Community hub

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has backed ambitious proposals for a £44 million centralised hub in Castlebay.

A new build school and modern hospital is planned to be built on a single campus which could also provide health, social care, learning and community services for all of Barra and Vatersay.

Significant cash savings achieved from building an integrated facility on the one site aims to allow the development of a number of state-of-the art facilities which would otherwise be delayed or never achieved the foreseeable future.

Councillors voted to progress plans for an integrated development on the site of the existing Castlebay School.

Western Isles health board is expected to meet on Wednesday to vote over its preferred way forward.

Modern health care facilities were urgently required over ten years ago but delays set in.

The existing St Brendan’s at Horve, on the edge of Castlebay, includes a 10-bedroom care home and five-bed hospital. The building was erected around 1980 and now falls woefully short of national standards and was described as “completely unacceptable” for modern standards by health board bosses.

A brand new hospital would be constructed under the plans including dental facilities, primary care facilities, as well as an ambulance station. For the first time a mortuary facility would be available on the island.

However, a new-for-old replacement care home is not on the cards. Instead, eight tenanted housing with extra care units and two flexible units would be built.

The council’s preferred way forward is for a centralised campus built by the present Castlebay School incorporating a new school, hospital, sports centre, college courses, council offices and a small police station.

Eoligarry School would close as a result leaving the island with a single combined primary and secondary campus.

Third Sector and community service providers and potentially a café may also be based on the site.

Council chief executive Malcolm Burr called it an “exciting day” for the council.

Council leader Roddie Mackay hailed the highly “significant” milestone in the project’s journey, highlighting the potential “win-win” outcome.

He added: “This has far reaching implications should it come to fruition.

“Most importantly, with all these developments, we are bringing improvements in services to our communities and that must be the outcome we all strive for.”

Mr Mackay praised Scottish Government ministers for their support.

Barra councillor Donald Manford said: “Now is a time for looking forward and building a legacy for our children and grandchildren.

“This is an unique opportunity for Barra and Vatersay - not only in terms of health and education but in economic development, social regeneration and investment.

“Our decision - while an aspiration - must also be based on a realism in relation to funding, provision of public services and development in community empowerment

“The proposal provides not only a new estate but an expanded range of services delivered in a way, I believe, that is sustainable.

“It supports all community aspirations for a critical range of services supported by the council, the NHS and the Scottish Government.”

Mr Manford highlighted the project is aspirational as a model for wider application.

He added: “It has momentum and will happen to an agreed timetable.

“It challenges us all in terms of public, private and third sector partnerships, and requires collaboration at all levels in all processes

“It presents a vision based on a clear practical framework supported by the Scottish Government.”

Ultimately, the outcome will be “expanded services - efficiently managed and delivered - catalysts for our social and economic advantage.”

Last week, health secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed the Scottish Government’s “full commitment” to the project.

She said: “I expect senior leadership at the health board and the council to move it forward and to deliver against the agreed timescales.”

The comhairle has set aside £7 million towards the school element of the project while the Scottish Government expected contribution would being it up to £37.4 million, leaving a £6.6 million shortfall towards the construction.

Comhairle votes over preferred option for £44 million Castlebay community hub

5 November 2019

Plans for an integrated community hub are taking shape