People power bill will place Arran’s fate in the hands of islanders
‘We want to see our island communities equipped with more power - more voice for important decisions that impact their way of life’
ARRAN could retain an island-based councillor, despite the planned ward changes, if a Scottish government bill is approved.
Additional powers, stronger representation at Holyrood and the creation of a National Islands Plan, were published in Derek Mackay’s Islands Bill on Monday, which is now at the consultation stage. Mr Mackay is minister for islands and transport.
Part of the bill is to address the concept of ‘island proofing’ communities - part of which is asking whether there should be greater flexibility to help ensure that islands are represented by someone who lives locally.
The Scottish government has asked whether islands which are part of mainland councils should be represented by their own dedicated councillors.
Fears
Arran would be specifically affected by this, as there are fears the island would have no resident councillor, with John Bruce indicating he will not stand for re-election in 2017.
Protection from this situation would be achieved by giving the Local Government Boundary Commission in Scotland discretion to recommend wards with fewer than three councillors, so that populated islands are not placed in an electoral ward that contains a significant proportion, and often a majority, of mainland population.
Speaking from Lewis last week, Mr Mackay said: ‘Ministers have been clear that a future Islands Bill, once passed, would be about equality and empowerment for our island communities and is first step to further devolution and protection of islands.
‘Life on our islands can be very different to living on the mainland and I am keen to ensure that people who live there have their views properly represented at a local and national level.
‘This is the next stage of a conversation with our island communities, councils and wider stakeholders about what a future bill may look like - and who better to inform these decisions than the very people who live, work and study there.
‘With the appointment of the first government islands minister, there can be no doubt of the Scottish government’s on-going commitment to our island communities. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to visit a number of island communities and hear first-hand from islanders about the challenges, but also about the opportunities of island life.’
He continued: ‘I therefore see the launch of this consultation as the next step in helping inform the government’s work for a more prosperous and fairer future for our island communities.
‘This is an ideal opportunity for ideas to be shared before any decisions are made on what future legislation might look like.
‘We want to see our island communities equipped with more power - more voice - to inform the important decisions that directly impact their way of life, and deliver equality and empowerment enshrined in law.’
Legal duty
The creation of the National Islands Plan would place a legal duty on Scottish government ministers and other public bodies to pass on powers to islands.
The aim would be to improve and protect the island communities they serve, across all policy areas of government to support, promote and empower islands.
Mr Mackay said: ‘I see this consultation as the next step in helping inform the government’s work for a more prosperous and fairer future for our island communities.
‘This consultation is an ideal opportunity for ideas to be shared before any decisions are made on what future legislation might look like and I would encourage everyone to get involved,’ he added.