Minutes:
A number of questions had been submitted and it was
agreed that questions from those in attendance would be taken first. This minute reflects the order in which
discussion took place.
Jenni Minto, Islay Community Council asked:-
Islay is a success story but that success is in
danger of being eroded due to a lack of public
investment in the island’s infrastructure: from lack of affordable
housing to minimal bus service to constant issues with our life line ferry
service; and everything in between.
I recognise that the Scottish Government has
invested in the rural and island communities across Scotland but I believe that
Islay, given its massive contribution to the exchequer, is being short
changed. How can you ensure that Islay
will get that needed investment?
The islands bill has been introduced to ensure
islands are not disadvantaged when compared to the mainland. However islands
are not treated equally with each other.
For example in local government if Islay was part
of the Western Isles our population would equate to 3 Councillors, one for
every 1000 voters. Currently we have one
third of three - so one!
In a mixed Region like Argyll & Bute, how can
you ensure our island voice is heard?
Mr Wheelhouse advised that the Scottish Government
were taking an equity and rights based approach to the National Islands Plan,
as they had a duty to deliver services that reflect the needs of islanders
without discriminating against other islands.
He added that it was recognised that it’s not a one size fits all
situation.
Addressing the question of the number of
councillors in wards with inhabited islands, Mr Wheelhouse advised that this
was a matter for the Local Boundary Commission, who he believed were taking a
flexible approach as it was about addressing local demand. The Chair, Councillor Currie advised that the
Local Boundary Commission are meeting with the Council in October. Mr Wheelhouse advised that he would provide
further detail on what the regulation means in practice.
Chris Abell, Islay
resident asked:-
"Transport Scotland allows CalMac
to operate a scheme whereby certain commercial hauliers are able to block book
space on the Islay Ferry months in advance. Islay residents are outnumbered at
least 10 to 1 by visitors on the Islay ferry. CalMac
claims that Transport Scotland insists that every ferry passenger must be
treated alike and that they are not permitted to issue Islay residents with an
Islay ferry card to give residents reasonable travel priority as a matter of
Transport Scotland policy. Islay residents are outcompeted for ferry space by
freight which has priority booking and by tourists by sheer weight of numbers.
It will sometimes take Islay residents a week or more to reach Kennacraig 30 miles away from the time that they make a
decision to travel, and even then they will not be likely to travel at the time
of their choosing.
What changes to Transport Scotland policy will the
Minister make to ensure that the reasonable travel needs of island residents
are given appropriate priority in an oversubscribed and overcrowded “lifeline”
service by the use of a resident’s ferry card or similar scheme?”
Mr Wheelhouse advised that discussions with Calmac were currently ongoing in respect of the issues
raised. He advised that the issue
relates to a contract that is inflexible and restrictive and prohibited a
distinction between locals and visitors.
He further advised that Calmac are looking to
expand their saved spaces policy and also offered some information on the club
car solutions running in other areas. In
relation to the freight issues, Mr Wheelhouse agreed to take this forward and
feedback the outcome of his discussions.
Councillor Mary-Jean Devon spoke of the freight
charges which affect delivery costs to the islands. She outlined the discrepancies since RET and
asked the Scottish Minister to bear this in mind during the upcoming review of
RET. Mr Wheelhouse confirmed that this
would be taken into consideration.
Jura Community Council submitted the following
question:-
Our primary school, Small Isles Primary, has just recently lost a classroom
teacher and is about to lose the joint Head Teacher also. A new Principal
Teacher started in April and all of these individuals are struggling to find a
house/home on the island. The Principal is currently in short-term let on Jura
until April where he will then be technically homeless and have to move on -
this will be an issue as there are no long-term lets available on the island.
In order to accommodate a new Head Teacher and any other teacher, there needs
to be housing. There are currently plans for 10 units to be built in Craighouse village, the finish date is not certain but
likely to be end of 2020 at the earliest and there is no guarantee of a house
being allocated for a teacher. There is a house for sale on the island, in good
condition, currently on the market for O/O £180k, with a very sympathetic
seller, we are planning to contact WHHA to make a request for them to purchase
this house as part of the housing stock on Jura and also see if this could then
be labelled as an 'education' house, this is where we require assistance. We
believe that an education house will always be needed on Jura. The teaching
model favours teachers to be located on the island especially when winter ferry
timetables are reduced and weather can affect teachers getting onto the island,
having at least one teacher, minimum, living here, reduces the risk for school
operation. Connections to Islay can prove difficult and can result in teachers
being stuck. We would like to request an education house and identifying the
house for sale is a quick solution for either Principle or Head with the hope
of one of the other units or any WHHA unit that comes up, be available for a
second teacher through a lettings policy or other means of scoring.
Mr Wheelhouse advised that he would get back to Jura Community Council
with his thoughts on innovations for housing once he had had an opportunity to
speak with Mr Stewart.
Councillor Horn enquired about how the consultation on the Ferry Review
was taking place. Mr Wheelhouse advised
that he would look into the methodology of the consultation and get back to the
group in due course.