Nairn community council merger proposal sparks debate
A proposal to merge Nairn’s two community councils into one has divided opinion in the community.
As part of an ongoing review Highland Council is seeking the public’s views on a series of proposed changes - one being the creation of a single community council for Nairn by merging Nairn West and Suburban (NWSCC) and Nairn River (NRCC) Community Councils.
During the last NWSCC meeting, in January, concerns were raised about the process used to propose the merger, through a boundary change.
Member Joan Noble said: “We’ve got two very enthusiastic and very hard-working community councils which could be forcibly merged. This is not the right process.”
She also worried about the size of the resulting community council which would serve around 10,000 residents.“How can one organisation speak for the entire Nairn with one voice?” she asked.
Currently, the largest community council in Highland by population is Thurso, with just more than 7000 people represented.
Others at the meeting argued any proposals for change should be initiated by community councils themselves rather than Highland Council, but one member of the public said he was for a merger, believing being able to offer “one concerted view for the whole of Nairn” would carry more weight.
Others suggested seeking feedback and engaging with constituents would be a positive approach to the review, which remains open until April.
Nairnshire and Cawdor councillor Barbara Jarvie said she will keep an open mind after hearing arguments on both sides.
She said: “Community councils are for the community - and it’s important that everyone gets a voice on this decision.
“I think it’s good that it’s not a short-timed consultation - it needs the time and space for conversations in different areas.”
Councillor Michael Green, who wasn’t present at the meeting, said he was in favour of a merger, saying one community council would have a more powerful voice while also benefitting from pooling resources.
He added: “Significantly, the merger in 2015 of Nairn West and Nairn Suburban Community Councils has been a resounding success.”
NRCC will discuss the proposal at its next meeting.
A Highland Council spokesman said: “Community councils are created under the terms of the Scheme of Establishment. The review of the scheme which is currently under way is one way in which to review the boundaries of community councils – this includes changes of boundaries, creating two new community councils from one existing one or a merger of community councils.
“The review of the scheme is a formal statutory consultation which is set out in the Local Government Act. It will comprise of two formal consultation periods, each of 12 weeks, where the public have the opportunity to provide their views. Only following this will a decision be taken whether to amend the scheme in terms of any boundary changes. If this was to include the merger of two community councils, they would then be formally merged from the agreed date of the revised scheme implementation and election to the new Community Council would take place.
“The procedure followed is therefore correct and in line with the council’s Scheme of Establishment and the Local Government Act.
“The current proposal for a merger between the two Nairn Community Councils came forward during the pre-consultation period which is why it has been included in the current scheme review.
“A decision will only be taken following the two periods of public consultation and will take place at a Special Meeting of the Council in September 2025.”
Addressing the size of the resulting community council. they said: “There is no definition on the maximum or minimum size of a community souncil. This varies considerably across Highland and Scotland.”
The review will also see important changes for the other community councils in Nairnshire, as it proposes to incorporate the area represented by East Nairnshire Community Council - which has been in abeyance since 2022 - between the existing Cawdor and West Nairnshire (CWNCC) and Auldearn community councils.
Lizzy Rose, secretary for CWNCC, said there are no real objections to this change.
She said: “This suggestion would enable the residents within that area to at last have some local representation again, which they are entitled to. Whilst this would mean an increase in the workload of the current CWNCC members, it may also lead to more residents willing to volunteer. CWNCC currently has one membership vacancy.
“The final decision obviously lies with the Highland Council and further details are needed outlining how this would be administered by both Cawdor and West Nairnshire CC and Auldearn CC, who would be incorporating the area east of the A939. We will have to await their notification.”
