Comhairle nan Eilean SNP Group successfully added five recommendations to the council's political strategy at Friday's full council.
These recommendations were accepted subject to "tidying up" by the Comhairle administration. The recommendations included a full review of the Energy Strategy, a poverty needs-assessment analysis post covid to direct future actions against poverty by December 2020. A cost/benefit analysis on establishing research and development hubs in the Outer Hebrides. Inclusion of the spinal route in the capital investment of assets and infrastructure.
Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated: " These additional recommendations when implemented will allow us to target resources in helping people who have been badly affected by the pandemic. It also allows us to review where we are in terms of our Energy resources and localism. " "I am particularly pleased that the Comhairle agreed with the group on a costs/benefit analysis on research and development hubs which have great potential in bringing high-tech, highly paid jobs to the island and bringing millions into the local economy."
Recommendations below:
1) Given the economic challenges facing the Western Isles that the members of the Comhairle be included in the membership of the multi-agency economic recovery group and that the group should meet at least every quarter and minutes be submitted to the Comhairle.
2) A report reviewing the Energy Strategy, considered by the Comhairle on December 2019, be submitted to the Comhairle no later than December 2020
3) Given current circumstances around the Covid pandemic. A poverty needs/assessment analysis be conducted by December 2020 as part of the Anti-Poverty Strategy in order to direct future action to alleviate poverty in the Western Isles
4) Conduct a cost/benefit analysis on the establishment of research and development hubs in the Outer Hebrides in partnership with UHI/HIE.
5) Under Strategic Theme 1 Outcomes, Paragraph 5 add “including the spinal route” after “capital investment in assets and infrastructure”
