Fabio Villani is our candidate in Forres. Fabio ran a successful cabinet-making and restoration business locally until 2001, when his deep interest in community issues prompted him to change direction. He currently works with the Scottish Health Council, promoting democracy and accountability within the NHS, and has been the Moray Greens Convenor since 2008.
He says: “The Forres area deserves a councillor willing to stand up for the interests and values of the local community. This includes ensuring that local assets, such as Common Good Land and the Tolbooth, are kept in public ownership and managed for the benefit of the community, rather than sold off for the benefit of property developers or left to decay. It also includes ensuring that budget savings are secured by running public services more efficiently, rather than by cutting services to the most vulnerable people in our society.
“Most importantly, local communities throughout Moray deserve to be treated as full partners in making decisions affecting them; it’s time to ensure that consultations are used as opportunities to tap into the knowledge, creativity and aspirations of communities, rather than as meaningless public relations exercises.”
James MacKessack-Leitch will be contesting the Heldon and Laich ward in Moray.
James is the son of a local farming family from Alves with deep roots in the area, and family connections with the RAF.
Educated locally at West End Primary School, Elgin Academy and Gordonstoun, James then completed a BSc (Hons) at the University of Glasgow in 2009, and an MSc in Sustainable Rural Development at the University of Aberdeen in 2011.
Working for a number of local businesses has given James a wide range of experience in the challenges facing rural companies in the current economic climate. However, like many young people James has struggled to find permanent employment in the current conditions, which has provided a unique insight into this problem and potential solutions.
You can find out more information on the Moray Greens website. Read the Moray Greens Manifesto here. Highlands and Islands Greens are also available on Facebook and Twitter, and you can email them moray@higreens.org or email the candidates directly - james@higreens.org or fabio@higreens.org