Thank you… but there is still questions to be answered
I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of the Highland Council planning committee members (NPAC & SPAC) who objected to SSEN’s proposed infrastructure on the Isle of Skye, and in doing so should legally be triggering a public local inquiry (PLI). This is when SSEN can be cross-examined, and whether or not there is a’ need’ for the infrastructure can truly be established.
Unfortunately, there are concerns that protocol will not be followed and a PLI will not take place. Despite numerous formal requests to SSEN for evidence that this infrastructure is required, the multinational, 75 per cent owned by SSE – the largest wind farm developer in Scotland – SSEN has refused to answer the questions accordingly and to prove need for all of this proposed infrastructure.
Perhaps some councillors are beginning to see this drive by BIG energy to develop mega pylons, super-substations, and more and more massive wind farms for what it really is – another BIG money spinner by BIG energy.
It is of the upmost importance that councillors demand of the Scottish Government the PLI Skye deserves. To not deliver this is the greatest slap to the public’s face. It makes a mockery of local democracy, calls in to question the need for local councillors (if they are simply ignored by centralised government), and it deprives constituents the opportunity to defend their environment, their properties, their livelihoods, and their children’s future.
It is vital that Highland councillors continue to stand up for their constituents, make their voices heard by the Scottish Government, and not be broken by the relentless pressure put on them by SSEN and all BIG energy companies.
Denise Davis, Communities B4 Power Companies
Constituency work takes councillor to Bowmore
I was delighted to be back in Bowmore visiting, listening to and speaking with my constituents recently.
Many pressing local issues were discussed, including the local roads which are unfortunately resembling the surface of the moon more than fit for purpose infrastructure, the need for more affordable housing on Islay, our numerous ferry problems and the challenges people are facing due to the increase in the cost of living.
I will be raising all these matters and many more with the appropriate departments and
I am happy to hear from any of my constituents in the Kintyre and the Island ward.
Councillor Alistair Redman.
Learning lessons?
The Scottish Government is clearly learning its lessons from the Glen Sannox / Glen Rosa fiasco.
The news that it plans to directly award a new contract to operate ferries in the Clyde and Hebrides to CalMac has many advantages:-
- No one need write a detailed tender specification for interested parties to submit bids against.
- No time need be spent evaluating bids to ensure best value for the taxpayer.
- The risk that allegations of mis-procurement are made because the ‘preferred’ bidder has received preferential treatment is eliminated.
So good news all round, then, except for the travelling public. So much for a proper public procurement policy.
Personally, I think that CalMac do a grand job given the outdated resources at their disposal.
I would increase prices in order to generate funds for new ferries, but then again I am not a SNP politician seeking re-election in 2026!
T.H.Forrester, Ford.
Leaflets can ease stress for people with diabetes
Following the rising in NHS waiting lists and the lack of GP appointments, receiving information and support for many people living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes has been difficult and often stressful, especially so for those who have been recently diagnosed.
Not only can this be worrying for people but they feel that they do not have enough information to manage their diabetes themselves.
In this situation, we would like your readers to know that we can help them to learn more about their diabetes and how to look after themselves with our range of FREE booklets.
It is well known that people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, are more at risk of developing depression. Just living with diabetes means that they are also more likely to be in stressful situations or experience anxiety.
We have recently published a new FREE booklet, ‘Diabetes, Stress, Anxiety and Depression’ which offers information on how the body handles these conditions, recognising the symptoms and various treatment options. We are happy to supply this to your readers. One of the most worrying aspects of diabetes for people with diabetes, especially those who are newly diagnosed, is diet – what they can and can’t eat. We have two useful booklets to help with this: ‘Diabetes – Everyday Eating’ which contains 28 days of menus of everyday, affordable meals to help people manage their diabetes and ‘Diet and Diabetes’. This gives information about various diets, food labelling, weight loss and much more.
All our booklets are FREE, so we hope you will let your readers know that we can help. They can obtain copies of the above booklets and many more listed in our ‘Publication List’ by contacting IDDT: telephone 01604 622837 or email: jenny@iddtinternational.org
Jenny Hirst, co-chairperson, IDDT.
Christmas is for everyone
Christmas is a time when families and friends look forward to getting together, but for the one in five adults with hearing loss, crowded dinner tables full of people laughing and shouting over each other can be a nightmare to follow. Not to mention softly lit rooms and Christmas music playing in the background.
You may have family or friends that struggle with hearing loss, or perhaps you are the one who often feels left out of conversations?
RNID’s Christmas Dinner Game was created to ensure that everyone at your dinner table can have fun together whilst being deaf aware, so that everybody feels included.
Visit rnid.org.uk/game and we’ll send you a game pack which will include everything you need to have a fun filled dinner while learning a bit of British Sign Language (BSL) on the side!
Teri Devine, RNID.