William Roe, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) today [Monday 30th October] called for positive policy measures to strengthen island communities and suggested ways that Scotland might help in the process.

Mr Roe was speaking today at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Forres, which was opened by Jack McConnell. The HIE chairman set out some of the key challenges facing the region's 44 islands with a population of 20 or more.

A number of islands such as Arran, Gigha and Bressay have seen their populations increase in recent years. Mr Roe believes this success can be extended to many other island communities through the application of a forward-looking strategy.

The physical barrier of a sea crossing exerts itself in every facet of island life said Mr Roe, and he called on the Scottish Executive and partner agencies to work with HIE to ensure that island residents are not unfairly disadvantaged by their location.

He said: "We need to create greater equivalence for island communities with their counterparts on the mainland. This concept, widely developed in Scandinavian countries for example, establishes a presumption of trying to treat all citizens similarly in the delivery of services and policies."

First Minister Jack McConnell said: "It is crucial for Scotland's future that we sustain and develop our rural communities and islands.  Our rural communities and islands have historic and cultural importance. But I know as an islander, that they have an important role to play in protecting our environment and creating a vibrant and dynamic future for Scotland as a whole.

 "Our Scottish government has worked hard over the years to ensure that rural communities in Scotland have access to the economic opportunities and the vital public services they need to flourish..

"But this is an ongoing process and the Islands Strategy published by HIE today is an important contribution. It can help ensure we continue to move in the right direction and we will give the strategy and its implications for government full consideration."

Among other measures that Mr Roe felt should be explored, were increased support for community projects, continued investment in community-owned projects and for islands to be given priority in advances such as next generation broadband.

He also extended discussion topics such as the availability of land for housing, greater frequency of ferry services, lower fares and innovative approaches to island healthcare.

Following Mr Roe's address, Stephen Hagan, convener of Orkney Islands Council told the convention: "The islands can hold their own in terms of contribution to the economy with rapid growth in industries like renewable energy.  We also have a rich cultural history, and although we may be small in terms of population, our islands have a strong sense of identity and community spirit." 

"We must show our commitment to sustaining a dynamic future for our islands. Service delivery needs to be more people-centred, as opposed to a one size fits all approach. It needs to be accepted that it is more expensive to deliver services in rural areas than in densely populated areas. It is also important to understand the consequences when national policy doesn't work at a local level and we, as representatives of the islands, are happy to contribute our knowledge and experience to help make it work".

Mr Roe explained: "What is required at this stage is not an immediate assessment of the individual ideas, but a shared recognition between Ministers and partners that Scotland's islands are a distinctive and highly valuable asset to the nation as a whole and that the investment which we together make in these communities should be systematically reshaped to ensure the greatest fitness for purpose over the next five to 10 years and beyond."