Eishken wind farm inquiry delayed

Thanks to Hebrides News for drawing my attention to the calling and now postponing of the Beinn Mhor Power Public Inquiry into the proposed windfarm in Eishken.

Apparently, the Government failed to notify objectors of the Inquiry, and consequently the whole process of holding the Inquiry has to start again.

The phrase 'piss-up in a brewery' springs to mind.

Is this to be a 'time limited public inquiry' that our MP promised was the best way forward for the applications? I doubt it, as the results are not expected before 2010, which is the worst of all worlds. I always said a PLI would satisfy no-one, and I think I am sure that I will be proved right.

RNLI

With a Spanish Trawler aground in Village Bay, St Kilda, in horrendous weather conditions, the Stornoway rescue helicopter has been called out to try to remove the crew.

At 6am this morning the Lifeboat was called out and is expected to reach St Kilda at noon today, after travelling through Force 10 seas. They then face Force 11 on the way back, after spending at least a few hours on site.

As someone with no sea legs whatsoever, I have nothing but total admiration, respect and bewilderment that they are prepared to face such challenges, dangers and appalling conditions at a moments notice, and for a minuscule financial reward.

How to post a url link

In the comments to the Joke of the Day thread someone has posted the following link, which is cut-off due to the width of the space for comments:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/31/endangeredhabitats.carbonemissions

It is much easier to embed the link into a posting, such as this example.

To do so use < to start, then a href="url_here" then > the word you want to highlight and then < /a > to close the comment. Obviously delete the spaces and extraneous words which I can't replicate without the instructions disappearing and this post being rejected, but there should be no spaces in the text between the <> except at a href which does require a space.

Badly composed links will be rejected by Blogger, so persistence is the key. The preview can also sometimes be difficult to read.

Joke of the day

How many members of the Lords Day Observance Society does it take to change a lightbulb?

Change!?!

CBI back Trump

With the CBI opposing the inquiry into the Trump affair,

"[They] said an investigation would be justified if there was evidence or informed suspicion of wrongdoing, but that so far neither had been turned up."

Can it get more embarrassing for Alex Salmond?

Trump's henchmen have agreed to appear in front of the inquiry, surely now appreciating that an investigation can be a way to clear the air and remove suspicion. Which is more than can be said for the CBI.

Qinetiq

When the MOD first set up in Uist in the late 1950's there was a concern that we would become overly dependent on the rocket range and that the impact of all the 'immigrants' would cause irreparable damage to the community.

Hindsight shows that the Rocket Range was a wonderful employment opportunity for the local residents, who gained high-tech skills that were transferable to other sectors. The influx of 'immigrants' - mostly young soldiers - led to many of them marrying into the community and bringing new ideas and new life blood to the islands.

The number of business that have been set-up on the back of the MOD involvement in the islands is huge, and it stemmed and reversed the serious decline in population.

(I will let other compare the MOD in Uist to what could have been with windfarms in Lewis)

It all went a lot wrong in 2001, when Qinetiq became the proud owners of the range, under a quasi-privatisation move by the Labour Government. Following blindly in the footsteps of Thatcher, Qinetiq was sold at a knock-down price to private equity group the Carlyle Group (directors include George Bush Snr & Jnr and John Major).

Now the range is under threat with cost-cutting and rationalisation, and the likelihood of the good prospects for work drying up, the Uists will be facing uncertainty. All of which can be traced back to the dogmatic approach of Tony Blair, in trying to emulate his heroine - Thatcher.

Will the jobs and future of the islands be sacrificed to make George Bush richer? Probably. Will they care? Not a jot. Can the British Government stop them? Almost certainly not.

Globalisation: isn't it such fun?

It is if you are Tony Blair, advising both Zurich and JP Morgan on the topic at a mere £5m per annum.

Social Life in Stornoway

There is a perception that the islands swing between excessive piety and excessive debauchery, but the truth is that Lewis has exactly the same problems and issues as most other places, with a few exceptions, but that often the extremes make the best stories.

The past week has seen the clash between tradition and modernisation come to the fore over the issue of Sunday licences for public houses.

On Sundays it used to be the case that the swings in one playpark were chained - the action of one man, on his own volition rather than as part of a policy - to prevent the children of Lewis enjoying anything other than solemnity. The new playpark in Stornoway is even closer this man, Travis Bickle, and I will watch with interest his actions when the facility opens.

One petrol station is open, a few pubs and hotels, but no leisure facilities, so the choices for much of Stornoway are limited. (Uist and Barra are much more relaxed about Sundays). The end result of this has been a traditional Saturday night fever of dancing, drinking and partying until long after the pubs close at 11pm. Bizarrely, Friday nights - where the pubs stay open until 1am - are very quiet.

