Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Text of a letter from the Vice-Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to the First Minister in connection with Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba.

Dear First Minister,

During your visit to the Western Isles earlier this year, you were kind enough to spend some time discussing the economic regeneration strategy document prepared by the Comhairle and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, ‘Creating Communities Of The Future’.

We were pleased that you felt able to endorse the approach being taken by the Comhairle and its partner agencies in attempting to set out a viable economic future for the Western Isles. You will recall that the strategy identified the key economic resources of the Islands and how they could be best developed for the benefit of local communities and at a national level.

One of the unique economic factors which the Islands are fortunate to have is the Gaelic language. Indeed, you will be aware that the Islands are the heartland of the Gaelic language which is in use on an everyday basis throughout our communities. Potentially, the language and its development could provide much needed jobs for the Islands.

You will also no doubt recall that a further key element identified in the strategy was jobs dispersal. This was an area where we were seeking government commitment and support.

We were, therefore, excited at the prospect of the creation of Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba. Here was a golden opportunity for the Scottish Executive to demonstrate its commitment to the people of the Western Isles and to the Gaelic language. The recommendation of Highlands and Islands Enterprise was that Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba should be located in the Western Isles.

It was with bitter disappointment, therefore, that we learned, through the placing of a job advertisement in the local media, that Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba was to be located in Inverness. The local benefits of placing such a symbolically important organisation in Inverness are negligible whereas even the small number of jobs involved would be a tremendous economic and psychological boost for the Western Isles. Not only have we lost out on local employment but we will no doubt lose some of our brightest young talent who will follow the well worn route to pursue a career in the language in Inverness.

I have to say that I was also dismayed at the way in which this decision was announced. I wrote to Lord Watson on two occasions (copies enclosed) to make the case for the Bord to be located in the Western Isles and I have yet to receive an acknowledgement. Senior Civil Servants were reassuring Officers of the Comhairle that no decision had been taken on the location of the Bord at the same time as an advert was being prepared which clearly stated that Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba was to be located in Inverness. Surely this is an unacceptable way for the Scottish Executive to conduct its business?

Press reporters were adamant that a decision had been taken to base the Bord in Inverness and that Highland Council had been briefed accordingly whilst on the 12th July a Senior Officer of the Executive was denying that any such decision had been taken.

It was with further sadness and disappointment that we read the Minister’s statement that the reason for locating the Bord in Inverness was because of its ‘accessibility’. Accessibility is a relative term and this reasoning has serious implications for our future. It would appear that this new policy will disqualify rural areas from any hope of jobs dispersal if they are not considered accessible and the message for private business is to locate in ‘accessible’ urban areas. This flies in the face of the devolution messages on decentralisation and social inclusion delivered to us here in Stornoway by the late Donald Dewar.

A spokesperson for the Executive claimed that locating Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba in Inverness was in line with decentralisation. I had always thought that the whole point of jobs dispersal was to locate in those areas where employment needs were highest. As we all know, the Inverness area has one of the fastest growing economies in Western Europe, with severe pressure on employee availability, housing and other infrastructure. The location of Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba in Inverness will add to these pressures while the Gaelic speaking population continues to be enticed to leave the Islands to seek employment opportunities in Inverness and elsewhere.

It was with real hope for the future that the people of the Western Isles endorsed the principles of devolution which seemed to offer some hope for our Islands. Unfortunately those ideals seem to have become lost.

As a lifelong supporter of devolution and the concept of a Scottish Parliament it is with real sadness that I write to you in these terms. The feeling is that the Scottish Executive has turned its back on our islands with all the political, social and economic consequences which that entails.

Given the public interest and deep concern over this matter I am releasing copies of this letter to the media.

Yours sincerely,

Vice Convener

ENDS

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk