Madam, I very rarely write letters to newspapers, perhaps it is time I did.
On a visit to Condé our twin town in Normandy, I visited the local ambulance/fire/rescue service. All three were situated in the same building with the same Command and Control.
Why not think along the same lines in Ross? We have the perfect site or sites in Hildersley for a Police HQ/Ambulance and Fire Services. Then bring all the communication networks together which at present are all separate.
This, of course, is going to be expensive in the first instance, but perhaps we could sell the existing police station, which has always been in the wrong place anyway, that would at least be a start.
I have worked with our local police fire and ambulance staff for many years as a Councillor and have nothing but praise for them all, but we need strategic vision at the top. Local services for local people is what we all want but is anybody listening to us?
On the question of the TIC/Info Centre, I totally agree with the plans for them – after all I was party to the decision along with other Ross County Councillors. Why not have the TIC at the Market House? It was the Library for many years anyway.
We will all have difficult decisions to make in the light of the current financial constraints brought about by the last Labour Government's mismanagement of the economy. Even so, you can be assured that I will do all I can to put a strong case to retain and maintain services in Ross.
Phil Cutter, County Councillor