First Minister outlines extra powers for Comhairle

First Minister outlines extra powers for Comhairle 17/6/14

Scotland’s island communities will have greater control over their local economies, natural environment and be represented at the heart of government in an independent Scotland, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

Launching the island prospectus, Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities, in Kirkwall, the First Minister outlined the most comprehensive package of powers for the island communities and highlighted the benefits independence will bring.

Mr Salmond said the “prospectus is the most comprehensive package for empowering Scotland’s island communities that has been put forward by any Government.

“It recognises the unique contribution that island communities make to modern Scotland, and also the distinctive needs and priorities they have.”

He added: “Most of all, though, it recognises that Scotland’s islands have huge potential – a wealth of culture and history; stunning landscapes; massive renewable energy resources; and a host of successful businesses in sectors such as food and drink, life sciences and tourism.”

He stated: “We are determined to work with the islands communities to unleash that potential and to create a sustainable and prosperous future. By doing so, we will honour the principles of subsidiarity and local decision-making at the heart of the Lerwick Declaration. And even more importantly, we will help to build wealthier and fairer island communities, as part of a wealthier and fairer Scotland.”

Comhairle leader, Angus Campbell, said: “This is a historic day for our island communities. When we launched Our Islands Our Future a year ago we could not have anticipated the amount of interest and discussion we were going to generate. This launch of the Scottish Government’s Prospectus is a product of those discussions and negotiations on a wide ranging list of subjects including the Crown Estate, Grid connections and the constitutional position of Island areas.

“Working closely with the Scottish Government, we have set out an agenda for the way forward for our Islands. The Scottish Government has now put forward the proposals in Empowering Island Communities which I warmly welcome. Of course, the work doesn’t stop here. Irrespective of the outcome of the Referendum in September there is much that can be achieved for Scotland’s islands and our on-going task, as always, will be to maximise the benefits for those who live in our Island communities.”