At a special meeting of the Comhairle on Wednesday, 25th August, a majority of councillors voted to consult on a corporate strategy 2022-27 with a view to implementation before a new council is elected.
Concerns were raised by SNP Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray that there was no mandate to do this.
Cllr Murray stated in the debate:
"The corporate strategy or manifesto is hugely important and gives political direction for the next five years 2022-27."
"What we have here today is not democracy. From what I understand, no elected member has had a direct input into this manifesto."
"If passed today, the process of implementation will continue and the newly elected councillors will be bound to a manifesto that they did not agree to and that the people did not vote on and which has been put together on bureaucratic principles and not democratic principles."
"Lets treat our electorate with respect and not contempt and allow the new council, whoever they may be to chart the political direction for this local authority."
Amendment put forward by Cllr Murray and seconded by Cllr John Mitchell was as follows:
The council, wishing to ensure that the
democratic process is fully respected, agrees to defer final consideration of
the corporate strategy 2022-27 until June 2022 so as to allow for a full
consultation with all affected stakeholders and communities across the Western
Isles in order to allow the newly elected members to consider the Corporate
Strategy particularly in the areas of renewable energy"
Councillors who voted against amendment:
Cllr Norman Macdonald - convenor
Cllr Roddie Mackay - leader
Cllr Paul Steele
Cllr Roddy Mackay
Cllr Iain Macleod
Cllr Paul Finnegan
Cllr Finlay Stewart
Cllr Keith Dodson
Cllr Rae Mackenzie
Cllr Angus McCormack
Cllr Charlie Nicoolson
Cllr Neil Mackay
Cllr Donald Crichton
Cllr John Mackay
Cllr Kenny John Macleod
Councillors who voted for amendment:
Cllr Calum Macmillan
Cllr Iain Archie Macneil
Cllr John Mitchell
Cllr Gordon Murray
Cllr John A Maciver
