29.04.2014
The views of remote and island communities on local democracy will be the focus for the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee when it visits Stornoway later this week (2 May 2014).
The visit to the Western Isles is part of its inquiry into flexibility and autonomy of local government. During its visit, the Committee will have an open meeting with community groups when the Committee will hear first-hand about the challenges faced by remote and island communities in relation to their public services and local government. The Committee also wants to hear views on how these challenges can be addressed, including thoughts on potential changes to local democratic structures and financial arrangements.
It will then hold a formal public Committee meeting, taking evidence from Councillors and local authority Chief Executives, before hearing from representatives of the third sector, from the three island authorities.
Committee Convener Kevin Stewart MSP said:
“Local government plays a huge role in all of our lives, particularly through the public services it delivers for local people. We know the pressures and demands on local government will vary across Scotland and it is important that local government structures are able to accommodate the needs of those living in the remote or island communities.
“We want to explore with those living and working in remote and island communities in Scotland, such as the Western Isles, their views on local public services, and the unique challenges faced by these communities. Only by doing this can we ensure adaptable local government structures to provide the support needed.”
The Committee are also interested in gathering local views on how the forthcoming community empowerment Bill will support these communities to play a greater role in relation to community planning and local public services design and delivery, as well as providing greater community ownership through asset transfer and right to buy.
The Committee will host a community meeting from 10.30 am – 12.00 pm on Friday 2 May with the formal committee meeting taking place at 1.300 pm. Both meetings will take place in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council Headquarters. Members of the public would like to attend either meeting should email [email protected].
For those who can’t make it, the Committee will also be holding a ‘digital discussion’ Twitter and email. If you have any questions for the Committee these can be emailed to [email protected] or via the Committee’s twitter account @SP_LocalGovt using #power2islands.
Background
Launched in February 2014, the Committee’s inquiry into local government autonomy will explore whether local government has the necessary flexibility, autonomy, and constitutional place to meet the ongoing and future needs of communities across Scotland.
Issues such as the legal, constitutional and funding mechanisms in place will be explored during the course of the inquiry which is expected to begin taking oral evidence in April 2014. The Committee will also consider public engagement and turnout at local elections.
As part of the inquiry, Committee members visited Hamburg, Copenhagen and Malmo to compare and contrast some of the different models of local government across Europe. The Committee have also taken evidence from the Åland Islands, who have a unique constitutional arrangement that provides them with significant autonomy from the rest of Finland, to provide local solutions to suit local needs.
More information about the inquiry can be found on the Local Government and Regeneration Committee’s webpage.