Crofting should return to its original values

Western Isles council SNP group leader , Councillor Gordon Murray has welcomed the Scottish Affairs committee event on crofting to be held on Monday 18th February in Stornoway.

Cllr Murray stated: “The future of crofting is in a very precarious place notwithstanding the uncertainty over Brexit which I am sure will dominate discussions when the Scottish Affairs Committee meets in Stornoway next week.”

“Crofting was traditionally a system of small-scale food production founded on socialist principles of common working communities or townships but is now prone to the worst kinds of capitalist speculation with tenancies priced well beyond the reach of many, especially the young,  in the community expressing a wish to become crofters and work the land.”

“I would urge the committee to discuss the market prices of the tenancies of crofts and whether capping the price of a croft would encourage a new generation of crofters.

“In terms of land use, I would also encourage the committee to discuss ways of promoting  other methods of using crofts such as crop production. There are many possibilities with the emergence of polycrubs and other innovative ways of crop production such as Aquaponics. There seems to be many crofts lying in a state of disuse and tenants need to be encouraged to make full use, where possible , of the land. Food production will come to the fore as the Brexit process starts to make an impact.”

“It may be the time to start looking at Crofting cooperatives and markets given the potential tariffs that may result in the withdrawal from the single market.”

“I very much look forward to the outcomes of these discussions  considering the huge importance crofting has in terms of the Hebrides.”

Letter to chair of integrated joint board regarding Bethesda

Dear Kenny John,

I write to you with huge concerns about the financial state of the Bethesda Hospice.

As chair of the integrated Joint Board, you and your board members have responsibility for the levels of funding for Bethesda and according to correspondence I have received from the Hospice, you are failing that much valued service to the community.

I believe that health boards were obliged to pay 50% of agreed running costs of hospices and according to Bethesda this has not happened since 2007. We all know that costs rise over time with inflation, salaries also need to increase, so the fact that the funding has remained static for eleven years is shocking.

I understand that the provision of palliative and end of life car has now been delegated to the IJB and a recent Service Level Agreement was welcomed. However, a 3% per annum proposal for the next three years is absolutely appalling given the shortfall over the years. How is the hospice able to function with such a derisory offer. The staff and management of Bethesda should be highly commended for the way they run this facility and also the hard work of funders not to mention the kindness of the community who have donated over the years to its running costs.

I urge you to make good on the funding pledge by covering 50% of the costs and for you to claim back lost monies from the Health Board who failed in their duty by underfunding this hugely important facility . .

I look forward to your response,

Best wishes,

Gordon 

(Cllr Gordon Murray, leader of Western Isles Council SNP Group)

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