The leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has slammed SNP claims that the council has failed to set up a community electricity company which could offer discount energy to islanders.
Council leader, Angus Campbell, accused councillor Gordon Murray of raising false
expectation by "making ill-
Mr Campbell pointed out the Comhairle is striving to establish such a scheme and progress is regularly discussed at council meetings
He hit out: "Not once has Cllr Murray suggested that we were not going the right way and I think it is disappointing that he is now appearing to claim credit for the work that has been undertaken by many different individuals and agencies to obtain cheaper electricity for the communities in the islands.
"Cllr Murray seems to be under the impression that this is a simple matter."
The council leader said setting up the appropriate mechanisms and infrastructure to allow trading in the electricity market is a highly complex process.
It is essential to undertake that research work in a professional, detailed and incremental manner to ensure a sustainable business model is achieved that works for the Western Isles, he added.
Mr Campbell said: “If Cllr Murray has new information or an alternative mechanism
for achieving the objective of lower cost electricity then he should share it with
the rest of the Comhairle and with the inter-
"We should all be working for the benefit of the people of the Outer Hebrides rather
than making ill-
Council working towards discount electricity scheme
8 July 2015