Sources say that two councillors are battling behind the scenes to block any supermarket ever selling fuel here. We wonder if this table of the price of fuel supplied by the same tanker, the Sarnia Liberty, has anything to do with that.
Unleaded petrol per litre. August 28, 2012
Sandwick Road, Stornoway 144.9p
Campbells Service Station 145.9p
Manor Service Station 146.9p
Tesco, Dingwall 129.9p
If this is true, why are these councillors allowed to be on the local council? Surely it is a massive conflict of interests! Also, aren’t councillors supposed to be fighting for the best interests of the island/islanders not lining their own pockets?
How can the Comhairle “block” any / an Island based Supermarket from selling fuel ? Much as I would like to see them doing so.
They should not be involved in any meeting to do with fuel …..they should declare an interest and walk away ..yes we need a supermarket with fuel ..bet the said councillors check their grocery prices …. when shopping to fill their well lubricated tums
I agree with above the councillors should be representing their ward and trying to get best value for all Islanders
Competition is a good thing Councillors – do you hear me ?
Lets all contact TESCO ….:-)
Thanks Ian X for keeping us informed …. we’ll all watch this space
where the truth will appear
If any councillor, who is involved, in any way, with any fuel company on the islands, or involved with the monopoly company supplying fuel to the islands, is trying to block Tesco from selling fuel on the islands, then it is time that both the Ombudsman for local government and the Scottish government got involved in the matter.
Any action by any councillors to block Tesco could be a massive conflict of interest, and would raise questions about the legality of such actions.
Perhaps the Leader of the Council would like to give us his opinion on the situation, as well as details as to whether Tesco have said they wish to sell fuel on the islands. If not, then as many islanders as possible should write to the council and ask them exactly what is going on. We should also contact Tesco to ascertain their views on the matter.
This topic should have appeared prior to the May election. It is long overdue that these people are exposed. Those in a position of power can influence meeting which they necessary attend.
Sorry, don’t necessary attend
Why are possible conflicts of interest suddenly a matter of ‘shock horror’ when these (and other possible conflicts also) have been a subject of local discussion for many years? The islands had the matter in their hands when they voted earlier this year.
Donald, correct and they probably would vote them in again tomorrow.
Sorry to dampen the enthusiasm in these posts re role of elected members who have an alleged “conflict of interest” in these matters, but it is on record that when these matters are discussed in council the concerned members do absent themselves from participating in discussion/decision-making. What may happen in private can only be speculation. Better now to do all we can to introduce competition and to support and encourage supermarkets (Tesco/Co-op) who may be considering a fuel retail outlet for hard-pressed mottorists.
Do you think if Tesco started selling fuel here at 129.9p, our current suppliers would continue with 15p dearer, or will their prices miraculously reduce too?
Guga …. Trouble is, there’s far too many “dodgy handshakers” in positions of authority throughout Scotland, and the island is no exception “Fairness” for Joe public is a lost concept as far as these guys are concerned!
Pavlov you don’t need to be in a room to influence any decisions which are taken.
Iain, name and shame? My friends in the North tell me that Tesco have cleared a large area of land beside their shop in Stornoway with a view to opening a fuel outlet. Is this true, and pause to spare a thought for us Southerners, who are condemned to pay even more, generally, than you spoilt people up there.
Perhap’s the great Stornoway Gazette could start to challenge and fight for the many issues of importance that a number of the Hebridean populus find important to discuss on this blog……quite honestly there always seems to be a recognition that nothing does change …..quite as quickly as it should. For example: Many of the present councillors have still failed to explain their position on a simple thing like having the Stornoway Sports centre and Swimming pool open on a Sunday…….or a Golf club where people can actually play golf on a Sunday ……………and of course with the economic climate as it is, ………..the recession will be over or all of us gone before any reasonable outcome is gained from the “Fuel or heating debate “. What is certainly disappointing is the reality that people are suffering very much for the lack of transparency and action by our elected councillors to take a more positive action towards resolving the obvious discrepancy between fuel and heating prices in the Hebrides and the mainland……the Scottish Government and local MP’s/MSP’s are no better, as they are content to blame the “English” Government on the run-up to 2014.
On another note the lack of trust that exist’s regarding the business of selling/supplying islanders fuel/energy is born by the knowledge that prices are way ahead of what would be called reasonable……if there is an argument that profit is made from magazines and confectionary, I would rather buy a packet of crisp’s from Tesco’s or other supermarket chain than line the pocket’s of the “few”….The council like many is a disgrace in many fields and with it the culture that allows sharp practice and a nod and a wink, will take generation’s to be got rid of, if ever……..I hope that someone somewhere in authority takes a good close look at all this council and others do………because as a population we feel quite dismissed, perhaps we would be in better hand’s if we were run by the “Harris Tweed Authority” at least they believe in “added value” but for the right reason’s.
