Re-opening of Uig Harbour hit by delay
The re-opening of Uig Harbour is set to be delayed by five days due to outstanding critical works at the Skye port.
The Highland Council announced today – Tuesday 28th November – that the harbour will reopen on Saturday 16th December rather than the scheduled date of Monday 11th December.
The council have said the decision was taken in consultation with its contractor RJ McLeod, and partners Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), Transport Scotland and CalMac.
The local authority said that the progress of the redevelopment had been hampered by Storms Ciaran and Debi which has resulted in delays to the removal of the existing fender system and installation of the new fenders.
The chair of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “While alternative plans require to be extended for a further short period, this will enable the works to be completed safely and to a high standard.”
Dunvegan play park bid receives £30,000 boost
A community project to build a new play park in Dunvegan has received a significant boost through £30,000 allocated by Highland Councillors in the Eilean a’ Cheò ward.
The Dunvegan Community Park project is being led by a sub-committee of the Dunvegan Community Trust.
The play park group said it was delighted to receive the boost to go towards its fundraising efforts which moves it a step closer towards its goal.
To date it has fundraised £4,000 through events and community support, while the group is set to launch a crowd funding campaign this week. The Dunvegan Community Trust has made an application to the Community Regeneration Fund.
The total cost of the park is estimated at around £180,000,
Skye school worker questions Unison pay deal
A pupil support assistant on Skye has expressed her disappointment with Unison’s acceptance of a pay deal from COSLA and said she was prepared to fight on for a fair offer.
Unison member Amy McNab (pictured left) works as a PSA at Portree Primary School. She has been one among hundreds of school and nursery workers across the country who has taken strike action in protest at the pay offer to non-teaching staff by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
However, on Monday the Unison union announced that more than two thirds of its members had voted to accept to accept the latest pay deal.
The pay package, which will increase the wages of its lowest paid employees by £2,000 a year, is materially the same offer as proposed before the strike action which took place in September and November.
However, it now includes the backdating of a pay rise to April for all staff rather than some, and a firm committment to achieving a minimum rate of pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers by 1st April 2026,
Reacting to the vote, Skye PSA Amy McNab told Radio Skye – full comment below – that she was frustrated at the outcome and had voted against the offer.
Meanwhile, COSLA resources spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann said: “Throughout this challenging process, we have listened carefully to our trade unions, met all their asks, and worked with Scottish Government to put an incredibly strong half a billion pound pay package forward.
“For the sake of everyone in our local government workforce, who are delivering essential frontline services, I am pleased that the pay offer has now been accepted by all of our trade union colleagues.”
Highlands MSP to “keep up pressure” on NHS Highland
Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has pledged to keep up the pressure on NHS Highland until services are fully restored at Portree Hospital.
The Highlands and Islands representative’s comments follow NHS Highland’s announcement that the urgent care service at the Skye capital facility will extend to seven days a week from the first week in January 2024.
Reacting to the news, Mr Halcro Johnston said: “I raised the lack of seven-day-a-week urgent care cover at Portree only last week with the heath secretary, and so I welcome news that some progress has been made.
“This is a step in the right direction, however, making a promise is not the same a delivering on it. There can be no complacency.”
He went on to stress: “The campaign has experienced too many false dawns already, and so I will keep up the pressure until I see services fully restored and the community’s needs are met”.
Gaelic language plan “vital” says health chair
The chair of NHS Highland has said its news five-year Gaelic language is crucial to the communities across the region.
Under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, NHS Highland has a statutory duty to play its part in promoting the language.
NHS Highland Chair, Sarah Compton-Bishop, said: “It is vital we raise awareness for the Gaelic language as it is an intrinsic part of the rich culture of the Scottish Highlands.
“As the biggest employer in Highland, Argyll and Bute there are many opportunities and benefits to promoting the Gaelic language across our area.
She added: “The plan will enhance patient experience for our Gaelic speakers across NHS Highland, as well as the patients we serve from the Western Isles.”
Dunvegan and Glengarry elect new community councillors
Eight candidates has been selected to serve on Dunvegan Community Council following the results of an election which was declared on Monday by the Highland Council
In total 224 postal votes were returned from an electorate of 503, which represents a 44.5 per cent return.
