Orcadians have the opportunity to attend the Scottish Parliament’s Committee which is dealing with the Islands Bill. The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee (RECC) chaired by Edward Mountain will be in Orkney on Monday 2nd October.

After visiting places during the day in Orkney the committee will hold its meeting at  the Kirkwall Theatre, Kirkwall Grammar School  starting at 6:30pm. You can book a place by emailing  visit@parliament.scot or by telephone 0131 348 5200. It is free to attend.

While the Committee is on Orkney, a range of fact-finding visits will include meetings with the European Marine Energy Centre, and Birsay Development Trust. At Kirkwall Town Hall,  young people will be invited to share with MSPs their hopes and aspirations for island life in the future.

You can view the Islands Bill here 

“A Bill for an Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision for a national islands plan; to impose duties in relation to island communities on certain public authorities; to make provision about the electoral representation of island communities; and to establish a licensing scheme in respect of marine development adjacent to islands. “

You can read about the Islands Bill here: What is the Islands Bill?

The Crown Estate and Planning will be covered in separate bills so currently what s proposed in the islands Bill is quite limited. You can read the latest about the Crown Estate in: Crown Estate Under Discussion

Convener of the RECC, Edward Mountain MSP said:

Edward Mountain MSP

“During the Committee’s visit we hope to hear from local people with direct experience of living and working on Orkney, on the issues that matter to them. Orkney and Shetland already have some of the measures in place that the Bill proposes to extend to other islands.   At our public meeting the Committee wants to hear how well these are working, and we are encouraging as many local people as possible to join us, ask questions and find out more.”

“The Scottish Government’s bill also covers significant issues, such as the requirement to make sure new policies and legislation don’t disadvantage the islands, and marine licensing for coastal waters. The Committee’s role is to ensure that the bill contains the right measures to deliver on these objectives.”

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee (RECC) is holding its meeting in Orkney on Monday 2 October 2017 from 6:30pm to 9pm at Kirkwall Theatre.

The Committee will hear evidence from both the Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council. The meeting will conclude with a Q & A session with the audience.

For more information  contact rec.committee@parliament.scot or telephone 0131 348 5882.