Thursday 3 June 2021

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