A COUNCILLOR has slammed plans for a report on Scotland’s islands, claiming plans have never changed in over 50 years.
The National Islands Plan in Scotland is scheduled for publication in 2025, replacing its current version, and has been consulted on across Argyll and Bute this month.
However, Councillor Andrew Kain (Independent, Oban South and the Isles), who is an islander himself, has said that a new report is not needed and that issues with islands are already well known.
He aired his views at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban Lorn and the Isles community planning group on Wednesday, May 14.
After a presentation on the islands plan, he said: “I listened to this with depression, because I will show you a report I am re-reading which was published for the Island of Mull survey and proposal for development, by the Highlands and Islands development board, in 1973.
“You read it and there is nothing you are going to tell us about what is happening to the islands. That is not represented in this document.
“Every islander born and bred on the islands, particularly getting to a mature age, knows absolutely what needs to be done.
“What does not need done is a new report. We have had reports over 50 years and nothing has been achieved. The problems are exactly the same, but they are new ones because it is 2025.
“We do not need another document; we need some action on things that have been obvious for 50 years.”
Megan McWilliams, of the Scottish Government’s islands team, responded: “While I was not born and bred on islands I am currently in Orkney. It is not great that 50 years down the line, we have the same kind of document.
“We are aware that the plan we had before was too broad and did not do what it should have done.
“We are backed by legislation, as islands are the only places with area-specific legislation, and are trying to develop a new plan that will help.
“While a lot of it is similar to what has been in previously, it will help us and we will use it as leverage when speaking to policy areas across the Scottish Government.
“I know that it is the same old story, if you will, but if there is anything very specific that you think we should look at, please say.”
Councillor Kain then said: “I would suggest the economic potential that exists in the area, including the islands. We are turning some islands into retirement homes for the wealthy and need to repopulate them.”
Ms McWilliams replied: “I completely understand and that is why retention is the overarching theme. We do not want to discriminate against groups of people, but we are aware that we need young families and people of working age.”
