Members blocked in asking questions of monitoring officer - Crisis in democracy

 At a special meeting of the Comhairle today (Wednesday 22nd December), incredibly councillors were blocked from asking questions.

SNP group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray commented : “it is very disappointing to be blocked from asking questions at a council meeting. We have just gone through a painful investigation process in terms of the Lews Castle project and you would think that scrutiny is something to be embraced and not closed down. We are in a very bad place in terms of how members can scrutinise reports and ask questions after today. ”

Members who voted to block questions:

Cllr Norman Macdonald (Convenor)

Cllr Roddie Mackay (Leader)

Cllr Angus Morrison (Chair of audit and scrutiny)

Cllr Uisdean Robertson ( Chair of Transportation )

Cllr Donald Crichton ( Chair of Sustainable Development)

Cllr Kenny John Macleod (Chair of Communities and Housing)

Cllr Finlay Stewart

Cllr Norrie T Macdonald

Cllr Alasdair Macleod

Cllr Angus McCormack

Cllr Keith Dodson 

Cllr John Mackay 

Cllr Neil Mackay

Councillors who voted for openness and transparency

Cllr Calum Macmillan

Cllr Iain Macneil

Cllr Roddy Mackay

Cllr Iain M Macleod 

Cllr John Mitchell

Cllr Ranald Fraser

Cllr Calum Maclean

Cllr Rae Mackenzie 

Cllr Gordon Murray

Cllr John N Macleod

Cllr Kenny Macleod 

Cllr Iain M Macaulay

Reaction will follow.

Councillors get opportunity to question monitoring officer in Lews Castle investigation

 A special meeting has been called and will take place tomorrow (Wed 22 December) which will give elected representatives another chance to hear from the monitoring officer and ask him questions.

SNP Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated: “This is a great opportunity to get a legal perspective on what went wrong after questions were closed down by the Convenor in a surprising move  at the last full council 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLES9y9Oeps ( near the end, last item)

“we hope that questions will be allowed otherwise more questions will be raised in terms of openness and transparency on such an important issue.”

Residents of Tong Road petition the council

Growing concerns over speeding cars on Tong Road has prompted residents to take action and petition the council on the issue.

Tong Road resident, Jan Sancroft has collected a number of signatories and has presented the petition to her local councillor, Cllr Gordon Murray to give to the council on their behalf.

Mrs Sancroft said: "For several years I've been asking Cllr Murray to  have the police and council take some kind of action regarding the complete lack of regard drivers have for the residents of the Tong Rd in terms of safety and well being. Nothing has been done to calm the traffic despite Cllr Murray's effortts. The petition is our last resort. We as residents and taxpayers are entitled to live in a safe environment

On receiving the petition, Cllr Murray stated: " I have brought the concerns of the Tong Road residents  to the council's attention and suggested traffic calming measures for a number of years  but nothing has been implemented and the residents have become frustrated with the lack of action given the dangers. A petition was arranged and shows the depth of feeling on this issue and I have passed the petition to the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee, Cllr Uisdean Robertson on behalf of my constituents."

The petition states:

Tong Road residents are fed up with the speed that many vehicles drive at when going through Tong Road. It is dangerous for pedestrians, especially the elderly and parents with buggies on the pavement ot have cars flying past at high speeds. We, the undersigned, petition the Comhairle to put traffic calming measures in place such as a permanent Speed Indicator Device (SID) and rumble strips or other traffic calming measures as soon as possible."

Comhairle nan Eilean SNP group welcome Scottish Government funding for local bridges

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar SNP Group have warmly welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that the Comhairle will receive £6.6 million out of a national fund of £32 million - the highest allocation for a local authority.

Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray started: "This is a huge boost to our infrastructure in terms of local bridge maintenance and we are grateful to the Scottish Government and Kate Forbes in particular for the much needed allocation. However, special thanks go to our MSP, Dr Alasdair Allan, who campaigned vigorously for this funding even being cited in the Finance minister's budget speech earlier this year. "

Bernera resident and Prospective Council SNP candidate, Angus Macdonald  for the new Sgire Uige agus Carlabhagh ward welcomed the completion of the construction saying “It has been a long drawn out process, with delays to the timeline, however the contractors and engineers must be congratulated for bringing this lifeline link to completion. The islanders and businesses affected by the weight restriction on the old bridge must also be congratulated for their patience over the affected period. We look forward to normal access to the island resuming over the next few days, and also look forward to the new picnic area and information boards being completed in ample time for next year’s tourist season.”

