Comhairle nan Eilean SNP group welcome Scottish Government funding for local bridges

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar SNP Group have warmly welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that the Comhairle will receive £6.6 million out of a national fund of £32 million - the highest allocation for a local authority.

Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray started: "This is a huge boost to our infrastructure in terms of local bridge maintenance and we are grateful to the Scottish Government and Kate Forbes in particular for the much needed allocation. However, special thanks go to our MSP, Dr Alasdair Allan, who campaigned vigorously for this funding even being cited in the Finance minister's budget speech earlier this year. "

Bernera resident and Prospective Council SNP candidate, Angus Macdonald  for the new Sgire Uige agus Carlabhagh ward welcomed the completion of the construction saying “It has been a long drawn out process, with delays to the timeline, however the contractors and engineers must be congratulated for bringing this lifeline link to completion. The islanders and businesses affected by the weight restriction on the old bridge must also be congratulated for their patience over the affected period. We look forward to normal access to the island resuming over the next few days, and also look forward to the new picnic area and information boards being completed in ample time for next year’s tourist season.”

Photo : Angus Macdonald, prospective SNP council candidate for Sgire Uige and Carlabhagh and Dr Alasdair Allan MSP

School bus fares discount announced

 News of a 50% discount on coach fares for primary and secondary school buses announced by Calmac was welcomed by the Comhairle SNP group following their continued campaign on concessionary fares.

CnES SNP Group transport spokesperson, Cllr Donald Manford stated: "I warmly commend this very worthy and needed initiative by CalMac. "

"It would complement enormously Calmac's forward thinking were Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to learn from this announcement and abandon continuing to exclude the elderly of the Outer Hebrides from the Concessionary Fare Scheme on the  Barra and Harris sounds. "

"This would further connect the Western Isles or at very least, connect with the services specifically provided for them. "

Stornoway North councillor welcomes upgrade to play park

Cllr Gordon Murray who represents Stornoway North welcomed the recent upgrade to the Columbia Place Play Park and has just been reopened to the public,

Cllr Murray stated: "I would like to thank initially the residents of Columbia Place who brought their aspirations for the play park to my attention. My many thanks to the contractor McLaughlin and Harvey and the council who have done such a great job. I would also like to thank the Manor and Castle Community Association and Stornoway Community Council for their input and support in the project."

One of the young residents who approached Cllr Murray a few years ago was Calum Muir. Commenting on the reopening of the revitalised play area, Calum said: "They have done a cracking job to revitalise an abandoned park."

Scottish Government supporting island families

285 families in the Western Isles have benefitted from the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, with a total of £52,100 paid out to families in the area so far. 

 The most recent Scottish Government figures demonstrate how many families in the Western Isles have benefitted from the support from its introduction in February up to the 30th June 2021. So far, 108,000 children across Scotland have benefitted from the payment, which provides eligible families with £10-a-week per child.

 Commenting, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Alasdair Allan said: “The Scottish Child Payment is already making a huge difference to children across Scotland. This payment provides significant support to families in the Western Isles, and I have no doubt that this will aid in reducing the levels of inequality present in some of our island communities, as well as across Scotland as a whole.

 “Not only is the Scottish Child Payment giving low-income families extra support, but coupled with other payments such as the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, eligible families could receive up to an additional £5,200 by the time their child turns six. “I would urge any families in the Western Isles who have not yet applied to do so. 

 “In Scotland, we are building a social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect. Contrast that with the system at Westminster where the Tories are planning on cutting Universal Credit at a time when vulnerable families need it most.”

Comhairle nan Eilean SNP Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated: " This will be of great help to households who are up against it as costs rise and especially when the Comhairle increases council tax by the maximum level every year. "

Concerns of anti-democracy raised during debate

 At a special meeting of the Comhairle on Wednesday, 25th August, a majority of councillors voted to consult on a corporate strategy 2022-27 with a view to implementation before a new council is elected.

Concerns were raised by SNP Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray that there was no mandate to do this.

Cllr Murray stated in the debate:

"The corporate strategy or manifesto is hugely important and gives political direction for the next five years 2022-27."

"What we have here today is not democracy. From what I understand, no elected member has had a direct input into this manifesto."

"If passed today, the process of implementation will continue and the newly elected councillors will be bound to a manifesto that they did not agree to and that the people did not vote on and which has been put together on bureaucratic principles and not democratic principles."

"Lets treat our electorate with respect and not contempt and allow the new council, whoever they may be to chart the political direction for this local authority."

Amendment put forward by Cllr Murray and seconded by Cllr John Mitchell was as follows:

The council, wishing to ensure that the democratic process is fully respected, agrees to defer final consideration of the corporate strategy 2022-27 until June 2022 so as to allow for a full consultation with all affected stakeholders and communities across the Western Isles in order to allow the newly elected members to consider the Corporate Strategy particularly in the areas of renewable energy"

Councillors who voted against amendment:

Cllr Norman Macdonald - convenor

Cllr Roddie Mackay - leader

Cllr Paul Steele

Cllr Roddy Mackay

Cllr Iain Macleod

Cllr Paul Finnegan

Cllr Finlay Stewart

Cllr Keith Dodson

Cllr Rae Mackenzie

Cllr Angus McCormack

Cllr Charlie Nicoolson

Cllr Neil Mackay

Cllr Donald Crichton

Cllr John Mackay

Cllr Kenny John Macleod

Councillors who voted for amendment:

Cllr Calum Macmillan

Cllr Iain Archie Macneil

Cllr John Mitchell

Cllr Gordon Murray

Cllr John A Maciver

SNP group support the strike

 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar SNP Group are fully supportive of the decision by members of Prospect Union to stage a one day strike on 29 July over plans to centralise air traffic control in Inverness.

Group leader, Cllr Gordon Murray stated : "The SNP Group at the Comhairle are fully behind the industrial action planned on 29th July by Prospect Union."

"We believe that our communities should be united with the staff who are most affected by this decision to centralise to Inverness. This is more than just a strike and should be seen as a community demonstration against a decision that will have a huge economic impact on our islands stripping half a million of wages out of our communities annually. 

"I urge everyone to support these workers on 29th July as they fight not only the future of air traffic control in our islands but for the future of our communities." 

SNP Group agree with RMT union calls for ferry summit

 

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The SNP group of councillors at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are backing the RMT calls for an urgent ferries’ summit.

SNP Group leader, Gordon Murray, stated: "At this point in time a round table meeting with all stakeholders - Cal Mac, unions, CMAL, Transport Scotland, MPs, MSPs, councillors and local groups with Transport minister Graeme Day would be hugely productive in bringing everyone together to address the issues faced with the ferry service at the moment. I would also include the Minister for the Islands in any discussions."

He added: “The ferry service is a lifeline service as has been said time and time again and we need to ensure that there is an understanding that there has been a massive increase in usage which needs the appropriate investment.

Getting all stakeholders together to agree a united way forward would be positive progress towards addressing the concerns and anxieties that island communities have endured over the last while.

“This will also show some public accountability and avoid any kind of accusations of decisions being made in offices in Edinburgh.”