Not only do Tesco sell fuel considerably cheaper than other retailers, they also regularly give coupons to customers with another 5p per litre off, which unfortunately we cannot use on the island for lack of a Tesco petrol station. It would be very interesting to see the effect of Tesco opening a petrol station here – either they would have gridlock right round the area of the store every time they get a fuel delivery with everybody trying to fill up before they run out, or the others would have to drop their prices overnight.
Come on you guys do you really believe that a nod and a wink between councillors is the reason that Tesco’s ar not selling fuel. Get a grip!!
If Tesco’s decide to sell petrol, they will have to draw their supplies through Scottish Fuel’s Depot just the same as all Petrol suppliers in the Islands.
I had a bad day – I think we all feel the way you do at times. The question that many of us have is what do these independent councillors stand for other than their own agenda ? Those in a party follow the party line. One thing is for sure, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.The bankers ruined our economy and the politicians at Westminster let them. We are paying for this massive mistake more than most. Sometimes I believe we should take control of our own destiny, we let too many people who don’t care about us dictate our lives.
In reply to DC, you will be aware of course that so-called “Independent” c’llors are of course mainly card carrying Labour Party members. Why the cloak and daggers? More honesty and transparency required from our elected members – this would be a good place to start, creating a culture of open-ness and trust between the c’llors and the electorate they are paid to serve.
Parlov in complete agreement total deceipt by these people. That’s why there is such a mess in the Whitehouse.
Oh, goodness me! The innocence and niavity of the your generation.
Some where in the Council’s (Comharle’s) wish lists is the resiting of the Bulk Fuel Storage, gas and clean petroleum products to Arnish.
But at the time, there were two councillors, Norman L. and Angus, Der Fuerer who owned filling stations. Now a days, Angus has expanded his empire to include Lochs Filling Station.
Another perfidity of our,sic, councillors, The Pedestrian Precinct.
Malcolm Burr’s tutor, Brian Stewart sent me a letter, re Disable Parking, instructing me to park within fifty metters of the only public door of the then new library in Cromwell Street. Front page of the Gazette, report of the
very public row, in the middle of the Pedestrian Precinct with Angus Graham.
The reported moved to Glasgow, shortly ther after.
Copies of the Minutes Transportation Committee and sub committees, for 1984. shew that the Transportation Sub Committee approved the application by Mathison, Grocers, Francis Street for members of the public to
drive through the Pedestrian Precint to his premsises to uplift their purchases. No mention of having driven there to make their purchases.
Mathison’s application was approved by the Sub Committee and then by the Transportation Committee.
The two Councillors who “Failed to Declare their Interests” were
Alexander “Sandy” Mathison ( Chemists, News agent & bookshop) and
Angus Graham, at the time my sic, councillor. NSU Insurance agent.
At the Public Inquiries, none of the above was mentioned but there after
every Council Committee Meeting Agenda, item, 2 or 3, “Declaration of Interest.”
Another example of the failure to declare one’s interest was the Amic Wind Farm Addendum which you may recall, was the instalation of some two hundred plus, wind turbines through out the hinterland of Broad Bay.
Councillor Angus Nicolson, Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee, failed to Declare his Interest when the Application was put to the Environmental Services Committee. And further, did fail to Declare his Interest when Amic’s Application went to the Meeting of the Council.
Councillor Angus Nicolson did at the same meeting of his sic, Evironmental Services Committee, Fail to Declare his Interest when the Application for the three wind turbines now standing, was made and passed.
Councillor Angus Nicolson stated that the Application being so small, it could be dealt with by and at the meeting.
Lesley An, Burr was and is, her tutor, CONFIRMED that Councillor Angus Nicolson had failed to declare his interest at that Meeting of the Environmental Services Committee and at the Meeting of the Council.
In the years that follwed there there was Acts of Corruption by the Western Isles Council, The Standards Commission, at least two Members of the Scottish Parliament and two other Scottish Government Departments.
Plus the probability that “cher cozen” knew about it as well.
Hopefully, some inocent at the behest of another, will challenge
the above, in total or in part, then these matters can be brought into the Public Domain.
The ranting and ravings of Der Furer were just a cover up for his and the council’s inadequacies, He attempted to lay the blame for the failure of
Amec’s Application upon the R.S.P.B. when he knew that the arrogant Angus Nicolson was to blame.