Photo : Angus Macdonald, prospective SNP council candidate for Sgire Uige and Carlabhagh and Dr Alasdair Allan MSP

School bus fares discount announced

 News of a 50% discount on coach fares for primary and secondary school buses announced by Calmac was welcomed by the Comhairle SNP group following their continued campaign on concessionary fares.

CnES SNP Group transport spokesperson, Cllr Donald Manford stated: "I warmly commend this very worthy and needed initiative by CalMac. "

"It would complement enormously Calmac's forward thinking were Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to learn from this announcement and abandon continuing to exclude the elderly of the Outer Hebrides from the Concessionary Fare Scheme on the  Barra and Harris sounds. "

"This would further connect the Western Isles or at very least, connect with the services specifically provided for them. "

Stornoway North councillor welcomes upgrade to play park

Cllr Gordon Murray who represents Stornoway North welcomed the recent upgrade to the Columbia Place Play Park and has just been reopened to the public,

Cllr Murray stated: "I would like to thank initially the residents of Columbia Place who brought their aspirations for the play park to my attention. My many thanks to the contractor McLaughlin and Harvey and the council who have done such a great job. I would also like to thank the Manor and Castle Community Association and Stornoway Community Council for their input and support in the project."

One of the young residents who approached Cllr Murray a few years ago was Calum Muir. Commenting on the reopening of the revitalised play area, Calum said: "They have done a cracking job to revitalise an abandoned park."

Scottish Government supporting island families

285 families in the Western Isles have benefitted from the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, with a total of £52,100 paid out to families in the area so far. 

 The most recent Scottish Government figures demonstrate how many families in the Western Isles have benefitted from the support from its introduction in February up to the 30th June 2021. So far, 108,000 children across Scotland have benefitted from the payment, which provides eligible families with £10-a-week per child.

 Commenting, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alasdair Allan said: “The Scottish Child Payment is already making a huge difference to children across Scotland. This payment provides significant support to families in the Western Isles, and I have no doubt that this will aid in reducing the levels of inequality present in some of our island communities, as well as across Scotland as a whole.

 “Not only is the Scottish Child Payment giving low-income families extra support, but coupled with other payments such as the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, eligible families could receive up to an additional £5,200 by the time their child turns six. “I would urge any families in the Western Isles who have not yet applied to do so. 

 “In Scotland, we are building a social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect. Contrast that with the system at Westminster where the Tories are planning on cutting Universal Credit at a time when vulnerable families need it most.”

Comhairle nan Eilean SNP Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated: " This will be of great help to households who are up against it as costs rise and especially when the Comhairle increases council tax by the maximum level every year. "

Concerns of anti-democracy raised during debate

 At a special meeting of the Comhairle on Wednesday, 25th August, a majority of councillors voted to consult on a corporate strategy 2022-27 with a view to implementation before a new council is elected.

Concerns were raised by SNP Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray that there was no mandate to do this.

Cllr Murray stated in the debate:

"The corporate strategy or manifesto is hugely important and gives political direction for the next five years 2022-27."

"What we have here today is not democracy. From what I understand, no elected member has had a direct input into this manifesto."

"If passed today, the process of implementation will continue and the newly elected councillors will be bound to a manifesto that they did not agree to and that the people did not vote on and which has been put together on bureaucratic principles and not democratic principles."

"Lets treat our electorate with respect and not contempt and allow the new council, whoever they may be to chart the political direction for this local authority."

