The call follows the latest meeting of the Uist Economic Taskforce Working Group meeting held earlier this month.

Cllr MacNeil said there is an urgent need for preparations to be made for a long-term housing strategy.

He said: “Housing remains a key component for the economy of Uist and for all our islands, but too many housing matters remain unresolved. Therefore, I am now calling for a Housing Seminar to be held in the very near future in Uist to consider and address a range of housing issues so that we can unlock the economic potential in the Uist and Barra area and address population decline.

“I will be working with the newly formed Uist and Barra Housing Working Group and all agencies involved to try to make this happen as soon as possible.”

Cllr MacNeil added: “Now is the time to lay the groundwork for a new policy approach to housing in Uist and Barra. We need to explore new and innovative ways in which the demands for future housing for residents and businesses alike can be addressed. Access to future-fit housing affects jobs and especially recruitment and retention. We need to work together, all the agencies involved and the whole community. I will be writing to the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Comhairle, Hebridean Housing Partnership, Tighean Innse Gall, the Crofting Commission, crofters and landowners to join forces and to support the Housing Seminar.”