Let’s start with last year not at all being what I expected. I have now had 6 months as a Highland Councillor and I am still delighted. Thanks again to all who voted for me. Your support was such a boost. As part of the campaign, I wrote some blogs and really enjoyed it. It helped me to clarify what I was working towards. The plan is to write a few more. This time to focus on what I am doing.
The blogs will cover what grabs my attention (and keeps it). There will inevitably be topics linked to The Highland Council (THC) but also crofting, collies, sheep, island life, community development, land, ducks, kayaking and much more. If there’s a topic you would like me to explore, please get in touch!
One topic that will come up is not overly subtle – I am neurodivergent. The ADHD has been confirmed – what an adventure that was! There is also strongly suspected autism, but we will save that for another blog. For me, confirming the ADHD has been like getting the right Haynes manual . It is a game changer. Knowing that every day starts fresh for me, means that creating a routine is day one every single day. As much as I would love to be someone that blogs regularly, I know that these blogs will not magically happen every week or month. But they will be shared when I can.
That said, I will add a caveat. One of the best pieces of advice I have had since I started as a Councillor is that I have a new hat to add to the collection. This hat gives me inside information on what is happening with THC that it is not always appropriate to share. It is the same with being the director of a company/community organisation. There are rules and a code of conduct. This has a lot to do with why people have already said “you’ve changed”. My intentions are the same, but I cannot be. What I say can have an impact that was never previously a consideration. I will get things wrong; I have no doubt. I went white water kayaking with a friend last summer, and she reminded me that swims mean I am trying. I do not know everything. I will admit to mistakes and I learn. And what a lot I learned last year!
One of the main things I have been learning about is planning. It is highly unlikely that I will be writing anything about planning. The best I can do is mention Planning Aid Scotland. They have resources, advice, information on projects, and much more. Why say this? I am on the North Planning Applications Committee. I am so thankful I like reading. One meeting had over 650 pages and that was just the agenda and reports. Then there’s the documentation, comments, and so much else. What it is allowing me to do is look at the Highlands from a completely new perspective.
One of my personal aims this year is to complete a bit more of my MSc in Material Culture and Highland History. The new perspective will influence my writing. I cannot wait to get stuck in, finishing the papers, share it, and have the follow up conversations I know that will be sparked. As my friends will confirm, I can talk about some of my pet topics for ever. I love a good discussion.
There is my one niggle. Discussion is a positive. Yes, I have been elected to bridge the gap between residents/communities and the local authority. It is an honour, privilege and significant responsibility. It also means that I am more visible as an individual than ever before. I am easily accessible – via email, mobile, in the shop, walking down the road. I am a local councillor living in the area I represent. I am a councillor, not a counsellor. I am not there to be ranted at. I am not a therapist. I am not there to be intimidated, harassed, or abused. I am still a person.
There is a world of difference between should and reality. At this time of year, a lot of people will be putting pressure on themselves with the idea of should. They should be eating healthier. They should be fitter. They should go kayaking more often. They should be so many things. But where are they right now? This is the difference between should and reality – it’s the idea and the trying. The idea is the easy bit. The trying is finding ways that could make it happen. The capacity, the variations, the options, the resources, the support.
The Haynes manual is there to help me find the way to try. A tractor is not built for an F1 race. A sports car isn’t going to better than an ATV on the hill. This time of year, I am thinking about what is good for me. What are the ideas that would work with some effort? I could try something and see how it fits with everything else around me. Last year did not go as I thought it would. I did not have standing for the Council in my plan but the opportunity arose so I decided I could try. That try took a lot of effort. It took a lot of time. That try has been one of the best decisions I have made. So, what will I try and do this year? Lets start simple with the next blog.
Christine Gillies 