Venturing out of its Stornoway headquarters and observing issues first hand in Uist and Barra has motivated the comhairle to arrange a similar visit to Harris.
Early October has been pencilled in to hold a council meeting on the island.
The comhairle has long ditched sending new councillors on a formal introductory trip
across the Western Isles following local elections - a practice which provided a
brief but valuable feel for the various communities they make important decisions
over.
So, sitting as an official governing body outside of Stornoway for the first time in ten years delivers a small measure of redress.
The last visit was in April 2014 when the full comhairle met in Lionacleit.
Even way back then Castlebay School was listed as needing replacement. But securing Scottish Government funding has always remained out of grasp. As years pass, the building falls into decay and disrepair and the situation grows exceedingly urgent.
Now councillors have seen for themselves the crumbling classrooms endured by Barra and Vatersay pupils. Poor heating, cold spaces, leaking roofs, and worsening defects inhibit learning highlight parents.
Equally beneficial was walking and talking with concerned residents at Baleshare
Causeway for a face-to-face discussion about their experiences over flooding hazards
affecting the narrow road link during adverse weather.
Kenny Macleod, convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, hailed the “positive exercise” which was also a “great team builder” for the thirteen councillors and comhairle officers who travelled by coach and ferry through Uist and Barra.
“At both venues members of the local community were in attendance in the public area, that was also good to see.
“It was good for us as members and officers to see Uist and Barra, but it was even better for us as a comhairle to be seen holding meetings out with Stornoway.”
He added: “The visits to Sgoil Bhàigh a Chaisteal, Quinetic, Baleshare Causeway and Scolpaig were very much enjoyed by all and again it was good to have seen the places we visited.
“It was a very enjoyable four days, and it will be a trip that will stay long in our memories.”
Comhairle plans to hold formal meeting in Harris
6 May 2024