The members who were voted in are: Mandy Boswell, Donna Campbell, Sarah MacAskill, Lana Macintosh, Phillipa MacRae, Sylvia Meyer, Laura Shirley and Tim Wallis.
Meanwhile, Glengarry’s community council has also be established following a postal vote.
Overall, 211 votes were returned from a possible 341, which accounts for a return of 61.9 per cent.
A total of eight members were elected with Kevin Sutherland polling the highest number of votes at 150.
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Highland Council budget: local authority facing “incredible pressures”
The leader of the Highland Council has said the local authority is facing incredible financial pressures which could led to job losses amid an unprecedented budget gap of up to £70 million next year.
The full council met today to discuss the budget shortfall which could be as much as £100 million between 2024 and 2027.
Members have a legal obligation to set a balanced budget and proposals will be developed and presented to Council for agreement at the end of February 2024.
Leader of the Council Raymond Bremner said: “While we understand the cost of living crisis for our communities, local authorities are also facing incredible cost pressures in the shape of inflation, high rates of interest and the need to fund pay settlements.
“We anticipate we will have an unprecedented budget gap next year of around £60-70m and a shortfall of around £100m over the next three years has been forecast.
He went on to add that without adequate funding, the council will have a choice of making service reductions or increasing income or a mixture of both.
Councillors Bremner said that service reductions would also mean job losses and that is something we are doing everything possible to avoid, as this would be disastrous for communities and our economy in the Highlands.”
The council is facing considerable uncertainty until the end of December around what the grant will be from the Scottish Government for 2024-25, and the funding to implement a Council Tax freeze.
Skye and Raasay member First Minister over council tax freeze
Skye and Raasay Councillor has slammed First Minister Humza Yousaf for running a “horse and coaches” through a key agreement with Scotland’s councils by placing a freeze on council tax
Speaking during today’s (Thursday’s) meeting of the full Highland Council, Skye and Raasay member Ruraidh Stewart contended that First Minister has undermined the verity house agreement between Scottish Local Authorities and the Government by announcing a freeze on rate in the next financial year.
Councillor Stewart said the First Minister has in essence closed the door on one of the few tools that local government has to release the budget pressures on us.
Humza Yousaf announced the decision to freeze council tax rates for the next financial year at the SNP autumn conference earlier this month.
Councillor Derek Louden, who chairs the Highland Council’s resources committee said: “Last year we set one of the lowest The council tax rates set last year by the Highland Council were one of lowest in Scotland in recognition of the cost of living crisis in our communities.
“Council tax freezes have a long term negative impact on local authority budgets and effectively widen the budget gap in the coming years.
“We will continue to work with our COSLA colleagues, to get clarification of the Scottish Government’s plans and how the cost of any freeze would be funded, both for next year and mitigation of the impact on future years’ budgets.”
Scottish Government £1 billion overspent on pay deals finds new report
The Scottish Government is facing a £1 billion hole due to significant challenges in managing the public sector workforce.
According to a new report by Audit Scotland, the Scottish budget and workforce numbers have grown significantly since devolution. But Scottish Government projections suggest it cannot afford to pay for public services in their current form.
The report found that pay deals agreed for 2022/23 and 2023/24 were £1.7 billion more than initially planned and these pay rises are locked into future budgets.
The Scottish Government has begun working with its public bodies to better understand how workforce reforms will impact services. But it needs better data on the size, cost and skillset of the workforce in over 100 of its public bodies to help support this process.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Significant reform of the public sector – including its workforce – is needed to protect services over the long term.
“That means better workforce planning and wider changes to how staff work within and across organisations.”
He concluded: “An approach to reform purely focused on controlling workforce numbers will not address workforce pressures and is unlikely to balance the public finances.”
Peat and Diesel to play ‘Black Isle Belter’ shows
Western Isles stars Peat and Diesel are set to play at the Black Isle Showground over two days next May along with other star acts.
The ‘Black Isle Belter’ shows which will be their only outdoor gigs in the Highlands next year will be held over the bank holiday weekend of Saturday 25th May & Sunday 26th May 2024.
On the Saturday, Peat and Diesel will be join by the View for their First Highland show in years, while on the Sunday, which will be a family day they will be accompanied by chart toppers The Feeling.
