Send civil servants to the islands - HIE boss

By Moira Kerr.    Press & Journal 02/03/02

Speaking at Mull and Iona Chamber of Commerce last night, he said: "There has been no dispersal of jobs out of Edinburgh and the Central Belt, to the Highlands and Islands so far and that has got to change.  Even the crofter building grants and loans scheme is based in Edinburgh - that's about 12 to 15 jobs which would be a huge gain for a place like Tiree.  The scheme is not even based in Inverness, it's in Edinburgh and I think that is just daft."  And he continued:  "There are a number of jobs in the public sector that are being looked at, with a bid to relocate them, perhaps the most relevant to the Highlands & Islands being Scottish natural Heritage."

Last month it was announced that a number of London-based Government civil service jobs are to be moved to the Western Isles as part of a drive towards decentralisation.  Up to 100 posts with the Department of Work and pensions are being transferred to Stornoway.

Talking of HIE's role in pressing for change, Mr Hunter said:  "We can do a lot, we can make a case, we can help to provide training and we can help to provide the right workforce, but ultimately, it's a political decision - the political will is needed."

Sandy Brunton, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, agreed.  He said:  "There is no doubt that rates, rental, office space and parking is much, much cheaper in rural places.  It's also quite clear that with proper use of technology that is all around us these jobs could be done practically anywhere."

Mr Hunter told the chamber the islands were a priority for HIE as things were going reasonably well on the mainland, where jobs are being created.  "With the exception of Skye, there is clearly a big job to do on the islands and I am anxious we see what we can do to make a bit of progress on islands like Mull, Islay and Tiree."  He added:  "I think there are real opportunities for Mull to almost become the next Skye - a place that is really moving forward."

Asked if HIE was backing Mull with hard cash, Mr Hunter said: "We have spent at least £150,000 on Mull in the last financial year.  He insisted the most crucial issue to enhancing island economies lay in improving ferry and air links.  Mr Hunter said the Executive had an ideal opportunity to improve ferry services when drawing up the new tender agreement for routes covered by Caledonian MacBrayne.  He said;  "It's absolutely fundamental that we improve access to the islands.  It could be better on Mull.  In Islay and Tiree it's just awful and there must be some way of improving it.  The other issue is the possibility of a locally-based air service to the Argyll islands at Connel.  We are anxious to try and move forward and I think it's a real challenge for us."

Argyll Liberal Democrat MSP George Lyon said:  "We have been banging on about this for the last 18 months."  But he stressed that jobs could only be moved as accommodation leases for Government department bases came up for renewal.  And he pointed out the strong competition from other areas in the bidding process for relocated jobs.  Mr Lyon said:  "It has been the Borders, Dundee and Aberdeen which have managed to win the first round of these jobs being dispersed.  But we have established that SNH are about to disperse some civil servants' jobs and we will be mounting a vigorous campaign to make sure these come to our neck of the woods."

Mr Lyon is to discuss the matter with Argyll and Bute Council next week.  The Executive said it was committed to relocation opportunities "as they arise".  He added: "There are no areas targeted in particular in the relocation of jobs, no particular areas are ruled out either.  Each opportunity is considered on a case by case basis, where they meet the policy criteria."