Council Elections - Wick - Bill Fernie - Independent

14th April 2012

I am putting myself forward once again as an Independent candidate to represent Wick on the Highland Council as I believe there is still much to do. As a local Wick councillor I have tried to represent the best interests of the people of Wick, Caithness and the Highlands. I remain determined to get the best I can for Wick and Caithness and my work is dedicated to achieving that end.

Wick Vision
I believe Wick can and must improve its infrastructure to gain recognition as a great place to live and work. Wick needs to live up to its logo "Wick Works Weil". My thinking and efforts have been going towards moving the town along several paths that I think complement one another and will in the next few years transform many aspects for the good of Wick and Caithness. Capital spending takes time but will in my view create many jobs for the local construction industry and sub-contractors with many other spin-offs as over £60million of spending begins to flow into the town.

Working To Achieve
A New Wick High School with improved sporting facilities.
Two New Primary Schools - one north and south of the river.
A new larger swimming pool.
A new community library.
New Council Offices in the town centre.
A new children's home on ground at Rhind house.
Improving services for young and elderly with the integration of health, social work and education.
Encourage more investment in infrastructure projects such as the Wick Harbour Authority's improvement plans to build on the successful marina and continue to support efforts to get the Berridale Braes finally upgraded.
Support efforts to get the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency to bring its Nuclear Archive for the UK to Wick creating 20 new jobs.

My Council Work
For the past five years I have been chairman of the Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport committee. We have many achievements including new and refurbished schools and I am committed to doing many more and getting the best for our staff and pupils. I have been involved in several other committees and sub groups including Joint Committee for Children and Young People, ICT working group and many others. I am an Independent councillor and am part of the largest independent grouping that formed the administration of Highland council in partnership with the LibDem and Labour group.

Voluntary Work
Over many years I have been involved with a range of volunteer committees. I am currently a director/chairman of HomeStart Caithness, director/committee member of Laurandy Daycare Centre, director of Hi-Scot Credit Union, director of the Caithness Partnership. Following requests for a Wick councillor to become involved I took up the challenge, some might say poisoned chalice of becoming a director for the past few months of Caithness Heat and Power to ensure that recipients of the heating systems were dealt with correctly as the company was heading to wind up.

Other Activities
In my spare time I have continued to run the web sites I set up under the flagship of Caithness.org delivering as many free services as possible to help promote the Caithness community in all its guises including voluntary and business to ensure that we have as big a presence in the digital world as we possibly can.

Further Details
More details about Bill Fernie and his work can be found at
See More About Bill Fernie HERE

VOTE For Independent Councillors to get a local voice and vote one for Bill Fernie
For People not Politics in local government.

Published by Bill Fernie, 19 March Road, Wick