Councillor Drew Millar – Radio Skye

LOCAL NEWS NOVEMBER 10 2023

MartyM — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:39:55 +0000

No date set yet for Portree Hospital urgent care extension

NHS Highland has said work to establish a seven-day-a-week service at Portree Hospital’s urgent care centre by its aim of November this year remains ongoing.

Since August this year, the urgent care service based at Portree Hospital has been operational from 8am until 8.30pm four days a week, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

In July, the local health authority said the service would be extended to seven days per week from November with support from the rural support team and Broadford Hospital.

In an update to Radio Skye, a spokesperson for NHS Highland said that its team are continuing to work towards establishing a seven-day service.

However, they said that was dependent on a number of factors, including having sufficient staff who are able to deliver care at an advanced level.

They added they would keep the community informed of the progress of this work.

NHS Highland, meanwhile, has responded to concerns raised by pressure group SOS-NHS Skye over an absence of signs for Portree Hospital.

The group have asked why NHS Highland managers are unwilling to replace the hospital signs which were removed in July 2022.

The health service spokesperson told Radio Skye that the signage will be reviewed in line with the developing service to ensure we are clear with the community about available services.

SSEN “extremely disappointed” by council rejection

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks have said they are extremely disappointed by the Highland Council’s decision to its major upgrade of power lines between Skye and Fort Augustus.

A motion put forward by Councillors Drew Millar and Ruraidh Stewart against the plans was backed by 11 votes to nine at a meeting of the planning committees on Wednesday.

However, a spokesperson for SSEN Transmission told Radio Skye: “We are extremely disappointed by the decision from The Highland Council to object to our Fort Augustus to Skye Reinforcement project following the recent submission of additional information, which goes against the recommendation of the Council’s planning officers and the previous decision by the committee.”

They added that as the existing overhead line had been built in the 1950s, replacement infrastructure, know as the Skye reinforcement line, was critical to keep the lights on for homes and businesses across Skye and in the Western Isles.

They said this has been demonstrated by two major faults earlier this year which resulted in the temporary loss of power to over 20,000 customers.

The spokesperson concluded that line would also enable the connection of new renewable electricity generation along its route, supporting energy security and climate change targets, and said they now looked to the Scottish Government’s timely determination of the application.

Increase in Highland tenants in rent arrears, says council

Many council tenants across the Highlands are in rent arrears for the first time due to the cost of living crisis according to the local authority.

The growing impact of the crisis on tenants within the region was highlighted during a meeting of the council’s housing and property committee.

The committee revealed that due to the cost of living crisis and other global factors, many tenants are finding themselves in rent arrears for the very first time and require early intervention to guide them and appropriate welfare support.

Housing and Property Committee Chair, Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “The Highland Council Housing Service works closely with our Welfare Support Team to ensure early intervention and inform tenants of rent arrears as soon as they arise.

She said that local housing officers carry out a crucial role including directing tenants to agencies that can help ensure they can access support to which they are entitled and can assist with debt and personal budgeting issues.

You can contact your local housing officer or contact the welfare support team through the Highland Council website.

Nevis Radio presenter announced as Green Party candidate

A former radio presenter from the Highlands has been announced as the Scottish Green Party’s candidate for the Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency at the next Westminster general election.

Former Nevis Radio volunteer, 42-year-old Peter Newman has been chosen by the party’s Highland and Islands branch to contest the election.

Peter Newman said he was honoured to be chosen as a candidate for the Scottish Greens in the next election and want to make sure that the voices of the people so long ignored in rural areas are heard during the campaign.

Mr Newman has previously worked on Ardnamurchan where he was a guidance teacher and faculty head.

He co-hosted a show on community radio station, Nevis Radio, as well as volunteering as part of Lochaber’s Refugee Resettlement programme.

Deadline approaches for Isle of Skye Events community fund

Community groups have just five days left to apply for a local fund through the Isle of Skye Events charity.

The charity which organises a range of events across the island from the Isle of Skye Half Marathon to the annual Skye Santa Dash will distribute £3,5000 between up to ten small charities or community groups who receive a minimum of £350.

The Skye Events Community Fund is still open until 12pm on 15th November. Successful applicants will be notified by 5pm on Friday 17th November.

For more information, click here.

Players sought for first-ever girls-only five-a-sides

Skye and Lochalsh Female Football Club are encouraging 14 to 18 year-olds to sign up for the first-ever girls only five-a-side tournament taking place in Portree next weekend.

The competition is open to 10-13 year-olds and 14-18 year-old with many people in the younger age having already signed up for the festival of football.

The tournament takes place at the Fingal centre in Portree High School on Saturday 18th November. For more information, including how to sign up search for Skye and Lochalsh Female Football Club on Facebook and Instagram.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner.

LOCAL NEWS NOVEMBER 9 2023

MartyM — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:07:20 +0000

𝐒𝐤𝐲𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Plans for a major upgrade of the overhead power line network between Skye and Fort Augustus has been rejected by Highland Councillors following a motion by Skye and Raasay members.

