Why are new labour and the liberals attacking our fishing!

SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has today (Tuesday) welcomed the European Parliament's final approval of a reformed Common Fisheries Policy which will return greater control over fisheries to Europe's fishing nations. The reformed CFP allows for decisions to be taken on a regional basis, in contrast to the current one-size-fits all approach. The new law will come into effect on 1st January 2014.

SNP supporting local councils despite Westminster

SNP councillor Gordon Murray welcomed the news that local government finance settlements will be maintained in both 2014-15 and 2015-16 at around £10.6bn. "Local government has been treated very fairly under the SNP administration"

ALLAN COMMENTS ON CAP FUNDING LOSS TO ISLAND CROFTERS

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has reacted with disappointment to figures which highlight the extent to which Scottish crofters and farmers are losing out as a result of the Westminster Government’s failure to negotiate a favourable deal on the Common Agricultural Policy. The figures demonstrate that payments to Scottish crofters and farmers are likely to be the lowest in Europe for both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2.

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.

Should the council hold meetings in Uist and Barra?

Should the council hold at least one meeting a year down in Uist and Barra?

This question was asked at Policy and Resources committee meeting on the 28th November by SNP Councillor Gordon Murray.

Listen to what your elected representative are saying on your behalf

With a new audio system in place in the council chamber where all debates and meetings are held, the Western Isles council were challenged to put audio recordings of all meetings onto the council website in a bid to greater engage the community they represent.

SNP fighting for the reinstatement of inter-island air service

I'm delighted with the development today, that the Transportation Committee of CnES has accepted an amendment from Cllrs John A MacIver and Kenny MacLeod, to provide a report to council in February, detailing funding options to reintroduce the inter-island air service.

While this of itself, does not signal the reintroduction of the service; the agreement to identify funding options for reintroduction is a major advancement.

Councillor Donald Manford

Crofting in the Hebrides suffers under Westminster

Cllr John A Maciver,  SNP Councillor for Loch a Tuath, lambasted the UK Government for the dreadful decision to withhold Euro millions from Scottish crofters and farmers, "This a ridiculous and grossly unfair decision by the UK Government and goes against the EU's intentions to support those in areas that are worse off. This will mean Scotland's Farmers and Crofters are once again being penalised for being in the so called Union. "

ALLAN COMMENTS ON CAP FUNDING LOSS TO ISLAND CROFTERS

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has reacted with disappointment to figures which highlight the extent to which Scottish crofters and farmers are losing out as a result of the Westminster Government’s failure to negotiate a favourable deal on the Common Agricultural Policy.

UK snub to crofting

SNP MEP Alyn Smith has reacted angrily to news that the UK government has today (Friday) announced that it will not pass on hundreds of millions of pounds in EU agriculture payments to Scotland which only accrue to the UK because of Scotland's unique agriculture.

Scottish Government invests £500k in the Outer Hebrides to the Gaelic School Capital Fund

SNP Councillor and chair of the Gaelic Committee, John A Maciver, welcomed the news that the Scottish Government is going to put £500.000 into Gaelic medium education in the islands.

SNP COMMENTS ON KINNOCK’S “REGRET” OVER SQUANDERING OF OIL

DARLING’S FORMER LEADER SAYS “NOT TOO LATE” FOR OIL FUND

Fishing Industry Science Alliance – Spurdog/Spiny dogfish project

This morning Barra and South Uist Councillor Donald Manford chaired a meeting of fishermen and fishing industry representatives in Stornoway to mark the launch of the Fishing Industry Science Alliance – Spurdog/Spiny Dogfish Project.

NEW MALLAIG TO FORT WILLIAM BUS TO DOVETAIL WITH LOCHBOISDALE SAILING

The new Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry is to have a new bus service to meet the ferry and to whisk passengers from the pier in response to the new ferry service following discussions initially between Angus MacNeil MP and Shiel buses, with Highland Council also coming on board with hoped for vital support. 

SNP WELCOME McCLUSKEY COMMENTS ON REFERENDUM AND GRANGEMOUTH

Comments from the leader of the UK’s largest trade union warming to the case for a Yes vote in the independence referendum have today been welcomed by the SNP.

LABOUR VOTE AGAINST COUNCIL TAX HELP FOR POOREST

LABOUR MSPs VOTE TO INCREASE BILLS BY £75 

SNP group call for removal of dumping spurdog at sea

SNP Council Group at Comhairle nan Eilean, strongly support the continued calls from MP Angus MacNeil for the UK Government and Scottish Government to pressure the EU to remove the requirement for boxes of spurdog to be dumped at sea.

Mitigating the severe welfare cuts from Westminister

Another welcome announcement for the Outer Hebrides was the confirmation of £160,000 given by the Scottish Government to the Comhairle to mitigate the UK Welfare Reforms.

SNP Group winning for the Outer Hebrides

Transport infrastructure on the islands got a tremendous boost last week when the Scottish Government announced an investment of £1.9 million in the next financial year to limit the increase for hauliers on the Western Isles and the introduction to a three year winter pilot ferry service stating next month between Loch Boisdale and Mallaig after having listened to the SNP Group on the Comhairle's campaigns.

Pensions and Independence - protection comes with a YES vote

The demographics of the Outer Hebrides show that the population has a greater number of pensioners than the national average.

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.

Move to the right has not helped Johann Lamont

Johann Lamont has been dealt another blow to her leadership after a YouGov poll showed almost half of Labour supporters do not trust her.

NEW REPORT SAYS UK BUSINESSES "NOT FAZED" BY REFERENDUM PROJECT FEAR MYTH DEBUNKED YET AGAIN

SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie has welcomed a British Chambers of Commerce poll that shows 90 per cent of UK businesses say the referendum has had no impact on their trade.

