freephone - 0800 300 999
* Transco Gas Freephone - 0800 111 999