SNP and Living Wage success

Western Isles SNP group welcomed the news that Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has at last been  accredited as a Living Wage employer.

SNP Group leader Councillor Gordon Murray said: “We are delighted that the council are now an accredited Living Wage employer. It has been one of our major campaigns spanning two terms that the group have worked on. It was back in February 2014 when the council tried to include Distant Islands Allowance as part of the Living Wage thus negating the costs of living in the islands for the lowest paid. The  SNP Group argued against this and won the argument. In December 2014, the SNP Group supported by former councilor Neil Beaton put forward an amendment to backdate the Living Wage to 2013 and were outvoted. However, in February 2015, the council administration relented and agreed to backdating the Living Wage to 2013.”

“Our average income in the islands is one of the lowest in Scotland. With the years of austerity imposed on us by the UK Government, the financial challenges facing our islands are great and especially to those who earn the least. With the levels of Fuel Poverty so high in the Outer Hebrides and one of the major contributing factors to Fuel Poverty is the low levels of wages for a lot of working people, the implementation of the Living Wage is of huge importance.”

Comhairle owned wind farm

A renewed call for the Comhairle to build a wind farm was made at the Communities and Housing Committee on Tuesday 30^th April.

Renewable energy future in the Western Isles

With news of the predictable withdrawal of support for the islands interconnector by the UK Government

More money from Scottish government to tackle fuel poverty

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has today welcomed the launch of “Warmer Homes Scotland”, a £224 million Scottish Government scheme which he said is “helpful in tackling one of the Western Isles’ biggest problems”.

Debate on electricity prices - responsibility of the public or private company ?

The debate on whether the ESCo should have responsibility for the base and tariff setting - the council administration disagreed with my amendment and decided to give responsibility to the private company.

Supplementary Question to Chair of sustainable development

As confirmed to me by Ofgem this week, electricity prices are not regulated and set by suppliers operating in the competitive market. I wax happy to see the option of the ESCo setting up to be a fully licensed supply company was to be explored by the Comhairle.

Comhairle refuse to respond to community concerns

Comhairle convenor and the chair of sustainable development decided not to answer key questions asked by SNP councillor Gordon Murray at last Wednesday's full council.

Fighting Poverty in the Western Isles

The Western Isles council SNP group extended an invitation to Councillor Angus McCormack in his role as Chair of the Western isles Poverty Action Group to hear the work Angus Brendan Macneil MP has been doing to address the island’s poverty issues and to support our future campaign.

Scottish Government's war on Fuel Poverty

£224 million national scheme to launch in September.


As many as 28,000 fuel poor and vulnerable households could make their homes easier and cheaper to heat through a new national scheme worth up to £224 million over seven years. 

An open letter to Fergus Ewing and Derek Mackay

Dear Mr Ewing/Mr Mackay,

I am writing to you in my capacity as an elected member in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the issue of local energy generation and grid capacity in the Western Isles.

"Community spirit is powering local politics in Lewis and Harris" - Michael Gray, Common Weal

As an Isle of Lewis community comes together to bid for the Barvas estate (click here to read more), Michael Gray explores how the grass-roots political movements inspired by indyref are moving forward on Lewis and Harris.

Living Wage campaign success for SNP Group !

At Policy and resources meeting on 11th Febvruary 2015, the council agreed with the SNP Group for the backdating of the Living Wage to 2013.

More on the Outer Hebrides Energy Supply Company

This is in response to the council administration's press release on the appointment of consultants to provide business planning support for the establishment of an Outer Hebrides Energy Supply Company.
Councillor Gordon Murray : "I welcome the Comhairle's announcement today regarding the establishment of an Outer Hebrides Energy Supply Company.

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.

An open letter to Angus Campbell regarding electricity prices

Dear Angus,

 

Please can I ask if there has been any partnership or collaborative working between three islands councils and highland council with regards to the pricing differential of supplying electricity to the Highlands and Islands applied by SSE.

 

If not, can I urge such an initiative to put forward a case on behalf of every household in the Highlands and Islands by each local authority and for this to be prioritised as a matter of urgency.

 

Fuel poverty levels in the outer Hebrides are at an unacceptable level and lowering the costs of electricity would be a step in the right direction in addressing the problem,

 

I look forward to hearing from you,

 

Best wishes,

Gordon

 

Better late than never ......

The Western Isles council SNP group welcome the late arrival of councillor Angus McCormack to a disgraceful issue facing islanders almost a year after Angus Brendan Macneil first raised it in the House of Commons.

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....

Open letter to Angus Campbell regarding the Living Wage

 Dear Angus,

At the last Budget Setting meetings in February this year, the SNP Group were delighted that your administration agreed with us that the Living Wage should be implemented.

Energy, ESCo and the Economy of the Hebrides part 2

At the recent committee series ending 2nd October 2014, there was a welcome discussion on the Energy Supply Company through a report presented to the Sustainable Development Committee. A concept which the SNP Group have been pushing the council to take control of the swathes of potential renewable energy and generate clean electricity at huge discounts for every household in the Outer Hebrides.