Going Forward
Together
Stòras Uibhist Ltd.
Oifis Stòras, Daliburgh, South Uist, HS8 5SS
Writer
Telephone No
E-mail Address
Date
Angus MacMillan
01878 700 101
[email protected]
April 2011
Dear Household,
Community Consultation Survey and Review
At the AGM in 2010 the Directors of Sealladh na Beinne Mòire committed to a wide-ranging
independent review of the progress since the buyout and a consultation on which direction the
community wanted the company to go in the future. Every household within the estate area
was invited to participate.
Amanda Bryan of Aigas Associates carried out the consultation on behalf of the company.
15% of the 2034 people who were sent the questionnaire responded. 52 people were also
consulted directly through one to one interviews. We would like to take this opportunity to
thank those who responded either through the questionnaire, or in one to one interviews.
A summary of the report, provided by Aigas Associates, is attached, along with a summary of
the Directors response to the consultation. The complete report is available in full at Post
Offices, Oifis Stòras and on the Stòras Uibhist website (www.storasuibhist.com).
Amanda Bryan will present her report to the community at open meetings on:
Tuesday May 10th at South End Hall, 7.30pm
Wednesday May 11th at St Mary’s Hall Griminish, 7.30pm
We look forward to welcoming everyone to the presentations and giving the community an
opportunity to discuss the findings and ask any questions they may have.
Yours faithfully,
Angus MacMillan
Chair
Storas Uibhist Ltd Registered in Scotland SC262354
Registered Office - Oifis Stòras, Daliburgh, South Uist HS8 5SS
Telephone 01878 700101; www.storasuibhist.com ; [email protected]
The Directors response to the report is below.
We were pleased to note that the report identified continued high levels of support across the
Estate area for the projects identified at the time of the buyout:
• Lochboisdale Port of Entry – 76%
• Loch Carnan Community Windfarm – 76%
• Improved Estate Management, Grogarry Lodge and Sporting Activity – 67%
High levels of support were also identified for additional activities not considered during the
buyout:
• Lobbying on various activities (Lochboisdale-Mallaig Ferry and Hebrides Range) –
81%
• Askernish Golf Course Development – 73%
Work to address Coastal Erosion (70%) and maintaining/upgrading the Integrated Drainage
System (60%) were also identified as future priorities.
The report identified that greater efforts should be made by Stòras Uibhist to communicate
information on the company operations and progress of the projects to the community more
regularly, in easily understandable language and in a variety of formats.
The Directors of Sealladh na Beinne Mòire have studied the report and identified a number of
actions that will be taken as a direct result of this feedback from the community.
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The first of regular newsletters (Naidheachdan Stòras) has already been produced and
distributed across the estate area, containing information specifically sought by
respondents to the survey.
The Directors have committed to providing more information to the community, more
regularly and in a wider variety of formats (electronically, newsletters, monthly
column in a local newspaper).
The number of Working Groups will be expanded and individuals with specific skills
will be invited to join these groups. These Working Groups will be an opportunity for
the community to be involved in progressing various aspects within the company. The
Working Groups will cover: Loch Carnan Windfarm; Lochboisdale Port of Entry;
Housing; Askernish & Toursim; Crofting/Estate Management; Grogarry Lodge;
Fishing (Salmon/Trout). Each Working Group will be chaired by a Director and
assisted by a member of staff from within that department. . We will re-advertise for
positions within the groups in the near future.
John MacMillan, Vice-Chair, has been tasked by the Board to begin the process of
identifying priority projects to be taken forward once the revenue from LochCarnan
Windfarm is available. This will be done through further consultation with the
community.
The Directors welcome further feedback from the community as a whole and would
encourage those who have not already done so to become Members of the community
company.
Storas Uibhist Ltd Registered in Scotland SC262354
Registered Office - Oifis Stòras, Daliburgh, South Uist HS8 5SS
Telephone 01878 700101; www.storasuibhist.com ; [email protected]