New Uist economic taskforce meets
THE FIRST meeting of the Uist Economic Taskforce (UET) working group took place this month.
Councillor Iain A MacNeil, who was appointed group chairman, said: ‘This was an important meeting that reset and refocused the efforts of the UET. We discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the economy of Uist. We were clear Uist is an excellent place to live, work and bring up a family. In Uist, we have a first class cultural and environmental heritage.
‘Our community cohesion is second to none and we have excellent community facilities. We have real challenges, but it is important we acknowledge and celebrate what is so special about Uist and that we aren’t shy in marketing these special attributes, within the islands and further afield. Landowners and Hebridean Housing Partnership will be asked to the next meeting to find ways to accelerate housing development in Uist.’
It was also agreed to focus on broadband connectivity to all parts of Uist. The group will work with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Reaching 100% programme to ensure rollout is accelerated and that no gap sites are allowed to develop in Uist. UET also agreed to support the team developing the Spaceport project; to explore future uses for any redundant elements at the Ministry of Defence’s West Camp and to support the development of a masterplan to regenerate Balivanich. UET will also seek out people’s views on what they want to see in future. Councillor MacNeil added: ‘I look forward to progress being made.’