I'm just back form attending the latest Argyll and Bute Council meeting. I and spoke at length with my fellow Conservative Councillors about the blight of ferry disruptions across my council ward particularity on the Island of Islay.

We cannot allow Cal Mac's management blunders and lack of funding from the Scottish Government to act as a ball and chain which is holding back my local ward's fast industrial growth.

My fellow Councillors and I also gave unanimous backing to a motion that included an agreement that the Council Leader should write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport. Among other points, to acknowledge that the Council and NHS Highland currently face their own financial pressures and are not in a position to provide additional funding, and asking the Scottish Government to consider reassessing the funding levels provided for Health and Social Care in Argyll & Bute, alongside support for transformation.

It was great to see this motion given unanimous backing from both administration and opposition Councillors alike.

As your Councillor I will keep pressing for a better deal for the Kintyre and Islands ward.

Cllr Alastair Redman