I would like to wish all of my constituents a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Happy New Year.
Last year I was proud and honoured to be elected as your local Councillor for the Kintyre and Islands ward. Ever since then I have been enjoying crisscrossing every part of my council ward speaking directly to my constituents about many important local and national issues. While there are many challenges ahead for the Kintyre and Islands ward and the greater Argyll and Bute area when it comes to future budget constraints, there is also allot to be very positive about.
While the rural growth deal if successful will not address all of Argyll's challenges it will be a huge step in the right direction. Argyll and Bute has been recognised as one of Scotland’s most promising regions. Our landscape and natural resources bring huge opportunities for economic growth that would benefit life in Argyll and Bute, Scotland and the UK and I for one I'm glad this is finally being acknowledged.
Our housing situation also gives cause for optimism. As part of Argyll and Bute Council Strategic Housing Investment Plan over 800 affordable new homes are in the pipeline and I will fighting relentlessly to make sure as many of these homes are built in my council ward as possible.
Our island economies are growing particularly on Islay and Jura with new distilleries being built and our industrial output breaking all previous records. As such we in the in the Kintyre and Islands ward are rightfully demanding a larger share of the tax revenue we produce. We have become more unashamedly assertive, dynamic and ambitions as we have seen our exports expand and our local made brands gain even greater recognition in every corner of the globe.
As we say goodbye to 2018 and welcome in 2019 we should look forward to a future of a United Kingdom acting with great zeal and having unleashed global trading potential. As ever I will being doing all that I can as your local Councillor to make sure that our local industries are in the vanguard of the drive for even greater opportunities and success.
Once again a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my constituents in the Kintyre and Islands ward.
Cllr Alastair Redman
