Inter-island ferries
It is very good news that the fare subsidy scheme for the inter-island ferries has been saved (declaration of interest: I have a client who benefits) as this sends exactly the right sort of message to the public, to local businesses and beyond these islands.
However scathing I might have been about the decision to cut subsidy for the Balivanich-Barra flight, this kind of balance, this kind of difficult decision, and this kind of debate about where the cuts will fall needs to be had in the open.
The Councillors are under horrendous pressure or the worst kind, and decisions are going to be fraught and harsh, but cuts need to be made - as the Council have been told by the Scottish Government.
But, having these discussions in public at least has the benefit of understanding how individual councillors came to their decisions, we may not agree with everything they decide, but the options of public, open, debate or closed room deals presented as a fait accompli by 31 North Korean actalike Councillors would be the worst of all options.
Councillors: air your differences, make your decisions in public and be prepared to adapt your expectations as the votes pan out, but do it openly and reject any behind the scenes moves to stifle your choices.
However scathing I might have been about the decision to cut subsidy for the Balivanich-Barra flight, this kind of balance, this kind of difficult decision, and this kind of debate about where the cuts will fall needs to be had in the open.
 |
| A quiet day on the Barra-Eriskay ferry |
But, having these discussions in public at least has the benefit of understanding how individual councillors came to their decisions, we may not agree with everything they decide, but the options of public, open, debate or closed room deals presented as a fait accompli by 31 North Korean actalike Councillors would be the worst of all options.
Councillors: air your differences, make your decisions in public and be prepared to adapt your expectations as the votes pan out, but do it openly and reject any behind the scenes moves to stifle your choices.
14 comments:
They need to be brave enough to go that extra step and yield the axe on the non productive workforce. There is so much fat in the Comhairle that if cut could save our Barra plane and front line services. Glad the ferry subsidies have been rethought but hope this rolls onto other major difficult decisions.
I agree with 10.16 - as far as I can see the only pressure they are under results trying to keep their own asses (:-D) out the fire while, at the expense of everyone else, and most frequently those who are easily/traditionally marginalised. Why are decisions being made that will evidently damage economic activity while other dubious projects which may be ideologically attractive but can provide no long term viable business plan are still getting funding.
I really hope that the next election offers some change.
The Comhairle has to cut all funding to the arts. There's no two ways about this; other councils in the UK have thankfully seen the light about priorities and are reducing or entirely cutting their budgets.
Yes, people will throw their hands up in horror over this, but the arts are not essential, or necessary. It's a hobby, often self-indulgent. Run the arts as businesses. If they don't survive, their erm product cannot be sold to tourists or online (global marketplace) then people don't value those arts as they are marketed, and that's the way it is.
There's too many other, more important, pressing needs. Education (underfunded). Transport links (underfunded). Health. Care for the elderly. Keeping the roads open. Keeping the street lights on. Emptying the bins. The list goes on, and it doesn't include the arts.
It is obscene, and there is no other word for it, that inter-island transport links such as planes may be cut. While local taxpayers still pay for e.g. Mrs Morag McMorag to indulge in painting overpriced tat that no-one wants. With good reason. Oh, and funding three officers to write regular reports on how Mrs McMorags painting are of "vital cultural significance blah blah blah" to the islands.
That use of taxpayers money may put food on the table for those officers and Mrs McMorag. But it takes it away, directly and indirectly, from a lot of other more needy residents who don't have the luxury of having their hobby of questionable talent funded by the council tax of their neighbours.
Well said 10.43. How much is the Lanntair costing us? Haven't heard any counciller questioning the usefullness and cost of this. Has it started to pay its way or make a profit yet or is it still massively subsidised by us poor tax payers? I can understand that the local intelligentia need it but they are few and far between and in any case sufficiently well enough heeled to not need subsidies from the rest of us.
Its very short-sited to see the only things that are self-supporting as the only things worth keeping. In the case of an Lanntair [and I don't work there] the place is a haven of creativity and in my opion well worth paying for.
I like Lanntair but the bar drives me nuts. Why not have a system where you can put in an order and pay for large rounds of drinks before the performance starts? That way, the staff can have it ready for the mid-performance break. Show your ticket and collect the tray.
There's nothing as frustrating in a 15 minute break to have 1 member of staff being tied up for the whole break pouring various pints/wine/shorts,etc for one customer, leaving 2 people to serve dozens of people in a short time.
Would take in more cash for them as well.
3:58 PM You may think that AL is a "haven of creativity". Even if it is, how is it more important than what was said earlier:
Education (underfunded). Transport links (underfunded). Health. Care for the elderly. Keeping the roads open. Keeping the street lights on. Emptying the bins.
Keeping AL and getting rid of one of the two plane links in the islands is utter madness. Isolating communities, but continuing to subside pretentious art? Give me strength...
Face it - the islands per head has been propped up more than anywhere else in the country for years. Each man is as much to blame as the next, but it is the brave who will speak out and make the cuts.
How come it always comes around to axing An Lanntair, maybe you are just the same old moaners who always go on about it? AL is great and has lifted the spirits of this place no end. It is fabulous to be able to sit in a proper cinema, and to see live performances, and a joy to see decent art - even the Viet Cong living in their tunnels kept the arts alive.
No, I'm thinking more like the monstrous red herring community projects which do nothing except serve the interests of a minority of local businesses and professional committee members.
"No, I'm thinking more like the monstrous red herring community projects which do nothing except serve the interests of a minority of local businesses and professional committee members."
can you provide examples?
9:20 AM
"I really hope that the next election offers some change".
Who in their right mind would put themseleves in the firing line to join this bunch.
I have seen it all before where guys (e.g.the late Angus Graham) went in there going to ring the changes only to find they could not beat the establishment.
There are too many Councillors and sadly none of them stand out as leaders. Most are there for the money, the jaunts and the junkets.
The Comhairle has also lost most of its experienced staff and whilst Joe P prattles on about fat cats it is an inescapable fact that you cannot throw away years of experience and expertise with detrimental effects.
It will get an awful lot worse before it gets better.
The last competent CE was Roy Maciver and the last Effective Convenor was Sandy matheson - Like it or Not!!
re; 3.58
Wasting money on street lights all over the island that cause light pollution and waste valuable scarce energy adding to global warming are a complete waste. Sure have them on when there are youngsters about but why have the island lit up like a Christmas tree most of the night?? Totally wasteful since most people out of town don't walk or cycle anyway, more's the pity!
Cutting the arts will have wider effects than simply impacting AL, though that might be the most visible impact - we all have our local arts projects.
Arts always come under attack when budgets get tight. However, it must be very difficult to leave the arts with funding when absolute essential services are being butchered.
With regard to street lights, I assume the comment (9:23) refers to the ones w,hich in certain more rural areas, stand at road junctions serving no obvious purpose. I would have to agree that these seem like a reasonable target. I would not be so quick to advocate removal of street lights in more populous areas - though perhaps the level of use might be examined (timing of use? Use every other one where practical?).
At times like this I am glad I am not the one holding the budget scissors - or in this case chain saw.
7:00 PM You wrote:
AL is great and has lifted the spirits of this place no end. It is fabulous to be able to sit in a proper cinema, and to see live performances, and a joy to see decent art - even the Viet Cong living in their tunnels kept the arts alive.
Fine - no problem - then you and the other people who want and use this unnecessary luxury can support it out of your own pockets.
I'd rather my taxes went to essential services; many of which I don't use (no kids, am not a pensioner) but are still essential. Food on a table. Book in a schoolkids hand. Transport links to a community. There are essential. These are the things that matter.
A moneypit centre for the arty crowd is not essential. You don't pay to support my hobbies. Why should my taxes go to supporting yours?
Post a Comment