Island plans launched to help economic recovery
An ambitious 10-year island plan which aims to drive the development of community, economic and environmental wellbeing on Arran is to be launched next week.
Having been approved by North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet last week, the island plans will now form the foundations on which to address long-standing issues faced by both Arran and Cumbrae.
The council is collaborating with the Scottish Government and Highland and Islands Enterprise on the development of the ambitious 10-year plans.
Alongside this, the first annual action plans for both islands have also been published and these will be reviewed and updated as progress is made.
Island communities have been at the heart of shaping the plans and several engagement exercises were held with residents, community groups, young islanders and businesses.
Islands cabinet portfolio lead and cabinet member for post Covid-renewal Councillor Alex Gallagher said: ‘I am delighted to see these plans published.
‘I would like to thank the public on the islands for their cooperation in designing the plans and to council staff for the work they have put into delivering the plans in such a short time.
‘For the first time there will be a firm strategy to address the long-standing issues which beset our island communities and a plan to develop economic and social solutions for the coming years in line with the aims of island residents.
‘Both Arran and Cumbrae were disproportionately hit – both economically and socially - during the Covid-19 pandemic which exposed how fragile island economies can be.
‘These plans – created alongside communities on both islands – are an important first step towards building the type of islands our residents want and deserve.’
Among the major issues raised by islanders during the development of the plans were reliable ferry provision, affordable and social housThe ing, improving resilience of businesses, access to health and social services, and population profile. The plans will be formally launched next week with an opportunity to view and discuss the plans on Arran on Monday March 7 and Tuesday March 8.
Each island plan is a 10-year plan with a long-term strategic focus developed with and for the island communities, and while the aims and objectives of the plan may remain for the duration of the plan, the associated annual action plan will be reviewed annually and updated.
One of the first steps towards helping to deliver actions will be the creation of island plan delivery groups.
Regular update reports will be given to the North Coast and Arran Locality Partnerships and a report on progress made during the first year will be submitted to the council cabinet in March 2023.
The 10-year island plans and annual action plans are available to view online at: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/ islands and paper copies will be available from early March at locations across the islands.