Election2017: Because I Care – Rob Barsby, Keith & Cullen

All individual candidates or political groups contesting the forthcoming local council elections in Moray are invited to state their case through the pages of our community news site – contact for submissions is editor@insidemoray.news. Here we have views of Rob Barsby, Independent candidate for Keith and Cullen.

WHEN MY WIFE Julie, a retired head teacher, and I retired early we had only one objective – to retire to Scotland.

It is the place we both dearly love due to the amazing scenery, culture and the friendly people. Indeed, one of the main reasons we fell in love with Scotland was the Scottish peoples’ pride in their country.

When asked, we feel proud in replying that we live in Moray. My aim is to ensure that we keep the magic of where we live.

In the current economic climate, the Moray Council needs councillors who are able to deal with difficult financial issues. I have a Masters business degree and have owned several small businesses as well as having worked as a management consultant and business lecturer.

Above all, I can offer experience as a councillor in Northumberland where I chaired the Finance Committee. Whilst I recognise it was in a very different part of the country I’m sure that the skills and experience I gained will be equally valuable in Ward 2 and to the wider community of Moray.

Past experiences also include being a Citizens’ Advice Bureau Trustee and Voluntary Adviser; leader of a PHAB (Physically Handicapped & Able Bodied) Club in my teens; a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce); a member of the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) and Chairman of the Moray Coast U3A. I have also chaired several public meetings, eg parents’ drugs awareness with Northumberland Police and a ‘Question Time’ forum with national MPs.

I believe strongly that I should seek to put something back into our society and to this end I am currently a director of tsiMORAY (Third Sector Interface), Treasurer of Moray Fresh Start that helps the homeless and Chairman of the Moray Coast Table Tennis Club, focussing on coaching children from the age of eight.

I’m standing as an Independent because I want to respond to issues and make decisions without the restrictions of being a puppet of any Party!

I will make only one promise: “I will do my utmost to keep the best and improve the rest.” When asked, “Why do you want to be a councillor?” My immediate thought and response is, “Because I care.”

Other candidates contesting the Keith and Cullen ward are: Theresa Coull (SNP), Donald Gatt (Scottish Conservative and Unionist), Iain Grieve (SNP) and Ron Shepherd (Independent).