Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will increase the representation of women in its decision making processes.

The council is male dominated as no female candidates were elected at the last local government election.

Today its policy committee agreed a stance of positive discrimination.

Women will be appointed on to human resources panels and to each of the comhairle’s member/officer working groups.

These groups are made up of councillors and senior officials and focus on specific issues including communities and housing, education, sport and children’s services, transportation, and sustainable development.

Comhairle leader, Roddie Mackay, said: “I welcome these steps which will go some way to ensuring that there is increased female representation in the comhairle’s HR and decision making processes.”

The council will also look at other ways political representation of women and young people can be increased.