Working Together for the Outer Hebrides

Leader of the Comhairle, Cllr Roddie Mackay, said: “I am committed to working on behalf of communities across the Outer Hebrides. As is the norm in the Islands we will not be forming an administration but I, the Convener, the Chairs of Committees and indeed all Members, will work on behalf of all our communities and I believe this system offers a better way of doing so than under the label of a political grouping.

“I am delighted that both the Groups we do have are represented in the Leadership of the Comhairle with both the SNP and the Uist and Barra Independent Groups having secured Vice-Chairs of Committees.”

Convener Norman A Macdonald said: “We face major challenges ahead and it is only by working together that we can hope to overcome those challenges and give our communities the futures they deserve.”

Cllr Mackay added: “We live in exciting times for the Islands, largely thanks to the work of the previous Comhairle and I am determined that we build on those foundations.

“The Islands Bill is soon to go through Parliament, an Islands Deal is under advanced stages of discussion and the Crown Estate revenues and management have been devolved to Scotland - although we must continue to work to bring about the further devolution to coastal communities.

“These are all exciting developments and there is much potential for our communities to benefit. They deserve no less.”