In only the second ever meeting of the council’s north and south area planning committees, a motion put forward by Councillors Drew Millar and Ruraidh Stewart against the plans was backed by 11 votes to nine.

Among the reasons cited, Councillor Millar stated that an objection against the proposals by Nature Scot had not be resolved, he said that the infrastructure would not be built in a sustainable location, and there has been no commitment of any kind from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to provide financial benefit to Skye.

The current powerline was constructed between 1956 and 1989. SSEN has stated that the upgrade is essential to maintain security of supply to homes and businesses along its route, as well as to the Western Isles.

They have also said that there is a demand to connect new renewable electricity generation on Skye, which requires an increase in capacity of the overhead line.

The Breakish Wind Farm Action Group which has been campaigning since July to stop the proposed development of a windfarm on the peatland above Breakish has welcomed the decision.

The group said that NatureScot’s continued opposition to SSEN’s plan for a new overhead line through Breakish peatlands provides renewed hope that the windfarm proposal will be rejected.

The Scottish Goverment must now decide if a public enquiry will be held following the decision.

Eilean a’ Cheò councillor backs second homes tax move

Skye and Raasay Councillor Calum Munro has welcomed draft plans to double the rate of council tax under new legislation by the Scottish Government

Data Published by the Scottish Goverment in 2019 showed that the city of Edinburgh and the Highlands accounted for 50.5 per cent of active Airbnbs across the country.

In the report, Skye was third only behind Edinburgh City Centre and Leith Walk for the number of Airbnbs by council ward with 1,083 of 5,813 dwellings listed as holiday lets.

Commenting to Radio Skye, Councillor Munro said: “A very small portion of society own second homes, many in our society are indeed struggling to find anywhere to live at all.

I think that doubling the rate of council tax on second homes is proportionate and may make a small contribution to the Highland Council’s finances at a time when huge budget gaps are faced year on year.

Scottish Government pushes for gender balance on boards

The Scottish Goverment is seeking to establish 50-50 representation on public boards through new legislation.

Legislation to amend the Gender Representation on Public Boards Act has been published.

The Act, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2018, aims to address the under-representation of women in public life by setting an objective that 50 per cent of a public board’s non-executive members are women.

The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Amendment) Bill aims to align the Act with the Court of Session ruling last year which stated that its inclusion of the definition of women was out with the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and it was therefore not law.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Women’s voices need to be heard and acted on, especially by the public bodies that deliver services in our everyday lives

“The Scottish Government remains committed to achieving greater gender equality and creating a fairer Scotland for everyone.”

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner.

LOCAL NEWS NOVEMBER 6 2023

MartyM — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 10:16:50 +0000

Skye and Raasay to become Scotland next national park?

Highland Councillor Drew Millar is firmly backing Skye and Raasay to become a National Park and believes the opportunity could provide a welcome boon to the economy of the islands and help to future proof them as visitor destinations.

An expression of interest has already been made by Councillor Millar on behalf of all four members of the Skye and Raasay ward.

At Monday’s Skye and Raasay area committee, a representative from the Scottish Goverment gave a presentation on the nomination process for the country’s new national park.

Speaking to Radio Skye this afternoon, Councillor Millar believed the opportunity could provide a welcome boon to the island’s economy and future proof it as visitor destination.

When asked by Radio Skye about the public’s role in the process, Councillor Millar said the input of islanders through community companies and trusts across the islands would be key to the bid.

The Skye and Raasay council ward is one of ten areas to have submitted early expressions of interest. Bids must be submitted by February 2024

A committment made through the Bute House agreement means at least one new National Park will be designed by 2026.

Man arrest for Broadford bike theft

A 20-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a theft in Broadford by police officers in Kyle.

A large quantity of camping equipment, a mountain bike, and a bag were stolen from a common close within the Broadford area between Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November.

Police were able to track the items via an air tag the owner placed on the bike, which allowed police to swiftly trace the bike near the pinged location.

Enquiries were conducted and Police were able to recover all the items and return them to the owner.

Wealth of Skye talent nominated for Scots Trad Music Awards

Skye bands Valtos and Niteworks are both in contention for the live act of the year at 2023 Scots Trad Music Awards
The nominations include a wealth of talent from across the country, including a strong contingent of musicians, singers, and songwriters from Skye.

Niteworks and Valtos have been included alongside acts such as Elephant Sessions, Trail West, Talisk in what will be a hotly contested field.

Speaking to Radio Skye, Valtos’ Martyn MacDonald said the band were delighted to be nominated in what has been good year for the islanders.

“It’s amazing, we’re absolutely chuffed,” he said.

“We won up and coming artist of the year last year, and we’ve had an absolutely fantastic year, but that has now landed us in with the big boys, there’s some heavy hitters in the category.

“It has been a good year all-round, so maybe we can finish it with a little award.