Post script.
It will take me some time before I get round to describing the
Harris Tweed Authority, the lead up to it’s inception and it’s conduct there
after.
Nothing would surprise me about our independent councillors.
Your correspondent “Absent Minded” has trademark misspellings and his semi-literate contribution point to him being the appalling Mr Scott.
Absent Minded is an appropriate nom de plume, as it underlines the errors in his rambling claims about me, none of which were held up by the Standards Commissioner (http://www.publicstandardscommissioner.org.uk/decisions/decision/64/laces555) as having any basis in fact.
One needs to remember that is the person who tried to stop the opening of the sports centre on the grounds that children might ignite the fire-retardant plastic in the soft play area. When making his case to the sub-committee he attempted to start a fire in the Council offices to demonstrate the severe danger from the fire and the toxic fumes!
Still, it is better that he vent his anger in this forum from the comfort of his own imagination, which saves the general public from having to endure his incessant rambling.
Angus,
I am pleased to note that you respect your elders.
You have quoted “Complaint Number: LA/CES/555″ d/c/s 12Apr 2007 d/p 07 Jun 2007. signed D. Stuart Allan. Chief Investigating Officer.
I would draw your attention to “Complaint Number LA/CES/563″ /
HW/ 1 May 2007. Quote Para 3. “I have established that the complaint relates to a councillor who will shortly cease to be an elected member as he is not standing for re-election on 3 May 2007.
Para 4. ” I have, therefore, considered your complaint and have concluded that, in all the circumstances, it would serve no useful purpose and would not be in the public interest or an appropriate use of public resources, to investigate your complaint further. I am now closing my file on this matter.”
Signed not by D. Stuart Allan. CIO but pp’d by Helen Hayne, Investigations
manager.
I doubt if D. Stuart Allan ever laid eyes upon Complaint No. LA/CES 563.
There are new people heading up the Standards Commission so I shall be asking for a review of LA/CES/563 and of Helen Hayne’s Decision.
It,s just a matter of collating the paperwork and I have masses of paper.
Alexander Salmon, Kenny MacAskill and even George Foukes, remember him? Then there are Kevin Holmes, Development Dept. Edinburgh and Mark Christie, Energy Consents Unit, Glasgow. Numpty though he was, I am grateful for Howat’s Energy Forum and
for Jim Mather’s minders. The icing on the cake was Angus, Der Feurer’s ranting and ravings, delicious!
You have been blowing of at the mouth about your business with oil workers in the norwegian sector. Before I came ashore for good, I spent 25 years at sea and never sailed with the english, I was paying 23% sjomanns skat,
Initially, I was skat fri, then in the sixties there was Rationalisation, a 30%
wage increase and sjomanns skat for dem som vaere ikke bossat i Norge. Two thirds to the government, one third to the Norwegian Seamans Church.
I was a skips tillitsmann in the Norsk Sjomanns Forbund from the middle sixties.
In 1974, I was Tommerman og tillitsmann onboard the M/T Tamarita when after the investigation into the Alexander Kjeland disaster, the government placed the responsibility for the enforcement of Health, Enviroment and Safety Legislation with the Norsk Sjomanns Forbund
You are a small minded little man, ask your clientel about the Norwegian Seamans Union’s enforcement of the Health,EInvironment and Safety Legislation.
I am tired and cramped. The next session shall be about the old Sports Centre, the new,sic, Sports Centre and your ,sic, licensing committee.
Good night.
Very very interesting.
Well going back to the topic more precisely the question still needs addressing so with the help of all you lovely posters out there to spread the word we can gauge public opinion. I have created an ipetition in support of Tesco proceeding to open a filling station in Stornoway. It can be found at:
www dot ipetitions.com/petition/tesco-filling-station-stornoway/
(Remember to change the dot with s real one until Mr X posts it as a link,
Maybe Iain could put the widget link to the petition in a prominent place on his excellent blog?)
I look forward to seeing some of our councillors supporting the petition.
SPREAD THE WORD
Sorry meant to say replace the ” dot ” with a ” . “
@Absent minded
Where have you been hiding?
Some one like you should be a councillor? or you already are?
Any way its good the truth is coming out.
If Tesco are to set up a filling station there a number of obsobstacles to overcome. Currently all island supplies come from the Scottish Fuel tanks. Where in the town would the filling station be sited as current retailers will claim that their area would be over subscribed if a new supplier came in. Tesco would need to get support from the council regarding licence and planning permission etc. I’m not sure our newly elected council would welcome a new filling station.
Some interesting points being made by absent minded, would like to see more.