Highland Council slammed over rejection of heat hubs idea
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A leading opposition councillor has hit out at Highland Council’s refusal to consider opening its premises as “heat hubs” for vulnerable householders struggling to pay soaring fuel bills.
The idea had been mooted previously, with Inverness Town House suggested as one of the places that could be made available to those looking for somewhere to keep warm as winter approaches.
But the idea was rejected at a recent Highland Council meeting where the Liberal Democrats tabled a motion for a feasibility study.
It was voted down by administration members with Councillor David Fraser (Independent), chairman of the council’s health, social care and wellbeing committee, saying the idea posed “some serious welfare issues”.
Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Alasdair Christie, said he was “stunned” by the stance.
“Heat hubs are a place where people can go to get warm, to save themselves some money, to talk with others in the same situation and to experience a bit of community during a time of crisis for many,” he said.
“It has been reported that UHI are hoping to offer some of their facilities across the north in partnership with Highland Senior Citizens Network for this very purpose.
“That Highland Council, which has an obligation to look after particularly elderly people, are not even willing to consider looking into it is disgusting.
“When the administration voted against even the idea – we were only seeking to look into the feasibility of heat hubs – I was genuinely shocked. It was as though, because they did not have the idea, they would not let themselves agree with it.”
Chairman of the Highland Senior Citizens Network, Dr Ian McNamara, was also surprised at the council’s refusal even to look into the idea.
“You will never know if it is going to work unless you try it,” he said.
“And if people had trouble getting to hubs that would become apparent – and if there were a flu epidemic then, since Covid, they would have the wisdom not to attend crowded areas.
“Our crusade is about avoiding isolation, particularly in the dark winter months, so if people can congregate together and maybe have a bit of company that may well have long-term benefits. Who knows?
“It may even keep people from having to go to hospital for various reasons if they are kept going and given support.”
Cllr Fraser said: “In many areas getting to the central location will involve a bus journey, which may be cold. It can be preceded by standing in the cold and damp.
“People using the warm centre may not get home until after dark – and home to a cold house. Overall, a poor experience from a health perspective.
“Will these centres be able to provide an interesting environment? Sitting in a village or town hall does not sound like a lot of fun to me.
“Nor can we forget that we are still living the Covid pandemic and, in the experience of Australia, we could be in for a very serious flu season.
“Far better that we help people to stay warm in their own homes.”
However he added: “But a lesson from the early part of Covid was how brilliantly our communities developed and delivered local solutions and we may well find that these spaces will work and as councillors we can provide support to local groups.
“So I am certainly not dismissing the idea that they may well have a part to play but they are not for the council to be providing them.”
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