Amendment put forward by Cllr Murray and seconded by Cllr John Mitchell was as follows:

The council, wishing to ensure that the democratic process is fully respected, agrees to defer final consideration of the corporate strategy 2022-27 until June 2022 so as to allow for a full consultation with all affected stakeholders and communities across the Western Isles in order to allow the newly elected members to consider the Corporate Strategy particularly in the areas of renewable energy"

Councillors who voted against amendment:

Cllr Norman Macdonald - convenor

Cllr Roddie Mackay - leader

Cllr Paul Steele

Cllr Roddy Mackay

Cllr Iain Macleod

Cllr Paul Finnegan

Cllr Finlay Stewart

Cllr Keith Dodson

Cllr Rae Mackenzie

Cllr Angus McCormack

Cllr Charlie Nicoolson

Cllr Neil Mackay

Cllr Donald Crichton

Cllr John Mackay

Cllr Kenny John Macleod

Councillors who voted for amendment:

Cllr Calum Macmillan

Cllr Iain Archie Macneil

Cllr John Mitchell

Cllr Gordon Murray

Cllr John A Maciver

SNP group support the strike

 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar SNP Group are fully supportive of the decision by members of Prospect Union to stage a one day strike on 29 July over plans to centralise air traffic control in Inverness.

Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated : "The SNP Group at the Comhairle are fully behind the industrial action planned on 29th July by Prospect Union."

"We believe that our communities should be united with the staff who are most affected by this decision to centralise to Inverness. This is more than just a strike and should be seen as a community demonstration against a decision that will have a huge economic impact on our islands stripping half a million of wages out of our communities annually. 

"I urge everyone to support these workers on 29th July as they fight not only the future of air traffic control in our islands but for the future of our communities." 

SNP Group agree with RMT union calls for ferry summit

 

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The SNP group of councillors at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are backing the RMT calls for an urgent ferries’ summit.

SNP Group leader, Gordon Murray, stated: "At this point in time a round table meeting with all stakeholders - Cal Mac, unions, CMAL, Transport Scotland, MPs, MSPs, councillors and local groups with Transport minister Graeme Day would be hugely productive in bringing everyone together to address the issues faced with the ferry service at the moment. I would also include the Minister for the Islands in any discussions."

He added: “The ferry service is a lifeline service as has been said time and time again and we need to ensure that there is an understanding that there has been a massive increase in usage which needs the appropriate investment.

Getting all stakeholders together to agree a united way forward would be positive progress towards addressing the concerns and anxieties that island communities have endured over the last while.

“This will also show some public accountability and avoid any kind of accusations of decisions being made in offices in Edinburgh.”

SNP/Alba councillors urge unused housing monies to be spent in Uist and Barra

 Good morning Kenny John, 

I write to you in your capacity as chair of Communities and Housing committee. 

We understand that the Scottish Government Housing Funds directed by Comhairle to Hebridean Housing Partnership remain unspent to the tune of £1.7 million. The Comhairle’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) requires a split in money to rural areas. 

In order to ensure equity of housing provision across our islands and deliver the Comhairle commitment to housing in rural areas, we strongly urge that the Comhairle  reallocate the £1.7 million of Scottish Government money to housing organisations  such as the Uist and Barra Housing Group. The £1.7 million can then used to deliver desperately needed housing throughout Uist and Barra as required.

This must be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s post COVID economic recovery. 

Yours sincerely,

Gordon Murray - Leader, SNP Comhairle Group,
Donald Manford - SNP Councillor
Calum Mac Millan - ALBA Councillor

Requests from Uist and Barra representative to join strategic forum denied by Comhairle

Requests to join an important strategic member officer working group discussing issues such as Community Wealth Building and Repopulation Zones have been denied to Representatives from South Uist and Barra.

Having had support for local abattoirs withdrawn, attempts to reinstate that much needed support voted down and now attempts to represent communities in South Uist and Barra in discussions on issues hugely important to their communities denied, is the Comhairle an inclusive democratic entity, maybe but not for those in South Uist and Barra.

Deputy leader of SNP Group resigns

 

Deputy leqder of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar SNP Group, Cllr Calum Macmillan representing Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist has resigned from the group and joined the ALBA Party as of today 30th March 2021.

Cllr Macmillan was elected in 2017 and was recently elected to the position of deputy leader of the group.

Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray commented :" Obviously, I am very disappointed to be losing Calum from the group. he was an excellent councillor, wonderfully astute and supportive and a great team player. His contributions to the group and also in the council chamber were invaluable and I am very fortunate to have worked alongside him. We all wish him the very best in the future and hope to continue to work with him on issues   that benefit our communities in the Western Isles."." 

Comhairle SNP Group seek council support for Local Electricity Bill

 At full council on Wednesday 31st March , Comhairle SNP Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray has tabled the following question

Would the Convenor agree with the Comhairle SNP group’s long held aspiration to harness our God-given energy resources by converting these to carbon free energy and thus replenish our coffers annually to help address funding deficits and capital projects?

and following the question, I have tabled the motion below.

That Comhairle nan Eilean SIar  

(i) acknowledges the efforts that this council has made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy; 

(ii) recognises that councils can play a central role in creating sustainable communities, particularly through the provision of locally generated renewable electricity; 

(iii) further recognises • that very large financial setup and running costs involved in selling locally generated renewable electricity to local customers result in it being impossible for local renewable electricity generators to do so, • that making these financial costs proportionate to the scale of a renewable electricity supplier’s operation would create significant opportunities for councils to be providers of locally generated renewable electricity directly to local people, businesses and organisations, and • that revenues received by councils that became local renewable electricity providers could be used to help fund local greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures and to help improve local services and facilities; 

(iv) accordingly resolves to support the Local Electricity Bill which, if made law, would make the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate by establishing a Right to Local Supply; and 

(v) further resolves to instruct the Chief Executive to:- • inform the local media of this decision, • write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill, and • write to the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, Power for People, (at 8 Delancey Passage, Camden, London NW1 7NNor info@powerforpeole.org.uk) expressing its support. 

Cllr Murray stated: "This is a hugely important bill for our situation here in the Western Isles and I hope that the Comhairle will support our motion n the strongest possible terms."

Uist and Barra councillors fight for their abattoirs

 A proposal by the council to withdraw support from the Uist an£ Barra abattoirs is being opposed by Uist and Barra councillors Calum Macmillan and Donald Manford.

The two SNP councillors are to put forward an amendment to a report proposing that the Comhairle 

“include funding support for the abattoirs in Uist and in Barra to bring parity to the abattoir provision across the Islands in the CnES authority area through the provision of twenty thousand per facility, funding to be provided from balances previously saved on loan repayment charges.”

The councillors are trying to save the abattoirs which would struggle to survive without the support proposed. 

Campaign for fixed link from Benbecula to Skye

 Cllr Calum Macmillan and Cllr Donald Manford have called for a special meeting of the Comhairle last week to include the Benbeula - Skye Fixed-link into the Local Transport Strategy. 

The matter will be discussed at the full council meeting of March 31st and Cllrs Macmillan and Manford will hope that the long term aspirations of the comnuity are realised. 

In his request for the fixed link to be added, Cllr Macmillan continued :"The fixed links from Barra to Eriskay then Harris to Berneray are to be included in outline as extensions to connect the Long island from Ness to Bhatharsaidh with the Benbecula-Skye fixed link."

Comhairle Budget and Non-Competent Items

 As Councillors, we seek election to Comhairle to improve standards, bring work and implement changes to governance which facilitate constituents to work, invest their time, money and effort to create prosperity and generate incomes for their families. A help up, not a handout and this needs competent budgeting.

Comhairle is legally required to set a balanced competent budget for the next financial year with items given a portion of finance otherwise the Budget is not competent. One councillor wanted to delay the Budget Setting for a few months to see where we were. He was indulged and the work to set the Comhairle Budget continued.

The SNP Comhairle Group tabled three amendments to the Budget which applied across the whole of the Comhairle area, to devolve benefit to all Islands and all constituents. These amendments are legally correct, administratively competent and financially prudent. 

Donald Manford and JohnA tabled an amendment directing money to road surfacing from savings on money previously committed by Comhairle to the Bernera Bridge replacement. Funding for the Bernera Bridge is now being provided by the SNP Scottish Government. The amendment sought reinstatement of the historic 60:40 portioning to Lewis and Harris: Uist and Barra. This amendment was rejected 23:8.

