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Island Bill consultation seeks your views.

Ahead of her trip to Skye First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for islanders to give their views on proposals that could see the devolution of additional powers to Scotland’s island councils and communities.

The consultation on provisions for a future Islands Bill launched last month by the Islands Minister Derek Mackay seeks views on a range of issues including:

• more autonomy;
• a national Islands Plan;
• dedicated councillors for all populated islands;
• a legal duty to island-proof legislation; and
• constituency boundary protection for Na h-Eileanan an lar.

The First Minister will use her visit to Skye to encourage island communities and other interested stakeholders to offer their views. Speaking ahead of opening the new Kilbeg Development and her first Sabhal Mòr Ostaig lecture where she will highlight the role Gaelic has to play in the economic and cultural future of Scotland’s islands.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“I made a commitment that this government would be open and transparent and that is the reason that I encourage everyone living in our island communities to think about what the future bill should look like.

“I know all too well that life on our islands can be very different compared to living on the mainland. Who better then to help influence this area of work than those who live, work and study there.

“Our islands have proud and vibrant traditions which have contributed to making Scotland the nation that it is. This consultation marks the next step in informing our work to ensure we can make our islands more prosperous and fairer in the future, and I would encourage everyone with an interest to respond.”

Notes To Editors

Link to consultation https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/islands-team/islands-bill-consultation

Closing date of the consultation is 23 December 2015.