Easter recess has come and gone in a flash, and I’m now back at Holyrood ready for a very busy term.  We have lots coming up, including bills making their way through the parliamentary process.  Next week is Stage 3 of the Children (Care and Justice) Bill, followed by consideration of assisted dying, devolved taxes, agriculture, and other pieces of legislation.

Getting around the Highlands and Islands when parliament isn’t sitting means I have the input and knowledge of what people in the area think of a policy area when it comes to debating and voting on it – and any amendments.  This is incredibly important for any politician. 

One thing that has always been at the forefront of conversation in the islands, whether in these words or not, is the depopulation of rural and island areas.  While Orkney as a whole is increasing in population, we know that this is not a uniform increase across all the isles, nor does it mean that there is no work needed to keep island communities sustainable.  Scotland’s population is expected to decline within the next decade, and with working-age people gathering in certain areas, others are sure to struggle to recruit key workers and keep services going.

It was great to catch up with the new Leader of Orkney Islands Council, Heather Woodbridge, in North Ronaldsay.  I try to engage with all the local authority leaders within the Highlands and Islands, knowing that councils are often able to pick up more quickly on emerging local issues through delivery of housing, education, and social care.  I’m excited by the prospect of a north islander leading the council and look forward to seeing what that means for policymaking at a local level.

Folk at work often laugh when I say I can’t wait for the next lot of Census data – it’s true.  Data at a very local level about the demographics of who is living in a place, who is leaving, and where they’re going is very helpful for planning services.  It can also tell us where efforts are most needed to put in place measures to attract and retain working-age people.

What this data can’t tell us is the why.  So, as always, I welcome any emails, calls, and letters to my office from people who are seeing problems in their community that might be contributing to loss of people.  Whether it’s a housing issue I may be able to help with, or a more general point about investment and employability, I welcome all thoughts and my team is ready to help in any way that we can.

I am already planning my summer schedule, making sure I can speak to as many constituents as possible when Parliament breaks in July. 

Please look out for surgery dates – but remember that you do not have to wait for a surgery to raise an issue. 

You can email me at emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot, call 01463 563036, or write to me at M3.08 The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP at any time.

This is a regular column by SNP MSP Emma Roddick. All Highlands and Islands MSPs in the Highlands and Islands have been offered the same space in The Orkney News to share their personal views.