Rae Mac Kenzie and John Mitchell tabled an amendment to provision Winter Gritting by two hundred and fifty thousand pounds from Balances to avoid the annual overspend currently projected for this year at nearly seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds. This amendment was rejected 19:12.

Gordon Murray and I tabled an amendment in five parts. Directing money previously committed for Bernera Bridge to surfacing unadopted roads (60:40), an all-weather play area at Stornoway Primary to replace the all-mud play area, a dental chair for the dental facility in Daliburgh currently missing the dental chair, concessionary fares on inter-island ferries and support for abattoirs in North Uist and Barra as support for the Stornoway Abattoir was included separately. This amendment was rejected 19:12. 

The failure of Councillors to support this amendment has caused controversy with some Councillors stating that they couldn’t support the Stornoway Primary as other areas and islands would also benefit. 

The amendment would have allowed work to start at Stornoway Primary with immediacy and hopefully be finished by June 2021. The option voted for, requires a report to committee in June ‘with a view to securing finance’ yet this is being touted as being the better option.

The Comhairle Budget requires to be financially competent with each budgetary item being given a spend limit. We are now told that there is no upper spent limit on this financial revenue item which would make the Comhairle Budget financially non-competent. Comhairle voted through a non-competent budget as there is neither financial provision nor spending limit on what can be expended on the improvements to replace the current all-mud play area at Stornoway Primary.

When I am then told the Council Leader said ‘...’ I simply reply ‘remember what the Council Leader said to Calum Mac Lean at the Comhairle called to consider RSHP. We voted on the issue per his precise words, yet then recall, we were told that the writing on the paper is what counted’. The words on the papers to Budget Setting Comhairle state ‘that a Report be submitted to the June 2021 series of meetings with a view to securing finance’. A ‘Report be submitted ... with a view to securing finance’ must therefore now be the starting point when considering how the all-mud play area is being progressed. 

This can be compared with Gordon Murray’s amendment which had proper financial provision and a real time as soon as possible start date. The fact that a decision to not start work but to get a Report to committee is being hailed as the better option shows a lack of empathy with the parents who send their children to school where they play in the mud and with the children who have to play in the mud.

As to the dental chair provision in Daliburgh Cllr Roddie MacKay stated ‘that ship has sailed’ which encapsulated the attitudes and perceptions that we must set out to change and replace with community empowerment and community embedded facilities. The Scottish Government’s OHIP sets out the aspiration to continue Childsmile in the community and the complimentary role of the Public Dental Service in providing domiciliary care for our ageing population.

Work continues to deliver all the proposals in these amendments. Every opportunity to provision road surfacing, winter gritting, replacing the all-mud play area at Stornoway Primary, providing a dental chair in the dental facility in Daliburgh, concessionary ferry fares and supporting all abattoirs across the islands to promote a croft to customer product, continues.

Yous sincerely,

Calum Mac Millann

SNP Councillor,

Uidhist aghus Barraidh.

Comhairle SNP Group leader budget speech and how your councillor voted

 

“Thank you convenor. I would like to sincerely thank senior accountant Norman Macdonald, Robert Emmott, Malcolm Burr and Derek Mackay for their assistance in drafting this amendment.

Lots of emails have been exchanged and I thank them for giving up their time so freely.

I'd like to also thank the Scottish government for giving the Comhairle an increase in funding.”

Unadopted Roads

1)   the SNP Scottish Government is providing special funding for the replacement Bernera Bridge, and it is therefore proposed that any of the £450,000 of funding, previously allocated by Comhairle for replacing the Bernera Bridge but no longer required due to the special funding, be reallocated on a ring- fenced basis to surface dressing of unadopted roads; with this being allocated on a 60:40 split (L&H:U&B).     

“Unadopted roads is a much-neglected part of our infrastructure. I have seen in the minutes of many a community council spanning our islands, the issue of road maintenance and unadopted roads being raised time and time again.

This amendment would address these issues and thus help meet the aspirations of communities across all our islands.

There is a clear need here identified by many of the people we represent and we should help them by meeting this need today.

