Councillor's Column - Dougie McFadzean, February 14 2025
I’m writing this column whilst looking out of my living room window at a beautiful, serene, clear and calm winter’s day.
What a contrast to Friday January 24 when Kintyre and the Islands was battered by Storm Eowyn.
We are still repairing the damage caused during the storm and will be for a while to come. I want to reach out to the residents of Frederick Court, Port Ellen, Islay in particular because many of them had their homes flooded for the third time in little over 12 months.
I went to Frederick Crt during the height of the storm to try to help get stranded residents out of their flooded and cut off homes, but could not get to them such was the depth of the flood waters and strength of the wind.
The coastguard had to be called out to help, and I am so grateful for their help. The flooded homes have been devastated and several are uninhabitable now.
I’ll be doing everything I can to help and will be lobbying to have the flood defences strengthened, which is long overdue.
Being a member of the Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) project since its inception on Islay, I had the privilege of attending the official opening of the new Islay solar array.
We were successful in securing funding to build the facility from the Scottish Government to support our efforts to become a carbon neutral island.
Islay was one of the first islands to be chosen for this project, and we are working hard to find innovative solutions to reduce our greenhouse gas output, which is a challenge with the industrial nature of our island.
I’m also a committee member of a group called Islay Link Club, a mental health support charity.
We recently launched the Islay Needs Assessment report, which is the culmination of around two years’ work. Around 30 people attended the launch in Bruichladdich hall.
The report provides an insight into what a post-covid Islay looks like and the impact the pandemic has had on our people.
The report delves deeply into real lives, real problems, service failings and opportunities. The research was carried out by Professor Jean MacLellan, a highly regarded professional, supported by service providers, volunteers and university students.
The report is free for anybody who would like a copy and is available on the Islay Link Club website (www.islaylinkclub.com). It makes for a very interesting and informative read and will hopefully help inspire groups and individuals to help support our communities.
I had the pleasure of attending Argyll and Bute’s Allied Health Professional Forum as part of my role as policy lead for care services.
I was blown away by the enthusiasm and dedication of the members, who included physiotherapists, dieticians, living well coordinators and others from the wide spectrum of healthcare.
These professionals provide us with the crucial health improvement and reablement services which allow us to live our lives as best as we can.
It was great to be in the company of people who truly care about what they do, and some of their ideas to make things better were inspirational. I’ll continue to support them in any way I can.
We are also now well into the visitor levy consultation period, and I continue to encourage as many of you as possible to take part and have your say.
It’s fair to say that the idea of a visitor levy is a divisive one, but only by having your say can your councillors make an informed decision, and a decision that is right for Argyll and Bute. The consultation survey can be found on the Argyll and Bute Council website.
Thanks for reading my column and I wish you all the best for the future, Dougie.
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JOBS
Childcare and Education Worker - ARB15733 - Argyll and Bute Council
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