SNP resonating with the people and communities

Welcoming the Holyrood voting figures in last week’s Sunday Times Panelbase poll, which put support for the party at exactly the same level as its 2011 landslide victory, SNP Business Convener Derek Mackay said:

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.

Welcome breakthrough for Hebridean fishermen

We welcome and acknowledge the enormous step forward that has secured by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Fisheries, Richard Lochhead. Issues were raised (as per letter below from Cllr Donald Manford) and Richard Lochhead responded rapidly resulting in great outcomes for the Hebridean fishing industry.

A letter (11 Sep 2013)sent by the SNP Group leader Donald Manford to Julian Chafner of the Ministry of Defence questioning the reasoning given by the MOD with regards to objections to the turbines at North Uist. Should there be an enquiry as to why the safeguarding area is extended here and only just recently?

MSP approaches MOD regarding the Uist energy plans

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has recently contacted the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond MP, 

Scottish government budget addresses the Westminster attacks on the most vulnerable

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, welcomed the Scottish Government budget published yesterday, 

Addressing the mobile phone issues on the islands

EE

Na h-Eileanan and Iar SNP MP, Angus Brendan MacNeil met with representatives from the mobile operator EE, the company which runs the EE, Orange and T-Mobile brands in the UK.

Tories revert to selling off public assets

Commenting on the announcement that the Westminster government has confirmed the sale of shares in Royal Mail, Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil said:

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

SNP support offshore workers

The plight of offshore workers and their travel to and from the Outer Hebrides was raised again by SNP councillors Kenny Macleod and Gordon Murray at the Transportation Committee meeting on 4th September.

Energy Plan for the Outer Hebrides

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

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.

Urgent action needed as impact of lost air service hammers home

Newspaper Delivery Re-routed

The calamitous implications of council axing Uist and Barra flights, continues to escalate. Directly and indirectly over 20 flights in total are lost, including connections between Stornoway, Inverness and Edinburgh.

How much more will be lost while the council howls; it’s not our fault.

Budget 14th Feb, 2013 - Council Confusion.

Confusion reigns within the council ruling group as more councillors try to distance themselves from the consequences of their atrocious decisions.  They try and claim that "scoring exercises" done last year absolve them from their worst actions.

There is one, and one only, decision-making forum for deciding the council's budget at that was, 14th February 2013 at 4:00pm.  This is enshrined in democratic law and is to be done in public.  This is where all 31 elected councillors should make their choices. Whatever desperate excuses are given, 6 councillors voted to save the air service and 24 voted to axe it, that is the simple inescapable reality.

Council leader still attacking his critics

The increasingly puerile attacks by the Western Isles Council's leader on anyone who dares oppose their decision to axe the air service continue.

First, the SNP council group are attacked for invoking the basic democratic right of presenting a proper amendment against his proposal to end the service.

Then the Health Board are slated for not funding the council's transport responsibilities.

Next, the  Member of Parliament is condemned for not " standing shoulder to shoulder" to remove services.

SNP group challenges Bernera turbine decision

The following letter has been sent to the minister for Local Government and Planning, Derek MacKay MSP, as a response to the decision to refuse consent for two wind turbunes at Great Bernera.

The SNP group are keen to see a resolution of this matter, and so have chosen to write directly to the minister, while the administration decide what, if any, action they are going to take.

Thoughts on the Barra-Benbecula air service debacle

On Thursday, 14th February 2013, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar set its budget for the next two years. Councillors representing every ward from the each part of the Hebrides considered the options in front of them – two balanced budgets.

One budget, fronted by Councillor Rae Mackenzie from the SNP Group, committed to retaining the lifeline air services from Stornoway – Benbecula- Barra. The other budget, proposed by Councillor Angus Campbell (Stornoway South) and seconded by Councillor Roddie Mackay (Stornoway North) opted to cut the lifeline service so that there would be no inter-island air connection to Barra and reduce the Stornoway to Benbecula service to three days.

The budget saving the inter-island flights received six votes from the SNP Group and Councillor DJ Macrae (Labour). All other councillors voted to slash the service.

Fuel poverty conference report

Today’s Fuel Poverty Conference was a first class event and the timing couldn’t have been better with the Westminster government’s imminent bedroom tax about to hit the most vulnerable in the Western Isles ,dding further to their fuel poverty.

However we learned about initiatives to address the problem which been taken locally by TEAS and TIG including the recent application of external render to 55 houses which will result in lower fuel bills.

Bedroom Tax warning for Na-h-Eileanan an Iar

Angus MacNeil MP has warned an estimated 330 households in Na h-Eileanan an Iar will be hit by the UK Government’s bedroom tax.

The under-occupancy penalty will cut Housing Benefit of low income households by an average of £14 a week- or over £700 a year for tenants who are deemed to be living in a home bigger than their needs. The figures were released by the National Housing Federation ahead of a debate on bedroom tax today in the House of Commons, led by the SNP.

The case for specialist teachers

When the comhairle administration, in defence of their cutting of the specialist teacher provision, talk about the specialists being an extra provision that we don't need to provide, I feel they miss the point.

This provision is highly-valued by the whole community, as was shown throughout the budget consultations.

The education department have to be complimented for this provision - they have provided this service and the community have benefited greatly. That is why it is valued so highly.

SNP group propose an alternative budget

Within the context of a difficult economic situation nationally where the Westminster government happily made the working class pay for the irresponsible gambling of the City of London bankers, each local authority in Scotland looked at the choices they would have to make.

 

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar was no different and the process started eight months before when the directors of each department in the Comhairle offered up their suggestions for budget savings.
 

Encouraged many times by Comhairle leader Angus Campbell to provide alternatives to these harsh decisions, the SNP group set to task creating an alternative budget that would take into consideration the public consultations balanced against making the savings required.