Health board remain silent at council meeting

The Education and Children's Service Committee was reconvened to discuss the future childcare provision and representatives from the Health Board were invited to attend to explain their decision to withdraw from the Service Level Agreement.

As reported in today's Gazette, representatives from NHS Western Isles failed to make an appearance at a public meeting organised by UNISON on the same issue.

They said this was due to Scottish Government guidance on Health Boards' participation in events and conduct during an election period.

This reason was also used to explain why they did not take part in public discussions on the subject.

Chair John Angus Mackay attended, but it is thought he refused to discuss the situation unless the meeting went into private, which was refused by the committee.

A statement from NHS Western Isles said today (Thursday): "In the light of the Election Guidance issued to NHS Boards, NHS Western Isles was unable to debate or discuss publicly the issues under consideration by the Education and Children's Services Committee this week, and this was consistent with our position in regard to the public meeting called by Unison last week.

"We understood that the Committee had discussed Little Teddies in private session last week and had adjourned the meeting so that Health Board representatives could attend.

"Accordingly the Chair and Chief Executive were very willing to meet the Committee at its reconvened meeting.

"As explained to the Convenor, Leader and Chief Executive of the Council at a meeting on the previous day, Election Guidance precluded our discussing in public session the issues which concerned Councillors about Little Teddies.

"In the interests of good relations and mutual understanding we were very willing to meet the Committee in a reconvened private session. Unfortunately, the Committee chose not to offer this option and proceeded with the meeting without Health Board involvement, although the Chair remained to observe the proceedings and to note the issues and points raised.

"The Chair indicated his willingness in the course of the meeting to attend a future public session of the Education and Children's Services Committee after the election to clarify the Board's position, if invited to do so."

The Education committee considered a report which recommended the option to provide a reduced level of service at Stornoway Primary as an alternative to Little Teddies.