The truths they don't want you to read....
We had a most successful and well attended meeting in An Lanntair on Saturday. The public were there in force, and the questions ranged across the full range of subjects from windfarms to transportation.
The fact that an MEP, and MP, 2 MSPs and a Councillor were all available meant that there was no hiding place from the public - which is they way it should be.
This week has been busy with the Committee series. Friday normally brings some respite - and a chance to catch up at work. Today I had lunch and meetings with Rob Gibson MSP and Alyn Smith MEP who are on a tour of Lewis.
Jim Mather MSP and Angus MacNeil NP are also on their way for a big meeting in
An Lanntair tomorrow, but the ferry from Uist has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
I've just returned from the offical opening of the new waterwheel project in the Castle Grounds.
This is a fantastic project, and I am so proud to have been associated with it in a very small way. The project involves rebuilding an old mill that burnt down in 1892 and was new replaced (not in Stornoway anyway). The water powers the mill and generates energy to power the lights through part of the Castle Grounds.
It is a fabulous piece of work and we should give huge credit to the Stornoway Amenity Trust (and Tony Robson), the Stornoway Trust and to all the contractors involved in the builidng of this facility.
I'm taking my kids out there this weekend so that they can gaze in wonder at the wheel spinning.
In June I attended a meeting with Fife Council about Ship to Ship transfers of oil in the Forth.
A summary of the meeting is
here.
Today we find that the
Minister is more interested in money than safeguarding the environment, by ensuring that transfers take place in harbour waters. The view of KIMO is that these transfers should only ever take place in a harbour with full anti-pollution protection, and never in the open sea.
I had to attend the Manor/Castle Ward Residents Association tonight, where there was an excellent presentation from one of my council colleagues about the Stornoway Regeneration scheme.
After that, the major issue was a large planning application, about which I can express no opinion. The views were well expressed, and the other two Councillors there took note of them.
MCRWA Sale of Work in November in Martin's Memorial.
Just back from the
KIMO AGM in Shetland, where I was elected President for the next two years. This is going to prove to be a real challenge, but also an opportunity to get a lot done to improve the marine environment.
There is more to life than windfarms, as I hope this blog will illustrate.
At lunchtime I met with a constituent in connection with a planning application that affects their property. As Chair of the planning committee, I cannot express an opinion or be lobied on something that may come in front of me, and that often this makes this aspect of my ward work very difficult. The constituent is now aware of their rights, and what constitutes a valid objection; as well as how the process will work.
This afternoon I attended the SNP Sale of Work where we raised over £1,000 towards fighting the Scottish Parliamentary elections.
