Physical and digital connectivity to and between the UK’s islands was the prime topic of discussion at the third Islands Forum, which was hosted by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in Stornoway on October 9-10.
Held in Lews Castle, the forum brought UK and devolved government ministers, including Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and Scotland’s Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop, into the room with councils representing Britain’s island communities.
Amongst the six Scottish councils present were Argyll and Bute Council and Highland Council, which was represented by council leader Raymond Bremner, chief executive Derek Brown, and depute chief executive Kate Lackie.
A Highland Council spokesperson said its team had used the forum to discuss a range of issues around physical and digital infrastructure and economic development in the Highland area.
This included the importance of the replacement Corran Ferry.
The spokesperson added that Councillor Bremner had pushed for a mechanism to ensure the forum led to action, and added tentative support to Mr Gove’s proposal of a new ‘task and finish’ group comprised of representatives from UK and devolved governments and member councils.
“It is too early to tell precisely how this will aid the islands of the Highlands,” the spokesperson said.
“However, the Highland Council will be seeking to ensure that Highland benefits from the profile and priority that both the UK and Scottish Governments are placing on the challenges, opportunities and potential of our island communities.”
Councillor Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, echoed that real action had to follow the ‘positive’ discussion to ensure islands were not left as an afterthought.
He said: “The Western Isles is facing the very real issue of depopulation. Improving connectivity is a key step to encouraging individuals to live, work and learn in the area.
“We cannot expect businesses to trade from the Western Isles if they cannot guarantee the transport of goods to and from the islands. We cannot expect families to set up home in the Western Isles if they cannot rely on transport links to the mainland to access key services and the promise of remote working in the Western Isles is not possible without reliable broadband connections. We cannot ask individuals to make long term decisions about their future based on short term guarantees of service delivery.”
Mr Gove said the UK’s islands have a lot to offer and the government was helping them reach their potential.
He added: “It’s now time to make real progress on improving connectivity and that’s why we have established a new group to take this work forward.
“We need to make sure we have a long term strategy for our islands as part of our work to level up all parts of the United Kingdom.”
As well as matters of connectivity, the forum allowed representatives to consult with the UK Infrastructure Bank on financial and advisory services offered to local authorities.
It also visited Stornoway’s deep-water terminal, and Harland and Wolff’s assembly yard at Arnish.
Established in 2022, the Islands Forum aims to encourage island collaboration on common challenges and allow the UK Government to hear from island communities in order to inform policy.
The next forum will be held in spring 2024 in Anglesey, hosted by the Isle of Anglesey County Council.