This week, 9 public houses obtained licences until 1am Sunday morning despite the objections of the Free Church. Over a number of years, the Church have shown spectacular and repeated incompetence in submitting objections, which have repeatedly been thrown out for almost the same reasons. The three members of the Free Church declared an interest and came out of the meeting, leaving the other seven members of the Licensing Board to decide to decline to consider the objection.

With the remaining 4 establishments in town likely to apply for the same late licences, it would appear that the attempt by the Board to set policies to restrict the granting of late licences looks set to fail. Primarily, because those who are trying to drive this through will have to declare an interest and leave the meeting.

The next move by the Board is to consider the 'overprovision' of alcohol licences in the Western Isles (for which read Stornoway). The prospect of the Board (which includes 6 teetotal members) wandering the streets late on a Saturday night in an effort to establish which pub/club/hotel is 'surplus to requirements' looks set to bring general hilarity and ridicule onto the Board.

Alternatively, there will have to be a desktop exercise augmented by hearsay, rumour and gossip
to determine which licences will be targeted. This will bring widespread hilarity and ridicule, and - as night follows day - another visit to the Sheriff Court where the Board will lose. Again. And again.

But a bigger question on the declaration of interest remains unanswered. Did the three gentlemen declare an interest because:-

• They are members of the Free Church, who were the objectors?
• Their own views meant they couldn't take an objective stance?
• The view of the Free Church means that they cannot take an objective stance?

Whichever it is, it will make for interesting future meetings of the Board.

Kennedy backs Obama

My first thought was, "Has Charlie been at the whisky?" closely followed by "Why are the press covering this?"

Of course, the truth was even stranger. It's Ted "my brother was president" Kennedy.

Instead of having the backing of a hard-drinking political nearly-was he has the backing of a hard-drinking political time-server.

Whether the endorsement by a time-served 'liberal' with all the contempt that tends to bring from middle-America is helpful is unclear, but the BBC report seems to imply that the endorsement was more of a reaction to Bill Clinton's aggressive campaigning in South Carolina, where suggestions of racist language by the ex-President seem to have driven Teddy into pledging his support for Obama.

The BBC reports that, "Senator Kennedy is now expected to campaign with his son, congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, for the man who would be the first US black president."

It then gives us the following picture, with possibly the least necessary caption of all time.

Edward Kennedy (R) is expected
to campaign with Mr Obama (L)

Despite the intervention of Senator Kennedy, I hope Barack Obama will win the Democratic nomination and go on to the White House in triumph.

Gaelic Digital channel

Contrary to my expectations, the BBC Trust have approved the provision of a Gaelic Digital channel.

But with serious caveats, one of which largely undermines the whole purpose of the channel.

• There will be no broadcast on Freeview - cable, satellite and analogue only. There is no cable in the Highlands, and analogue is being phased out in 2010/11
• The channel must markedly improve the quality and quantity of broadcast material
• And extend the current audience
• And be culturally significant for Scotland as a whole

Two cheers? Perhaps one cheer only.

With the channel up for a further review in 2010 it strikes me that necessity has forced the approval of the channel, but that the conditions are extremely difficult to attain, allowing the BBC to take a fresh look at the overall viability in a mere two years.

Meanwhile, with all eyes on the next review and the impossibility of the tasks that have been set in such a short-time, the future of the service remains (deliberately) insecure.

This option was always a cheap and easy solution allowing the Government to avoid a full-scale S4C type channel, by throwing a small bone and forcing the channel into a niche service provider. Which will undoubtedly deliver smaller and smaller viewers, whilst the highly skilled programme makers put their time and effort into good quality programmes that no-one sees.

Look back in sorrow

Having been able to mull over the consequences of the likely refusal of the Lewis Wind Power scheme, I think it is time to review where we stand and to try to find a constructive way forward for the islands.

I haven't actually seen the letter from the Executive, nor do I have any idea what the response from LWP will be, but I don't see the Executive changing their minds, unless they have made a huge blunder in fact or in law.

Firstly, I think we should all be grateful that the decision has been taken quickly. The original suggestion from our MP that it go to a 'time limited public inquiry' was so ludicrous - mainly as there is no such legislative power to have such an inquiry - that he quickly, and quietly changed his position.

If there were such fundamental problems with any development on this site surely these should have been identified a long time back so as to save us all this uncertainty. And it would have avoided me and my fellow councillors spending two years of our time considering the application. And saving all the costs involved in the process.

