Rebecca Machin has said Highland Council needs more long term thinking and greater collaboration if public confidence in local government is to improve.

Speaking during the East Sutherland and Edderton by election campaign, the retired head teacher argued that councils work best when people from different backgrounds and experiences come together with a shared purpose.

Machin said elected representatives should work across differences to improve life for communities throughout the Highlands while focusing less on short term fixes and more on lasting outcomes.

“Councils work best when they are like the old established idea of the rotary club: people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds working together for a common purpose, to improve everyone in Highland’s life.

“A council of all the talents, blending public and private experience to get the best for everyone.

“I think it’s also important to say that once elected, my role would be to represent everyone, to serve every member of the community and to be everyone’s representative.

“In that vein, we elect 3 councillors in this ward to represent all views but to work together for the common good.”

Machin also reflected on wider debates around spending and public services within Highland Council, particularly in relation to education and long term investment in young people.

“We often hear people preaching the Gospel of business in and around Highland Council.

“This is completely understandable: local authorities should, of course, look to what they can learn from the private sector.

“However, one of the issues, especially when debating budgets and spending, is that the approach is often heavily focused, and understandably so, on inputs.

“But, with regards, the funding of council remits such as education, actually the way we should assess value for money requires us to think about the quality and equality of education of our children from 3 to 18.

“As teachers, we were used to having to wait to see our investment in young people come to fruition and much is the same in Highland Council.

“Things take time and short term solutions almost inevitably end up saving a penny to spend a pound.”

Machin also described young people and council staff as among the Highlands’ most valuable resources while highlighting the responsibility councillors carry as corporate parents for children in care.

“We need to listen to our young people as all good parents should.

“Our local school communities will have localised issues and contexts and may well have local and affordable solutions that work.

“As a councillor I would ensure that they felt listened to.”

The East Sutherland and Edderton by election takes place on 25 June following the resignation of long serving councillor Jim McGilvray.