Firstly, can I remind Mr Hart that the Cromarty Firth ward now takes in four former wards and now has four councillors – Cllrs Maxine Smith (myself), Mike Finlayson, Martin Rattray and Carolyn Wilson. We represent all areas in this ward, which include Evanton, Ardross, Rosskeen, Newmore, Alness, Saltburn, Invergordon and all rural areas in between.

Mr Hart questions our stance on what was said in the article on the registrar and challenges us to make things happen on Invergordon High Street.

In addressing the former comment, I can only speak for myself when I say I have no issue with the registrar being based in Invergordon, as now with the new laws a couple can apply for a registrar to attend any location, inside or outside for the purposes of carrying out a wedding ceremony; therefore people in Alness can still get married in Alness should they so wish and I agree that the Alness Heritage Centre, upstairs room would make an excellent venue.

With regard to the more substantive issue of Invergordon High Street – Mr Hart states that he never sees his councillors in the town.

Can I say that I actually work in the High Street for part of two days every week and am often down the street in the shops or at the council offices several more days – there isn't a week goes by that I am not in Invergordon town centre at some point.

I also hold monthly surgeries at 64 High Street for any constituent to attend. Mr Hart is welcome to call and see me or stop me in the street, as many people do already.

On the issue of Invergordon town centre – his councillors have already begun a road improvement by removing the two central speed tables and once a full consultation is complete, further renovations will ensue in time. Some shop frontages and buildings on the High Street continue to be a sore point with the public, but these are in the process of being dealt with. The former RS McColl's new owner, Mr Murray, is in obtaining planning permission to upgrade his signage and frontage; this will be granted shortly under the council's delegated powers. My colleague Cllr Rattray is in talks with Patience's to see what can be done with their abandoned shop. I hand delivered a letter to Mr O'Brien, the owner of the Commercial Hotel and Silver Dollar, two weeks ago to see if he intends to paint the doors at the front of his property – I am awaiting a response.

The new owner of Noreen and Kelly's took over the shop a few weeks ago and is already making massive headway on introducing new and varied stock – things the town was badly needing.

There have been recent enquiries into the leasing of the William Gray property beside Noreen and Kelly's, formerly Saggy Bottoms, so it is hoped this will soon be occupied. Fraser Sports shop owners assured me six weeks ago that they intend to renovate the whole of their property this summer.

Last but not least myself and Cllr Rattray hand delivered a letter to Mr Kenny Ross, whose house is in dire need of rescuing, stating that a housing association in the town is willing to fund a survey of his property, after which they will consider purchasing it.

I have yet to hear if Mr Ross wishes to take up this offer, but it is hoped he will consider it before his house has to be demolished on safety grounds.

As well as the above, the Bone Mill and Tank Farm are part of a Scottish Government initiative and under the Derelict Land Fund, consultants will evaluate possible uses for these two areas and provide a costing.

This is on schedule to commence at the end of 2009. The former Clydesdale Bank is still available to lease and can be split into smaller units should anyone be interested. Whilst HIE-IEH have abandoned part of their offices on the corner of Castle Road, the career staff still remain in situ.

In the summer of 2009 a new Road Traffic Order will be enforced in the town centre which will see parking limited to two hours with no return within one hour on the central part of Invergordon High Street down to the RBS and up to the dentists; as well as along part of Castle Road up to Joss Street on both sides.

This will free up parking spaces as people who work in the town will use one of the free car parks on Clyde Street or up by the Church of Scotland on Castle Road.

It will also enforce the Disabled Parking bays and these will be utilised for their rightful purpose with anyone breaking the law being issued with parking tickets, as the town will utilise the services of a traffic warden on a more regular basis.

There are also many other initiatives being carried out in Invergordon and should Mr Hart want to know anything further I am happy to speak to him directly and my contact details are readily available on my websites, the council's websites, the town notice board, outside my salon and on a monthly surgery advert in your newspaper.

Councillor Maxine Smith.

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