Screen Machine crunch time
The Scottish Government has rejected calls to find new funding to safeguard the future of the Screen Machine.
Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron wrote to culture secretary Angus Robertson urging him to act after it emerged the muchloved facility was under significant financial pressure.
It experiences frequent breakdowns after 25 years of touring the region, serving areas with no permanent cinemas nearby.
However, in response, Mr Robertson said that no cash could be guaranteed to keep the cameras rolling.
He said: “The Scottish Government will continue working with partners to explore all options to secure a sustainable future for the machine.
“However, given the current difficult public expenditure environment, there are significant pressures on funding across the culture sector, and we are continuing to work on options to ensure a balanced budget.”
The Screen Machine has been screening films to over 40 communities in the
Highlands and islands Scotland since 1998.
The lease for its current cinema will end in two months, with a new one costing around £1.4 million to build.
Regional Screen Scotland was hoping the Scottish Government would fund 50 per cent of this and Regional Screen Scotland would then look to raise the remaining £700,000.
Mr Cameron said: “People across the Highlands and Islands will be disappointed at this lack of support for such a valuable resource.
“The suspicion is, quite understandably, that if this were a much-loved facility in the Central Belt it would be safeguarded without question.
“The Scottish Government says it is committed to investing in culture, yet it won’t put its hand in its pocket to protect the Screen Machine.
“Without it, thousands of of people across the Highlands and Islands have no easy access to the cinematic experience with people of all ages missing out. That’s unacceptable and should be enough to make ministers change their mind.”
Further information about how to help can be found at www.screenmachine.co.uk.
Councillor on ACHA visit to Islay
Alastair Redman recently toured Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) housing on Islay, joining fellow ACHA board members and ACHA’s local team to check housing conditions and local ACHA services.
He said: “I was able to highlight issues, including outside lights, guttering, flooding, gates, windows, mould and damp issues.”