Sunday’s show will a family day and in conjunction with Peat and Diesel’s main sponsor Highland Industrial Supplies, and charity partners MFR’s Cash for Kids and Mikeysline.
Tickets were set to be on sale from 10am this Friday via the Peat and Diesel website.
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Citizens Advice concerned over missed lifeline payments
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is voicing fears that vulnerable people could miss out on a lifeline payment amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Between the 31st of October and 19th November, the UK Government will make Cost of Living Payments of up to £300 for people in receipt of benefits like Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Pension Credit.
An estimated 834,276 are claiming these relevant benefits however CAS is concerned some people will miss out, with people seeking support from Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABs) having missed previous payments.
People will only be eligible for the payments if the claimed a qualifying benefit between 18 August and the 17 September.
Analysis from Citizens Advice Scotland suggests around 12,000 people start on Universal Credit in Scotland alone each month. Those who started in October or after the 17 September cut off would miss out on the Cost of Living payment.
CABs have seen pensioners, disabled people, and people in work miss out on the payments. In one case a disabled woman was refused her cost-of-living payment and told she was not eligible despite being in receipt of Employment Support Allowance.
Speaking to Radio Skye, Skye and Lochalsh CAB manager Morag Hannah, said: “We are a wee bit concerned that some people may miss out.
“People will only be eligible for the payments so as long as you are in receipt of one of these – Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Pension Credit – and you’ve made the claim before the cut-off date of the 17th September this year, certainly you should qualify for a cost of living payment for up to £300.
She added: “We want to encourage people who are in receipt of these to be aware, check their bank accounts, and make sure they have that payment there. And if they haven’t to report missing payments to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and you can do that any date from the 20th November onwards.
“The DWP say that all claimants should have received all payments by the 19th November.”
Boost of £50 million for Scottish Ambulance Service
The Scottish Ambulance Service has receives a £50 million boost as part of the Scottish Goverment and COSLA joint winter plan.
The funding will go toward work already underway to recruit a further 317 frontline staff to help increase capacity to emergency response.
It will also see 18 additional clinicians working in the call centre hub which can offer patients alternative treatment routes in cases which are not time-critical, reducing the number of hospital admissions.
Scottish health secretary Micheal Matheson said that the additional funding of up to £12 million to expand the Hospital at Home service will allow people, especially elderly patients, patients with respiratory conditions and children, to receive treatments in the comfort of their own home and will crucially help reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments this winter
Paul Kelly is the health and social care spokesperson for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, he said that through the join joint plan, local government was doing everything it can to to maximise capacity across health, social care, and social work, and ensure people get safe and timely access to services during peak winter pressures.
Scottish Covid-19 evidence sessions underway
The main evidence sessions of the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry has begun today
The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is investigating the devolved strategic response to the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022.
The first phase of hearings centre on the health and social care impacts of the pandemic, including how the virus was dealt with in care homes.
Eleven people who were residents of Home Farm nursing home died after testing positive for Coronavirus during the pandemic
A group made up of bereaved relatives, former care home staff, and members of the community response team from Skye will give evidence as part of the inquiry on Wednesday, while the Care Inspectorate will also provide an opening statement.
Highland Council encourages National Park nominations
Communities wishing to put forward their local area for National Park status are being encouraged to contact the Highland Council to secure their nomination.
Councillor Ken Gowans, who chairs the Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee
is encouraging nominating groups to discuss their National Park bids with relevant Council officials and elected members.
Councillor Gowans said that all National Park nominations seeking Council support should be submitted to
the Council’s Environment Team by email to andrew.puls@highland.gov.uk by 31 January 2024.
The Skye and Raasay council ward is one of 10 areas to have submitted early expressions of interest in becoming a National Park through a representation made by local councillors.
Councillor Calum Munro told Radio Skye that the councillor had submitted an expressions of interest to found out more about the process including all the pros and cons of National Park Status so that local people could have an informed discussion on the matter.
Nominations for a new Park will be driven entirely by local communities and organisations, and all areas of Scotland are eligible to submit proposals.
A committment made through the Bute House agreement means at least one new National Park will be designed by 2026
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Further school strikes planned as UNISON members reject pay offer
Schools across Skye and Lochalsh look set to hit by further strike action after close to 90 per cent of Unison members voted to reject the latest pay offer from the Convention of Scotland’s Local Authorities.
