On 27 December 2019, Scotland’s first ever National Islands Plan (NIP) was launched. Replacing the proposed plan which was published in October, the NIP provides a framework for action and 13 Strategic Objectives aimed at improving outcomes for island communities.
The priorities set out in the NIP were identified through consultation with island communities and stakeholders and include action around population levels, economic development, environment, health and wellbeing, community empowerment, fuel poverty, transport, broadband, education, culture and heritage.
Over the coming months, the newly strengthened Islands Team, will develop the implementation route map as well as the regulations and guidance associated with Island Community Impact Assessments.
You can read the NIP here and keep up to date with the Islands Team on Facebook and Twitter. Details of the community consultation events can be found at the Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law and Governance (SCELG), which was one of the consultation delivery partners along with SIF and the Islands Team.
More information about the Islands (Scotland) Act and the Islands (Scotland) Bill can be found at the Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee as well as a useful report and timeline outlining the background to where the Bill has come from – it began back in 2013 with the launch of the Our Islands Our Future Campaign.