For us, however, the management of our local marine assets is as important as revenues, as our goal is to be in a position to work with our communities to utilise our natural resources to meet our joint priorities, develop our economy and stem the flow of young people from our areas.
We are also calling on the Government to live up to the principles of The Lerwick Declaration, made in Shetland by the First Minister in July 2013, which affirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to subsidiarity and local decision making.
Devolution of management of Crown Estate assets would go some way towards giving
effect to the commitment to extend the powers of Islands Councils in the Programme
for Government and supported so strongly in the Islands Bill consultation responses.
The seabed around our islands is as much ours as the land on which we live. We have
already seen examples of how community owned land across our islands has sustained
and in some cases saved our fragile areas -
We believe -
Across all parties we hear of the need to empower communities and have decision making closer to the people. Further devolution of The Crown Estate fits these principles perfectly and indeed is a perfect signal as to how serious we are as a country to get on with that agenda. It is therefore essential for coastal communities that the passing down of these powers does not stop in Edinburgh and we look forward to working with Scottish Government on taking this forward.
I would encourage all islanders to respond to the consultation and give a clear message that they want and expect these rights.
Angus Campbell
Leader
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Letter: Consultation on Crown Estate proposals
16 January 2017
Sirs,
We are once again repeating our calls for the Scottish Government to devolve Crown Estate powers to local authorities, as set out in the recommendations of the Smith Commission.
This principle was acknowledged in “Empowering Scotland’s Islands Communities” back in June 2014 when Scottish Government committed to pass on 100% of net revenues in relation to Crown Estate assets in our areas.