CREDIT UNION PROJECT OFFICER APPOINTED

Plans for a Western Isles Credit Union are moving ahead with the appointment of Alison MacCorquodale as Project Officer.

Alison’s appointment follows the establishment of a local Steering Group, whose remit is to explore options on the establishment of a Credit Union in the Western Isles.

Over the next twelve months the Steering Group will be engaging with individuals; communities; community organisations and businesses throughout the Western Isles, both to seek support for the Credit Union concept and to identify the most appropriate working model for a local Union. This effort will be led by Alison.

Born and brought up in North Uist, Alison (25) is a law graduate from Aberdeen University. She was previously employed as Revenues Officer with the finance department of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Chairman of the Credit Union Steering Group, Councillor Archie Campbell said: “This is a very exciting and very challenging project. The Credit Union concept is new to the Western Isles and as such it will be important for the Project officer to get out into the community to discuss the project and encourage people to volunteer and get involved. Through community involvement the Credit Union will bring many benefits to individuals, while also supporting the wider economy of the area. There is great potential in the Western Isles for a Credit Union”.
“Over the next number of months meetings will be held throughout the Western Isles; leaflets will be sent out and there will shortly be a website. I would urge everyone to come and speak to us and to hear about the project and what it can offer”.

Funding for the development phase of the Western Isles Credit Union was recently secured and a detailed implementation plan has been set out. That plan is based around undertaking community consultation and awareness raising; recruiting a community board; providing training for that board and developing an initial business plan.

Cllr Campbell said: “Alison’s appointment will allow us to push forward with the overall project and in particular will allow us to begin the essential community consultation element of the process. I believe Alison will be an asset to the development of the Credit Union project and will help us bring to fruition what is, potentially, an extremely important project for the Western Isles.
“Credit Unions are a successful and well-established form of community organisation throughout Scotland, the UK and overseas. Although new to the Western Isles, I believe that a Credit Union may have particular benefits in an area such as ours, which has a long history of shared communal activity. Being locally owned, the Credit Union’s decisions should benefit individuals, the community and the wider economy.”

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk