Mobile library vans - council to vote on 12th

As the council political administration reviews the responses in the latest Community Conversations, the support for the replacement of the mobile library vans is being voiced by the community.

Councillor welcomes road safety action for Stornoway street

Comhairle SNP Group Leader Gordon Murray has welcomed plans for action to improve road safety in Assaye Place, Stornoway – a long running issue of concern for local residents.

Innovation Centre key player in future of Isles, says SNP Comhairle Leader

SNP Comhairle Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray, has hailed the new Innovation Centre at Lews Castle College as a key player in shaping the future of the islands.

piping legend comes to Stornoway

STORNOWAY North councillor Gordon Murray praised the Lewis and Harris Piping Society  in arranging top piper Stuart Liddell to come and do a recital in Stornoway.

Council Mantra raises more questions than answers

In most council committees, press releases and probably figuring prominently in the up-and-coming Community Conversations is the oft-repeated mantra:

Community benefit from windfarms should be business of Comhairle

SNP Group Leader at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Gordon Murray, has hit out at comments made by Council Leader Roddie Mackay that analysis of community benefit from windfarms is not a matter for the council.

In response to a question by SNP Cllr Calum MacMillan at a recent Comhairle meeting, Cllr Roddie Mackay is reported to have said that it is up to communities themselves and not the Comhairle to determine whether independent analysis of any offer is required.

Cllr Murray said the response was hugely disappointing and showed a level of naivety of the situation currently facing communities.

He said: “To set this issue in a Planning context alone as he has tried to do, underplays the impact that these developments will have on the environmental, social and economic fabric of our Islands.

“How will the Comhairle and its Partners facilitate social inclusion - especially for those people and communities that are going to be left behind?

“Is Mr Mackay happy that many Islanders will continue to experience fuel poverty and no community benefit from these developments?

“Why does he fail to recognise that the failure to come up with a Strategy for such developments when these proposals first came to light, is indeed something that Islanders should expect from its Leadership?

“Community Councils and Trusts are made up of hard-working volunteers who give up their free time working for their localities. They usually have little or no resources to undertake independent analyses.  They certainty shouldn’t have to come up with an Islands Strategy.  If the Stornoway Trust or crofters are undertaking such an exercise for the land that they manage on behalf of residents, then this is not being shared with communities. 

“The Comhairle is meant to be exercising democratic and community leadership. It is the key strategic body for these Islands and employs researchers, economic advisors, lawyers and other specialists.  To say that the Developers should or could fund an ‘independent’ assessment on behalf of communities that sets out the economic and social benefits for all, shows a level of naivety that is quite staggering.

“It is sad to see the Leader and his Chairs’ Group dancing to the multinational tune.  Who has what here and who wants what? 

“Shouldn’t the Comhairle, working with the Trust, Crofters and not forgetting the communities who will have to live with these turbines on their doorsteps, be in the driving seat?

“It is sad to see the Leader and his Chairs just shrugging their shoulders.”

Mobile Library Services - no guarantee on a future service

At the committee series in April, the SNP group put forward an amendment to buy the mobile library vans ( a decision that had already had been agreed three years ago) - vans that are of huge benefit to those who are living in the rural areas of our islands.

New deputy leader for SNP Group on CnES

Harris and South Lochs councillor, John G Mitchell has been appointed as deputy leader of the Western Isles Council SNP Group at today’s meeting.

Mobile library service plea from SNP

MOBILE LIBRARY VANS

I am asked on many occasions what I and / or the Harris Councillors are doing to further the case for the replacement of the fleet of mobile library vans which are so vital in rural areas such as Harris and South Lochs. So I thought I would share with you the presentation I made to the Communities and Housing Committee in Chamber on Tuesday 24 April.

call for report on peatland income

Councillor Gordon Murray, Chair of the Comhairle's Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group is calling for a report on peatland management and how income can be maximised.

Consultation on Laxdale buses

Stornoway North councillor Gordon Murray has welcomed a new consultation on ‘school transport in the Laxdale area’ planned for next week.

Fighting for Stornoway primary

Much has been said about the campaign to ensure promises that were made to the community way back in 2011are to be kept.

Assurances on Mobile Library Services

At the last meeting of the Communities and Housing committee, SNP Group leader, Gordon Murray raised the issue of the mobile library services and the disappointing situation where no decision had been made while vans run into a bad state of condition.

Budget 2018 summary

Here are the amendments and the voting at the full council on Wednesday 7th February 2018

SNP campaign for audio playback successful

Western Isles council SNP group welcomed the opportunity for members of the public to listen to the committees of the council through audio playback.