Rural growth deal is a step in the right direction

The rural growth deal that will hopefully be coming to Argyll and Bute will not only be very welcome but will go to address at least some of the past unfairness my local area has had to put up with.

With the support of my Conservative group, I have played a key role in making sure the Argyll and Bute Council administration understands all the issues facing the Kintyre and Islands ward and to see that we are given rightful prominence in Argyll and Bute’s rural growth deal proposals.

I also have given strong advice to all of my colleagues on the administration about the challenges we face across the area.

From Islay and Jura, vast tax contributions have flooded into the coffers of central governments of every political stripe for decades as our infrastructure has sadly disintegrated.

Our need to improve local infrastructure, job opportunities, housing stock, broadband and electric grid capacity must all be acknowledged and not left on the back burner.

While nothing is guaranteed and the rural growth deal will not address all of Argyll and Bute’s many problems, this is a step in the right direction.

What is guaranteed is that I will lobby and fight for my constituents in the Kintyre and the Islands ward and do all I can to see we are not sidelined as we have been in the past. Councillor Alastair Redman, Islay.