Inverness Common Good Fund (CGF) has long been a source of contention in the local community, with many questioning its use and impact on the common good of the people. Charles Bannerman, an Inverness resident, has come up with bold proposals for using the CGF to benefit the community at large.
In his opinion piece, Bannerman laments that the CGF is often used as a cash cow for frivolous projects and vanity initiatives. He argues that with some imagination and lateral thinking, the CGF can mitigate the current extreme squeeze on local government funding and make a meaningful impact on the community.
Bannerman highlights the case of High Life Highland (HLH), an organization that provides vital sporting, leisure, and cultural services but has seen severe budget cuts in recent times. He suggests declaring HLH a "common good" and providing funding from the CGF, subject to benefits restricted to Inverness as its rules require. This could be partly offset by a modest cut in HLH's direct council funding, benefiting both HLH and council services.
Bannerman argues that CGF revenues must no longer be squandered on trivial projects and initiatives. Instead, its trustees, who happen to be local councilors, must think more laterally and deploy this tremendous asset toward the genuine common good to ease the council's financial stringency.
While Bannerman's proposals may seem bold, they are rooted in common sense and a desire to see the CGF used to benefit the local community. It is high time that local councilors and officials adopt an open-minded approach and find ways to tweak rules and find means to use the CGF to benefit all.
In conclusion, Charles Bannerman's proposals for using the Inverness Common Good Fund differently have the potential to make a meaningful impact on the community. With a bit of imagination and lateral thinking, the CGF can be used to mitigate the current financial squeeze on local government funding and provide essential services to the people. It is time for local councilors and officials to think outside the box and make the most of this beautiful asset for the common good of all.
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