Boost for crofting from budget

The news that the Scottish Government is to increase funding to the Scottish Crofting Commission was welcome by members of the the Comhairle's crofting committee this week.

New appointment for SNP Group

Western isles council SNP group welcomed the appointment of an SNP councillor as chair of the important Joint Consultative Committee for Local Government Employees.

10 Lessons for Councillors who don’t like the Status Quo

I heard that the Comhairle was looking to approve its new Corporate Strategy for our Islands last Thursday.  I tuned into themeetings to listen in. I was expecting a lot of debate and some good questions. But everything seemed to go through on the nod.Were my expectations too high? Have I missed something? Dothe real discussions take place somewhere else?  Who knows?

Selling off the family silver

Western Isles council SNP Group have expressed disappointment over comments made at the Point and Sandwick Trust's  Annual General Meeting held last month.  It is understood that the Chairperson, Angus Mccormack spoke of his hope for a deal between the French multi-national company EDF, Stornoway Trust and local Crofters for a lease agreement to enable EDF to build a large-scale Windfarm  on Point and Sandwick's common grazings.

SNP put forward radical change at council

A. Local Democracy and Empowerment

 

The Comhairle will: -

Proposals on corporate strategy

We, the Western Isles council SNP group, are pleased to bring forward proposals for consideration to the Comhairle's corporate strategy 2017-22.

This series of meetings may be the only opportunity to make contributions to the strategy, the group believe that only radical change can transform our islands rather than managing decline.

Councillor Donald Manford stated: we must learn to do things differently - we cannot continue do the same things and expect different outcomes. Our proposals will reconnect the islands and develop community empowerment beyond tokenism.

By setting up locality planning bodies with delegated powers across the Hebrides, we will support communities shape their own future.

Key proposals:

Line by line examination of council expenditure

Radical review of management structure

Democratic female representation

Transminch link

Create a research hub based around energy and engineering

Work with partners to achieve the relocation of some government administration functions to the Outer Hebrides

Reintroduction of itinerant teachers



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Arnish & Apprentices

Western isles council SNP group leader Gordon Murray has welcomed the events over the last few days which have seen the future of Bi-Fab secured.