A bid by a number of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar councillors to enhance a proposed respite policy was dismissed at full council on Wednesday 3rd February. Having had many representations from parents and carers, changes were sought to stop the capping of respite, encourage support plans to be drawn up in partnership with families and also to take into consideration travel when making financial assessments for respite.
Those supporting representations from the most vulnerable in our community were the SNP Group , Alliance Group and Cllrs Iain M Macaulay, Grant Fulton and Neil Mackay.
Cllr Gordon Murray (SNP), Stornoway North who proposed the changes, said: “Have us work together in partnership with those who are directly impacted by this policy.”
Cllr Rae Mackenzie (SNP), Stornoway South, who seconded the amendment, said : “We are talking about the most vulnerable in our community – we are representing things that have been put to us.”
Cllr Calum Macmillan (SNP), Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist stated: “We must develop policy otherwise we like nodding donkeys in the paddock. We, as councillors, have to be in charge of policy making."
Councillors opposed to making changes were reluctant to give any more time to the policy using terms like “crack on” or if more time was allowed to include these representations from parents and carer groups , the council would “not being adept at pushing through policies”
Cllr Charlie Nicolson (Alliance Group), Stornoway South, stated: “This is about the families, this is about getting it right.”
Cllr Calum Maclean (Alliance Group), Loch a Tuath, stated: This year is the Hebridean Year of Care 2021, I appeal to councillors on behalf of those who most of us meet from day to day. They are needy people and it’s just a little bit of time in this year of care.”
“Let us give these people an opportunity, they deserve it. We don’t deal, I don’t deal with what these parents and carers are dealing with every day of their life, 24/7 – if this (the amendment) enhances this in a little bit then surely we could give a little time."
Summing up in the debate, Cllr Murray stated: “This is feedback from the most vulnerable and I’m putting it to you in this way so we can out it into the policy, so we can move on together.”
Councillors who voted for changes to policy based on representations from parents and carers
Cllr Gordon Murray (SNP)
Cllr Rae Mackenzie (SNP)
Cllr Charlie Nicolson (Alliance)
Cllr Calum Maclean (Alliance)
Cllr John Norman Macleod (Alliance)
Cllr Calum Macmillan (SNP)
Cllr John Mitchell (SNP)
Cllr Kenny Macleod (SNP)
Cllr Grant Fulton (Independent)
Cllr Neil Mackay (Independent)
Cllr Iain M Macaulay (Independent)
Cllr Ranald Fraser (Alliance)
Councillors who voted for no changes
Cllr Norman Macdonald (Convenor)
Cllr Roddie Mackay (Leader)
Cllr Finlay Stewart
Cllr Donald Crichton
Cllr Paul Steele
Cllr Roddy Mackay
Cllr Iain M Macleod
Cllr Uisdean Robertson
Cllr Paul Finnegan
Cllr John Mackay
Cllr Angus McCormack
Cllr Keith Dodson
Cllr Norman T Macdonald
Cllr Alasdair Macleod
Cllr Kenny John Macleod
Cllr Angus Morrison
