OIC Leader Welcomes News on establishment of an Islands Forum

Orkney Islands Council’s Leader, Councillor James Stockan, has welcomed news that the UK Government will be actively considering the establishment of an Islands Forum as part of their Levelling Up project.

The move comes on the back of a direct request from Councillor Stockan for the establishment of such a group.

Secretary of State Michael Gove announced last week that the UK Government will establish a new Islands Forum to empower island communities to communicate directly with government, inform future policy, and work together.

The proposal is part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up White Paper which sets out a plan to transform the UK by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it.

The proposed forum will allow government to hear and learn from island communities across the UK on common challenges in areas such as connectivity, infrastructure, and depopulation.

“There’s not a huge amount of detail available yet, but we certainly welcome early news of the establishment of an islands forum, given that it was something we raised with the Under Secretary of State, Ian Stewart, when he visited Orkney in the summer,

“We would very much look to that forum being an opportunity for islands to come together to share and support their ambitions - not only across the UK and Europe, but across the globe.

“Orkney Islands Council used to have a significant and active role in the CPMR (Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions) which was lost following Brexit – and this will provide a replacement allowing us to come together to explore inter island economic opportunities, and the support required from Government to fund this

“The Islands Forum should not be about words, but about real opportunity to make meaningful change and find island solutions through the power found in lobbying collectively rather than individually.”