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Last week Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomed Kaukab Stewart MSP, Minister for Equalities, on a visit to the Western Isles.
Ms Stewart attended meetings and visited projects with a focus on topics including repopulation, resettlement, employability and regeneration.
On Tuesday Ms Stewart met with apprentices and employability participants from O’Mac Construction Ltd and heard how employability support and training had encouraged them to undertake work placements that led to sustained employment.
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On Wednesday Ms Stewart attended a meeting with the Comhairle’s resettlement team and a refugee family.
Ms Stewart concluded the visit by announcing the awarding of £60,000 to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to help support ongoing work to encourage people to live, work and learn in Uist.
Funding for the project, and five others across Scotland, is part of the Scottish Government’s Addressing Depopulation Action Plan (ADAP), which sets out steps being taken to strengthen communities facing depopulation.
Following the announcement Ms Stewart met with the Comhairle’s Depute Leader, Cllr. Duncan MacInnes, and Economic Development officers including the Uist Settlement Officer – who is also part-funded through the ADAP – to discuss the ongoing work of the Uist Repopulation Zone Working Group and how the additional £60,00 will be utilised.
Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said:
“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomes the award of funding through the Scottish Government’s Addressing Depopulation Fund. This money will help support the Comhairle’s ongoing work to encourage people to live, work and learn in Uist. There are many factors that contribute to depopulation, I am pleased that Ms Stewart has taken the time to sit down with Comhairle representatives to discuss these factors and hope that this will help inform future funding and policy decisions.”