I have been back in Kilmory and Tarbert recently fighting hard for my local ward.

Today I was delighted to have a very productive meeting with Neil McKnight the head teacher of Tarbert Academy. I listened to the school's latest report and met with teachers and students. It's great to see the fantastic work Tarbert Academy are doing with the resources they have.

At the recent elected member seminar on the rural growth deal I made it clear that my constituents have highlighted to myself about the real need for infrastructure spending particularly in the areas seeing large industrial and business growth. It is essential that as we go through the process of delivering the rural growth deal we do not forget about our Island communities who have been sidelined for far to long by local and national government alike.

With the fantastic growth opportunities in our food and drink sector being driven by our world famous distilleries on Islay and Jura it would be a such a tragedy to see that growth choked off due to inadequate and crumbling Island infrastructure.

Aside from our infrastructure challenges we also need to see an expansion in housings stock not just to rent but also to buy.

Long term future growth can only truly be secured when we bring our mobile phone coverage, broadband capacity and electric grid capacity into the modern era.

I keep will raising these points and fighting my constituency's corner as the rural growth deal is delivered to make sure the Kintyre and Island ward is not left behind.

Cllr Alastair Redman