Mobile library service

Sirs,

As a fellow councillor also representing a rural ward (Harris & South Lochs ), I am greatly heartened by the positive and encouraging comments from councillor Norrie MacDonald ( Sgire an Rubha ) regarding the provision of such a lifeline service as the mobile library vans.

Following on from a passionate defence of the mobile library vans in the council chamber on 24 April of this year, I proposed that funding for such an important lifeline service - so critical to rural areas within the Western Isles - be made available immediately.

However, this motion was defeated 23 votes to 7 and it was transferred to “service re-design” initially within the communities and housing committee and, more recently, within education.

Having said that, I am well encouraged that - as councillor Norrie MacDonald stated - there will be an update from education at the next budget board in less than a fortnight on 22 August.

This update should focus on how we move forward in maintaining this critically important service. I am even more encouraged that there is a general supportive feeling throughout the elected officials to ensure that the mobile library service continues.

If the update does not reflect the above feeling and possibly threatens the service, I will continue to fight for the retention of this vitally important service in response to the community’s pleas.

Last month, whilst attending the North Harris Agricultural Show AND the South Harris Agricultural Show, I was asked at each event by several constituents what we were doing as councillors to support the continuance of the library van service.

I replied saying that I would be doing everything I could - after all we were voted in to do just that - support rural issues within rural communities.

This is not only a matter for concern in Point but within all rural communities throughout the Western Isles.

Cllr John G Mitchell (SNP)

Harris and South Lochs

Letter: Fresh hope for the Western Isles mobile library service?

10 August 2018