Cuts loom as council prepares for budget decisions

Harris residents and community groups are braced for news of significant cuts to council services, which are expected to be announced next month.

Last week Comhairle nan Eilean Siar confirmed that it was facing an estimated £5.4 million funding shortfall (reduced to £4.1 million with the use of investments) meaning savings will need to be made across departments.

Recent surveys have asked residents to give their views on where they think funding should be prioritised. These questions highlight bus provision and Library, Sport and Health, as some of the areas where reductions, or even closures, could be made.

The council’s new year Budget Survey received over 1000 responses before it closed on Friday. It asked respondents to rank core services, from refuse to road maintenance, Early Learning and transport, in priority order.

Feedback gathered at community meetings will also contribute to the decision-making process, taking place before the budget-setting meetings on February 24 and 25.

A focus meeting at Tarbert Library in December was well attended, with residents of all ages voicing their support and need for local sport and library services.

Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “Comhairle nan Eile-an Siar and all Local Authorities need open and frank discussions with Government to establish real solutions for Local Government funding and to halt this current trend. The Comhairle cannot continue to cut services back year on year, and the people of the Western Isles cannot continue to be asked to pay more and receive less.”

There are fears that services for Harris, with its smaller proportion of the population and remote locations, may be particularly impacted by changes, including concerns that the already limited Sports offering will be further curtailed (Stornoway residents have more facilities with longer hours, but pay the same as Harris residents for their Slainte Mhath Leisure membership).

“Slàinte Mhath subscribers in Harris have always understood and accepted that the level of access to services and facilities available to subscribers in the Stornoway area cannot be replicated in Harris,” says Gordon MacDonald, from SportHarris.

“However, it seems unfair that the reduced level of service and facility access we do have, may be further eroded in the expected round of budget cuts, particularly as one of the financial pressures locally is a direct result of the excessive and

unreasonable charges being levied on CnES by FES (OCS) for community access to the sports hall.”

It is already known that the council intends to end core funding for arts and cultural organisations – a decision that puts the Stornoway Arts Centre an Lanntair at risk. The centre, which has hosted outreach classes in Harris, and provides cultural opportunities for people from across the islands, has attracted backing from high profile Lewis figures including the writer Kevin McNeil and wee studio owner, Keith Morrison.

A new Friends of Tarbert Library group launched yesterday, to support the library and raise funds for equipment and events.

“We love visiting the library,” said regular library user Katherine Smailes. “Having a warm space where my son can socialise, play, learn and attend events has been invaluable. I cannot imagine the impact if it were to close. There are so few resources on the island that the services we do have are essential to us and our community"