As a result of the ballot, Unison, which is Scotland’s largest local government union has today announced a rolling programme of strike action in schools across the country in the coming weeks.
School workers including janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administrative took part in three days of industrial action in protest at the pay offer from COSLA – the Convention of Scotland’s Local Authorities.
UNISON’s Scottish secretary Lilian Macer said that workers were taking action because they want children to be educated in well-resourced, well-staffed schools. They want to start trying to reverse years of cuts and under-investment in the workforce and services.
COSLA have claimed that the pay package on the table would result an in-year uplift of over £2,000 or just under 10 per cent.
However, the Chair of UNISON Scotland’s local government committee Mark Ferguson added that “Cosla and the Scottish government need to give school staff a decent pay rise, fund any increase properly and commit to implementing a pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers.”
Four cars involved in Skye road traffic incident
Two ambulances were called to a road traffic incident involving four cars near Ard Dorch on Skye on Sunday.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said that all patients were treated at the scene following the incident.
The police received a report on the incident around 4.10 on Sunday, the road was fully open around 6.45pm, and enquiries are ongoing.
Swiss researchers seek Skye volunteers for dialect project
Researchers from Swiss University will visit Skye next week as part of project to discover more about the local dialect on the island.
Dr Danielle Tod, who is a Post-doctoral researcher at the University of Bern is seeking English speaking volunteers from Skye to take part in the project which would involved an audio interview on a range of topics.
Dr Tod is leading a team of 20 students, who will conduct 45-minute interviews with islanders about life on Skye and experiences with language and culture.
The trip will begin Monday 23rd October through to Friday 27th.
For more information or to volunteer you can contact Radio Skye by emailing adam@radioskye.com or by WhatsApp voice note or message on 01478 61124.
Singing competitions to begin at Royal National Mòd
The Junior Choirs competitions taking place at Paisley Town Hall as part of the Royal National Mòd
Youngsters are also taking part in the Provost of Falkirk competition. The solo event pits singers aged 16-18 against other with songs of their own choosing
In the evening, girls and boys aged 13-15 will compete for the James C McPhee Memorial Medal at Paisley Town Hall.
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School strike action: pay dispute talks to resume
Local authority leaders across Scotland including the head of the Highland Council are set to meet today to discuss the current pay dispute involving thousands of school employees across Scotland.
At present strikes are planned to take place from Tuesday 26th September to Thursday 28th across more than 75 per cent of all education setting across Scotland due a pay dispute impacting janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administrative staff.
Members of the GMB, Unison and Unite unions most recently rejected an average pay increase of 5.5 per cent.
COSLA, the Council of Scottish Local Authorities is leading the negotiations with union representatives.
Following the latest pay off rejection last week, COSLA, Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagman said that in offering a package of more than £440 million Council leader had gone to the absolute limits of what local Goverment could afford.
She added that no more money was available for pay without real cuts to jobs and services.
However, in a recent interview with BBC journalist Martin Geissler, STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said that school support workers had “no choice” but to take action later this month to get a fair pay deal.
Perle Hotel group acquire Bracken Hide on Skye
A holiday resort which opened on Skye earlier has been purchased by the Perle Hotel Limited group.
The Bracken Hide which was owned and developed by London-based property developer Charles Garton Jones opened on the outskirts of Portree in April this year.
However, commenting to Radio Skye today, Mr Garton Jones confirmed that the resort, situated on the site of the former golf course on the Struan Road, has been acquired by the Perle Hotel Group taking its portfolio of hotels on the island to three.
The Bracken Hide resort is made up of individual accommodation pods and a ‘hub that includes a reception, bar, and restaurant and has also has facilities inspired by Scandinavian retreats such as a sauna and outdoor plunge pool.
The hotel open on 7th April this year.
Perle Hotel Limited now has five hotels in its portfolio across Scotland following its purchase of the Bracken Hide. In addition to the Marmalade and Bosville Hotels on Skye, the company also owns and runs the Perle Oban Hotel and Spa and Glencoe House.
Radio Skye has approached Perle Hotels for comment on the acquisition
Prevent Suicide Highland app free to help people in need
This year marks five years since the Prevent Suicide Highland App was launched in 2018 as a Highland Community Planning Partnership initiative to provide information and support to communities in Highland.
Prevent Suicide Highland App includes information and support to have conversations if someone is distressed or suicidal, signs to look out for and how you can help, and also includes support for those who have been bereaved by suicide.
It also includes also guidance on what members of the public can do to help someone who is feeling suicidal.
Siobhan Leen, Health Improvement specialist at NHS Highland said: “Since the launch of Prevent Suicide Highland app five years ago, just over 4,000 people have accessed or installed the app.
“This figure does not count return users of the app, only newly installed and accessed Apps, so usage of the Prevent Highland App will be higher.
“It is very important to keep promoting that the Prevent Suicide Highland app is available to anyone who may need it, this can include someone in distress, a family member or loved one, or practitioners working in Highland communities.
The Prevent Suicide Highland app is free and is available for both Android and iPhone.
The Samaritans helpline is a free and non-judgmental safe space open to anyone who would like to talk to someone – you can call on 116 123.
Zero emissions £200 million fund open
The Scottish Goverment has announced that £200 million of funding will be available to support social landlords install zero emissions heating systems and other energy efficiency measures.
In a statement released today, the Goverment said that deployment of zero emissions heating systems such as heat pumps and heat networks must be rapidly scaled up to met legally binding net zero targets.
The Scottish Goverment is required to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2045 with with interim targets requiring a 75 per cent reduction by 2030, and 90 per cent by 2040.
Under its statutory fuel poverty targets, the Scottish Goverment is required to ensure that in 2040 no more than five per cent of households are fuel poor and no more than one per cent are in extreme fuel poverty.
The new fund is open to registered social landlords and local authorities for social housing projects delivering zero direct emission heating systems.
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Niteworks to close Royal National Mòd
Skye band Niteworks have been announced as the closing act at this year’s Royal National Mòd
The Celtic-electronica group have been chosen to bring the Scotland’s premiere Gaelic musical and cultural event to a spectacular close at Paisley town hall on 21st October
The concert will be Niteworks’ only Scottish venue gig of the year and is the first time that they will have played to audiences in Paisley.
The performance comes off the back of the band’s 2022 sell out Scottish tour which saw more than 6,000 tickets snapped up for venues including Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Highland Council leader welcome visitor levy bill
Leader of the Highland Council has welcomed the Scottish Government on its intention to introduce a bill to allow local authorities to introduce a local tourist levy.
If passed by the Scottish Parliament, the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill will give councils the power to apply a levy on stays in overnight accommodation based on a percentage of the accommodation cost.
All money raised would have to be reinvested locally on facilities and services substantially for or used by visitors, enhancing the tourist experience and benefitting local communities and their economies.
Raymond Bremmer, leader of the Highland Council said: “The Highland Council has long supported the idea of a tourist levy to enable the local authority to invest in local infrastructure and is a commitment in our Council Programme.
“The introduction of the Bill is good news and means we can now plan for the introduction of this local levy following approval of the Bill by Parliament.”
Under the plans, councils would be required to consult communities, businesses and tourism organisations before putting a visitor levy in place. They would also have to consult on how any revenue raised should be spent.
The proposals follow public consultation and form part of the New Deal for Local Government which gives councils greater financial flexibility and strengthens local democracy.
The Scottish Government has also invited representatives from the tourism industry, COSLA and other partners to join an expert group to consider how it could best be implemented if passed.
Kyleakin goalie set for final match
Kyleakin Football Club goalkeeper Craig Wilson is set to make his final appearance in the local league after nearly two decades playing.
Craig started playing in the Skye and Lochalsh league at the age of just 13 and went on to join Kyleakin FC at 19 where he spent 11 years as the club’s number one.
Tonight he faces Kyle in his last match for the reds before moving away to the Western Isles.
Reflecting on some his favourite memories from his time competing in the league, Craig told Radio Skye: “Winning the two league titles with Kyleakin were the highs.
“Both of them pretty much went down to the last game of the season – they were pretty good.
“We beat Sleat 5-2 on my 21st Birthday to win the league.”
The Elgol resident also praised the role of coach David Bucher for his work at Kyleakin and football coaching across the community.
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