Peter Corbett, Councillor for the Merkinch ward says of the first couple of months in his new job, "It’s been extremely busy. I knew when I stood for this area that it was a complex ward, with so many issues that had to be dealt with. No matter how many times people tell you that it is a very busy and, at times, a difficult job, you don’t really know or appreciate it until you’re in there doing it."

"One of the first projects that we are looking into is an upgrade and environmental improvements to MacLennan Crescent and Anderson Street area to start with. We listened to, and have taken on board suggestions from the residents, the plans are now at the architects, waiting for approval, before we start any work.

I am really keen on the idea of forming a Residents Association for the MacLennan Crescent and Anderson Street tenants, and hopefully this will happen very soon. You can just see how effective they can be by looking at the success of the Benula Road and Kilmuir Court Residents Association. You see it’s speaking wth one voice, you have more clout that way."

"Another issue that we are looking into is the traffic calming systems. We’re now looking at introducing speed bumps starting at the Clach Club, Wyvis Place right up to the Glendoe Terrace flats, however that is still very much in the early planning stage. The traffic calming systems may be a good idea, but we have to remember that they take up a huge amount of money. And lets be honest, we all know that it is the same people that are speeding all the time. Spending large amounts of public money trying to slow down traffic is all very well but that money has to come from somewhere, usually out of mines and your pockets, and every pound that is spent on that is taking away from other projects and improvements, there will be a shortfall elsewhere because there is not a bottomless pit of money, unfortunately." So what are we meant to do about the dangerous drivers in the area? "There is another way around the problem of speeding cars. I would urge the residents of this area to mark down the registration numbers of cars that they see speeding. We all know it’s the same ones time and time again. If we get the registration numbers and then phone the Police, and if we do this every time we see a speeding car, the Police will eventually have to do something about those people that have numerous complaints against them. The Police will then take action. With one complaint they can’t really do anything, with many they will have to. Something has to be done about the few people in the area that insist on speeding before it is too late, we have to prevent a tragedy happening."

Another issue Peter feels very passionate about is the need for more policing in the area. Though, as Peter and his predecessor, Ali MacLean, know only too well that this is easier said than done: "I’ve been chasing up the Police, but as we all know everything is governed by money - what’s in the budget. However, this issue has to be taken seriously for various reasons. The level of policing in this area has always been a concern of mine. People have always said that there has to be more control down here, and that has to come with more police on the beat. At a recent meeting I had with the Police they told me that they have taken our concerns on board, they would really like to have more police down here but budgets have their restrictions. I really hope that they will find the money somewhere and somehow, because we really need this."

There are plenty of other issues that Councillor Corbett is hoping to address in the future, and in the meantime if you would like to talk to Peter regarding your neighbourhood, remember that he has his constituency surgery every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at the Merkinch Community Centre between 5pm and 7pm, like he says "It’s there solely for the people of the Merkinch to use." So use it.