Council proposal

Highland Council have put forward a budget proposal. It includes car parking charges for Nairn at the Links, the Maggot, the harbour and the library car park. An added sting for residents is a 3% rise in council tax.

At first these taxes appear minimal and with regards to parking might hit tourists who dare to venture to our town.

But there's another group who will be hit by these charges, Nairns growing elderly population.

Many people chose to retire to Nairn, the seafront and the beaches are a big attraction. But the parking charges would mean that for those who need to drive to the seafront before a short walk will face parking charges.

The elderly are High Street users too. Apart from shops there's trips to the likes of the chemist and the bank (whilst we still have one).

Last year we saw charges for the brown bin collections come into force. A rough estimate shows that Highland Council might expect to collect £100-£300 from our elderly population if the budget proposals are carried through. The brown bin charge, increased council tax and parking charges. Maybe not a huge sum unless of course you're watching the pennies as you're on a fixed pension.

Meanwhile we continue to support and purchase items from huge corporations that pay next to no tax, doesn't seem very fair does it?