Having listened to the budget consultations, the SNP
Group on the western Isles Council were disappointed that councillors did not
support their amendment to oppose any future cut to Hillcrest.
Cllr Rae Mackenzie stated: "there were many
representations on Hillcrest which made it obvious that our community firstly
valued the excellent service Action for Children provide for the most
vulnerable young people. When the likes of Autism Scotland tell us that
approval of this cut to respite will result in increased associated costs and a
negative impact on children and family carers who are among the least able to
bear the burden in our society, I would have thought there would have been more
support to remove the cut from the budget.
"Also, the Children's Panel told us that this
proposal is not about placing all children in residential into foster care but
about taking residential care "in house" (under Comhairle control).
Without foster carers there will be more spend needed due to more mainland placements"
Those who approved the cut:
Norman a Macdonald (convenor), Angus Campbell (leader),
Donnie Steele, Charlie Nicolson, Angus Mccormack, Donald Crichton, Catriona
Stewart, iain mackenzie, iain Macaulay, john Mackay, Ali maclennan, Cudig
Macleod, Angus Morrison, Catherine Macdonald, DJ Macrae, Neil Beaton, Uisdean
Robertson, Andrew Walker, Zena Stewart, Alasdair Macleod, Norman Macleod,
Ronnie Mackinnon,
Those who opposed the cut:
Rae Mackenzie, John a Maciver, Gordon Murray, Donald
Manford, Kenny Macleod
