Interview with Steve Sankey Scottish Green candidate for East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray.

Steve Sankey Scottish Green candidate for East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray

Steve has lived in Grimness for over 13 years with his wife Sarah, after re-locating from Edinburgh to start a family and begin two small businesses: Gerraquoy Organic Farm and Orcadian Wildlife. He has experience of liaising with politicians at all levels: from Scottish local authorities, to the Scottish Government; Westminster Government; and European Commission and Directorates. Until very recently Steve was a Chair of the Orkney Tourism Group.

I’m proud to be standing in the ward of East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray.  I’m asking for your support to progress some important local issues:

I will end the frustration of Burray, South Ronaldsay and other Orkney residents regarding the lack of progress with a solution to the Barrier issue. My family use these barriers daily, and we have no idea what actions are intended by OIC, or when and how the safety of this vital transport and supply route will be resolved. I support the installation of tidal turbines to create both renewable energy and ongoing revenue for OIC.

Until recently I was Chairman of the Parent Council of the ‘Hope School, which is seeking a 20 mph zone in the ferry thoroughfare through St. Margaret’s Hope, with associated traffic calming. Parents are concerned about the blind bends and heavy traffic. Overtures to OIC haven’t succeeded – we need to fight harder.

I am supportive of renewable energy projects, but not large scale windfarms that have huge landscape impacts and which don’t address the issue of fuel poverty which at 85% of elderly households is a major issue. I will oppose any large developments that are not community initiated and installed to help alleviate fuel poverty, including the Hesta Head 20MW windfarm proposal in South Ronaldsay.

Like many of you I feel that too many decisions made by OIC are behind closed doors and secretive, including for example important decisions about local services, such as the Language Unit, and the future of the short-sea crossing from Burwick. This has to stop. If you vote for me I’ll pledge to hold surgeries, make myself available, and ensure that important decisions are made openly. Transparency and good communication are vital.

I would be pleased if you would consider voting for me.

The candidates for East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray 3to be elected

• CRAIGIE. Norman Rae. 3 Greenfield, Toab, Orkney, KW17 2QN.
• DREVER. Andrew. Independent. Orkavoe, Holm, Orkney, KW17 2RY.
• FOUBISTER Jim. Independent. Esnaphy, Deerness, Orkney, KW17 2QH.
• GROUNDWATER. John Stanley. Independent. Newhall, South Parish, St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney, KW17 2RW.
• SANKEY. Steve. Scottish Greens. Gerraquoy, Grimness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, KW17 2TH.

Polling will take place between the hours of 07:00 and 22:00 on Thursday 4 May 2017