Held at Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness on Tuesday 12th August, the convention was attended by delegates of 60 community councils from the Highlands & Islands, representing 80,000 residents. Seven MSPs were in attendance: Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Emma Roddick, Fergus Ewing, Jamie Halcro-Johnston, Maree Todd and Tim Eagle, alongside four MPs: Torquil Crichton, Angus MacDonald, Graham Leadbitter and Jamie Stone. However, two absences were subjected to intense scrutiny: Energy Ministers Gillian Martin MSP and Graham Stuart MP.
The meeting, chaired by Highland Councillor Helen Crawford was held on the back of a previous community council convention in Beauly which resulted in the issue of a unified statement, calling for a pan-Scotland planning enquiry commission and a pause on all major renewable energy applications.
On her opening remarks, Helen Crawford stated that people in the room recognise the reality of climate change, but there has been no oversight to ensure public consultation on what has been defined as a “tsunami” of planning applications, with so many developments already consented that more overhead pylons would be needed to connect them to the grid. The issue is of national significance, she stressed: “It is not a local failure, it’s a national failure”
The statement was projected on the screen, and each elected representative was invited by the chair to comment on its contents. Overall, there was consensus in several points:
- Communities hosting these large energy developments are not seeing enough socioeconomic benefits.
- Despite generating significant amounts of energy, the region continues to grapple with widespread fuel poverty.
- Community council voices need to be heard.
Other issues mentioned by elected representatives in their speeches were the opportunities for community-ownership of renewable energy projects, the risk of a blackout, the unfairness of compulsory purchases, and the risks of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The meeting also invited some CC representatives to make statements and ask questions, with all reps repeating the call for a pause in the planning applications. There were speakers from Kirkhill, Skeabost, Kilmorack, Ardross, Strathnairn, Halkirk, Rogart, Sleat, Muir of Ord and Contin.
Issues such as compensation, the lack of overall planning, and the industrialisation of the landscape were discussed at some length, with most MPs and MSPs committing to push for changes in legislation.
A number of comments and interventions were made from MSPs and MPs present.
Torquil Crichton, Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, highlighted how a transition towards more community-owned renewables can make a big difference for communities, with Eilean Siar Energy project in the Western Isles aiming to secure a 20% share in large offshore projects. This could be a template to use across the country. “£5K community benefit is a 20th century term.”
Angus MacDonald MP (SNP) talked about the work of the UK government on the legislation for community benefits. The challenge is also how to get the price of electricity down, currently 4 times higher than gas. While he agrees with statements such as “It’s been done to us” and “the industrialisation of the Highlands”, there is an opportunity for community councils to receive £1M or £10M a year which would enable them to take control to make meaningful decisions for their communities, including fuel vouchers.
Jamie Stone MP (Liberal Democrats) spoke about his beginnings as community councillor himself and how taking CCs out is dangerous for democracy. He spoke about his parliamentary work on the issue of the risks posed by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Helen Crawford on her closing statement highlighted the excellent discussion and how this is a much-needed debate in the Highlands. She announced the next steps, with the contents of a “Communique regarding local democracy and the need for parliament debate on the unified statement” projected on the screen:
“We the undersigned recognise the pivotal role of the CC to ensuring local democracy is respected”
“We undertake to do all that we can across our respective parties to secure urgent debates at both Holyrood and in the House of Commons”
With the floor overwhelmingly supporting these two statements, all MPs and MSPs also unanimously approved it by show of hands.
The meeting closed with Helen Crawford addressing the attendees with these parting words: “You will have your day in Holyrood, and you will have your day in Westminster”
