More powers to be offered to island councils 3/6/14
A ministerial working group set up over giving the islands more say over energy, renewables, transport and governance says it has made significant progress.
Derek Mackay, Minister for Local Government, chaired the Island Areas Ministerial
Working Group sixth -
It was also attended by the leaders and chief executives of the three islands councils as well as the Environment Minister, Paul Wheelhouse.
Western Isles Council has teamed up with Orkney and Shetland island councils to press the Scottish and UK Governments for more powers following the Independence Referendum in September 2014, regardless of the vote outcome.
The ministerial working group is looking at what the Scottish Government will offer the islands with more control of the seabed and marine developments likely.
The group has agreed key aspects and says it is well placed for finding final agreement.
Mr Mackay said: “We are now in a position to finalise our prospectus for the islands imminently which will set out an exciting path for empowering all of Scotland’s island communities.”
Speaking on behalf of the three Island Councils, Orkney Island Council Convener Stephen Heddle said: “The Scottish Government sent a strong team to Kirkwall for this final meeting – we appreciate the commitment they’ve shown to the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group.
“The subjects at the heart of our negotiations over many months are of key concern to island areas and have placed significant demands on the government in responding to them.
“It was a long and intense meeting and it covered many of these key areas. We feel we have made good progress and we now look forward to addressing a number of issues which are still outstanding before the prospectus is concluded.”