Connecting the Hebrides

On the 24th July at the council, Stuart Robertson, Director of Digital at HIE gave a presentation on the Next Generation Broadband project for the Highlands and Islands.

Power to the people

The long running saga with the interconnector to the Outer Hebrides really proves the point that private energy companies such as SSE are only motivated by self-interest and profit.The renewable energy potential of the Western Isles is huge and coupled with the fact that our local economy is in an precarious economic condition, the selling of renewable energy is a real financial opportunity to bring prosperity to the islands.

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.

Scottish Government Housing Minister visit

The SNP group of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomes the news that the Scottish Government have announced an additional 650k towards the building of new houses in the Western Isles.

Privatisation of the Royal Mail by Westminster

“The UK government’s decision to privatise the Royal Mail poses real danger to the postal service, and in particular, the universal service obligation which is of huge importance to Scotland.

“Like the bedroom tax, the majority of Scottish MPs will oppose, but this privatisation is a consequence of not being independent and getting governments that we don’t vote for.  This will of course raise concerns for island and rural services in the long term. If anything, this alone should waken people up to the need for independence.

“Last December, Citizens Advice Scotland published a report showing that people living in some remote and rural areas of Scotland are paying extra money to have goods bought online delivered to their homes – with many courier companies refusing to deliver to certain postcodes.  A privatised postal service in a competitive market will undoubtedly put pressure on government to reduce the terms of the USO, as its competitors “cherry pick” the profitable urban routes leading to a reduced service in rural and less affluent areas.

“Seventy seven per cent of Scots are totally opposed to the privatisation of Royal Mail – more than any other part of the UK. Vince Cable has spouted nonsense about independence being a threat to post offices, yet Scotland could be losing their post offices due to a UK government they did not elect. Only with independence can Scotland be assured of a mail service that meets the needs of Scotland and our communities rather than the money men of London.

“It is a nonsense that a public flotation on the stock exchange will make any difference to the eventual outcome. In previous Tory privatisations, they trumpeted the idea of mass shareholding but the truth is that many were soon sold, the numbers of people holding shares peaked in 1997 and has steadily declined since.

“Most of the privatised companies, such as the energy companies, were soon taken over and most have now ended up as divisions of overseas companies. It is highly likely that Royal Mail will soon end up losing its independence and becoming part of one of the larger European mail companies, or worse still, fall into the hands of those seeking to asset strip the organisation.

“The only protection to the consumer is Ofcom, who have already lifted the price cap on most products, allowed competitors to establish delivery services on profitable routes and confirmed that they have no power to stop the introduction of different prices for different areas of the country.”

The Road to Uncertainty

As Councillor Manford, with the support of his SNP colleagues, continues to fight for openness and transparency on safe roads, the Comhairle’s decision to implement the Home to School Transport policy has been little more than a shambles.

Report on the Impact of the Removal of RET for commercial vehicles

The report on the Impact of the Removal of RET Fares from Commercial Vehicles was welcomed by the SNP Group at the Comhairle seminar.

The report highlighted a number of issues which suggested the need for improvements to support island economies and remove disadvantages in costs of ferry travel.