Nairn and Cawdor (ward) facts for kids
Nairn and Cawdor is a special area, or ward, in the Highland Council region of Scotland. Think of a ward like a neighborhood or district that gets to choose its own representatives. In Nairn and Cawdor, people vote to elect four Councillors who speak for them in the Highland Council. These councillors help make decisions about local services and issues that affect everyone living in the area.
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What is a Ward?
A ward is like a specific zone or area within a larger region, like the Highland Council area. Each ward has its own elected representatives, called councillors. This system makes sure that different parts of the region have a voice and that local needs are heard. It's a way for people to choose who will represent their community in local government.
Who Represents Nairn and Cawdor?
The people who represent Nairn and Cawdor in the Highland Council are called councillors. They are elected by the community to work on local issues and make decisions that benefit everyone in the ward.
In the most recent election in 2022, the four councillors elected to represent Nairn and Cawdor were:
- Paul Oldham (from the Scottish National Party)
- Barbara Babs Jarvie (from the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
- Michael Green (an Independent councillor)
- Laurie Fraser (another Independent councillor)
These councillors attend meetings, listen to what local people need, and help manage services like schools, roads, and parks in the Nairn and Cawdor area.
How Do Local Elections Work?
Local elections are how people choose their councillors. In places like Nairn and Cawdor, they use a system called the Single Transferable Vote (STV). This system lets voters rank candidates in order of preference (1st choice, 2nd choice, and so on). It's a way to make sure that more votes count and that the elected councillors truly represent what the community wants.
In the 2022 election for Nairn and Cawdor, many candidates stood for election. After all the votes were counted, Paul Oldham, Laurie Fraser, Michael Green, and Barbara Babs Jarvie were elected to be the new councillors.
The 2017 election also saw four councillors chosen: Tom Heggie, Peter Saggers, Laurie Fraser, and Liz MacDonald. It's common for some councillors to be re-elected, while new faces also join the council.
What Does the Highland Council Do?
The Highland Council is the local government body for the large Highland area of Scotland. The councillors elected from wards like Nairn and Cawdor come together to form this council. They are responsible for many important services that affect daily life, such as:
- Education: Running schools and libraries.
- Roads and Transport: Maintaining roads, streetlights, and public transport.
- Housing: Providing council housing and regulating private housing.
- Parks and Leisure: Looking after parks, sports facilities, and community centers.
- Waste Management: Collecting rubbish and recycling.
- Planning: Deciding on new buildings and developments.
By electing councillors, people in Nairn and Cawdor have a say in how these services are run and how their local area develops.
