2649 En-Drew Hendry Candidature
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- 5 - DECLARATION OF INTENT Candidature for President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) 2014-16 COUNCILLOR DREW HENDRY Further to the call for candidates for the position of President of the CPMR, I am pleased to declare my candidacy and would like to seek your support. As the UK Representative on the Political Bureau since 2012, and a Vice President since 2013, I have come to understand and appreciate how valuable the work of the CMPR is, together with the significant contribution made by its members. The Conference provides essential insight and input that rightly influences Brussels. Ours is a vital role in representing the views of our regions to the institutions of European power. I also believe that CMPR and its members will be highly important in driving positive policies in the coming years, which will be vital to our peoples. The role of President is key to ensuring that our voices are heard and that our needs are properly addressed. The level of access the CPMR has to the Parliament and the Commission is something which has been hard won. It is therefore all the more vital that these connections are maintained and further developed for the benefit of the regions. I would like to continue the good work done by my predecessors, Annika and Jean Yves and those before them and build on this work and to strengthen our position. However, I am of the strong opinion that an organisation is only as strong as its members. The President is there to fully understand and reflect the views of the membership. I believe I can do that. In the time that I have been a member of the Political Bureau, you will know that I have been a very active member, building relationships, encouraging debate and, taking every opportunity to speak up on behalf of the interests of UK members that I represent, whilst respecting the needs of the other CPMR members. It is this enthusiasm, openness; inclusiveness and action that I wish to bring to the Presidency. My own Council Region, Highland, has a proven track record in reaching out to its population to seek their views and delivering on those priorities and we have done this by working consensually across political and geographical boundaries. If I am elected to represent you as your President I would work to deliver the following principles: • Focus on the Future – Whilst we deal with current issues the future of Europe as a whole rests with our young people. I will urge the Conference to continue its focus on promoting youth training and employment and regional employability strategies. However, I believe the CPMR should vigorously challenge the European Commission to encourage integration between the Directorates General in the support offered to develop the European economy. Skills required in regional labour markets should be prioritised and support be given to small and medium enterprises to grow employment .There is no point in training people for the wrong jobs. One of the solutions to this is a regional approach which reflects regional strengths and smart specialisation. • Being Member Led – an organisation is only as strong as its membership and as elected members we should have greater influence. I will continue the drive for more member engagement in meetings of the Political Bureau and General Assemblies. This will be allied to using member expertise in lobbying on CPMR priorities. • Position of Strength – I believe that the CPMR should challenge the EU to focus on developing regional strengths. This focus on the positive aligns with the current focus on smart specialisation but with an obvious and clear regional concentration, helping regions to capitalise on regional strengths as drivers for economic development. • Using all of our Expertise – I would seek to capitalise on the expertise and local knowledge of the membership in promoting the positions of the Conference in Brussels. No-one presents a case better than those who are involved with the issues on a daily basis. This, I believe will foster a more inclusive and involved membership developing a greater sense of member ownership of the CPMR. • Building on Good Foundations - I will continue to support the excellent work that is delivered by the Secretariat and its liaison with the European institutions. I stated above that the CPMR very much has the ear of the Commission and Parliament and this degree of influence has to be maintained and developed. • Being Inclusive – the CPMR must be inclusive, acting on behalf of members north and south, mainland and the islands, wealthier and those still developing. Membership of the Conference comprises a disparate range of regions and its direction must best reflect the aspirations of the many. • Being Carbon Clever – the CPMR should continue to lobby for effective and sustainable transport communications from the periphery to the core networks which are now being developed. I thank you for considering my candidacy and whether I am successful or not, I will continue to work hard to achieve the objectives and success for CPMR July 2014 Councillor Drew Hendry Old Kilcoy House Tore Muir of Ord Ross-shire IV6 7RZ Date of Birth: 31.05.1964 The Highland Council: 2012-current Leader of The Highland Council 2011-current Scottish National Party (SNP) Group Leader 2007-current Elected Member for Aird and Loch Ness 2012-current Member of Convention of the Highlands & Islands (COHI) 2012-current Member of Highlands & Islands Leaders’ Group 2012-current Member of Scottish Cities Alliance – Leadership Group 2012-current Member of Inverness Campus - Partnership Forum 2012-current Chair: Advisory Board, Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) 2012-current Chair: Highland Public Services Partnership Board (HPSP) National Bodies: 2012-current SNP Group Leader, COSLA European: 2012-current Chair: Highlands & Islands of Scotland European Partnership (HIEP) 2012-current Vice-President and Sole UK representative to the European Union Political Bureau of the Committee of the Regions (CPMR) 2012-current Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) European Representative 2012-current Honorary Consul to Romania for the Highlands and Islands Membership Previously Held for The Highland Council: • Chair - Planning, Environment and Development Committee • Leader of the Opposition • Member Cairngorm National Park Board • Member of Highland Opportunities Ltd (Business Gateway) Membership: Other Organisations: Director – Teclan Ltd, Inverness Member – Institute of Directors Employment: Drew Hendry's career was in retail, manufacturing and new technology. His career has seen him work from the shop floor to Director level, before founding Teclan Limited, which now operates from Inverness. He has devoted himself full time to his council duties since being elected to The Highland Council to represent Aird and Loch Ness Ward. Background & Interests: Drew has been actively campaigning to promote and develop the economy of the Highlands, for example through supporting the redevelopment of the former Nigg Fabrication Yard and the creation of the Universality of the Highlands and Islands Campus. He is also very involved in making the case at a Scottish UK and European level for improved connectivity (broadband, air, road and rail transport) in the Highlands. He has sought to press the UK Government on measures to mitigate the impact that the reforms to the welfare system have had on communities in the Highlands and has also campaigned for the removal of Highland's housing debt and for greater local control over marine renewables and the Crown Estate. Drew is married with four children and enjoys walking the dogs in the Highland countryside, reading, films and football. June 2014 .