Argyll responds to Scottish islands plan
THERE is real local enthusiasm for the creation of a National Islands Plan, according to Argyll and Bute Council.
The local authority’s Argyll Islands Strategic Group met earlier in the month to agree a response to Scottish Government’s consultation on the Islands (Scotland) Bill.
Argyll and Bute Council last week submitted its consultation response on the bill, which is designed to empower Scotland’s island communities while recognising the needs of residents.
Constructive
Councillor Robin Currie, chairman of the Argyll Islands Strategic Group and Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for islands, said: ‘This has been an extremely constructive exercise to progress a national consultation in an effective local way. It also ensures the council can properly represent the views of island residents.’
The group agreed this should lead to the creation of an Argyll and Bute Islands Plan which would help island communities overcome the challenges they face and boost local economies.
It was also agreed the proposed reporting mechanism would make Scottish Government more accountable to island communities, who should have strong and effective input to the development process.
Unique
Councillor Currie added: ‘The Islands (Scotland) Bill acknowledges the unique needs of our islands and provides support to facilitate further empowerment and help them prosper and grow.
‘I look forward to the bill passing through the Scottish Parliament and for our island communities helping produce the National Island Plans which will be a major component of the new act.’
Conferences
The group hosted a number of conferences - by telephone and video - with people from a number of island communities, and the submission represented the views of those who took part.
Argyll and Bute has 23 inhabited islands, each with its own distinct identity.
The council set up the Argyll Islands Strategic Group to take forward initiatives and to work together with other island councils to represent the communities involved.
Submission
The submission can be viewed at – https:// www.argyll-bute.gov. uk/moderngov/documents/ s120242/ Islands%20Bill% 20Consultation%20 Response.pdf