Scottish Government thwarts council bid to raise tax to the maximum level

 Comhairle nen Eilean Siar SNP Group have welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to freeze the council tax giving monies to councils to plug the funding gap.

Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated: “ We really welcome this decision by the Scottish Government to give a reprieve to families who are struggling in these exceptionally tough and challenging circumstances.

“It was our intention to put forward a council tax freeze at the budget setting meetings at the end of this month and we are absolutely delighted that the government have ensured that this will happen. The leader of the council and his chairs group were planning to impose a maximum council tax rise and this filled us with anxiety at the impact a decision would make on household budgets that are already struggling due to rising prices, difficult economic uncertainty and the increasing concern of a pandemic.”

“ I have sent a message of thanks to Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, on behalf of the Western Isles.”

Proposals for enhancing respite policy dismissed by council - how your councillor voted

 A bid by a number of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar councillors to enhance a proposed respite policy was dismissed at full council on Wednesday 3^rd February. Having had many representations from parents and carers, changes were sought to stop the capping of respite, encourage support plans to be drawn up in partnership with families and also to take into consideration travel when making financial assessments for respite.

Those supporting representations from the most vulnerable in our community were the SNP Group , Alliance Group and Cllrs Iain M Macaulay, Grant Fulton and Neil Mackay.

Cllr Gordon Murray (SNP), Stornoway North who proposed the changes, said: “Have us work together in partnership with those who are directly impacted by this policy.”

Cllr Rae Mackenzie (SNP), Stornoway South, who seconded the amendment, said : “We are talking about the most vulnerable in our community – we are representing things that have been put to us.”

Cllr Calum Macmillan (SNP), Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist stated: “We must develop policy otherwise we like nodding donkeys in the paddock. We, as councillors, have to be in charge of policy making."

Councillors opposed to making changes were reluctant to give any more time to the policy using terms like “crack on” or if more time was allowed to include these representations from parents and carer groups , the council would  “not being adept at pushing through policies”

Cllr Charlie Nicolson (Alliance Group), Stornoway South, stated: “This is about the families, this is about getting it right.”

Cllr Calum Maclean (Alliance Group), Loch a Tuath, stated: This year is the Hebridean Year of Care 2021, I appeal to councillors on behalf of those who most of us meet from day to day. They are needy people and it’s just a little bit of time in this year of care.”

“Let us give these people an opportunity, they deserve it. We don’t deal, I don’t deal with what these parents and carers are dealing with every day of their life, 24/7 – if this (the amendment) enhances this in a little bit then surely we could give a little time."

Summing up in the debate, Cllr Murray stated: “This is feedback from the most vulnerable and I’m putting it to you in this way so we can out it into the policy, so we can move on together.”

Councillors who voted for changes to policy based on representations from parents and carers

Cllr Gordon Murray (SNP)

Cllr Rae Mackenzie (SNP)

Cllr Charlie Nicolson (Alliance)

Cllr Calum Maclean (Alliance)

Cllr John Norman Macleod (Alliance)

Cllr Calum Macmillan (SNP)

Cllr John Mitchell (SNP)

Cllr Kenny Macleod (SNP)

Cllr Grant Fulton (Independent)

Cllr Neil Mackay (Independent)

Cllr Iain M Macaulay (Independent)

Cllr Ranald Fraser (Alliance)

 

Councillors who voted for no changes

Cllr Norman Macdonald (Convenor)

Cllr Roddie Mackay (Leader)

Cllr Finlay Stewart

Cllr Donald Crichton

Cllr Paul Steele

Cllr Roddy Mackay

Cllr Iain M Macleod

Cllr Uisdean Robertson

Cllr Paul Finnegan

Cllr John Mackay 

Cllr Angus McCormack

Cllr Keith Dodson

Cllr Norman T Macdonald

Cllr Alasdair Macleod

Cllr Kenny John Macleod

Cllr Angus Morrison

Executive heads for primary but not secondary

At the special meeting on executive heads, there were two amendments 

1) not to implement executive heads in primary and secondary 

Proposer : Rae Mackenzie

Seconder: gordon Murray 

This lost 16-13

Those who voted for the amendment :

