Islands Bill seeks sustainable growth in communities
A bill to support the needs of island communities has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Government's Islands (Scotland) Bill seeks to create the right environment for sustainable growth and empowered communities. It will provide for the creation of a National Islands Plan, setting out Government strategy for improving outcomes for island communities in relation to public functions, and require future legislation and Government policies to be "island proofed", through a duty on relevant authorities to prepare an impact assessment where the carrying out of their functions is likely to have a significantly different effect on island communities than on others.
It also offers statutory protection for the Na h-Eileanan an lar Scottish parliamentary constituency boundary, greater flexibility around councillor representation within island communities by allowing electoral wards to return only one or two concillors, and extended powers to island councils in relation to marine licensing.
Islands Minister Humza Yousaf commented: “This Government is committed to promoting islands’ voices, to harnessing islands’ resources and enhancing their wellbeing. The measures in this bill underpin this ambition.
"In particular, the provision to ‘island proof’ decision making across the public sector will ensure the interests of islanders are reflected in future legislation and policy from the very outset.
“The National Islands Plan will set out the strategic direction for supporting island communities, continuing the momentum generated by the ‘Our Islands Our Future’ campaign and the work of the Islands Strategic Group."