Remit and workplan agreed at working group’s first meeting

August 29, 2013 at 1:44 pm

Local government minister Derek Mackay (second from left) with the leaders of the Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles councils in Edinburgh today. From the left are: OIC convener Steven Heddle, — Minister for local government and communities, Derek Mackay (second from left) with the leaders of Scotland’s three island councils.
From the left are: Orkney Islands Council convener Steven Heddle, Gary Robinson, Leader, Shetland Islands Council, and Angus Campbell, leader, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Scotland’s island councils and local government minister, Derek Mackay, have agreed a formal remit and workplan at today’s first meeting of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group.

The meeting considered options for further devolution of the functions of the Crown Estate. Further discussions will cover energy, renewables, transport and governance issues.

The group agreed to work towards developing a prospectus, outlining opportunities for island communities in the context of the referendum.

The next meeting of the group will take place early in October, in Stornoway, when the group is expected to consider a number of issues, including energy.