Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 23 November 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle Warmly Welcomes HIE Jobs Devolution

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has warmly welcomed an announcement from HIE today of a new service centre in the Western Isles employing around 20 HIE network staff. In addition, staff numbers in the local enterprise company, WIE, are to be increased, a move also welcomed by the Comhairle.

The Convener of the Comhairle, Alex MacDonald, said:

"This is extremely good news for the Western Isles. I am delighted that HIE has recognised the need for some decentralisation of public agency jobs to remoter areas and I congratulate new Chief Executive, Sandy Cumming, who has produced these key proposals.

The Comhairle has been making the case for some time that this is exactly the kind of radical thinking that was needed for remote areas and this news comes as a boost for the islands at a time of extreme economic fragility.

It is particularly pleasing that Mr. Cumming's recommendations specify that the jobs should be located in a rural part of the Western Isles. The Comhairle has already identified suitable locations for such a proposal for our own purposes and we will work closely with HIE to identify suitable locations."

The news was greeted equally enthusiastically by Development Services Chairman Cllr. Donald Maclean: "These proposals are very much to be welcomed as good news for the Western Isles. Not only will they bring about a significant boost to employment in the Islands, they also set an example of job dispersal which other agencies could follow. I can think of no other area where the benefits of decentralising jobs will have such a benefit on the economy of the area at what is a critical time".

Acting Chief Executive Mr. Neil Galbraith added:

"Mr. Cumming has stated his aim of revitalising the economy of the Western Isles and with these proposals he has delivered an excellent start. This job dispersal scheme is in line with the Comhairle's policies on decentralisation and is very much to be welcomed. Assuming HIE presses ahead with these proposals, it may be that this will be looked back upon as the start of the reversal of the depopulation and economic decline which has blighted the Islands. I congratulate Mr. Cummings on his bold and imaginative outlook which we all hope may bring about the economic prosperity that the communities of the Western Isles deserve"

Ends

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