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.

"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.

Island Minister appointed

The Scottish Government have appointed Derek Mackay MSP as the first ever Islands Minister. This is a welcomed commitment to the islands and demonstrates the high importance that the Scottish islands are to the Scottish Government.

Derek Mackay is well known to the three island councils with his extensive work on the Our Islands Our Future campaign and the installation of an Islands minister was one of the commitments made during that campaign called Empowering Scottish Islands.

SNP Councillor Gordon Murray stated: "This is an excellent new ministerial post that shows the Scottish Government's commitment to the Western Isles..

We hope that the Western Isles Council will warmly welcome the new post and also the new minister in this series of meetings. "

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....

Yes vote guarantees 100% crown estate revenues to western isles

Today saw the launch of the prospectus for Our Islands Our Future and the culmination of the hard work done by the three island council leaders and Derek Mackay MSP, Scottish Minister for Local Government and Planning in the Scottish government.

SNP Councillor John A.  Maciver, present at the launch of the prospectus, was delighted with the announcement from the First Minister that 100% of Crown Estates revenue would be retained in our Islands.

"This is fantastic news. We had hoped for 80% but to get 100% is excellent. This would mean that after a YES vote in the referendum, income from our coastlines such as our huge marine renewable energy potential will be kept in the islands rather than going down to UK Treasury, which happens at present.

"Only a Yes vote in September will allow us to reap all the benefits of our vast resources."

Fuel poverty in the Outer Hebrides - the worst in Western Europe

I think since I joined the council two years ago, I had not seen such shocking statistics as I did today when a summary of the Western Isles Fuel Poverty survey was presented to the Environment and Protective Services Committee to which I am a member.

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.

Council leader leads the charge for self-determination

SNP councillor Gordon Murray congratulated council leader Angus Campbell on his recent award "Local Politcian of the Year" along with the council leaders of the Orkney and Shetland councils.

Energy, ESCo and the Economy of the Western Isles

Energy is a critical issue and even more so in the Outer Hebrides. It is a strange situation to be in when we have a lot of free renewable energy potential available yet we are still dependent on costly conventional energy - costly not only in terms of price but also transportation which, of course has been a huge local issue.

Forthcoming Our Islands Our Future Conference

As the Western Isles Council delegation prepares to depart for the Our Islands Our Future Conference in Kirkwall the Comhairle’s SNP Group wish all those attending every success.

Plane service u-turn by council - if only they had listened to the SNP Group

MACNEIL WELCOMES TALK OF COUNCIL U-TURN ON AIR-SERVICES

Energy Plan for the Outer Hebrides

I welcome today's commitment to establish an Energy Plan for the Outer Hebrides.

Island councils positively engage with independence

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar SNP Group, warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s Lerwick declaration, agreeing in principle to set-up a new ministerial working group to look at further empowerment for island communities.  This decision reinforces our commitment to strengthen islands communities by decentralising powers directly to the localities best placed to deliver on the people’s needs and aspirations.