Wishart repeats calls for islander voices on transport boards
Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has called for consideration of islander travel experience to be given greater weighting on transport boards highlighting the Scottish Government’s current inconsistent approach to requirements. This follows recent board appointments by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) advertising a Non-Executive Director position.
CMAL’s vacancy asks for an applicant “who resides and has their primary residence in an island community” as well as being “essential” that they are able to “understand and converse in Gaelic”. It is understood that this is because the only Gaelic speaker on the board is to step down. The requirement does not recognise that Gaelic has not historically been spoken in the Northern Isles, which could have a major impact on possible applicants from Orkney and Shetland. HIAL’s announcement on 18th December of its appointments of New-Executive Director of the Board and Chair, did not have a similar islander or Gaelic comprehension requirement, despite both companies being owned by the Scottish Government and Ministers.
Last month Ms Wishart criticised HIAL’s announcement of its appointments of New-Executive Director of the Board and Chair, neither of which were from the HIAL region, stating that there would be “benefit from voices with local experience of our transport connectivity and services, avoiding the central belt one size fits all groupthink”. The MSP previously took part in a 2021 debate in the Scottish Parliament covering similar issues with CalMac and CMAL boards.
Ms Wishart said:
“Transport connections are so critical to Scotland’s islands to ensure sustainability of the communities they serve, with both the passenger and freight services vital to island life. It is only when those involved in the design of our transport provision appreciate the hurdles encountered that we will get the service we need and not simply what others think is the easiest to provide.
“I appreciate that it is important to have Gaelic speakers as a part of decision-making where many Gaelic speaking communities are served on these routes. The requirement to speak Gaelic though should not supersede islanders with experience and knowledge of these routes, especially considering where islands do not have a history of speaking Gaelic.
“Both CMAL and HIAL are public organisations and there should be every effort to focus on island needs. Only by having lived experience represented on such boards will there be changes made in this direction.
“Islanders continue to ask for the return of shared cabins as an option, along with the introduction of a rolling booking system, on our lifeline ferry service but there is little evidence local voices are being heard.
“Meanwhile, the economy is stifled because of the current limitations on the freight service.
“The Scottish Government must look again at exactly what and how ‘lifeline’ services operate to ensure that islanders needs are at the root of all decisions.”
HIAL’s announcement of its appointments of New-Executive Director of the Board and Chair can be found here.
