From: Arthur Cormack [arthur_dot_cormack_at_btconnect_dot_com]
Sent: 10 April 2007 22:52
Subject: Deasbad Mòr nan Eilean | The Big Islands Debate | Portree _at_ 7pm on 26 April
Hello a h-uile duine

The Big Islands Debate – Deasbad Mòr nan Eilean – will take place at 7pm in the Aros Centre, Portree, on Thursday 26 April as part of a larger series, details of which can be found at www.scottishvotepods.com.

Lesley Riddoch will be in the Chair, and there will be music from Babelfish - Jo Bingham (flute, whistle); Iain Copeland (drums, percussion); Adam Sutherland (fiddle); John Somerville (accordion); Andy Thorburn (keyboards)

So far, on the panel we have Eleanor Scott (Scottish Green Party), John Farquhar Munro (Lib Dems) and Michael Russell (SNP).  We have been waiting for a couple of weeks for the Conservatives and Labour to give us names, but to no avail so far.  They are being pursued daily, and we also hope to have a couple of non party-political people to add to the debate.

The event is absolutely FREE, but please do reserve a ticket by calling Aros on 01478 613750.  Seats are limited to the capacity of Aros, so if you want to come along, get in early and book now!

To remind folk, the following are the areas of debate previously circulated, and to which a lot of you added points previously.  This is not an exhaustive list at all, but it is highly unlikely that all areas can all be covered in the time available.  If you want to be sure of getting your question asked on the night, please send it back to me as soon as possible by e-mail.  I need to get the ‘top 5’ questions as soon as I can in order to get the debate going, but I should stress that there will be plenty time for questions from the floor on the night also.  We would like to have some in advance, however, so WHAT’S YOUR No 1 BURNING QUESTION THAT MUST BE ASKED?  Send a reply to me at this address to let me know.

More information as names are confirmed.  Please pass this e-mail onto anyone you think may be interested in the debate.

Services

• Delivery of local services by council: how will new structure change this?
• Health services: forward or back?
• Autism - the service providers need to wake up to the size and reality of its social impact
• The cost and quality of home care for elderly and disabled
• Public water supplies
• Should economic development come under the direction of local authorities?
• Housing policy – flawed?
• Planning – is there a masterplan for the Skye and other islands, or is it made up as councillors go along?
  

Transport

• Ferries to the Western Isles: Uig or Dunvegan?
• Cal-Mac: is the tendering process good or bad for the travelling public?  Is it now a farce since Cal-Mac is the only company tendering?
• Skye Bridge: still unanswered questions
• Fixed link from the Western Isles to Skye
• Long term transport policies
• Road equivalent tariffs
  

Energy

• Wind Farms, or not?
• Other forms of alternative energy: does Skye & Western Isles have more to offer?
  

Environment

• Marine Park?
• Forestry
• Repair and maintenance of vital road links in the islands
• Crofting
• Economic development based on culture and arts
• House prices
• Portree Harbour development
  

Culture

• Impact of new Gaelic Act: attitude of parties to the language
• Gaelic schools: why don’t we have more of them?
• How to get Gaelic into the playground
• Year of Highland Culture - what is 'Highland Culture'?
• Quality of Gaelic education on offer
• Creative Scotland: plans for new body
• Role of contemporary arts and creative industries in regeneration and being part of international networks
• Commitment on cultural entitlements - what does that mean? How will the coalition of responsibility and capability to deliver them be formed?
  

Democracy

• Changes in local authority structure: for the better?
• Planning decisions post-May
• Role of Community Planning
• Democracy on Raasay!
• Parties’ stance on Europe and wider international policy
  

Tourism

• Policies of parties
• Quality of service on offer:  how can it be improved?
• Use of uniqueness of area in promoting what is on offer
• Moving away from an economic dependence on tourism
  

Deagh dhùrachd

Arthur Cormack