SNP Group says action is needed now to assist island communities

The group added five recommendations to the Council’s Corporate and Political Strategy at the recent meeting of full council.

The recommendations put forward by the SNP included a full review of the Energy Strategy; a poverty needs assessment post-Covid to direct future actions against poverty by December 2020; and a cost/benefit analysis on establishing research and development hubs in the Outer Hebrides.

Group leader, CouncillorGordon Murray, said the Corporate Strategy could only be meaningful if the document was backed up by action.

He said: “A corporate strategy is futile without commitment to its implementation.

“We now need to not only implement the corporate strategy but also measure its impact on the local economy.

“We need to ensure that the council enhances the local economy and does not shrink it with its actions. We want to encourage more and more employers to pay the Living Wage during this time.

“In-work poverty is a real concern and our recommendation for a poverty needs-assessment analysis by December 2020 will advise us on any direct intervention the council needs to take to prevent our people slipping into poverty.”

Cllr Murray continued: “A new-normal is the new cliché but we have to look at different ways of working.

“It is great to see the council finally agree with our campaign for flexible working and our staff have really responded to working at home or in their locality.

“This will have a transformational effect on our communities and especially localism.”

The SNP group says it is looking for improved employment growth and would like to see partnership working between the local college and businesses in reducing skill shortages.

It believes Business Gatehas an important role to play and that the Comnhairle needs to support its efforts to ensure not only an increase in business start-ups but improvements in the three-year business survival rates.”

Cllr Murray added: “We would also like to see an increase in jobs in social enterprises and hope to see developments arising from crown estate monies and other initiatives.”

Going on to talk about the potential for research and development science hubs. Cllr Murray said that in order to develop a dynamic competitive knowledge industry locally, the knowledge triangle (research, education and innovation) must be central to that strategy.

He added: “These additional recommendations, when implemented, will allow us to target resources in helping people who have been badly affected by the pandemic. It also allows us to review where we are in terms of our energy resources and localism.

“I am particularly pleased that the Comhairle agreed with the group on a costs/benefit analysis on research and development hubs which have great potential in bringing high-tech, highly paid jobs to the island and bringing millions into the local economy.”