Grant Fulton

John Mitchell

Ranald Fraser

Norrie T Macdonald

Finlay Stewart

Rae Mackenzie

Charlie Nicolson

Neil mackay 

Gordon Murray

John A Maciver

Calum maclean

John norman macleod

Kenny Macleod

Voted against amendment

Convenor

Roddie Mackay 

Iain A MacNeil

Paul Steele

Roddy Mackay

Iain Macleod

Uisdean Robertson

Paul Finnegan

Angus morrison

Alasdair macleod

Keith Dodson

Angus McCormack

Iain Macaulay

Donald Crichton

John Mackay

The second amendment was as follows

Ensure implementation of the recommendations within the Robertson Report.

Ensure that a School Improvement Framework as suggested in the Robertson Report be produced and agreed as a starting point before any changes are made to Leadership Structures within the Education, Skills and Children’s Services Department.

Ensure that the roll out of the Executive Headteacher positions within the secondary sector as currently proposed be ceased with immediate effect.

Proposer John Mitchell 

Seconder Roddy mackay Uist 

The amendment won 21-7

Voted for amendment 

Roddie Mackay 

Iain A MacNeil

Paul Steele

Roddy Mackay

Iain Macleod

Uisdean Robertson

Grant Fulton

John Mitchell

Ranald Fraser

Angus morrison

Norrie T Macdonald

Finlay Stewart

Rae Mackenzie

Charlie Nicolson

Neil mackay

Gordon Murray

John A Maciver

Calum Maclean

John Norman Macleod

Kenny MacLeòid

Kenny John Macleod

Voted against amendment

Convenor

Paul Finnegan

Alasdair Macleod

Keith Dodson

Angus McCormack

Donald Crichton

John Mackay 

Sadly it looks like EH fir stornoway primary,

Best wishes,

Gordon 

Crofting and care charges - SNP invites contributions to debate

 Comhairle nan Eilean SNP Group seek to change Comhairle policy on the home care charge costs and croft tenancies issue to comply with Legislation and resolve the current situation. The SNP Group invite Croft Tenants, elected Comhairle councillors and The Crofting Commission to contribute to this debate so that Comhairle Policy can be changed to comply with Legislation.

Care Homes costs are regulated by The National Assistance (Assessment of resources) Regulations 1992 and Schedule 4 capital to be disregarded, item 18 is very clear that :

 ‘The value of any premises occupied in whole or in part by a third party where the local authority consider it would be reasonable to disregard the value of those premises.‘ 

This establishes quite clearly, that Crofts and croft houses which are premises occupied in whole or part by a third party are to be disregarded. Crofts and the permanent improvements to croft land, which are houses, steadings, roads, drains, fences and ameliorations, are occupied by the landowner but leased to Croft Tenants though the Government regulated statutory conditions leases guaranteeing heritable security of tenure to Crofters and their families.

The Comhairle must comply with existing Government legislation and Comhairle Policy must be established to ensure that this is the case. There is currently a lack of Comhairle policy on many aspects of home care charge costs and croft tenancies which has been the cause of much disquiet.

Care Home charge costs are a personal debt to the individual receiving care as set out in the 1992 Regulations. It would be inconceivable to operate by making personal debt heritable and yet the Comhairle’s lack of policy allows this and it must cease continuing to make the personal debt of care home costs a heritable debt.

Letter of thanks to chief executive , Scottish Futures Trust regarding deep water port

 Dear Mr Reekie,

We, the Comhairle nan Eilean SNP group, would like to thank you for your contribution to the exciting new infrastructure project in the Western Isles, the deep water terminal in Stornoway.

We recognise this is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the Stornoway Port Authority and in particular its chief executive Mr Alex Macleod and the Scottish Government along with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in partnership with Scottish Futures Trust.

