Fort William has been quick to rally round Councillor Andrew Baxter after his shock resignation as chairman of the council’s education and housing committee last Thursday following Highland Council overturning the area committee’s move to introduce two hours’ free parking for six weeks in the run-up to Christmas.
The matter was made worse because councillors had checked with officials ahead of the move and had been told they had the authority to make the decision. And it was not an unreasonable request given other local authorities do it, helping shoppers and traders make the most of the festive season.
But rather than forgo the cash and instead hand out some good will, Highland Council has decided to play Scrooge and lost a hard-working chairman in the process.