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Local News for Monday 22nd April 2019

WIND FARM CHARITY FACILITATES SERIES OF GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS OVER ISLANDS PLAN THIS WEEK

A group of representatives from Scottish Government will be in Lewis from Tuesday to Thursday this week for three days of public consultations, facilitated by community wind farm charity Point and Sandwick Trust at the request of the Scottish Islands Federation.

The community events are part of a consultation programme for the new National Islands Plan and Island Communities Impact Assessments, to ensure that the National Islands Plan “responds truly to the wishes, desires and concerns of island communities”, in the words of government.

Children from Sgoil an Rubha and the Nicolson Institute are among those who will be giving their views, as well as friendship groups for the over-60s and other more formal organisations including community councils and community trusts.

Consultations will be in Point at Ionad Stoodie on Tuesday afternoon and evening, in Sandwick Hall on Wednesday evening and in Carloway Community Hall on Thursday afternoon and evening.

Donald John MacSween, Point and Sandwick Trust general manager, said:

“It’s important that groups in the islands have a voice and we put together a programme to make sure that, in the short time available, a lot of groups have an opportunity to feed into the consultation.”

Read more: Local News for Monday 22nd April 2019

Local News for Friday 19th April 2019

ALASDAIR ALLAN MSP SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES TO SPRING CLEAN WESTERN ISLES

Alasdair Allan MSP has joined environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, in applauding the efforts of local residents from the Western Isles who are participating in its annual Spring Clean campaign, which is taking place across the area throughout April and May.
Throughout April and May, Keep Scotland Beautiful will be working with Western Isles residents, businesses, schools and community groups to arrange their own Clean Up events to remove rubbish from local streets, parks and public areas.
Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“I am proud of the actions of residents from the Western Isles who are participating in the annual Spring Clean Campaign - helping to remove more litter and preserve the places that we live in.”
“Events such as ‘Clean Coast Outer Hebrides’ upcoming Beach Clean on Saturday 20th April at Fevig on the West Side will I hope, ensure that the 2019 Spring Clean Campaign is a fantastic success.”
A spokesperson for Clean Coast Outer Hebrides commented:
‘We are always looking to recruit new enthusiastic new members, and if you would like to be a part of this positive movement, hear more about upcoming events, or simply have something to say, please join the Clean Coast Outer Hebrides Facebook group, or email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.’.
And a reminder - the group have an Upcoming Beach Clean tomorrow Saturday April 20th, at Fevig from 11.00am – 2pm. All Volunteers to meet at Bragar Old School & Bring a Bucket.

Read more: Local News for Friday 19th April 2019

Local News for Thursday 18th April 2019

EXTRA 4p PER ISLES HOUSEHOLD FOR 600MW INTERCONNECTOR

Constructing a 600MW interconnector to the Western Isles would cost consumers just 4p more per household per year than the 450MW option.
Western Isles SNP MP Angus MacNeil continues to engage with Ofgem who recently announced their minded-to position of favouring a 450MW link over a 600MW.
As part of that engagement Mr MacNeil asked Ofgem for figures on what the two options would mean for household bills and learned that the 600MW would mean just 4p per household per year more than the 450MW option.
Mr MacNeil says favouring the smaller link would prevent the islands reaching their full renewables potential.
He said: “The figures I obtained from Ofgem show a 600MW link would add 43p to annual household bills and a 450MW would add 39p.
“It is clear that the 600MW option is much better value for money as it could boost the economy in a way the 450MW link could not.
‘An extra 4p would allow a link which had room for current proposals and future development; the potential to create more jobs; and capacity for the islands to grow this sector.
‘In this case it seems obvious that the best possible deal is the one which will bring the greatest long term positive economic impact at minimal additional cost - and that is the 600MW option.’
Ofgem are carrying out a consultation prior to a final decision and visited Lewis last week to meet developers and local agencies.

Read more: Local News for Thursday 18th April 2019

Local News for Wednesday 17th April 2019

ISLES MP WARNS FIRE-RISK TUMBLE DRYERS ARE STILL IN USE

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil is supporting calls from consumer group Which? for the Tory Government to put people’s safety first and ensure all fire-risk tumble dryers are removed from UK homes.
Mr MacNeil appealed to island residents to check if their machines were affected when the first safety notice was issued in 2017. He was subsequently involved in supporting several constituents in ensuring the relevant modifications were carried out or the machine was replaced.
The UK Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) finally published their review on Whirlpool’s modification programme recently and concluded that modified machines are safe to use.

Mr MacNeil said:‘Which? UK believe there are half a million unmodified fire-risk tumble dryers still being used across the UK and so I would urge constituents to check again if their machine is affected.
‘I am supporting Which’s campaign for the UK Government to do more to deal with this matter and to make sure that unsafe products are not being sold and used.
‘It is just not enough to make soft recommendations to the firms responsible.’
You can call Whirlpool on 0800 151 0905 to find out whether your dryer needs a repair and arrange for it to be fixed or replaced.

Visit safety.hotpoint.eu or safety.indesit.eu where you can input your model number and, if your model is affected, you can register it for a service and modification. Creda dryers can also be checked on the Hotpoint site.

If your dryer is one of those affected by the fault, you must contact Whirlpool to arrange a repair or replacement, unplug it immediately and do not use it until it's been fixed.

Read more: Local News for Wednesday 17th April 2019