Sunday opening complaint

An official complaint has been raised about a number of Western Isles councillors following a vote over the Sunday opening of the Lewis sports centre.

It is understood around seven elected members have been highlighted in a request for an investigation lodged with the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

It is believed the complainer is an islander unhappy that Western Isles Council decided against seven day opening of the facility.

A spokesperson for the commissioner said: “I can confirm we have one open enquiry/investigation.”

Ethics watchdog investigates Sunday opening complaint

21 December 2016

She confirmed the issue involved Comhairle nan Eilean Siar “and the complaint relates to voting on Sunday opening of a leisure centre.”

It is believed the councillors are challenging the allegations.

It is thought the complaint alleges some had a pre-determined stance on the issue before properly considering all information at the council debate and also refers to some councillors who are also church officials.

In October, the comhairle voted 19-9 against a motion for a year's trial run to open for three hours each Sunday.

Costs are estimated between £15,600 to £17,100 at a time when council services are under financial pressure though that could be offset by income raised from users fees and any increase in memberships that result from the additional opening hours.

The majority of councillors voted against a trial due to a lack of staff willing to work as well as costs.

Many said they were unhappy pro-Sunday opening campaigners were seeking extra hours for the Stornoway centre which already has more than similar facilities across the Western Isles.

But campaigners claim the real reason was on religious grounds and the cost and employment issues are a smokescreen.