The creation of over 200 jobs in the Western Isles is greatly welcomed given the economic challenges facing us and your expert economic support and guidance has ensured that this becomes a reality.

Yours sincerely,
Cllr Gordon Murray 
Leader, Comhairle nan Eilean SNP Group

SNP group support Calmac staff and write to managing director

 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar SNP Group have written to Robbie Drummond, managing director of Calmac expressing their concern with the ongoing pay dispute and urging him to intervene and give the staff what they deserve in terms of a pay rise in line with inflation.

SNP group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated: “ I’ve written to Mr Drummond on behalf of the group asking him to personally intervene in this dispute which is grossly unfair to those working on such an important service to our islands.”

Cllr Murray continued : “ Calmac is such a vital employer and transport provider and for the Calmac board to be refusing even to discuss with the unions is quite irresponsible.”

“The staff who work at Calmac do a fantastic job in a lifeline service especially to the Outer Hebrides and our group recognises that and wants them to know that we support you.”

“We look for a speedy response and that workers through their unions are able to get the pay they deserve doing the great work they do.”

Letter to Mr Drummond 

Dear Mr Drummond,

I hope that you and your family are well during these challenging times.

I write to you in your position as managing director of Calmac with huge concerns over the ongoing pay dispute between Calmac and its staff.

I would urge you to personally intervene and ensure the staff get a pay rise in line with inflation as has been requested by their unions.

Please can you meet with the unions and resolve this situation as the ferry services are vital to the Hebrides not just as a transport provider but as a major employer. We have been so grateful for the exemplary service and professionalism of your staff over the years and none more so during this terrible pandemic.

I look forward to your response leading to a positive outcome ,

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Gordon Murray
Leader, Comhairle nan Eilean SNP group

Comhairle reject “inappropriate” materials for schools

 

At a special meeting of the Comhairle on Monday night (30th November), the council voted 23-4 to reject the controversial RHSP material to be used to teach Personal and Social education in schools across the islands.

Cllr Calum Maclean (Loch a Tuath) proposed and seconded by Cllr Gordon Murray (Stornoway North)  put forward a motion to use materials that were being used by the Scottish Catholic Education Services with adjustments where appropriate.

After a long debate, a vote was taken and Cllr Maclean’s motion won by 23-4.

Cllr Maclean stated: “ “Some of the resources within the revised rshp.scot materials used in the teaching of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood are in my opinion most inappropriate for teaching in our schools and a significant number of parents, carers, faith groups and staff voiced their concerns to us. I am relieved that a significant number of Councillors were also of the same opinion and voted to reject these resources. Now that Western Isles Schools are to adopt these alternative resources, I feel that this will relieve these anxieties.”

Cllr Murray stated : “ I am delighted that the Comhairle has listened to the concerns of the community and dismissed these inappropriate materials. Thanks to all those who supported Cllr Maclean and myself in what was quite a fraught debate.”

Voted for Cllr Maclean’s motion
Cllr Calum Macmillan
Cllr Iain MacNeil
Cllr Paul Steele
Cllr Iain Macleod
Cllr Roddy Mackay
Cllr John Mitchell
Cllr Grant Fulton
Cllr Angus Morrison
Cllr Norman Macdonald (Convenor)
Cllr Ranald Fraser
Cllr Neil Mackay
Cllr Gordon Murray
Cllr Iain Macaulay
Cllr Rae Mackenzie
Cllr Charlie Nicolson
Cllr Keith Dodson
Cllr Finlay Stewart
Cllr John Mackay
Cllr Kenny J Macleod
Cllr Kenny Macleod
Cllr John N Macleod
Cllr Donald Crichton
Cllr Calum Maclean

Voted against Cllr Maclean

Cllr Angus McCormack
Cllr Roddie Mackay (Leader)
Cllr Alasdair Macleod
Cllr Norman T Macdonald