A lot of manoeuvering in the Stornoway Port Authority

There has been a lot of online heat abut the Stornoway Port Authority in the last number of weeks and months.

An island Living Wage - the campaign continues

The campaign for an Island Living Wage by the SNP and the unions took a very positive step this week when the political administration of the Western Isles Council revealed in a press statement that they would be recommending payment of the Living Wage and for it to be backdated from March 2013.

Kenny Macaskill leaves policing on the islands in good nick!

A full complement of staff and officers applying to move families and settle here to work was the message given by Chief Inspector Gordon Macleod at Environment and Protective Services meeting at the Western Isles Council last week.

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. "

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.

Pensions and the legacy of a No vote

It is sad to see Westminster treat pensioners so badly as the UK State pension is now the lowest in the developed world.

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