Western Isles councillor takes SNP group to task

Western Isles Councillor and Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Westminster, Donald John MacSween has hit out at SNP members conduct during the Local Authority’s budget setting process.

He declared: “Councillor Donald Manford and his misguided followers in the SNP group on the Comhairle have sunk to a new low.

“With the Comhairle facing a difficult period when hard decisions have to be taken to balance the budget, every Member of the Comhairle has to show maturity and a sense of responsibility.

“Puerile and irresponsible antics by the SNP trying to disrupt the Comhairle’s budget-setting process at the eleventh hour in favour of a ludicrous and ill-thought-out ‘slash and burn’ policy says more about the SNP than about the Comhairle’s situation

“Its four members sat through four months of budget-setting meetings, indicating approval by their silence but, on the eve of adoption of this sensible compromise budget, they tried to bring in an alternative one.

“It would cut the number of Comhairle Directors from five to three and the Heads of Service from 20 to 12. No analysis and no consultation with staff.”

He added that there had been no recognition of the Comhairle’s recent structural review.

Mr Macsween added: “Working regularly with senior Comhairle management, I can testify we have a workforce to be proud of.  Undermining morale and alarming them for political benefit is grossly irresponsible.

“Their budget would also remove the Ward Initiative allowance, now virtually the only source of revenue seed-funding for vital community schemes. Again, no analysis of the effect on community-led projects.

“Then the SNP demanded a cut of £50,000 in the Comhairle’s Arts Development budget. Sensible Members have argued for recognition of the regenerative impact of Arts and Culture and I am pleased to report that the Comhairle now leads the way nationally in that area.

“But Mr Manford tried to cut a third of that budget, wiping out discretionary grants to community groups and decimating core funding for Ceolas, Taigh Chearsabhagh, the Hebridean Celtic Festival and An Lanntair. Finally, the SNP tried to scrap a Development Officer post and raid Comhairle reserves

“I am proud when Members and officers of the Comhairle deliver economic benefit, and I am proud of the many officers, across the range of services provided by the Comhairle, who strive to make the Western Isles a better place to live and work.

“The efforts to turn round the fortunes of Harris Tweed, the successful fight to save Hebrides Range, the quiet work that is going on to create the conditions for a significant Renewable Energy industry, cutting edge work in the creative industries – all led by staff Mr Manford tried to axe.

The lack of analysis and the sheer stupidity beggar belief.  Is it any wonder the SNP budget was rejected by 25 votes to four (SNP) votes?

“The SNP group has lost contact with reality but the measures represented pure, cynical showboating.

“Knowing such ridiculous proposals would be rejected, the SNP wasted officer and Committee time to pursue a sympathy vote at the coming General Election.

“Maybe the disaffected cybernats who inhabit Mr Manford’s universe will be convinced by the ‘we tried and failed’ mentality

“But the vast majority of sensible, reasonable islanders will not be duped by cynical, disruptive antics.”

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