Isolating Islands

Isolating Islands.

My sincere thanks for your tireless efforts to reintroduce the air service.  My thanks also for highlighting the controversial but all too real issue of isolating island communities.  Of course it is true that people do not wish to be where they are not welcome but that is not true of the Hebrides, the council attitude does not reflect the view of the people of the Western Isles on this issue.  

Budget 2014 - Independent Labour administration in the Western Isles moves to the right and cuts union representation

In an absolutely astonishing move by the Western Isles Independent / Labour administration, the union representation was cut to in order to make savings.

Bid to save Barra flights by SNP thwarted by Council Administration

A move by SNP councillors John A Maciver and Kenny Macleod to try and get the Comhairle to reinstate the Barra-Benbecula air service was blocked by the Council administration on Thursday.

Budget 2014 - SNP Group get the Living Wage for the Outer Hebrides

The SNP group on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar announced their budget amendments on the Wednesday forcing the Council Administration to include the Living Wage in their budget plans on the Thursday.

Budget 2014 - SNP group attempt to save specialist teachers

Thursday afternoon saw the council administration finally cut the specialist teachers involvement in the Primary schools. Here is SNP Councillor Gordon Murray's opening regarding the specialist teachers :

SNP draft budget to amend proposed council administration budget

SNP amendments

1)Not to implement the following:

C35 Laxdale School Transport reduction of contracts servicing Laxdale school

C78 reduction of the provision of Itinerant teachers

C77 reduction of Community Transport

C63 reduction of Trade Union Representation


2) To introduce the Living Wage

3) Street  lights to continue until midnight in winter

4) To fund the changes detailed from balances already identified by members

Proposed : Gordon Murray
Seconded : Rae Mackenzie