News / Second Islands Summit
A SECOND Islands Summit will be held on Monday when the three island council leaders meet Scotland minister Baron Andrew Dunlop for the first time in Kirkwall.
Shetland Islands Council leader Gary Robinson will join Orkney’s Steven Heddle and Angus Campbell from the Western Isles at the meeting which will discuss “key economic issues”.
Dunlop said he was “very much looking forward” to meeting the council leaders.
“The Scottish islands make a unique contribution to the United Kingdom, with a range of industries from renewable energy, food and drink and tourism through to textiles and culture,” the Conservative member of the House of Lords said.
“The UK Government is committed to supporting the islands to thrive and develop, and to assist wherever possible in overcoming the challenges posed by their geographical remoteness.
“I am also keen to discuss with the islands councils whether, as in many other areas, there is a need to see the Scottish Government devolve more power to a local level, strengthening the powers of local communities.”
Issues to be discussed at the summit will include renewables, digital connectivity, the Crown Estate and a possible ‘islands deal’.
The first Islands Summit was held in March 2015 in Lerwick.
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