Ballot brings change in town
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
More than 22 years after entering Highland Council Laurie Fraser has been returned to serve for a further five years, making him among the longest serving members in the north.
He was returned with 1215 votes – a significant endorsement by voters in Nairn and Cawdor, possibly helped by his opposition to the disposal of Common Good land in the town for what he sees as less than the market value.
Cllr Fraser’s re-election is all the more remarkable because so many of his contemporaries stood down this year – including almost all the Independent political leadership of the local authority.
The biggest share of the vote, however, went to new councillor Paul Oldham who took an impressive 1401 votes for the SNP and, like Cllr Fraser, was elected in the first stage of voting. His campaign promised to work to deliver the Nairn bypass.
Independent candidate Michael Green is making a return to the council having been elected before and brings with him a wealth of business and public sector experience. He wants to see greater representation of local views when it comes to issues like the Nairn Common Good Fund and Nairn Harbour Redevelopment.
Finally, Babs Jarvie was voted in at the eighth stage for the Conservatives having spent more than three decades working to support vulnerable children and families. Her focus was on a new school for Nairn.
Related article: All the winners from last week's elections