Budget leader cries foul in planning row as he quits just weeks before Highland Council spending plans were finalised
Departing Highland Council budget leader Alister Mackinnon claims he had to quit after being “kicked in the teeth” by politically-motivated rival councillors.
The Dingwall member stepped down from the influential role just weeks before he was due to oversee financial cuts estimated at between £67 million and £100 million for next year.
He said he was left with no choice but to resign after members of the north planning area committee (NPAC) threw out a £4 million fish farm proposal by Organic Sea Harvest, a firm he co-founded. The proposal for north-east Skye would have created nine jobs. The committee voted eight to six against the plans although the plan was supported from three of four local members from Skye.
Accusing some fellow councillors of showing “a lack of economic foresight”, Cllr Mackinnon said: “What right does a councillor in Caithness, Sutherland or Dingwall have to pontificate about what they think is right in Skye?
“We are supposed to have a localism agenda. I’m fortunate enough to be a founding member of a company that has investors willing to invest £4 million into creating nine permanent, well-paid jobs during a pandemic.
“We’re meant to be engaging companies to get the Highland economy back on its feet. The comments by councillors opposing the planning application lacked economic foresight.
“I just felt I couldn’t work on with recovery when we have councillors that are so vocal against work coming in. It has been a kick in the teeth, really.”
Cllr Mackinnon will retire next year after eight years as councillor and almost four as budget leader and chairman of corporate resources. His firm is likely to appeal the NPAC decision.
His move was confirmed on Monday.
Council leader Margaret Davidson thanked him for his work over his period in charge of the local authority’s finances, and said that budget proposals will be delivered on time on March 4.