Stornoway Primary All Weather Pitch

2) to meet the undisputed need for school children to participate in outdoor exercises and sports activities all year round and to provide a much needed community resource, the council provide an all weather pitch at Stornoway Primary at a cost of £350,000 to be financed by a) mainland placement underspend (100k/100k) and, should the mainland placement underspend not be realised, that the £100k (or part thereof) be funded from balances and b) Saving on Loan Charges (250k/350k)

“We have all now been briefed to the fact that Stornoway Primary is the third biggest primary school in Scotland.

However, the facilities for such a size of school fall way short of the standard I’m certain we would all wish to provide – this has been acknowledged by many members of the council on several occasions, over a number of years.

So many of our children have gone through primary, year upon year, playing on sloping, unmarked tarmac, in muddy patches of ground resulting in children sitting in wet, dirty clothes during lessons - this is not acceptable anymore!

The money has been identified. Now let us act today and allow our children at Stornoway primary to play on a decent surface and participate in organised sports.

Children who haven't had it easy over the last few months.

Children who deserve a chance tom play outside and realise all the benefits that sport and play can offer them.”

Dental Provision

3) to provide a dental chair in Taigh Cridhe Uille Naobh, to make a ring-fenced contribution to the IJB Budget specifically for TCUN Dental facility within the surgery space at Taighe Cridhe Uille Naobh, to establish local provision of dental care. To embed dental provision within the care home at the Health and Well-being Hub in Daliburgh, ring fenced provision to IJB of £50,000 to be financed by allocation of Savings on Loan Charges (50k/350k), such funding only to be available for this purpose and otherwise reverting to the Comhairle.

“With regards to the dental chair, a very important, hugely important issue.

The communities in Uist on this issue, I believe, have been severely let down.

I'm sure every member here would like to show their support for the communities in UIst who have identified a reasonable need - that they should have the dental provision they deserve. Evem from Stornoway, I recognise that.

Surely we want to would getting bogged down in a bureaucratic argument about budget process, again I say to you, members, we have the opportunity to act positively today and we should seize that opportunity.”

Concessionary Fares

4) to meet the vital need to provide a long stated aim of the council to link all of the Western Isles for all those living and working in the Western Isles that the Comhairle reinstate the concessionary fares in the sound of Barra and sound of Harris crossings at a cost of £10,000 financed by allocation of Savings on Loan Charges (10k/350k).

Abbatoirs in Uist and Barra

5) to support abattoirs in Uist and Barra to assist the quality assured production of local supply into the food chain to facilitate producers in Uist and Barra having a croft to customer product, provision of £40,000 financed by the allocation of Savings on Loan Charges (40k/350k).

“In terms of abbattoirs, I'd like to address the proposalk to support the abbattoirs in Uist and Barra.

We all know that there will be challenges ahead. We need resilience in the crofting communities to enable them to provide the local produce we need, our communities need, safely and efficiently.

Given all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit our crofters will want us to show we understand the difficulties they could face, and take the necessary action to support them.

This is our chance to reassure our crofting communities in Uist and Barra that we are listening to them.”

 

“I don't want to get involved today in arguments of the process about the setting of the budget - I feel that demeans the debate.

What we all know is that the council is setting its budget for the next financial year. Every member must be allowed to have a say today, all those who put us here expects it.

To reduce this to a bureaucratic argument serves no purpose other than  avoid debate.

Yesterday, Monday, the council leader said there was virtue in this amendment, and I couldn't agree more - I agree wholeheartedly.

That's why I am moving this amendment and I urge you, members, to support this amendment.

Let's do the right thing, by our communities, they are waiting to hear from us, that's for sure.”

