Local Representatives Excluded from Inverness Gull Summit – Call for Transparency and Community Involvement
The Scottish Government’s Gull Summit is being held in Inverness without the direct involvement of local councillors or MSPs, those who represent and hear daily from the communities most affected by gull-related issues.
Despite months of engagement and repeated calls for a joined-up approach, the summit has been restricted to officials, agencies, and selected groups. Local elected members, who deal with the complaints, concerns, and impacts from residents and businesses every day, have been excluded from the conversation.
Councillor Isabelle MacKenzie expressed strong dissatisfaction with the process, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and whether community voices are truly being heard.
“Residents and businesses deserve practical action, not another round of top-down decisions. The Minister’s offer of public funds is unclear, if there are to be strict restrictions making it difficult to see how these resources will be used to help those most affected. Local people should not be left to pay for deterrents or repairs out of their own pockets,” said Cllr MacKenzie.
The current arrangements risk creating a postcode lottery in gull control, with communities across Inverness and the Highlands feeling ignored and unsupported.
Cllr MacKenzie wrote to the Minister asking for the summit to be rescheduled to include elected members and community voices, ensuring that those living with the consequences of uncontrolled gull populations are part of the solution.
“Inverness and the Highlands deserve better than being sidelined. We will continue to press for a fair, inclusive, and transparent approach that delivers real solutions for our communities.”