Meanwhile Skye talents Lana Phaeton and Eilidh Cormack have both been named as nominees in the the Gaelic Singer of the Year category.

“𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝”

Alan Murray from Kilmuir, who is one half of the group Mist & Wing, has also been recognised in the nominations.
Alan, whose song ‘Fàilte gu Pàislig’ was chosen as the soundtrack to this year’s Royal National Mòd in Paisley, has received a nomination in the field of new writer.

He told Radio Skye: “It is a lovely surprise to be nominated for Scots Trad Music Award, and especially the Sue Wilson New Writer Award, I was not expecting it.”

He added: “Scottish music means a great deal to me, and it is a joy to be involved in it every day.
“It is a real honour to be nominated, and I looking forward to attending the ceremony in Dundee and getting a chance to see everyone.”

𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫

Peatbog Faeries’ record ‘I See A World’ has been named in the album of the year category, while Eilean a’ Cheòl by Angus MacKenzie and the School of Daimh at the Arisaig Hotel have been been shortlisted for the community project of the year.

The ceremony will be held at the Caird Hall in Dundee on Saturday 2nd December.

Voting closes on Sunday 19th November, and votes can be cast by on the Scots Trad Music Awards site.

Scotland women excel against Ireland in tour matches

Scotland recorded two emphatic victories in their shinty camogie tour of Ireland

Scotland put a West Cork select side to the sword on Friday night by outscoring their Celtic cousins by nine goals to two, Kinlochshiel’s Lorna MacRae also score a point as as well as goal in the win.

Skye’s Caitlin MacLean, who captained the Scotland team was also on the scoresheet alongside club teammate Sarah Yoxon as seven different scorers propelled Scotland to a famous win.

On Saturday Lorna MacRae struck twice and also secure a point as Scotland won by 17 goals to two against Carbery Camogie, while teams earned two points.

Caitlin MacLean was also on target for Scotland as they secured back to back victories on tour.

Speaking to Radio Skye following the tour, Lorna MacRae spoke about her pride representing her country and linking up with a former teammate.

You can listen to the latest local news for Skye and Lochalsh live at the times below by clicking on the banner.

Portree harbour bid rejection a “massive blow”

MartyM — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 11:49:08 +0000

The rejection of an ambitious £50 million bid to transform Portree’s historic waterfront has been described as “a massive blow” to the island capital by a Skye councillor.

The proposal led by the Portree and Braes Community Trust was submitted by the Highland Council in July 2022 to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

More than 100 projects were awarded a share of £2.1 billion from round two of the government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund, which was announced on Thursday 19th January, including 10 projects across Scotland.

Nearly £27 million has been guaranteed for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands. The service is a lifeline for the island, supporting its residents, visitors and supply chains, and without its replacement the community will become further isolated.

The vision to transform Portree harbour area, included plans to redevelop the 200-year-old pier built by Thomas Telford, while other aspects of the bid focused on a new access route from Bayfield, a breakwater, pontoons for leisure craft and a safe embarkation point for the RNLI.

Disappointment

Reacting to the news, Portree and Braes Community Trust development officer, Fiona Thomson told Radio Skye that it was disappointing not to see Portree on the list of projects receiving support from the Levelling up fund, especially given the urgent need for investment in Portree harbour, however she believes the verdict was not entirely surprising as it was a hugely competitive fund.

She added that the bid was strong and nothing more could have been done by the community or the Highland Council to change the outcome.

Councillors John Finlayson and Calum Munro told Radio Skye they were both extremely disappointed by the decision, and paid tribute to the hard work behind the bid by the community and council officers. The local members also expressed concern over future source of funding of projects in rural Highlands and Islands.

Meanwhile, fellow islands councillor Drew Millar described the decision as a “massive blow to the future of Portree”

Highlighting the long-running need for the redevelopment of the asset, councillor Millar told Radio Skye said that the harbour improvement had been on the agenda since before the inception of the Highland Council along with improvements to Bayfield and the Portree Link road.

However, he went on to say that he was sure the decision didn’t signal the end of the dream and added that he would be contacting MSP Kate Forbes and MP Ian Blackford over the next few days to see where and how the plan could be taken forward.

Major initiative for the whole of the islands

In an interview with Radio Skye on Thursday, Skye MP Ian Blackford said that the decision was “deeply disappointing” as the harbour plans were a “major initiative not just for Portree but for the whole of the islands.”

Mr. Blackford went on to say: “This was a well thought through bid that was put in, and I think what I am going to have to do with the Highland Council is to make sure we engage with the officials in the Levelling Up department, and I think consideration should be given to putting in a revamped bid for round three, which will be coming, but I think it is important that we take stock of where we are.”

Asked by Radio Skye if he could have done more to push the bid, he said: “I made sure I lobbied the secretary of state, Michael Gove quite aggressively to make sure we got this on the table…”

Full interview with Ian Blackford

Article and interview by Adam Gordon.