Friday 22 November 2024
 2.2°C   NE Moderate Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

News / Islands plan to put substance on last year’s act

ISLAND communities are being asked their opinion to form an islands plan following introduction of last year’s Islands Act.

Islanders will be asked their views on the challenges they face – such as population retention, connectivity, economic development, housing, and transport links.

The national consultation will feed into the first ever National Islands Plan, also asking local people to share the positives of island life, and examples of where policy works well.

Islands minister Paul Wheelhouse welcomed launch of the plan during a visit to Canna in the Inner Hebrides.

He said: “The passage of the first ever Act of Parliament aimed specifically at islanders’ needs and the positive contributions made to Scotland by our islands marked an historic milestone for our island communities. This included providing formal recognition of their unique characteristics and challenges, and tailoring policy to support our islands effectively.

“Now we are asking residents and other stakeholders what their concerns are, and where we should be focussing resources in future to help our islands and all who live on them flourish.”

He said it was an opportunity to “develop a strategic direction” for optimising support to island communities, taking account of factors like ageing populations, public service provision, biodiversity and enhancing skillsets.

Islands minister Paul Wheelhouse.

Wheelhouse added: “Of course, it’s also about working closely with local authorities and partner agencies to find and build on the undoubted positives associated with island life. We also want to learn lessons from policy successes that have been achieved across island communities.

“I’m delighted to be able to launch the consultation here on the beautiful island of Canna and I sincerely hope that this consultation helps to promote island voices, to harness island resources and the talents of islanders, and provide the best future for these important communities that in so many ways constitute the best of Scotland.”

Become a member of Shetland News

 

It is intended the plan will be delivered to the Scottish Parliament by 4 October 2019 and the consultation will focus on the plan and its associated island communities impact assessment.

The consultation on a National Islands Plan and Island Communities Impact Assessment Guidance is open until 6 July 2019:
https://consult.gov.scot/agriculture-and-rural-communities/national-islands-plan

Views are also being sought on developing new assessments that are aimed to ensure policies that are likely to have a significantly different effect on islanders compared to other communities are ‘island proofed’.

The Islands (Scotland) Act is intended to underpin the Scottish Government’s key objective of a sustained focus across government and public sector to meet the needs of island communities now and in the future.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.