Voted for amendment

Cllr Gordon Murray (Stornoway North)

Cllr Calum Macmillan (South Uist, Barra, Vatersay and Eriskay)

Cllr Donald Manford (South Uist, Barra, Vatersay and Eriskay)

Cllr Grant Fulton (Harris and South Lochs)

Cllr John Mitchell (Harris and South Lochs)

Cllr Ranald Fraser (Uig, Bernera and North Lochs)

Cllr Charlie Nicolson (Stornoway South)

Cllr Rae Mackenzie (Stornoway South)

Cllr Calum Maclean (Locha Tuath)

Cllr John A Maciver (Loch a Tuath)

Cllr Kenny Macleod (Ness and West Side)

Cllr John Norman Macleod (Ness and West Side)

Voted against amendment

Cllr Norman Macdonald -m Convenor (Uig, Bernera and North Lochs)

Cllr Roddie Mackay - Leader (Stornoway North)

Cllr Alasdair Macleod (Point)

Cllr Norman Macdonald (Point)

Cllr Finlay Stewart (Point)

Cllr Keith Dodson (Stornoway Soutb)

Cllr Angus McCormack (Stornoway South)

Cllr Iain M Macaulay (Stornoway North)

Cllr Neil Mackay (Stornoway North)

Cllr Donald Crichton (Loch a Tuath)

Cllr Kenny John Macleod (Ness and West Side)

Cllr John Mackay (Ness and West Side)

Cllr Paul Finnegan (Harris and South Lochs)

Cllr Uisdean Robertson (North Usit and Benbecula)

Cllr Roddy Mackay (North Uist and Benbecula)

Cllr Iain M Macleod (North Uist and Benbecula)

Cllr Paul Steele (South Uist, Barra, Eriskay and Vatersay)

Cllr Iain Macneil (South Uist, Barra, Eriskay and Vatersay)

Cllr Angus Morrison (Uig, Bernera and North Lochs)

 

Attempts at dental chair for Daliburgh foiled

 The Scottish Government’s Oral Health Improvement Plan 2018 makes provision for ensuring that residents of care homes also continue to receive regular effective dental care. Domiciliary care arrangements should enable an accredited practitioner to be assigned to a care home to provide routine preventative oral health care to care home residents.

Sadly our attempts to provide an appropriate chair for Tigh Chridhe Uile Naomh was voted down on this occasion. However it did emerge that appropriate chairs may exist in storage in the Western Isles.
We will continue to investigate to secure Oral Health Improvement for where it is most needed.

Finalised SNP amendment ruled legally and financially competent

 The following amendment has been filed legally and financially competent - it is now up to councillors whether they will be supportive of it - we ask for their support to make a difference and vote for this amendment 

SNP GROUP AMENDMENT

1)   the SNP Scottish Government is providing special funding for the replacement Bernera Bridge, and it is therefore proposed that any of the £450,000 of funding, previously allocated by Comhairle for replacing the Bernera Bridge but no longer required due to the special funding, be reallocated on a ring- fenced basis to surface dressing of unadopted roads; with this being allocated on a 60:40 split (L&H:U&B).      

2) to meet the undisputed need for school children to participate in outdoor exercises and sports activities all year round and to provide a much needed community resource, the council provide an all weather pitch at Stornoway Primary at a cost of £350,000 to be financed by a) mainland placement underspend (100k/100k) and, should the mainland placement underspend not be realised, that the £100k (or part thereof) be funded from balances and b) Saving on Loan Charges (250k/350k)

3) to provide a dental chair in Taigh Cridhe Uille Naobh, to make a ring-fenced contribution to the IJB Budget specifically for TCUN Dental facility within the surgery space at TaigheCridhe Uille Naobh, to establish local provision of dental care. To embed dental provision within the care home at the Health and Well-being Hub in Daliburgh, ring fenced provision to IJB of £50,000 to be financed by allocation of Savings on Loan Charges (50k/350k), such funding only to be available for this purpose and otherwise reverting to the Comhairle.

4) to meet the vital need to provide a long stated aim of the council to link all of the Western Isles for all those living and working in the Western Isles that the Comhairle reinstate the concessionary fares in the sound of Barra and sound of Harris crossings at a cost of £10,000 financed by allocation of Savings on Loan Charges (10k/350k).

5) to support abattoirs in Uist and Barra to assist the quality assured production of local supply into the food chain to facilitate producers in Uist and Barra having a croft to customer product, provision of £40,000 financed by the allocation of Savings on Loan Charges (40k/350k).