Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 27 June 2000 For Use: Immediately

Statement re. Publication of Kerley Report by Convener Alex MacDonald:

"There is much to digest in the findings of the Report of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group and it certainly forms a significant contribution to the debate on the future of local government. It is to be welcomed that the Report recognises the good work that is currently going on in local government and it is pleasing to see that the Report is in favour of changing the legislation which hinders the Council's use of new technology. That is a case the Comhairle has been pressing for some time. I would also welcome the attempts to make the process of local government more meaningful to the communities that we serve.

The Comhairle will take the time to fully discuss the far reaching implications of this report for the future of local government in the Western Isles. The Comhairle would certainly hope that the recommendations of the report to the Scottish Executive will now go out to consultation in order to give local authorities the opportunity to respond in a full and meaningful fashion."

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer