Buth Bharraigh - CNES SNP Group statement

The ongoing issue at Buth Barraigh has quite rightly been brought to the attention of the public.

Cllr Manford speech on the Barra and Vatersay Community Campus

"I welcome this Report and, in particular, welcome it on behalf of the community of Barra & Vatersay and compliment the outstanding work which started in May which is before us today.
And compliment the impressive work started in May which is before us today. I also wish to compliment my ward members for their openness and commitment.

Cllr Manford’s letter on ferries

Michael Matheson MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity.


Dear Cabinet Secretary,

Letter from Cllr Macmillan And Cllr Donald Manford on Uist Dentistry and labour strategy

Sirs,

The Western Isles NHS decision on Uist dental closures is the tactical part of the strategic decision by Western Isles NHS to close Uist Hospital by locating the dental chairs in the operating theatre suite.

Budget update - SNP fight against 4.79% council tax rise

Western Isles council SNP group tried to protect families across the western isles by opposing a 4.79% council tax rise at the annual budget setting meeting but were defeated by the council leader and his allies.

Labour machinery within western isles council

Western Isles Council on 21st April confirmed it considered £50 Million required to be saved over the next 5 years reading from the Manifesto of Westminster austerity parties of Labour and Conservative.  On 28th April it issued a press release stating £15million may be the order of magnitude; avoiding any reference whatever to its earlier prediction.

SNP: LABOUR OPPOSITION TO LOCHMADDY FERRY IMPROVEMENT CONDEMNED

Statement from Cllr Donald Manford (SNP):

“Westminster Labour candidate Alasdair Morrison’s unenviable reputation for the crass and absurd gets even more outrageous.  Mr Morrison’s claim that urgently needed increased ferry capacity for Lochmaddy should not happen is as puerile as it is objectionable.

“The  Lochmaddy-Uig route is the shortest, most sheltered and least disrupted route there is and is critically needed, especially at this time of year.  It is little wonder that Lochmaddy and with it all communities between Berneray and Vatersay have been held back, while the ridiculous views of Mr Morrison and his Labour cohort held sway.

“Out of political desperation Mr Morrison is trying to resurrect his proposals to reduce Western Isles ferry services to three routes.  These proposals were objected to in 2001 when as Tourism Minister he axed the Mallaig service and ended in 2006 when the people of Scotland ousted his  Labour administration from Edinburgh.  Since then ferry routes have increased as have the number of people traveling to our islands.  Ferries must increase to keep pace; it the dinosaur mentality of Labour and Westminster which must be ended, and their loathsome practice of trying to pitch communities against each other must be seen to fail.

“I am delighted that Roslyn MacPherson has courageously committed to securing for Lochmaddy the level of ferry service that it should have.  This will ably compliment the sterling efforts of Neil Beaton and Uisdean Robertson, and will have my full support.”

Labour need to apologise for transport blunders

Councillor Donald Manford :

I note from last week's Guth that Labour representatives have finally admitted that a ferry service in winter to Mallaig is unworkable. We have always been aware that Mallaig is a very dependable destination for vessels smaller than MV Lord of the Isles but, entirely unsuited to large vessels.

Open Letter to Transport Scotland on the Benefits of Shortest Route Services

Dear Mr Laidlaw,

I write relating to the current difficulties being encountered for providing back-up provision for the Stornoway/Ullapool ferry service due to the delay in renewing the much needed link-span at Ullapool.

SNP group support council leadership on task force

Comhairle SNP group commends Transport and Islands Minister Derek MacKay's formation of a taskforce with a determined focus to have the infrastructure at Stornoway and Ullapool completed as quickly as practicable to enable the newly built £42m MV Loch Seaforth to deliver the enhanced service at the earliest possible date.

Free school meals for P1-3 introduced

Monday 5th of January saw all school pupils from primary one to three become eligible for a free school meal.

Press statement regarding Living Wage debate at Full Council on Thursday 4th December

At a full Comhairle meeting on Thursday evening SNP Councillors Gordon Murray and Rae Mackenzie proposed an amendment that the Comhairle backdated the introduction of the Living Wage for the Comhairle's lowest paid employees to 2013. This move was however defeated by 20 votes to 7. The remaining four Councillors were absent from the meeting.

Campaign for an Island Living Wage continues

The Western Isles Council's political administration is at odds over a living wage for the poorest paid employees.

Open letter to Derek Mackay regarding Uist turbines

In light of the recent decision by the Scottish Government minister Derek Mackay, Western Isles Council SNP Group leader councillor Donald Manford has written the minister highlighting the implications and consequences of his decision and to seek a way forward....

SNP Group leader fights for the future of renewable energy on the islands

Cllr Donald Manford, SNP

Eoligarry, Isle of Barra.

Cllr Angus Campbell

Leader, CnES

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Comhairle Transport Disconnect

Travel through the Comhairle nan Eileen Siar, local government area, is now more "cost-effective" when routed through Glasgow.

Hebrides Through Flights only via Glasgow

It has emerged that Western Isles Council, Leader  Cllr Angus Campbell, has instructed its Chief Executive to investigate if Public Officials have travelled from Stornoway to Barra via flights through Glasgow.

Truth will prevail

At the last council meeting, 30 councillors voted to give officers the green light to restore the Stornoway/Benbecula flight to 5 days. Nine of these 30 councillors voted (by way of amendment) to include Benbecula/Barra also.

Isolating Islands

Isolating Islands.

My sincere thanks for your tireless efforts to reintroduce the air service.  My thanks also for highlighting the controversial but all too real issue of isolating island communities.  Of course it is true that people do not wish to be where they are not welcome but that is not true of the Hebrides, the council attitude does not reflect the view of the people of the Western Isles on this issue.  

Bid to save Barra flights by SNP thwarted by Council Administration

A move by SNP councillors John A Maciver and Kenny Macleod to try and get the Comhairle to reinstate the Barra-Benbecula air service was blocked by the Council administration on Thursday.