Community Engagement: Consultations, Surveys and Opinions

Dear Mr MacKillop,
Thank you for your comment.
The owners of these surveys were Kildonan and Taigh Chearsabhagh Museums.
The Comhairle through E Sgire publicised the surveys on behalf of the two organisations in an attempt to widen community engagement.
The Comhairle is not automatically informed regarding survey results that it does not own, but we could make a request to the organisations as to the status regarding publishing of the survey results.
Kind regards,
E-Sgìre

 So sad that this potentially wonderful resource is so neglected and that it does not seem to have been updated for some time. One instance of this is that the survey for Kildonan Museum advises that the survey has to be completed by the end of February - February 2015, that is.
There has been no update to say what the outcome of that survey was - and possibly no-one even completed the survey.
I do hope things improve and that more folk will take part in the community activities.

Dear Mr Zerfahs,
Thank you for your comment submitted to E - Sgìre.
The Comhairle traditionally carries out surface dressing works to sections of the roads network across the Western Isles generally during the months of June and July.
It is an important part of our maintenance of road surfaces and, whilst very much recognising the value of tourism to the Western Isles throughout the year, it is necessary for these operations to be carried out in better weather.

We do also recognise the disruption that our operations can cause in localised areas when and where the work is being carried out, and we always seek to minimise this as much as possible by the careful management of traffic in the areas affected.

The safety of all road users, and of our employees involved in the work, is very important to us and we would ask that signage, and other safety management arrangements, be observed by all road users at all times.

In response to the specific concerns, I would suggest that there is no substance at all to the suggestion that “the Western Isles should be avoided” by cyclists or by any other visitor to the islands.

If you require any further information please let us know.

Kind regards

E - Sgìre Team

As a member of the CTC (Cycle Touring Club), an organisation with over 70,000 members, I was concerned to read on one of their forums that due to impending road resurfacing through the Western Isles, involving tar and chips, there are already opinions being expressed that the Western Isles should be avoided for the next couple of months because of the unpleasantness, and even danger, of cycling on loose chippings. Of course our roads must be maintained, but for future reference perhaps the timing of these events might be considered in the light of these possibly unforeseen consequences.

I am sure I need not remind people that cycle touring through the Western Isles has become increasingly popular over the years, and although many motorists might think it a good thing to have fewer bikes on our roads, cyclists by their very nature, (unlike camper vans and the like), cannot come pre-loaded with mainland supermarket stuff and have to buy locally.

Dear Mr Walker

I am supporting Colin Gilmour in a review the current structures for engaging with the public in locality planning with the aim of creating a new structure that works better while considering the proposals on integration.

I will suggest that a letter goes out from the CHaSCP to all Community Councils and remaining LPG's in the Western Isles to inform those communities of the current status of the CHaSCP and specifically its public involvement structures with an invitation to get involved in planning a new structure for that will work.

Meanwhile, please get in touch with me to discuss further and arrange a meeting in Benbecula to talk about the current situation in the Southern Isles.

Kind regards,

Lillian Crichton
Patient Focus & Public Involvement Officer
NHS Western Isles
37 South Beach Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2BB
Tel: 01851 708041
Text / Mobile: 07584335141
Email: lillian.crichton@nhs.net
Working Days: Tues, Wed, Thurs
Clinical Governance & Quality
http://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk
Follow us on Twitter @NHSWI
 

Dear Mr Walker,
Thank you for your submission to E-Sgìre.
Your enquiry regarding 'the lack of representation from the UISTS on the Locality Planning Group (LPG) of the Community Health & Social Care Partnership (CHaSCP)' has been forwarded on to Dr Nigel Hobson and Mr Colin Gilmour of NHS Western Isles Health Board on the 17th of June 2013, in order that they can provide you with a response.
Please let us know if you require any further information.
Kind Regards,
E-Sgìre

 I wish to enquire about the lack of representation from the UISTS on the Locality Planning Group (LPG) of the Community Health & Social Care Partnership (CHaSCP). There are five LPG's covering all island areas, but the Uist LPG doesn't seem to exist any more, no meetings held for over two years. The Uist LPG represents patients/service-users from Berneray, N. Uist, Benbecula, S. Uist to Eriskay. I have raised my concerns at the Benbecula Community Council, and my concerns were raised in writing with the CHaSCP group, but no action appears to have been taken to rectify matters. Representation on the CHaSCP from the Uists area is critically important regarding health and social care services in this area, so I shall be pleased to be advised as to how this Uist LPG can be re-instated. Thank you.

Dear Mr Sammons,
Thank you for your feedback. Carloway is located in ward 4 on the Communities map, or can be selected by activating ward 4 on the right hand side of the same page. If you select the Information section which then opens up a local information page, you will find there a sub heading titled Health Services. The Carloway Medical Practice is listed there.
Thank you.
E-Sgìre

 I can't seem to find existence of Carloway as a medical practice on this website. I see Westside with Borve's practice details, and I see Langabhat but no Carloway practice details.

Dear Mr Macleod,
Thank you for your comment regarding E– Sgìre. The structure of the website is based on Wards, and these ward names were agreed by the Local Government Boundaries Commission for Scotland. There is to be a review of the ward boundaries both in terms of name and sizes prior to 2017, and there will be an opportunity for the public to comment at that time. However, I have included a short paragraph about Berneray on the ward page and a link to your community website as per the paragraph below:
There is a causeway linking Berneray to North Uist, which was opened officially in April 1999 by Prince Charles. For more information on Berneray please visit the island's Community website at http://www.isleofberneray.com/
Please let me know if you would like any changes or additions to this text. We would also be pleased to include any future further information that you would like to add.
Thank you for your interest,
E– Sgìre

Dear Mr Colledge,
Regarding your reply that the comment you had submitted: "has been moderated off the board" the E-Sgìre administrators would like to reassure you that your comment was accepted in its entirety, and posted verbatim on your behalf. The administration system used by E-Sgìre regarding comments received, does not allow the administrators to alter or edit the submission from the commentator. The comment is accepted in its entirety or not at all, dependant on whether it meets our moderation guidelines. We hope that this clarifies any issues regarding the Opinion section, and reassures Mr Colledge regarding any future submissions he may wish to make.
Thank you,
E-Sgìre

 I see my criticism has been moderated off the board. Sad. When I looked for the guidelines I got a 404.

 It seems that Alex and I are the only ones posting.

Berneray is not listed? But Eriskay, even Vatersay is? We all know the island has more than its fair share of criminal incomers, but it seems mean to exclude it from your website and include much smaller, less populated lumps of land.

 Lumping together four areas unfortunately shows where this new attempt at democracy will end up. Barra's main preoccupation at the moment is the proposed closure of our air link to Benbecula. Many years ago there was a clear link Barra to Lewis; many of our children went to the hostels in Stornoway and were better citizens as a result. With the advent and then demise of Highland Airways, all this free and open intercourse was stopped. Now we find yet another bar to access other islands. Most people from Barra go to the hospital in Benbecula. It's obviously not impossible to travel by ferry, but it can be rather uncomfortable. Could you ask your masters to reconsider? Thanks, Peter Colledge, clerk, Northbay Community Council, Barra