We now need to understand just what the implications are for that area with the designations in place. Can any development take place, or is it effectively sterilised forever from all developments?

Someone asked about when the designations were brought in. They came into place in 1999 or 2000, just when I was first elected, and I clearly recollect being told by the SNH Officers that the designations would not prevent any development taking place. Cllr Angus Graham was very careful to ask that question more than once, and to check and recheck the answer, and with that assurance the Comhairle did not object to the designation. We were lied to.

There have been a number of attacks on the Vice-Convener over his support for the scheme, and it is fair to say that the Comhairle must now find alternative development options to bring forward. But the Comhairle cannot do this in isolation, nor can it solve all the problems with a wave of a magical wand.

The moor is now to remain as an important habitat for birds, so it is not unreasonable to expect the RSPB and SNH to make a major investment in the islands to attract visitors to this hugely important site. As far as I can ascertain, the RSPB spend pennies - other than an salary - out of the £70m annual income yet are able to pronounce to the world on the importance of the birdlife. Or is the role of the guardians to object and not build up an asset?

I am far from convinced that tourism is the future for prosperity. The vagaries of weather and exchange rates will leave us badly exposed to an unreliable stream of visitors. And without the critical mass to allow us to develop further facilities to attract further visitors, it is going to remain largely a semi-professional and low-level activity.

Finally, and most importantly, our parliamentarians now have an enormous responsibility to help attract employment to the islands. The public sector is bloated and growing, and without new entrepreneurs coming here development, incomes and prospects will remain in stasis, and the community will not grow. Simply saying NO to a proposal is not a long-term strategy. Whatever influence they may have needs to be brought to bear to force the Government(s) to recognise the fragility of the islands. And trying to take the Lewis chessmen back to Edinburgh will do not a single thing from the islands.

Team Trump decline to be courteous

So the bewigged ones minions have declined to attend a Government Committee investigating the contentious planning application in Aberdeen.

The Government may not have the power to force them, which is a ludicrous and indefensible situation, and one that would normally have Alex Salmond champing at the bit. Strangely, not this time.

It is imperative that they attend so that the Committee fully understand the circumstances surrounding the application, otherwise the stench of dodgy dealings will never go away. And the sooner the SNP realise that immutable truth the better.

However, I have been sent footage of the Trump executives demonstrating their independence, individuality, and getting into training for their attendance.

Lewis Wind Power refused

As forecast by me, it looks like birds are more important than people.

I expect that LWP will now submit the amended application for the Stornoway Trust lands only, at an early date.

A very, very, disappointing outcome for the islands.

Update 12:58 from Scottish Executive website:
The Lewis wind farm application is currently under consideration by Scottish Ministers.

Due to a large amount of speculation about the progress of the application and when a decision will be announced, it is worth noting that no final decision has been taken and Ministers are working towards finalising and announcing a decision in the near future.

Update 26/1: The STV report on the news is available here.

Marine Protection

Later today Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North & Leith, introduces a bill into the House of Commons for the second reading.

The bill is entitled the Environmental Protection (Transfers at Sea) Bill, and seeks to prevent ship-to-ship transfers in non-regulated areas.

The Bill, which is only a few clauses long, would prevent transfers except on harbours with full oil spill prevention equipment, and effectively ensure that these transfers cannot take place in the Firth Of Forth.

It will also reduce the number of oil tankers passing the coast of the Western Isles on the way from the Baltic to the south of England where they undertake STS operations in Torbay, and is a campaign that I have been involved in for a number of years.

I hope that all members will support this, as it is a major step forward in protecting the marine environment.

Farewell Peter Hain

Peter Hain addresses the Commons

The Minister for day-glo skin and tanning booths has resigned to "spend more time with his ultraviolet radiation source".

Confounding all expectations of maintaining a stiff upper lip and claiming that he was "too busy" with "important things" to know what is going on.

The mere £10,000,000 donated to his campaign to become emperor of the world was an oversight for which he "has taken full responsibility". That is responsibility for blaming his assistants for no covering up properly.

The resignation is entirely voluntary, and bears absolutely no relation to the fact that the matter has been referred to Inspector Knacker of the Yard for further investigations.

Mr Hain has been roundly condemned by his colleagues for flaunting the convention that MPs are innocent until proven guilty. And it is really, really embarrassing. And their local party disown them. And their fingers are prized off the expenses forms. And when they have another job to go to.

The Tories have put down a motion condemning the resignation, as it "Stops us being able to embarrass the Prime Minister who is sitting next to this sleaze bag, and means that we might have to find something new to say."

Peter Hain's skin-tone is illegal under the Geneva Convention.

Planning permissions

News from Wales on how not to handle planning applications.

Ceredigion Council have been reprimanded for granting approval to applications from Welsh language speakers irrespective of the advice from the planning officers.

The senior planning officer warned that the Council could lose its powers if it continued to breach the regulations by showing bias in favour of Welsh speakers, and he described the manifestation of the bias...

"What's happening is that time and time again we refer to the fact that the applicant is a local Welsh speaker. We have to look at the application, not the applicant."

and he continues

"Whilst the planning system should take account of the needs and interest of the Welsh language, the fact that the applicant is a local, Welsh-speaking person active in the community does not outweigh the environmental harm."

and he rounds of by adding

"Moreover it would be discriminatory to grant permission solely or largely on the grounds that the applicant is Donald Trump."

Or words to that effect.

The Trump inquiry

As the Inquiry by the Local Government and Communities Committee staggers to a stuttering slow and painful death, some interesting and unusual facts to come to light.

Mr Salmond revealed he used his mobile phone to call the government's chief planner, Jim Mackinnon, during a meeting with the Trump Organisation in an Aberdeen hotel, then handed the phone to the US tycoon's right-hand man, George Sorial, so he could set up a meeting with the civil servant. He said he had done nothing wrong because he had attended the meeting in his capacity as MSP for Gordon.

Decidedly strange behaviour. Imagine the outcry if Lewis Wind Power met with our former MSP, Alasdair Morrison, and he placed a call there and then to the Chief Planner to arrange a meeting... (if he had even got through!)... the day before a major decision on the application was taken.

However, the best bit is life imitating art:-

Mr Allan, an SNP MSP, said: "What we have had is a very lame witch-hunt and attempt to nail the first minister, but they have failed to come up with an accusation to put to him, although the issue has been strung out for three weeks.

Or as his motion to the Parliament in December apparently said:-

Alasdair Allan calls on all MSPs, MPs, Councillors, Journalists and members of the public to desist from interfering in the crucial and independent Parliamentary investigation. At this time the making of scurrilous and unfounded allegations by Nicol Stephen and repeated by those who do not know the full facts will only prolong the anguish of those who have been falsely accused by muck-racking journalists reporting the facts. It is crucial that the Committee investigate the crucial documents that are being prepared at the moment and that the crucial decision to clear Mr Salmond is taken objectively and quickly, so that he can move on to ensuring that permission is granted to Mr Tramp.

Anyone recognise...

.. the numbers 13a and £129,200?

Not quite Snow White ....

According to the paper of record, The Sun....

A gang of crooks is robbing long-distance coaches by smuggling dwarves into their holds inside sports bags.

Once inside the buses the tiny thieves slip out from their hiding place to rifle through the belongings of travellers above them. They then take their loot back to their hiding place and wait to be collected by another gang member when the coach reaches its destination.

The gang has stolen thousands of pounds in cash, gems and other valuables over the past several months. Swebus, which operates coach services across Sweden, confirmed the losses. “We think it is a short, young person, dwarves or perhaps children,” said Ingvar Ryggasjo, sales manager for Swebus. “We are taking extra security measures and are thinking of installing video surveillance cameras.”

He said on one occasion a light-fingered litle person was smuggled aboard a bus in a hockey bag. One woman reported seeing two men squeezing the large, heavy bag into the luggage space under the bus. After arriving she found a camera, purse and other items missing. Police are quizzing “people of limited stature” with criminal records, according to a spokesman in Stockholm.

With friends like this....

Donald Trump speaking about Alex Salmond (my emphasis) about the proposed golf development in Aberdeenshire....

"Alex Salmond and I have virtually never even talked about this job but I know for a fact that he - and anyone else who's representing Scotland, unless they're the enemy - wants billions of pounds to come into Aberdeenshire and Scotland."

"Virtually"? So it was discussed.

"Enemy"? Or as we know them, the other residents of the area.

"Billions"? It was only an unbelievable £1bn in November.

The Government need to find that barge pole, and quick.

Where Scotland leads....

With MSPs expenses available in great detail, just what has Westminster to hide?

Perhaps the truth will be available soon, given that the Information Commissioner has just ruled that a detailed request for expenses for St Tony Blair, Gordon "I'm not Tony"Brown, John "Two Jags" Prescott, Michael "Something of the night" Howard, Charles "Large whisky please" Kennedy, and Jonathan "Dodgy expenses" Sayeed must be released.

I look forward to all the expenses being fully detailed...which will be quite entertaining in some cases.