Sparks were flying as islanders grilled Stòras Uibhist chiefs at a public meeting over a raft of grievances against the South Uist community landlord.
Distrust and discord forced the organisation to face the community at the often acrimonious four hour showdown in Southend Hall in Daliburgh on Tuesday.
Angry exchanges flew over a failure to properly consult with crofters over controversial
plan to sell the rights to collect seaweed -
Angus Macdonald insisted the seaweed “belonged to the people,” and criticised the “gagging clause” or non disclosure agreements directors had to sign over the issue.
Another islander insisted a 1950s Land Court judgement found crofts in Benebcula held seaweed rights.
An islander sought assurance “no director would benefit from the tender process.”
Angus Macmillan said he was involved in two separate companies regarding seaweed.
“I have declared my interest at every board meeting. I remove myself totally from board meetings” during seaweed discussions,” he highlighted.
The audience heard the board was evaluating a number of bids which proposed different seaweed projects.
One man said: “Storas has put the cart before the horse and have got things in totally the wrong order. I urge the board to pause the process until they find out more about it.”
Roddy Macdonald was applauded when he pointed out his “gut reaction is there is enough seaweed for all to go round.” Storas would be failing their job if it did not examine its potential.
Chief executive Ian Paterson said tenders are being evaluated, no decision had yet been made and crofters would “not be affected in any way.”
Accountant Faye Macleod went over the organisation’s finances, highlighting the estate
workforce rose from 13 jobs to 23 posts since 2007 -
One islander expressed concerns of “money not used to its potential” within the community.
“A lot of people have left the office and gone elsewhere,” she said.
The various advisors at Storas do not live on the island.
She was unhappy about jobs being outsourced.
“Local people need these jobs,” she stated.
Chief executive Ian Paterson said the community fund -
Complaints that directors were being denied information essential to their role was also discussed.
Lawyer Chris Smith said it was effectively “accusations without the details” and “essentially an issue between directors.”
Director Rory MacGillivray stressed he was prevented from obtaining information from Storas Uibhist Ltd.
Then his emails over the matter did not receive a reply, he added.
Ian Paterson said: “You got an answer but you may feel you dispute it. Your e-
Co-
People clapped when Angus Macmillan said there is no “culture of withholding information.”
“There is no denial unless there is a conflict,” he said.
Mary Schmoller said she was sometimes not provided with information, highlighting an example of when she inquired over vehicle leasing. She had asked if a decision was made and was told “yes but its none of your business.”
Ian Patterson said: “I completely refute that. It is simply not true.”
The tender is still undecided, he added.
Elected director Calum Macmillan was critical of being “kept in the dark“ over the £10 million distillery plans, saying he only found out when he read the story in newspapers.
Directors were split over whether information was being held back from them. Two said no, one said “sometimes,” another said “yes, as far as I am aware” while the rest said yes.
Returning board meetings to a monthly rota would increase the staff workload said Angus Macmillan.
Having 60 meetings a year is “absolute madness” if we are trying to progress the aims of the company, he added.
Residents challenge the lawyer’s stance over holding board meetings behind closed doors.
The solicitor said: “You cannot run a company making business decisions and holding confidential discussions with 100 people in the room. By law, directors have to respect confidentially, members do not.”
To loud applause, David Buckland pushed for the parent company board meeting to be open to members.
A vote resulted in 105 -
Mr Smith said it would change the constitution, recommending postponing the issue to the annual meeting in July.
Mr Buckland queried who the lawyer was advising.
“You are paid by us” not the board, he said.
South Uist landlord grilled over grievances
30 May 2018
A large crowd attended the lengthy meeting
Board directors